Hello, Autocar. I am currently in the market to buy a new car and am thoroughly confused between the M340i and the new 5 Series. I will be upgrading from a Mercedes-Benz C 300d AMG Line diesel. While the M340i has the beastly B58, the thing holding me back is that it doesn't feel like a segment upgrade compared to my current C-Class. With the 5 Series, the size and opulence make it feel like a solid upgrade, but it has pretty much the same power as my C and lesser torque. Thanks.

Asked by: Rahul

Your decision on which BMW car to buy depends on what you value more. The BMW 5 Series, as you rightly identified, is the larger and more opulent car. It is roomier inside, too, but it is essentially a model that prioritises comfort over driving thrills. The engine feels strong when pushed, but the overarching experience is that of a car designed to deliver a calming experience.

The BMW M340i is the performance choice. The B58 engine is one of the modern-day greats and will thrill you for years to come. Slick handling and an improved ride with the facelift make the M340i hard to fault as an everyday fun car. Sure, it's no larger than the Mercedes-Benz C 300d you are switching from, but if driving pleasure is high up on your priority list, the M340i is easily the BMW for you.

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

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Autocar India Team

Nov 22, 2025

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