[MarkR171]

Last year, the other half picked up an off-lease 2018 320i 6MT with 4500 miles on it. It's been a great car to drive for the past year, but now we've been thinking of going the M2 route and offloading the 320i in the process.

...Then Toyota finally announced the manual transmission Supra, so now I've got a deposit on one for MSRP and we're thinking M2/Supra seems silly. Thinking of just saving some money - especially in this market - and making the 320i a bit better.

- Is the 2018 320i subject to the timing chain issues?

- Are there reputable tuning options for the 320i? Not looking for much, just a bit more than the stock power with reliability as a priority. Dinan Sport Performance Tuner?

Other than looking for a mild bump in power, we'd likely just do a quality set of coilovers and wheels/tires.

Thanks!

[auburnf30x]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Is the 2018 320i subject to the timing chain issues?

No.

I'm not into the tuning scene, so I'll have the leave the rest for someone who is.

[sspade]

I'd say yes... there are two 320s in the top 20 world ranking found here (competing with 328 and 330).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/244324833434651

If you're looking for reliability, smooth power delivery (as well as performance increase) then you will need to go with a flash tune rather than a piggy back plug in. Bootmod3 off the shelf tunes are a favorite choice.

[sspade]

^ I should also note:

A downpipe, intercooler and flash tune is all you really need to dramatically increase performance on the N20.

After that... aim for the suspension, as you already suggested!

[sqwinny]

You can make it decently quick and fun, but there are potential power limits to things. I'd advise installing a b58tu HPFP just because the stock one doesn't like to be pushed at all. 6MT needs at least an upgraded clutch + pressure plate. An OTS tune with Boltons and the clutch will slip when trying to drive aggressively.

[MarkR171]

Thank you guys for the info!

The other half ended up pulling the trigger on an M2C today, so the 320i will be going away instead after all.

[snipagang]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Last year, the other half picked up an off-lease 2018 320i 6MT with 4500 miles on it. It's been a great car to drive for the past year, but now we've been thinking of going the M2 route and offloading the 320i in the process.

...Then Toyota finally announced the manual transmission Supra, so now I've got a deposit on one for MSRP and we're thinking M2/Supra seems silly. Thinking of just saving some money - especially in this market - and making the 320i a bit better.

- Is the 2018 320i subject to the timing chain issues?

- Are there reputable tuning options for the 320i? Not looking for much, just a bit more than the stock power with reliability as a priority. Dinan Sport Performance Tuner?

Other than looking for a mild bump in power, we'd likely just do a quality set of coilovers and wheels/tires.

Thanks!

save yourself the headache (and heartache) and buy bootmode for $600 and go stage 1 91 octane. It won’t make the car a racecar but it give it the bump in power the 320i desperatly needs and be done with it. I was stg 1 stock hardware for about 20k miles and it was really great. I noticed the car liked the 91 map more than the 93 map even tho im NJ and have access to 93, so I recommend91

that being said, I just went catless x FMIC and I wish I had done it sooner. tbh, its like 20% louder when warm and wot feels a touch faster and car more responsive. nobody would know it was modded at all, and I sorta wish it was a bit louder but overall im happy. For you however, i think bm3 stg 1 will fit your needs. Plus you can just resell bm3 software for like 300 when you sell your car so it won’t even cost you that much in the long run.

edit: congrats on the m2c, ill leave this here for anyone else with a 320i wondering about stg 1.