[QuikSilver_]

Just dropped off my 2014 320i for a routine oil change, and the SA gave me a 2016 320i loaner (my dealership is very small, not much selection), and OMG I'm in love with it!

It's nothing fancy, here are the specs (to the best of my knowledge):
-Jet Black
-Black Dakota Leather
-Shadowline Exterior Trim
-Sport Package
---18" Style 658 Wheels
---Sport Seats
---M Sport Suspension
---M Steering Wheel
---Anthracite Headliner
---Increased Top Speed Limiter (Haven't tested that yet )

My favorite thing about it is the M Steering Wheel (I don't have a leather wrapped steering wheel in mine), it feels amazing in my hands.

Anyway, now I really want a new Bimmer, but my lease isn't up till the end of 2017. I'm sad that I have to take the loaner back today, I kinda wish there was something that needed fixing and they'd have to keep my car for a few days

[the_phew]

I was worried this was going to be yet another thread where someone got a non-sport 320i as a loaner and complained about the awful handling, so your post was refreshing since it was actually the opposite.

Hopefully the 320i gets the new B-series engine for 2017, as my lease is also up that year. Unfortunately, I think I've read that the 328i will get it (and become the 330i in the process), but the 320i will be stuck with the N20. If that's the case, I'll probably go Golf R, as it's the same price as the 320i with gobs more power, AWD, better leather, and a hatch! It even has higher lease residuals than the F3x, right now at least.

[openwheelracing]

Welcome to the best kept secret in BMW USA

[Minkia]

the m-sport steering wheel is one of those things that you absolutely must have once you've driven with it, it really does enhance the driving experience.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by gpjustinn

Just dropped off my 2014 320i for a routine oil change, and the SA gave me a 2016 320i loaner (my dealership is very small, not much selection), and OMG I'm in love with it!

It's nothing fancy, here are the specs (to the best of my knowledge):
-Jet Black
-Black Dakota Leather
-Shadowline Exterior Trim
-Sport Package
---18" Style 658 Wheels
---Sport Seats
---M Sport Suspension
---M Steering Wheel
---Anthracite Headliner
---Increased Top Speed Limiter (Haven't tested that yet )

My favorite thing about it is the M Steering Wheel (I don't have a leather wrapped steering wheel in mine), it feels amazing in my hands.

Anyway, now I really want a new Bimmer, but my lease isn't up till the end of 2017. I'm sad that I have to take the loaner back today, I kinda wish there was something that needed fixing and they'd have to keep my car for a few days

The 320i is a great car. Even your plain jane model! btw, your 320i does have a leather steering wheel. All BMWs do.

[G30 B58]

Swap steering wheels.

Play dumb when they ask.

[Aatish]

320s are just fun to drive :b

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by the_phew

the 328i will get it (and become the 330i in the process), but the 320i will be stuck with the N20.

Yes.

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by Minkia

the m-sport steering wheel is one of those things that you absolutely must have once you've driven with it, it really does enhance the driving experience.

eBay is the answer.

[timmahh]

320 is a great car! Picked one up for my mom last month, she loves it!

[QuikSilver_]

Originally Posted by Minkia

the m-sport steering wheel is one of those things that you absolutely must have once you've driven with it, it really does enhance the driving experience.

I agree! I usually only have one hand on the steering wheel, but this one makes me want to keep both hands on the wheel! My previous non-BMW car had a leather wrapped steering wheel, so when I went to my base BMW w/out leather steering, it was kinda meh... but now I know exactly what I'm missing!!!

[nicknaz]

sport package is such a great deal on the 320

That config reminds me of my very first 3er, an E90 328 6Mt with sport package and xenons as the only options. No bluetooth, no navi, no cameras.

GREAT car, very focused on driving and close to as much fun as my current 335 and M3

Big props to forum members going with sport package + 6MT 320i Focused on the driving and not the badging

[QuikSilver_]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

The 320i is a great car. Even your plain jane model! btw, your 320i does have a leather steering wheel. All BMWs do.

Really? I thought the base steering wheels were wrapped in polyurethane, or something else like that? Either way, the M Steering Wheel feels 1000x better than mine.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by gpjustinn

Really? I thought the base steering wheels were wrapped in polyurethane, or something else like that? Either way, the M Steering Wheel feels 1000x better than mine.

Real leather.

[the_phew]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Focused on the driving and not the badging

Actually, "320i" is virtually indistinguishable from "330i" at more than about 10 ft, since the font is chunky, chrome, and hard to read. The single exhaust is the only major giveaway.

That said, only "BMW enthusiasts" even know the difference between BMW models. I constantly get crap about my "fancy BMW" from people that drive $45k+ F-150s/Silverados/Tahoes/etc. Then I point out that my lease costs less than they spend on gas.

[QuikSilver_]

Originally Posted by the_phew

That said, only "BMW enthusiasts" even know the difference between BMW models.

+1

Every time someone sees my car for the first time or rides inside, they always tell me how nice of a car it is. I'm like, aw thanks, it's actually a base model. Literally, the only elective features I have are the moonroof and heated seats. But, it's still my first BMW and I'm very satisfied with it. I'd like to get a 330/340 for my next, but more than likely I'll end up getting a loaded 320i.

[chuckr]

I just got a 2015 320i and really really love it ! That 8 speed ZF tranny is very impressive.
Wish I had the M steering wheel....

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by the_phew

Actually, "320i" is virtually indistinguishable from "330i" at more than about 10 ft, since the font is chunky, chrome, and hard to read. The single exhaust is the only major giveaway.

Yes, and that's why whenever I see 6MT + sport package 320 I feel that the driver really wanted to get the RWD experience and BMW suspension tuning vs if I see a 320 with no xenons, base suspension, base 17s, auto, no sports seat I (rightly or wrongly) feel that person just wanted to be able to say "I drive a BMW"

[lens]

Just don't test drive the 335/340, you'll end up breaking your lease on your current car and end up getting it. *sobs* but the power feels so good.......

[401FlaGATOR]

I went 2016 320i with sports package, Led headlights, no moonroof, driver assistance pack , power seats(I'm older now), and unfortunately had to go AT instead of MT because sometimes my wife will have to drive it, not much to miss because roads in Florida are quite boring to drive, flat, no twists.

I do love the car so far (only driven 170 miles), compared to my E90 (which I still own), the thing I notice the most is the low end torque at low speeds and the big differences in the steering between the two cars. The E90 steering is teutonic stiff with lots of feel where the F30 feels "video game like", very precise, but with no road feedback. I have the impression that the F30 steering will age well compared to other cars when the suspension etc. begins to age you tend to feel it through the feedback of the steering, hard to explain but you can almost feel the age of the car.



One thing I must highly recommend is the new LED headlights, mine are not adaptive but they still rock, big difference compared to halogens I have in the E90.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by Minkia

the m-sport steering wheel is one of those things that you absolutely must have once you've driven with it, it really does enhance the driving experience.

+1

[LMK5]

Originally Posted by gpjustinn

Just dropped off my 2014 320i for a routine oil change, and the SA gave me a 2016 320i loaner (my dealership is very small, not much selection), and OMG I'm in love with it!

It's nothing fancy, here are the specs (to the best of my knowledge):
-Jet Black
-Black Dakota Leather
-Shadowline Exterior Trim
-Sport Package
---18" Style 658 Wheels
---Sport Seats
---M Sport Suspension
---M Steering Wheel
---Anthracite Headliner
---Increased Top Speed Limiter (Haven't tested that yet )

My favorite thing about it is the M Steering Wheel (I don't have a leather wrapped steering wheel in mine), it feels amazing in my hands.

Anyway, now I really want a new Bimmer, but my lease isn't up till the end of 2017. I'm sad that I have to take the loaner back today, I kinda wish there was something that needed fixing and they'd have to keep my car for a few days

Besides the steering wheel, what are the major differences that you like in your loaner?