[notebookboy]

If these are different, should they have different part numbers?

The same should apply to gearbox, diff, drive shaft, isn't it? For example, 320i shaft should have a different part number v.s 328i shaft. Is that a real case?

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Has been discussed here before

There are 2 different 320i N20 engines
Different regions will get different ones.

The "low compression" version is very similar to the 328i except for the Turbos
The standard version has a different head for higher compression and different turbos.

Most regions with proper fuel will get the standard version with higher compression

[clarence]

Originally Posted by notebookboy

Hi Bro,

Have you found any difference between 320i/328i engine except the exhaust? I tried to search a lot but came out the result that they're the same except the exhaust.

Do you think a Tuned 320i = Tuned 328i?

At various points of time various parts were different. E.g. in the past there were periods where the block of the 20i have different part # to 28i block.
Tuned 320i doesn't equal tuned 328i, if it does then Kelleners would have quoted the same power & torque figures for both engines. Most likely explanation is BMW "bins" the engines, i.e. those that makes at least 245ps will be 28i & anything in between that & 184ps will be 20i.

[clarence]

Originally Posted by notebookboy

If these are different, should they have different part numbers?

The same should apply to gearbox, diff, drive shaft, isn't it? For example, 320i shaft should have a different part number v.s 328i shaft. Is that a real case?

Trust E90Fleet on this.

PN for 320i propshaft w/automatic gearbox:
26 11 7 609 365
PN for 328i propshaft w/automatic gearbox:
26 10 7 632 653

The diffs are definitely different cos the final drive ratio is different.

[notebookboy]

Thanks bro!

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by clarence

At various points of time various parts were different. E.g. in the past there were periods where the block of the 20i have different part # to 28i block.
Tuned 320i doesn't equal tuned 328i, if it does then Kelleners would have quoted the same power & torque figures for both engines. Most likely explanation is BMW "bins" the engines, i.e. those that makes at least 245ps will be 28i & anything in between that & 184ps will be 20i.

I know they bin LEDs, but what varies in an engine that would give it a different intrinsic output? I would imagine the differences would be very small, hardly require binning or no?
Giving all this discusion about the differences between the 20i and 28i forms of N20 it would be easier to buy the one you want, as BMW prefers to keep us in the dark.. (yet still reaping the benefits of one size fits all)

[clarence]

Originally Posted by grimlock

I know they bin LEDs, but what varies in an engine that would give it a different intrinsic output? I would imagine the differences would be very small, hardly require binning or no?

For example if the engine didn't produce the required power & torque over the quoted rev range for a 28i (which is very wide), then it'll be used as a 25i or 20i.
For all things mechanical, there's always a performance variance between examples.

[tuned2ride]

I am sure that the 320i engine could be configured in a 328i engine easily. Probably due to equipment, it is 150lbs lighter which is a lot.

The 2.0T in the 320i has an higher compression ratio at 11:1 than the 2.0T in the 328i at 10:1.

Oddly, BMW Canada stills claims a 6-sp. for the optional automatic transmission for the 320i but I would be surprised if it was the case. Probably a typo.
http://www.bmw.ca/ca/en/newvehicles/...figurator.html

[clarence]

Originally Posted by tuned2ride

Probably due to equipment, it is 150lbs lighter which is a lot.

For EU spec the difference in weight is only abt 35kg, due to slightly more standard equipment as well as bigger brakes, wheels & other drivetrain components (e.g. propshaft).
For the engine, the 28i have more headroom for tuning as tuners big and small, well known & not well known quote different figures for both engines.

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by clarence

For example if the engine didn't produce the required power & torque over the quoted rev range for a 28i (which is very wide), then it'll be used as a 25i or 20i.
For all things mechanical, there's always a performance variance between examples.

But how do they do it with one software for different outputting engines? I would think the software (control) is all the same, giving slightly different outputting engines, due to their minor inherent differences.
I buy the small modification theory more, which allows for different software outputting different HP (but can't be used on 20i engine because it would break)

[clarence]

Originally Posted by grimlock

But how do they do it with one software for different outputting engines? I would think the software (control) is all the same, giving slightly different outputting engines, due to their minor inherent differences.
I buy the small modification theory more, which allows for different software outputting different HP (but can't be used on 20i engine because it would break)

It's a combination of engine mapping as well as inherent performance variation between similar engines which ensures a sizeable difference between the different grades (i.e. very low probability of finding a 20i engine which outputs 244ps & 349Nm). Of course there are times where different parts are fitted to different grades of engine (i.e. batches of 20i that have different turbos compared to 28i).
Btw, the engine model listed on the HK EPD EFV list for cars with 20i is N20B20B & for cars with 28i is N20B20A.

[earlybird]

if so much is the same on these engines, why waste the extra cash buying a 328i?

I have an auto 320i and loving it. Raced an e90 330i manual the other day in gauteng and beat him by half a car length... coming from a standard car, i would say there is huge potential in this engine!

[J Lau]

I wonder what are the differences too.
Is BMW using a downtuned version of N20 on the 320i, and using an N26 on the newer 328i?
I went to REALOEM.com and they have an N26 version on the 328i now.

[CKau]

I did a ton of research before settling on 328i over the 320i. I noticed a tuned 320i would only bring power outputs near the 328i, but never over. Dont know if that remains true today.

It bugged me that tuned 328i output were well in excess of the tuned 320i. Hence my decision to go for the 328i.

Apart from compression ratio, driveshaft and engine tunes, another rival bimmer forum recently found pistons were different as well.

If you can, go for the 328i or your decision will always bug you. Alternatively go for the 320d

[ep_83]

Just curious if anyone has driven both a 320i and a 328i. If so, did you feel a significant difference?

Has anyone gone from an e90 328i to an f30 320i and felt dissapointed?

So far, I've read one review from a poster on here who test drove one for his wife. He said it felt just like his 335i minus the power (of course), but said he really enjoyed the car and placed an order.


I've read the performance specs and there's obviously a difference, but I'd like to hear from someone who has driven both and can give feedback on the overall driving experience.

[Jamesons Viggen]

According to BMS the 320 runs 8psi peak and the 328 peaks at 17psi. They already have the in house 320 running 18psi.

[nicknaz]

Do you guys see a lot of 320i in your area? Here in San Diego there were TONS of 328 on the lots, very few 335 and no 320

I wonder if that is a specific decision by the dealerships or if it is taking a while for them to get over hear.

I have also never seen a 320 on the road. The car seems like a great deal and would be an excellent step up for someone who isn't used to or doesn't want more power (i.e. former 318i owner)

[BAMxi]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

According to BMS the 320 runs 8psi peak and the 328 peaks at 17psi. They already have the in house 320 running 18psi.

I just saw that on n54tech, too! that's crazy low boost from stock compared to the 328. I can see why there is such a difference in performance between both models now! I'm excited to see the dynos Terry puts up. I'm thinking the 320i with ZSP, ZMT, a full exhaust and Stage 2 tune could make for a fun daily driver.

I had originally planned on getting a used 335 in a couple years, but now I'm thinking of going brand new 328 or possibly even a 320i + mods. Time will tell, I guess. (335i guys, I'm in no way saying any of these cars are comparable to your 335i. )

[jcastle]

AC Schnitzer quotes 245hp with their piggy pack for the 320i.
That's up from 185hp/270Nm to 245hp/350Nm.

It's really expensive, around 2750€, but comes with "full" warranty in Europe.
For some reason it is not availabe for the XDrive.

Check here and here.

[Jamesons Viggen]

They put on their beta stage 2 and hit 266whp/278tq.

[grabbat]

Originally Posted by earlybird

if so much is the same on these engines, why waste the extra cash buying a 328i?

I have an auto 320i and loving it. Raced an e90 330i manual the other day in gauteng and beat him by half a car length... coming from a standard car, i would say there is huge potential in this engine!

That's a bull s**t. the 330i E90 has 255 HP, vs 181 hp of yours
and 220 ft-lb vs 200 ft-lb.
E90 330i has 75 hp more.... where are you going to get his from your 320i?
0 to 100 the 330i is 1 second faster.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by grabbat

That's a bull s**t. the 330i E90 has 255 HP, vs 181 hp of yours
and 220 ft-lb vs 200 ft-lb.
E90 330i has 75 hp more.... where are you going to get his from your 320i?
0 to 100 the 330i is 1 second faster.

The E90 330 is def faster, but you quoted the crank hp, yet the post above shows the 320 is making a fair bit more power than it's crank rating suggests.

Here it is again. So its more like 255hp vs 200-210, and torque of 220ft lbs vs 240-250.



But remember the beauty of forced induction. The 320 tune with no hardware is netting 266whp and nearly 280ft lbs of tq to the wheels.

[grabbat]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

The E90 330 is def faster, but you quoted the crank hp, yet the post above shows the 320 is making a fair bit more power than it's crank rating suggests.

Here it is again. So its more like 255hp vs 200-210, and torque of 220ft lbs vs 240-250.



But remember the beauty of forced induction. The 320 tune with no hardware is netting 266whp and nearly 280ft lbs of tq to the wheels.

Where do you see 240-250 lbs for the 320i? that's the 328i. unless it is tuned.
Bmw raitings for the 320i is 200lbs, 7.1 sec to 60 mls with the auto.
330i is 6.1 sec to 60 mls, this is from bmw n/a. you got 1 sec difference and thats a lot.