[StealYourFace]

I was looking at the bmw us site- the specs for a manual 320i and 328i are 200 lb apart?! Other than power output I'm not too familiar with the differences in the two cars.

I imagine the lower powered 320i could have a smaller diff and smaller brakes, but that wouldn't account for 200 pounds. Does make sense, seems more like a typo, or the 328i weight was actually a 328xi?

Any ideas?

[2blu]

The extra features that are standard in the 328 probably increase the weight as well. Not too familiar with what those extra features are since I haven't cross shopped either car, but I would imagine Xenons headlights, power seats, leather, sound system, larger rims, tires and brakes. I guess it's 10-20 lbs here and there that all add up.

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by 2blu

The extra features that are standard in the 328 probably increase the weight as well. Not too familiar with what those extra features are since I haven't cross shopped either car, but I would imagine Xenons headlights, power seats, leather, sound system, larger rims, tires and brakes. I guess it's 10-20 lbs here and there that all add up.

Xenon headlights, leather, larger/different wheels, tires and brakes aren't any different on the 320 vs 328. They're options on both. The 320 and 328 even use the same engine with very minor modifications - they're virtually twin vehicles, aside from the 328 having a FEW standard equipment improvements over the 320.

Power seats ARE standard on the 328, and probably account for a bulk of that weight. The 328 has a better standard sound system, that might contribute a tiny bit.

Also wondering if OP is comparing xDrive vs RWD.

[olinjohnston]

The power seats are standard on the 328i, and the weight difference on those alone is a decent amount.

[xlover]

US curb weight requires adding in "common" options the manufacturer believes will be on a significant portion of vehicles sold.

328 will go out with a lot more options on average than a 320

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

Xenon headlights, leather, larger/different wheels, tires and brakes aren't any different on the 320 vs 328. They're options on both. The 320 and 328 even use the same engine with very minor modifications - they're virtually twin vehicles, aside from the 328 having a FEW standard equipment improvements over the 320.

Power seats ARE standard on the 328, and probably account for a bulk of that weight. The 328 has a better standard sound system, that might contribute a tiny bit.

Also wondering if OP is comparing xDrive vs RWD.

Nope, I addressed that in my orig post, but I like where your head is at

Despite living in a snowy area, I have no need to get an xi. Snow tires do the job, plus you can't get a stick in an f30 328xi, so that puts the nail in the coffin for me.

The post above explains it as the advertised weight needs to reflect what a typical car sold in the US weighs based on options.

Neat stuff, at the end of the day, these cars really aren't heavier than the e90. If I go fwd, the lighter nose of a 328i might make more sense to me than a 335i, but I still need to drive a 328i sport with a stick to make that decision. The shorter gearing does a nice job closing the gap in power, stock for stock, and will still be quicker than my n52.

[Vitoco]

They also have different exhaust systems; smaller/narrower pipe on the 320i, 60 vs 75 mm, so you have a few pounds there. The rear-axel drives are also not the same, with a 15-20 lbs weight difference, and you´ll probablty find a lot more parts here and there that add up. The general view of them being "the same" is false, it´s not just an engine tune that differs. You pay more, you get more.

edit: I was looking at real-oem doing some quick part comparison, then searching for the different part numbers on an OEM store to find the weight.

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by Vitoco

They also have different exhaust systems; smaller/narrower pipe on the 320i, 60 vs 75 mm, so you have a few pounds there. The rear-axel drives are also not the same, with a 15-20 lbs weight difference, and you´ll probablty find a lot more parts here and there that add up. The general view of them being "the same" is false, it´s not just an engine tune that differs. You pay more, you get more.

edit: I was looking at real-oem doing some quick part comparison, then searching for the different part numbers on an OEM store to find the weight.

Okay obviously they are different models, so they're not "the same". But the 320 and 328 share a LOT more in common than the 328 and 335, by far.

Not sure about the rear-axel driver, that seems odd to me.

[Vitoco]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

Okay obviously they are different models, so they're not "the same". But the 320 and 328 share a LOT more in common than the 328 and 335, by far.

Not sure about the rear-axel driver, that seems odd to me.

Yes they do share a lot but key components and parts related to different outputs etc are not the same. The rear-axle drive I mentioned cause I looked it up, thats why I added the "edit" to show that I´m not just throwing numbers out there

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by Vitoco

Yes they do share a lot but key components and parts related to different outputs etc are not the same. The rear-axle drive I mentioned cause I looked it up, thats why I added the "edit" to show that I´m not just throwing numbers out there

I believe you! More am just curious as to why the rear axel differs?

[2blu]

Probably to handle the extra power. Even the transmission might be different. Granted it's the ZF 8 speed but there are multiple variations of it depending on power output. If I'm not mistaken the 335d has the beefiest one, beefier than the one in the 335i/xi. I believe I've read that the transmission in the 335d is 15lbs heavier than the one in the 335i.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

...plus you can't get a stick in an f30 328xi, so that puts the nail in the coffin for me.

A man after my own heart.

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by 2blu

Probably to handle the extra power. Even the transmission might be different. Granted it's the ZF 8 speed but there are multiple variations of it depending on power output. If I'm not mistaken the 335d has the beefiest one, beefier than the one in the 335i/xi. I believe I've read that the transmission in the 335d is 15lbs heavier than the one in the 335i.

Probably to deal with extra torque from the diesel.

Frightening that people are running N20's in the 320's turboed to 240HP without the proper rear axel then.

[Jamesons Viggen]

The website is a bit misleading. Look at as tested magazine reported weights of similar 320's and 328's and the weight delta is never as large as 200lbs.

[GMe90]

The 320i is painfully slow. If you can't afford a 328i, buy a 2 series or drive something else.

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by GMe90

The 320i is painfully slow. If you can't afford a 328i, buy a 2 series or drive something else.

0-60 in under 7 seconds is not that slow. And the 2 series aint cheap and aint a 4 door.

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

0-60 in under 7 seconds is not that slow. And the 2 series aint cheap and aint a 4 door.

Agreed. Anything under 7 seconds is reasonably nimble as a daily driver. Not to mention the efficiency and price point.

It wasn't long ago the E46 325ci was selling as a new model in 2005 which only had ~184HP.

[desodangwe]

The general view of them being "the same" is false, it´s not just an engine tune that differs. You pay more, you get more.

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

Agreed. Anything under 7 seconds is reasonably nimble as a daily driver. Not to mention the efficiency and price point.

It wasn't long ago the E46 325ci was selling as a new model in 2005 which only had ~184HP.

Its slow. When you're getting smoked by full size SUVs and pickups, your car is too slow.

Efficiency is BS. The 320 won't get any better economy than the 328. In fact, it will have to work harder, so it'll probably get worse.

This isn't the early 2000's any more. Times have changed. Econoboxes have 200hp and do sub 7 second 0-60s. A BMW having less power and being slower is inexcusable.

[Cyberdemon]

Most people who buy a 320i will NEVER accelerate to 60mph in 7 seconds. Plenty of people drive cars slow. Plenty of people live in large cities with 30mph speed limits. For those people, a base line 320i with a super low lease rate and a BMW badge is a great car.

If you're an enthusiast, then yes it's down on power, but some people can live with a slow engine and the same driving dynamics as the bigger cars. Keep in mind half of Europe is driving cars with even smaller engines. My co-worker over in London just picked up a 116d - and he loves it even with its whopping 116hp.

[tuned2ride]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Most people who buy a 320i will NEVER accelerate to 60mph in 7 seconds.

Even most people who thinks that they are doing it.

Just mashing it from idle is not a 0-60mph in less than 7s.

This is more a 5-60mph and C&D reports 7.7s.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...0i-test-review

Despite its massive torque, a 328d is even worse at 8.0s!
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ed-test-review

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Most people who buy a 320i will NEVER accelerate to 60mph in 7 seconds. Plenty of people drive cars slow. Plenty of people live in large cities with 30mph speed limits. For those people, a base line 320i with a super low lease rate and a BMW badge is a great car.

If you're an enthusiast, then yes it's down on power, but some people can live with a slow engine and the same driving dynamics as the bigger cars. Keep in mind half of Europe is driving cars with even smaller engines. My co-worker over in London just picked up a 116d - and he loves it even with its whopping 116hp.

I live in the city with a 25mph speed limit. Doesn't mean I'm gonna do it. If you ever catch me doing less than 40-45, that means theres a camera or a cop around. Same with many other drivers around. Nobody cares what the sign says. We're gonna do the speed that we feel is proper for the situation and road. Besides, my 750 can't do 25mph. It doesn't charge the battery. Since the mayor lowered the limit, I've had to put the car on the charger way more than I ever did before.

Lets face it, people who buy 320s are badge whores. They're buying just for the badge on the hood. Its not like these are super reliable cars either. Those people would be better served by a Civic or Corolla than a BMW.