Would you rather....

[Rix]

First world problems and all that, but currently have a low mileage E85 3.0i that I barely use, and a g21 M340i (touring) which is my daily. I do love the B58, the 3 series being the third car I've sampled it in. I do like a soft top but the E85 is just not a daily driver - lacking modern creature comforts and the ride is a bit fidgety...

My other half has a practical SUV and I must admit I'm not using the practically of the 3 series as much as I thought - 99% of the time it's me on my own!

So I'm currently drawn to a G29 M40i, potentially chopping in both, although I could keep the E85 -albeit I would already have the soft top option ticked! If i'm honest the draw of the Thundernight option is almost as appealing as the car itself! My only slight reticence is that the B58 in the G29 is slightly lacking from what I have in the G21...

What would you do - stick or twist?!

 

[Mr Tidy]

That's a tough decision seeing as you have access to an SUV if you need practicality.

And the G29 does look great in Thundernight. Would it feel lacking in a G29 as it must be a bit lighter than a G21?

I think you really need to try an M40i.

 

[Pondrew]

What would you do - stick or twist?!

Stick!
A B58 is a B58, whatever shape car it's in. Get your G21 painted in purple if it makes you happy!

 

[john-e89]

I’ve had an M40i and they’re NOT lacking in grunt Rix. If you can wring one out and be left wanting more you’re either an exceptional driver that really shouldn’t be doing it to that level on a public highway, or you’re kidding yourself. Try one as Mr Tidy says, only in my opinion but I doubt you’ll be left thinking they need more shove.

 

[Rix]

I'm far from an exceptional driver! I had the b58 in a m240i convertible and a 840i GC which I think we're both rated at the same as the z4 output, and neither was a slouch (even the big 8 ) but the m340i is pretty ballistic in pace and it's quite addictive! I'm going to try to get a drive in the Z4 m40i I think. Am I alone in thinking it's aged very well so far?!

 

[Rix]

This is not helping...

 

[Mr Tidy]

This is not helping...

I can see why it wouldn't!

You could always get a remap once the warranty expired. :wink:

 

[Scubaregs]

I doubt the power to weight ratio is much different between the two.

 

[Boyo]

Twist. You obviously don't need the space as you have access to an SUV and you would be only running one BMW rather than two. Oh, and Thundernight on a G29 is stunning IMHO.

 

[tiglon]

Sounds like you need to drive an M40i...

 

[Hut man]

I second Tiglon with the drive the G29 M40 idea, I was in a similar boat as you with a128ti and a 430d x drive.
I had the 430 from new and kept it for just short of 10 years, we went through all types of permutations from an old Z3 right up to all the various Z4 variants, eventually we realised I didn’t need three cars and two motorbikes so made up my mind I would sell the 430 and one of my bikes and bite the bullet and get a G29.
First of all I test drove a Z4 30i, basically the same engine and power as the 128ti (265bhp) and I was slightly disappointed with the whole package, a few weeks later I went to a different dealer who had two 4 cylinder cars which were nice but didn’t really blow me away the sales man then said we do have a M40i as well, the car was a BMW management car with all the bells and whistles, the guy said take it away for an hour and see how you get on with it.
That salesman knew his onions , I was back in an hour and signed up, the car is amazing.
If you drive the M40 be prepared to sign on the dotted line.

 

[Argyll Andy]

Well………………….

I would be astonished if you felt you needed more go, mine is used properly and I haven’t ever felt that

 

[Rix]

Update...

Test drive done....
It's a lovely car, a lot more mature and grown up than my E85 obviously, but this suits me as a daily - it's really quite refined for what it is. Could not complain re it's pace at all, but bizarrely it felt more aggressive off the line than the 340, despite RWD Vs AWD, and if anything maybe felt slightly less strong at the mid/top end. Exhaust was a little muted due to OPF but that's just how it is in 2024! It felt pretty agile, pointy and certainly a bit more dynamic than the 3er as expected. Idrive7 felt a bit retrograde coming from the big screens of idrive8, but more physical buttons and a more cohesive dash layout makes up for this - idrive7 is still a great package and I almost always use android auto anyway so no biggy.

So, a night of contemplation and now...

Order in!

I was offered a couple of pre-specced cars but in the end have gone for a factory order. Base spec apart from the tech pack which adds heads-up, enhanced Bluetooth, parking assistant and HK audio. It had to be Thundernight, ivory leather and aluminium mesh effect trim. Didn't go for the shadowline pack as I prefer the stock alloys. Won't land until October/November ish, so some more months to negotiate the current combo. My 28k manual 3.0i E85 will be up for sale in a few months time I'm sure.

Very very excited!

Courtesy of the configurator:

 

[Mr Tidy]

Congratulations, that is a stunning colour combination.

 

[bearded_ed]

Very nice spec choice!

I'm curious... Did a Supra ever cross your mind or did it have to be a 'vert of some kind?

 

[sars]

Congratulations, that's going to bring a huge smile to your face come November.

 

[Rix]

Very nice spec choice!

I'm curious... Did a Supra ever cross your mind or did it have to be a 'vert of some kind?

I like the looks of the supra from the outside but I can't help but find the interiors are a bit dull and lack the premium feels of a BMW. Used to have a GR Yaris and as amazingly capable as it was, it felt very low rent to sit in - supra, although better, feels all too familiar to me!