[ishlinea7260]

I was in a similar dilemma last year.

At that time the LCI 530i and 340i were priced close to each other.

Though I really wanted to consider the 530d but the 10 year diesel car ban didn’t help, so I ended up buying the 530i.

The 340i is strictly a 2 seater, I had trouble getting my folks sit in the back seat.

In my opinion you should go with the 530d, believe me the additional space will keep your family members happy.

[toofastfoyou]

I've picked up my LCI 530d earlier in January this year.
I had driven the G30 530d(pre-lci) and a remapped f10 530d before as well as the Z4 m40i that shares the same B58 motor with the M340ix

The M340ix and 530d are not similarly priced , 340i is much easier on the pocket and does come with the additional power. After around a week of being in both boats I finally decided to call in a favour and arrange for a m340i to drive as it was not available for TD at the time.

My take on the m340i :

The Good
1. The exhaust note , burbles in sport and aggresive pop on red line shifts.
2. The sheer amount of power available.
3. The ability to put down that power making full use of the x-drive system
4. Better handling on curves than the 530d

The Bad
1. Best suited for brand new roads, extremely stiff ride.
2. No space , feels cramped when compared with the 5 series.
3. When the two cars are parked together the 3 is a 3 and cant hold a candle to the longer and wider 5 series in terms of looks.
4. Full-time AWD , unlike the powerslide hungry RWD 530d.
5. BMW messed up big time with the new instrument cluster on the 340i

The 530d

The Good
1. Looks far better than the 3 series imho.
2. More space
3. Torque , Torque , Torque and then some.
4. Rides much softer in comfort mode than the stiff m340i.
5. Donuts , Powerslides
6. More economical to run



The Bad
1. Low ground clearance , i felt the LCI 530d to be even lower than the pre LCI model , it WILL scrape on bad speed breakers if driven straight.
2. The infamous wheel bending issue. The 18" wheels will bend on deeper potholes.
3. No Sporty exhaust note , however i did code in the BMW M5 ASD (Artificial Sound) through the speakers to have a sportier feel inside the cabin.
4. Only 2 color options available (Carbon Black/Alpine White) , would have loved if the 30d was offered with the new Bernina Grey option like the 530i m sports.



Both cars come with trusted and reliable BMW engines , However both cars are much different than the other. On one hand i felt the m340i to be a decent sports car with 2 extra seats and doors and on the other hand the 530d is an all-rounder family hauler that looks fast , drives fast and leaves you with no back pain at the end of your journey. Both cars come with locked ECUs which can now be unlocked , the tuning potential of the m340i is much greater than the 530d.
Indeed an inevitable dilemma

If you're going to use the car within the city and assuming the roads are fabulous , i'd have chosen the m340i over the 530d.
Though i went with the 530d as i have a tuned Octavia Vrs that definitely gives a m340i a run for its money any day any time.
In my case the 530d was a no-brainer
however if its going to be your first performance oriented car you should try out the m340i and see if that suspension is bareable for you and your family.

A few pictures from when the car was in the company stockyard then to the dealer floor and finally home

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by toofastfoyou

I've picked up my LCI 530d earlier in January this year.

If you're going to use the car within the city and assuming the roads are fabulous , i'd have chosen the m340i over the 530d.
Though i went with the 530d as i have a tuned Octavia Vrs that definitely gives a m340i a run for its money any day any time.

Well summed up and an envious dilemma to be in .

With a tuned VRS already in your garage, the 530D is a no-brainer for your particular use case. Looks majestic in white. Any plans to swap that front grill & ORVMs to glossy black ones?

[zeus1390]

Here are my observations after driving the 530 d for over 5 months :
I would say it is no slouch when it comes to performance . Yeah the initial speeds maybe not exhilarating, but he moment you touch 3 digits the torque shows its character and it just shoots ahead.

I completed 7,500 kms with this 530D LCI and my only concerns were the sharp ramps , the wheelbase is long and the ramps which dies abruptly onto the roads are always a trouble. I heard the GC is 158mm but am not so sure about it, it does manage most of the speed breakers though and i never felt any issues driving around Chennai.

The one aspect which is not talked about are the rear seats, now its definitely not e class standards, but i feel people get carried away by legroom. Here the seats are more sofa like and they are not bucket shaped either like in A6 ( I have always felt it more uncomfortable over long journeys). The sofa like rear seats with Nappa leather are really good and the centre armrest is just placed at the right height. I doze off easily on this car when compared with w212 E class which we had earlier.

The 50:50 weight distribution makes it the best handling car in its segment and low stance just makes it even better in corners. Never felt any body roll and the dampers just sweeten the ride quality. Its definitely worth the extra money you pay over the 3 series for those dynamic dampers alone.

[toofastfoyou]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Well summed up and an envious dilemma to be in .

With a tuned VRS already in your garage, the 530D is a no-brainer for your particular use case. Looks majestic in white. Any plans to swap that front grill & ORVMs to glossy black ones?

These pictures are from Day 1 and before I even saw the car in person , never got the chance to see it until it was delivered to me.
Since then i've added a cf rear diffuser and rear boot spoiler from BMW Mperformance parts as the rear is what most people see when a 530d is on the roads The front grill and ORVMS will get a hydrographic treatment soon in a matching cf weave pattern as the rear parts (I was late to realise cf parts are not meant for M-lite cars )

[FAIAAA]

This comparison is redundant now ( as far as new cars are concerned). Just got confirmation from 2 BMW dealers in Bangalore that 530D/630D production has now stopped. Unless one goes the pre-owned route, the only 6 cylinder BMW available now under 1Cr is the M340i.

[Aaroah]

Originally Posted by FAIAAA

This comparison is redundant now ( as far as new cars are concerned). Just got confirmation from 2 BMW dealers in Bangalore that 530D/630D production has now stopped. Unless one goes the pre-owned route, the only 6 cylinder BMW available now under 1Cr is the M340i.

Octavia & Superb gone
SWB 3 series has gone
30d Diesel BMWs gone
G60 5 series will only be LWB

How should the enthusiast go on about his life now ??

[FAIAAA]

Originally Posted by Aaroah

Octavia & Superb gone
SWB 3 series has gone
30d Diesel BMWs gone
G60 5 series will only be LWB

How should the enthusiast go on about his life now ??

True that. However just returned from a test drive of the 330Li, and while it may not be as sharp as the SWB, it still is a good driver's car and family friendly with a good suspension set up and acres of space.

However for a sedan lover, there is a huge gap between Slavia/Virtus and then 2/3 series.

[NazgulLOTR]

Originally Posted by Aaroah

Octavia & Superb gone
SWB 3 series has gone
30d Diesel BMWs gone
G60 5 series will only be LWB

How should the enthusiast go on about his life now ??

You can buy the 340i and be 1 in 200 in the country who can claim to be part of that exclusive club

[mgastor2022grey]

When he is looking in terms of an enthusiast, I would have voted the M340i, but when in terms of family, the 5 series is the one to buy, Reasons:

1) Better Suspension will leave the family comfortable
2) Bigger car means a spacious rear row for family
3) Bigger boot, which means more luggage
4) Longer wheelbase, which means a more usable 2nd row

But I do agree with GTO on one point: The M340i is one of a kind, and these cars aren't on sale forever. Moreover, YOLO!