While a handful of enthusiasts downright refuse to acknowledge the existence of sports sedans — instead insisting that only coupes and convertibles can be "real" sports cars — the performance-oriented four-door market isn't dead. Sure, traditional sedans are a dying breed, as sporty SUVs with more cargo space and decent handling have taken over. However, manufacturers such as BMW and Genesis still offer luxurious rides with plenty of power.The BMW 3 Series Sedan has been around for decades, with its history in the United States stretching back to the late 1970s. Its fastest variant, the M3, has had a grip on enthusiasts for as long as it has been available. That said, BMW knows that not all buyers can afford the M3, nor do they need all the performance that comes with it, which is where the M340i fits.One often-overlooked competitor is the Genesis G70. This Korean sedan doesn't come as an M3 rival, but it does have the guts to face an M340i with class and prowess. Used models with the twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine are relatively affordable nowadays. Are they enticing enough to sway you away from a new M340i?New prices are correct at the time of writing, and exclude destination, options, taxes, incentives, and other potential fees. Used car prices vary depending on the car's location, mileage, number of owners, title status, mechanical and cosmetic conditions, and more. Genesis Offers The Best Warranty Carbuzz / ValnetThe Genesis warranties and their BMW equivalents listed above apply to new vehicles, so a used G70's coverage wouldn't last 10 years. However, depending on which used G70 3.3T you find, it could still have more warranty coverage than BMW offers on its brand-new models. The M340i isn't the most reliable model, so we recommend springing for as much coverage as you can get unless you plan to keep the car for only a few years.The earliest G70 3.3T you can find is from the 2019 model year. Since that was seven years ago, even the oldest examples still have about three years of powertrain coverage to give you peace of mind. One caveat to note is that, according to Kia/Genesis/Hyundai, the powertrain warranty is only available to the original purchaser or to buyers of a certified pre-owned model. Don't buy a G70 from a private party, then expect a dealership to cover the costs of engine issues. Genesis G70 3.3T Vs. BMW M340i Performance Carbuzz / ValnetNow that you know you'll be covered in the event of any part breaks while driving, you can enjoy both models. The BMW M340i is a step below the M3, but still offers more than enough power and great handling. It's available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, with the AWD variant gaining enough traction to shave 0.3 seconds off its zero-60 mph sprint. Both versions are powered by the same 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 mild hybrid system that produces 386 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque.The Genesis G70 3.3T, regardless of model year, uses a twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6. Its 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque fall short of the M340i's output, but it's enough power for a neck-and-neck zero-60 mph sprint. The 2020 model year could also be optioned for your choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. A mechanical limited-slip differential was standard on the earlier G70 3.3T models. Here's what our expert road tester had to say about it when it was new:The limited-slip differential helps you control the rear end and put the power down, and the communication between the front and rear ends is aided by some of the best steering this side of an Alfa Romeo Giulia. This truly feels like a driver's car first and a luxury sedan second, though Genesis has managed to keep it quiet and comfortable even on the highway. 2020 Genesis G70 3.3T Reliability and Recalls Carbuzz / ValnetGenesis, Kia, and Hyundai share powertrains and platforms, which means their models can sometimes suffer from the same issues. The G70, however, is holding up pretty well. According to CarEdge, a G70 (regardless of trim or variant) costs an average of $2,352 to maintain and repair over the first five years on the road — below the average for luxury sedans.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has logged only 12 complaints for the 2020 model year, some of which relate to recalls rather than unique issues. As for recalls, though, there are three: Loss of Drive Power from Fuel Pump Failure (54,647 units affected) Engine Compartment Fire from Oil Leak (28,439 units affected) Anti-Lock Brake System Module May Short Circuit (552 units affected) We would steer further away from the 2019 model year, which currently has five recalls and 57 owner complaints. The 2020 and newer models have few complaints that we aren't concerned about any one issue being prominent or common. Historical BMW M340i Common Problems Via: BMWSince the brand-new M340i doesn't have any recalls or complaints yet, we'll look at the reliability of previous model years. The seventh-generation 3 Series Sedan was introduced for the 2019 model year, the same year the G70 debuted, and received a single facelift for the 2023 model year. The M340i has used the same powertrain, transmission, and drivetrain systems for its entire generation thus far. CarEdge doesn't have M340i-specific data, but claims the 3 Series in general costs owners an average of $4,501 to maintain and repair.Believe it or not, the seventh-gen 3 Series Sedan (generation code G20) has a similar number of owner complaints to the NHTSA as the G70. The 2019 3 Series has 38 complaints, and the 2020 model year has 50 reports of issues from owners. It's the recalls that bite back, with the 2019 model year being affected by 9, and the 2020 3 Series getting 12. These are the most notable: Engine Starter May Corrode And Overheat (199,674 units affected) Steering Gear Tie Rods May Become Damaged (2,779 units affected) Counterbalance Shaft May Loosen (217 units affected) Is a Used G70 3.3T as Luxurious as a New M340i? Carbuzz / ValnetWhile our road tester said the G70 feels more like a driver's car than a luxury sedan, it still has some nice features. Genesis explained in its 2019 G70 press release that the design studio "focused on delivering maximum comfort, using a variety of genuine materials, and fit and finish."Depending on the trim level, the G70 at the time could be equipped with several types of quilted-pattern, heated and ventilated seats with Nappa leather upholstery. It also had an optional 15-speaker Lexicon sound system. As for safety, the 2019 G70 came with forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and more.The BMW M340i tends to place greater emphasis on driving quality and performance, but it's still a German luxury sedan at the end of the day. Some of its standard features include standard open-pore wood trim or an optional carbon fiber interior trim, a flat-bottom steering wheel, leather upholstery with contrast stitching, and more. Options include a Harman Kardon surround sound system, glass buttons, and more. Used Genesis G70 3.3T Values Today Carbuzz / ValnetAccording to the CarBuzz Marketplace price trend data, the 2020 Genesis G70 3.3T with rear-wheel drive is currently worth an average of about $24,700. AWD models may be worth slightly more. Kelley Blue Book's fair purchase values place the 2020 3.3T's fair purchase price at $23,000, for comparison. 2026 BMW M340i Pricing BMWBMW's new-car pricing is pretty simple, despite there being so many versions of the 3 Series sedan available. There are two regular 330i variants to skip over before reaching the first M340i, which starts at $62,300 before destination, options, and other fees. For AWD, buyers will have to spend at least $64,300 on the M340i xDrive. It might sound like a lot, but that's still $15,000 less than the actual M3 sedan. Save Money Without Losing Performance by Choosing the G70 Carbuzz / ValnetBuyers face a surprisingly difficult choice: spend over $62,000 on a new BMW M340i with tons of power and brief warranty coverage, or spend $24,000 on a used Genesis G70 with nearly equal performance specs and potentially outdated warranties. As long as you buy a certified pre-owned G70 3.3T, we don't see any downside. CPO G70s should be taken care of, still have years of solid warranty coverage, and they'll be in good cosmetic condition. The risks come from buying early model-year examples from private sellers. As long as you trust the seller, a G70 3.3T should be a far better deal than a new M340i.
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