The inevitable dilemma | BMW 530d vs M340i

The BMW 530d is from a segment higher, has finer quality, better interiors, a bigger footprint, diesel fuel economy, comfortable ride quality and is fun to drive. The M340i is unbeatable for the sheer pleasure on tap, it's waaaaaay more fun to drive with that glorious motor going to 7,000 rpm and a 0 - 100 time of 4.4 seconds, the AWD offers beautiful poise and that tasty exhaust note sounds awesome.

GTO shared this with other BHPians.

A friend wants to buy a BMW and called me with his dilemma. Fellow has driven my remapped 530d and totally loves it. I told him the G30 drives even better. Now he read our M340i review and is royally confused.

The way that I see it, the 530d is from a segment higher, has finer quality, better interiors, a bigger footprint, diesel fuel economy (a big plus when touring long distance - M340i is a guzzler), comfortable ride quality (stiff M340i makes you feel everything on the road) and is fun to drive (but not as much fun as the M340i).

On the other hand, the M340i is unbeatable for the sheer pleasure on tap, it's waaaaaay more fun to drive with that glorious motor going to 7,000 rpm and a 0 - 100 time of 4.4 seconds, the AWD offers beautiful poise and that tasty exhaust note sounds awesome. My friend intends to use his purchase as a family car and hence, the main downside vis à vis the 530d is the stiffer ride quality & fuel guzzling nature.

I told him to get the M340i and rev away to glory! This kind of special sedan doesn't come too often, and in terms of smiles per km, it's the indisputable king from BMW's mainstream line-up. The 530d is a beautiful machine, but the M340i is drop-dead gorgeous!

There are waiting periods involved, but he doesn't mind at all.

In the same situation, what would you pick and why?