[LoneStar]

real first world problem: had a z4 M40i for two years, but often felt not convinced with the car.

Driving profile: winding roads, suburban, urban and sometime trips over highways 300-500 miles (germany).

I really like light and responsive cars.

My cons of the M40i so far:

- feels quite heavy, but still well balanced
- feels a little to much "planted" so it lacks some responsiveness
- very wide tyres underlines the feeling of heaviness
- steering to heavy even in comfort
- steering wheel far too thick

Responsiveness could also depend on the adaptive suspension, the m sport suspension of a driven 30i felt more direct.

The inline six engine is a real burner: power delivery, sound and mpg are all amazing. So logical wise it is a simple calculation, take the M40i again as long as it is posible


But then - weight matters sometimes.

The lighter 30i has some advantages:

- could order it with 18" 225/255 instead of 255/275
- has thinner steering wheel
- weighs 60-70 kg less on the front and the engine sits behind the front axle, not on top like the inline six

Yes indeed, the weight difference is only around 130-140 lbs (60-70kg) and not 200 or more. The technical specs of BMW are misleading, with the same equippment, there ist only this difference between both models, I cross checked it several times.

Nevertheless, the 30i feels lighter significantly, though the steering is not much better (feels still dead and heavy in the center), I hoped it would be better. But you can improve it with advanced coding for a ligther steering feel, so for me it would be fine in the end.

I still can't decide between the two, I only had the chance to drive a 30i for two hours, not enough to convince me at all. But maybe it would be in the long run?

So one day I would fix the M40, the next day the 30i

What to do?

[stlcdr]

Steering wheel is thinner? I test drove a 30 and thought it had the same thickness.

[LoneStar]

one test car from 2019 had a thinner wheel. Maybe it is not possible to order this anymore.

[ebirotedu]

Here’s my advice: Stop reading magazine reviews and go drive a 30i. You’ve already owned an M40i, so you are in a better position to decide if a 30i fits your needs than anyone on this board.

[RavenGX]

I would go for the m40i, especially if you had one before, i think you would miss the power in a 30i. its probably possible to put wheels on the car that are less wide the winter-set for the m40i is also 18/255wide all around.
There's also a 17/225 set on the BMW accesoires site here in Belgium, but it might not fit over the brakes on the 40i.

I would try to test drive them both back to back and compare

Originally Posted by stlcdr

Steering wheel is thinner? I test drove a 30 and thought it had the same thickness.

there are different steering wheels for the m sport package and the non-msport it probably feels a little different.

[LoneStar]

i tested 2x for 1 hour - not enough. A rental for 2 days or so would be better, same suspension would be also good.

[Horseman]

I am a 30i owner. I can vouch to say you get a TON of fun car in a cheaper package. The pep is NOTHING to sneeze at and it’s a ton of fun to drive around. Here is my 12-month anniversary video.

However, as someone who likes to go all in with stuff he loves. I do feel pangs of regret not getting the M40i for the clout, sound, speed, the ///M (not a true M car, I know) and more. I am currently looking to find a way to upgrade to the M40i, but it still won’t be for a little while.

[LoneStar]

haha, more is more and more is better. Not always..

I did it the other way around, regretted not to take the lighter car;-)

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by LoneStar

haha, more is more and more is better. Not always..

I did it the other way around, regretted not to take the lighter car;-)

I test drove the 30i and loved the looks of the car and how it handled. I then told my salesman that I wanted to order the M40i without ever test driving it.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by LoneStar

real first world problem: had a z4 M40i for two years, but often felt not convinced with the car.

Driving profile: winding roads, suburban, urban and sometime trips over highways 300-500 miles (germany).

I really like light and responsive cars.

My cons of the M40i so far:

- feels quite heavy, but still well balanced
- feels a little to much "planted" so it lacks some responsiveness
- very wide tyres underlines the feeling of heaviness
- steering to heavy even in comfort
- steering wheel far too thick

Responsiveness could also depend on the adaptive suspension, the m sport suspension of a driven 30i felt more direct.

The inline six engine is a real burner: power delivery, sound and mpg are all amazing. So logical wise it is a simple calculation, take the M40i again as long as it is posible


But then - weight matters sometimes.

The lighter 30i has some advantages:

- could order it with 18" 225/255 instead of 255/275
- has thinner steering wheel
- weighs 60-70 kg less on the front and the engine sits behind the front axle, not on top like the inline six

Yes indeed, the weight difference is only around 130-140 lbs (60-70kg) and not 200 or more. The technical specs of BMW are misleading, with the same equippment, there ist only this difference between both models, I cross checked it several times.

Nevertheless, the 30i feels lighter significantly, though the steering is not much better (feels still dead and heavy in the center), I hoped it would be better. But you can improve it with advanced coding for a ligther steering feel, so for me it would be fine in the end.

I still can't decide between the two, I only had the chance to drive a 30i for two hours, not enough to convince me at all. But maybe it would be in the long run?

So one day I would fix the M40, the next day the 30i

What to do?

M40i for street cred, s30i for every other logical and objective reason.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

M40i for street cred, s30i for every other logical and objective reason.

I just realized why I went for the M40i without even test driving it. Back in the late 60's and early 70's when Oldsmobile was producing the 2nd generation of the 442, that was my dream muscle car. My dad would not allow me to have it because he knew that the car was meant for drag racing. I begged him for it but landed up getting a Cutlass instead.

I guess that in my mind the Cutlass was the equivalent of the 30i and the M40i was the 442 and it took me all of those years to fulfill that dream!

[TAZ007]

For me it came down to spending 55-60K for a 4-cylinder car. That is NOT something I can do. While the M40 I got was 69k it met my bang for buck decision.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

A logical test would be how many M40i buyers now wished they bought a 3.0 instead.

[DPelletier]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

A logical test would be how many M40i buyers now wished they bought a 3.0 instead.

Honestly, I wouldn't even have considered the car without the 6cyl......it was the main reason I didn't buy a Boxster S.

Sometimes, I even regret selling my V8 F type for the M40i; there is no way I'd have been happy with a 30i.....but everyone is different. Honestly, by the sounds of it the OP may be happier with a Boxster; it's lighter and has better steering - I almost bought one but couldn't warm up to the turbo 2.0 4 cyl.

2 cents,
Dave

[DPelletier]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

I just realized why I went for the M40i without even test driving it. Back in the late 60's and early 70's when Oldsmobile was producing the 2nd generation of the 442, that was my dream muscle car. My dad would not allow me to have it because he knew that the car was meant for drag racing. I begged him for it but landed up getting a Cutlass instead.

I guess that in my mind the Cutlass was the equivalent of the 30i and the M40i was the 442 and it took me all of those years to fulfill that dream!

In high school, I owned a 1970 442 W30.....quite the car.

Dave

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by DPelletier

In high school, I owned a 1970 442 W30.....quite the car.

Dave

Wasn't that the one with 455 HP?

[stlcdr]

Trying to get my mind around this decision. I test drove a 30 and got the 40, without test driving, also. I knew I wanted the 40.

I'm not convinced there's anything the 30 can do that the 40 can't. Having said that, 99% (maybe more) of the time I drive at the point that the 30 would adequately handle.

The 30 wins in the fuel economy department, I expect. As a daily driver with a lot of miles per year, that is possibly a significant factor.

I guess I'm: a) a child and like stupid things (the 40 is stupid fast); b) better to have it and not need it.

[LoneStar]

M40i is only 10% more than the 30i here. It's not the money. Fuel economy of the M40i is really decent, just 10% more or so.

That is the right question: how many M40i owners wishes a 30i? Not too much I would say.

The 4-zylinder is our mid term future here in Germany, as long as our green party urges us to go by bus or on horsebacks very soon;-)

From 2035 combustion engines will be be banned and in their dreams all these petrol and diesel cars should be banned right now, I am not kidding

BTW 4-Zylinder: take a look at the brand new AMG C63, a real funny thing:-)

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by DPelletier

In high school, I owned a 1970 442 W30.....quite the car.

Dave

If you have them, please post some pictures.

[DPelletier]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

Wasn't that the one with 455 HP?

The standard 455 in the 1970 442 was rated at 365hp; the W-30 had special heads, camshaft, unique aluminum intake, carb, tranny, etc. and was rated at 370hp which was clearly underrated. Actual gross crank hp was around 420hp. Also came with the W25 fiberglass hood, red inner fenders and reduced body sound deadening for less weight.

Of the approximately 23,000 442's built in 1970, 3100 were W30's.



I don't have any pics of mine on this computer but it's identical to this one, color, stripes, rims, etc. except I had Goodyear tires on mine.

[DPelletier]

apologies to the OP for going so far OT

Dave

[LoneStar]

I still can't decide, therefore I go for a M240i convertible;-)
It is quite a good offer, and selling it later on well shouldn't be a problem.

The 2 series is more practical for daily use and the steering is really more the way I like it - light and well centered with more response.

Sure a roadster is a total different approach and maybe I try it later on again, but not yet.