320 vs 328

Nick the Greek · 08-10-2014, 04:16 AM

For those tuning the 320i.

Remember the 328i has different pistons.

blk88verde · 08-10-2014, 09:06 AM

I got a 320i with the sport option, 6M, heated seats and moonroof. Very pleased with this car, well balanced between performance, handling and economy. The tune will be nice and make the car even more enjoyable. Granted it does not come with all the features of a 328i however I upgraded from a non BMW so my perspective may be different than most here. Really looking forward to taking for a drive around a track.

casualDIYer · 08-10-2014, 10:13 AM

I have a 320 sport with nav, leather, etc. It really is a fantastic car and gets amazing mileage. That being said if I had a choice for such a small difference, grab the 328i. Then mod the suspension yourself. It will be easier than modding the engine. Yes it might be another 2k but the car will be great. Mind you the sport seats would be nice too but they get quite pricey. Solve this problem by leasing. In 3-4 years you can re-choose.

Good luck. You'll be happy with either car I believe

Multimodal · 08-10-2014, 11:30 AM

Thanks for all your input, everyone. Very helpful.

We bought a red 320i 8AT with Sport Package and Heated Seats. Very close to a "Jalopnik Edition" model. The wheel, seats, and suspension feel great.

We paid $30k on a $36k MSRP. (The base model 328i would have cost us $32k on a $39k MSRP, or a 328i M Sport was available for $41k on a $49k MSRP.) With zero down and a 5 year 1.9% loan from USAA we are paying $600 a month.

The car is going to be my wife's daily driver in the city... when I get the urge to get a car again, I'll probably get an E92 M3 6MT, so there wasn't any reason to pay up for lots of power on this car. (If I was buying for "our car", I probably would have gone for the Estoril 328i M Sport or an M235i!)

It would have been nice if it had the Lighting Package (for the proper projectors and xenons), moonroof, comfort access, and driver assist (rear camera and parking radar), but options are a slippery slope, and I think the base model with sport package is an amazing value.

hmc · 08-10-2014, 11:36 AM

How do you get this much discount?

Multimodal · 08-10-2014, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmc

How do you get this much discount?

Just shopped around, plus we qualified for a $1,500 USAA/military bonus. There is also a $1,000 factory rebate available for all buyers right now.

On a $36,025 MSRP ($33,195 invoice), we negotiated a price of $32,200, minus our USAA bonus was a net price of $30,700.

Kafkaesque328 · 08-10-2014, 04:31 PM

Wow, I was going to say, great deal! You basically got the deal I got plus the military bonus. Nice work, great car!

Thescout13 · 08-10-2014, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmc

How do you get this much discount?

I bought mine for $30,455 and msrp was $36,575. And mine had a moonroof.

It's all about negotiation skills and knowing the business (invoice, holdback, location, inventory etc..). If you want help and some tricks buying a BMW, send me a note.

ardyer · 08-11-2014, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skw

Totally untrue. Do a search on here and many have fitted an exhaust to the 320. Almost every aftermarket exhaust (M-Performance included) out there is for the 328 and to fit it to a 320 only requires a simple adapter from 60.2mm to 75mm and changing the rear diffuser to accomodate whichever style of tips you choose. Take a look at this thread here: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=805887

I have done quite a bit of searching and anything that requires me to stick a golf tee into my exhaust system (Per post #4 in your link) qualifies, in my opinion, as a "questionable modification."

falar · 08-11-2014, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kafkaesque320

Wow, I was going to say, great deal! You basically got the deal I got plus the military bonus. Nice work, great car!

The USAA discount is nice. If you lease though it is only 500 instead of 1500. MSRP-9k looked nice but so did MSRP-8k. The 3 series seems to nearly always have good incentives/rebates.

blk88verde · 08-11-2014, 03:00 PM

Nice deal!

Thescout13 · 08-11-2014, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardyer

Quote:

Originally Posted by skw

Totally untrue. Do a search on here and many have fitted an exhaust to the 320. Almost every aftermarket exhaust (M-Performance included) out there is for the 328 and to fit it to a 320 only requires a simple adapter from 60.2mm to 75mm and changing the rear diffuser to accomodate whichever style of tips you choose. Take a look at this thread here: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=805887

I have done quite a bit of searching and anything that requires me to stick a golf tee into my exhaust system (Per post #4 in your link) qualifies, in my opinion, as a "questionable modification."

There is no golf tee mod for 320i.....

sr5959 · 08-11-2014, 07:38 PM

Congratulations OP, car looks great in Red!

I think all small children in school should be taught, along with ABCs, when you grow up and buy your German car, make sure you get the Sport package!

That being said I love the power on 328 so in your case I would've somehow found the extra for 328 Sport/M-Sport, maybe buy a demo car with a few nice options rather than new.

Multimodal · 08-11-2014, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sr5959

That being said I love the power on 328 so in your case I would've somehow found the extra for 328 Sport/M-Sport, maybe buy a demo car with a few nice options rather than new.

It wasn't going to have the same power as my prior car, a E92 335i with all BMW Performance parts and a chip that was putting out around 400 hp. So the idea here was to keep it simple... and save some cash for my future E92 M3

sr5959 · 08-11-2014, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

It wasn't going to have the same power as my prior car, a E92 335i with all BMW Performance parts and a chip that was putting out around 400 hp. So the idea here was to keep it simple... and save some cash for my future E92 M3

Yes absolutely, sounds like you are into mods as well so if you decide to do that sounds pretty easy on the 320 too.

I am currently debating getting a Mineral Grey or Red 428 Sport you're pics making me go towards the Red!

Multimodal · 08-11-2014, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sr5959

I am currently debating getting a Mineral Grey or Red 428 Sport you're pics making me go towards the Red!

Mineral Grey was a nice color too, that one had our eye! As did Estoril Blue. I saw a Carbon Black 435GC that looked great, too.

Multimodal · 08-11-2014, 08:00 PM

More pictures, color kind of washed out:

munch520 · 08-11-2014, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

For those tuning the 320i.

Remember the 328i has different pistons.

Yeah. This is kinda important

blk88verde · 08-11-2014, 08:39 PM

Your car looks great in red!

300hp · 08-11-2014, 08:46 PM

Your car is pure sex

nicknaz · 08-11-2014, 09:23 PM

Congrats OP. Nice car. Sports seat and staggered tires is always a great choice!

Sherhart · 08-11-2014, 10:11 PM

Nice choice. That will be a great DD for SF commute. I thought sunroof was a must have, but find I use it sparingly. I doubt you'll even miss it with SF weather and fog.

I too took advantage of USAA. Impossible to beat their deals.

Congrats and enjoy.

Jimbo

PS - it looks like an M-Sport steering wheel, no?

08-10-2014, 04:16 AM	#23
Nick the Greek Banned 2010 Rep 6,065 Posts Drives: M135i. I don't do diesel. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	For those tuning the 320i. Remember the 328i has different pistons.
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08-10-2014, 09:06 AM	#24
blk88verde Enlisted Member 9 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2014 320i 6MT M sport Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northern Westchester Cty, NY iTrader: (0)	I got a 320i with the sport option, 6M, heated seats and moonroof. Very pleased with this car, well balanced between performance, handling and economy. The tune will be nice and make the car even more enjoyable. Granted it does not come with all the features of a 328i however I upgraded from a non BMW so my perspective may be different than most here. Really looking forward to taking for a drive around a track.
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08-10-2014, 10:13 AM	#25
casualDIYer Major 446 Rep 1,369 Posts Drives: 340i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I have a 320 sport with nav, leather, etc. It really is a fantastic car and gets amazing mileage. That being said if I had a choice for such a small difference, grab the 328i. Then mod the suspension yourself. It will be easier than modding the engine. Yes it might be another 2k but the car will be great. Mind you the sport seats would be nice too but they get quite pricey. Solve this problem by leasing. In 3-4 years you can re-choose. Good luck. You'll be happy with either car I believe
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08-10-2014, 11:30 AM	#26
Multimodal Lieutenant Colonel 2896 Rep 1,864 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 50i, 2018 911 T Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Annapolis, MD iTrader: (1)	Thanks for all your input, everyone. Very helpful. We bought a red 320i 8AT with Sport Package and Heated Seats. Very close to a "Jalopnik Edition" model. The wheel, seats, and suspension feel great. We paid $30k on a $36k MSRP. (The base model 328i would have cost us $32k on a $39k MSRP, or a 328i M Sport was available for $41k on a $49k MSRP.) With zero down and a 5 year 1.9% loan from USAA we are paying $600 a month. The car is going to be my wife's daily driver in the city... when I get the urge to get a car again, I'll probably get an E92 M3 6MT, so there wasn't any reason to pay up for lots of power on this car. (If I was buying for "our car", I probably would have gone for the Estoril 328i M Sport or an M235i!) It would have been nice if it had the Lighting Package (for the proper projectors and xenons), moonroof, comfort access, and driver assist (rear camera and parking radar), but options are a slippery slope, and I think the base model with sport package is an amazing value. __________________ Current garage: 2023 Rivian R1S Adventure Forest Green/Ocean Coast, 2018 Porsche 911 T Carrara White Metallic/Black, 2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn Diamond Black/Diesel Gray Archived: 2019 BMW X5 50i M Sport Mineral White/Full Black,2019 Ford GT350 Ford Performance Blue/Dark Slate, 2012 BMW X5 50i Alpine White/Black, 2014 BMW 320i M Sport Melbourne Red/Black, 2009 BMW DINAN3 Alpine White/Black, 2008 BMW 335xi Alpine White/Black, 1998 BMW 328is Avus Blue/Tan Last edited by Multimodal; 08-10-2014 at 11:39 AM..
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08-10-2014, 11:36 AM	#27
hmc Private 18 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 2013 320i ZSP+ZMT Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: California iTrader: (0)	How do you get this much discount?
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08-10-2014, 04:31 PM	#29
Kafkaesque328 Major 483 Rep 1,267 Posts Drives: 2016 328i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: El A iTrader: (0)	Wow, I was going to say, great deal! You basically got the deal I got plus the military bonus. Nice work, great car! __________________ 2016 Black Sapphire 328i \| M Sport Pkg. \| JB+ \| Premium Pkg. \| Heated Seats \| Driver Assist Pkg. \| Navigation \| Misc. Coding \| 35% Ceramic Tint Past: 2014 Black 320i \| Sport Pkg \| BMS Stage 1
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08-11-2014, 03:00 PM	#33
blk88verde Enlisted Member 9 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2014 320i 6MT M sport Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northern Westchester Cty, NY iTrader: (0)	Nice deal!
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08-11-2014, 07:38 PM	#35
sr5959 Captain 138 Rep 690 Posts Drives: 428GC M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Congratulations OP, car looks great in Red! I think all small children in school should be taught, along with ABCs, when you grow up and buy your German car, make sure you get the Sport package! That being said I love the power on 328 so in your case I would've somehow found the extra for 328 Sport/M-Sport, maybe buy a demo car with a few nice options rather than new.
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08-11-2014, 08:00 PM	#39
Multimodal Lieutenant Colonel 2896 Rep 1,864 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 50i, 2018 911 T Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Annapolis, MD iTrader: (1)	More pictures, color kind of washed out: __________________ Current garage: 2023 Rivian R1S Adventure Forest Green/Ocean Coast, 2018 Porsche 911 T Carrara White Metallic/Black, 2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn Diamond Black/Diesel Gray Archived: 2019 BMW X5 50i M Sport Mineral White/Full Black,2019 Ford GT350 Ford Performance Blue/Dark Slate, 2012 BMW X5 50i Alpine White/Black, 2014 BMW 320i M Sport Melbourne Red/Black, 2009 BMW DINAN3 Alpine White/Black, 2008 BMW 335xi Alpine White/Black, 1998 BMW 328is Avus Blue/Tan
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08-11-2014, 08:39 PM	#41
blk88verde Enlisted Member 9 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2014 320i 6MT M sport Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northern Westchester Cty, NY iTrader: (0)	Your car looks great in red!
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08-11-2014, 08:46 PM	#42
300hp Brigadier General 317 Rep 3,619 Posts Drives: X5 & 335xi Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Your car is pure sex Attached Images __________________ EBII 2014 335i xDrive 335HP, Sport AT, 19" Wheels, MPE, Prem, Tech, Cold, HK, Driver Assist & DH pkgs Deep Sea Blue Metallic 2013 X5 35d Sport Prem, Convenience, Cold and Premium Sound packages
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08-11-2014, 09:23 PM	#43
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3187 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	Congrats OP. Nice car. Sports seat and staggered tires is always a great choice!
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08-11-2014, 10:11 PM	#44
Sherhart First Lieutenant 90 Rep 300 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 Vert & 2015 RR Sport Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Nice choice. That will be a great DD for SF commute. I thought sunroof was a must have, but find I use it sparingly. I doubt you'll even miss it with SF weather and fog. I too took advantage of USAA. Impossible to beat their deals. Congrats and enjoy. Jimbo PS - it looks like an M-Sport steering wheel, no?
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