[anotheran]

The 328i has depreciated quite a lot because of the glut of them out there. So lots of 320i overlap 328i on prices and it's all based on their packages and mileage.

I would just keep both in your search and figure out which works better to your budget, loaded with what you want, and checks out mechanically

[Aekdbrich]

I didn't love the 320. I would be just OK with a 320 with a piggyback, but that's why I bought a 328. I agree that the 328 is the sweet spot for a daily driver, especially with a piggyback if you want the additional HP. And you can still have fun with the options if need be.

Each to their own. Buy a car that you are gonna love and drive the hell out of it. Sometimes, 335/340/M3 HP can't be taken advantage of fully if you don't have the roads for it.

That's not to say that it's not fun!

[5ilver-5amurai]

I'm going to play devils advocate here and tell you that you'll honestly find both fun to drive. Both cars can provide a nice grin when you really wring them out. It depends on your motivating factor for buying your next car. If it's badge and aesthetics you're after (and there is nothing wrong with that, we live in a fickle world, we all bought a luxury car for more than just driving dynamics), then save the extra coin and enjoy a 320. If you want a little more oomph and have the money to spare, then a 328 is definitely the way to go.

[k44ENT]

If you want to go four pot try and go for a 330i. I had a 2015 328i and at the same time we bought our Cooper S which has a de-tuned 330i engine in (new B series engine) The engine in the mini is better in every respect, much smoother, more linear and nicer sounding.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

the 320i is a perfectly sufficient daily driver for ANYONE. The only time I imagine its not enough is for passing at high speeds on the highway. otherwise, you will have no problems. but this is besides the point, the 320i is awful when it comes to value for your money. My opinion is either go for the 328i, or shop elsewhere.

I don't understand this comment. Basically an extra $5,500 for more horsepower turns an awful value into the car you should buy?
My opinion is the opposite. Buy the 320i or skip to the 340i unless you want m sport body or there is some luxury item available in the 328i that you just have to have. So much more money for not so much more car makes the value of the 328 significantly worse in my eyes.

Seriously. The way the US models are structured, I would even go so far as to make an argument to skip from the 320i to the M3, as the value for the 328i and 340i aren't nearly as good for a sports sedan. But if you are talking luxury car, then I don't know crap, as I don't research, shop or buy those.

Until the OP chimes in with post #2 with what he hopes to get out of his car, we can't really speculate much more.

[John Casey]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

My opinion is the opposite. Buy the 320i or skip to the 340i unless you want m sport body or there is some luxury item available in the 328i that you just have to have. So much more money for not so much more car makes the value of the 328 significantly worse in my eyes.

This was the same conclusion I reached after researching/shopping.

[jeffc83]

To each his own; there are strokes for different folks. I wouldn't trade my 328 for a 320 to save a few grand but that's what I would do. The 320 is a fine car and it has it's benefits. As does the 328, M3, etc.

[BMWtight2me]

Metallicpea basically said it --> the best value will be the 320i or going straight to M

Most don't realize they have nearly the same tuning potential. If you plan to mod the 320i it is in fact the sleeper hit. Contrary to what people speculated, the 11:1 vs 10:1 compression ratio can handle upwards of 22psi on the stock turbo on 91 gas. Recommend a larger FMIC, downpipe, and jb4 of you plan to go this route.

Although there are some slight differences in parts, none of those parts have proven to be a limiting factor for performance modifications. The parts that have been known to potentially fail are the same in both cars.

Now that people have realized this, they are putting e85 or meth kits in their 320is and supposedly the slightly higher compression with the high octane fuel will yield more power out of the same psi.

So in the end, if you plan to mod... would you rather buy a 320i and tune and modify it yourself? Or buy a 320i and have Bmw give it their own modest tune and exhaust upgrades -- aka a 328i! I'd rather take the 320i, pocket the difference, and put on my own aggressive customizable tune, exhaust, etc. with the money saved you can modify the performance and buy a new set of shnazy performance wheels.

Keep in mind, it's no mystery why a stock 320 comes slower than a stock 328i. Same engine and turbo, but the 328i comes set to 18psi and the 320i to a mesely 8psi. That's so underpowered and detuned... it's as if BMW wants you to thinks it's a different car so they can drive you to spend more on a 328i. just look at the poll. So long as people keep falling for it, BMW will hopefully continue their clever marketing, and release the same modular car desiguised as different models. Great for those of us that like to get under the hood and do some of these upgrades our own way.

Don't believe me? Check out my build thread:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=915596

Btw, did I forget to mention the 320i is also lighter and more efficient...

Love this topic...

[jeffc83]

I didn't realize that. As for me, I don't mod or tune anything and run bone stock so the 328 is perfect for me whether anyone considers it a waste of money or not. (I only mod my interior and sound systems) If you wanna talk about wasting money, buy a Cadillac!

[BMWtight2me]

Originally Posted by jeffc83

I didn't realize that. As for me, I don't mod or tune anything and run bone stock so the 328 is perfect for me whether anyone considers it a waste of money or not. (I only mod my interior and sound systems) If you wanna talk about wasting money, buy a Cadillac!

That's a good point though!

If I wanted to keep it stock and had to choose between the two, than I would go for the 328i. The 320i really only becomes worth it if you can get it with the right options for a decent price and tune it. Speaking in terms of stock, the 328i comes quite impressive with 18psi to the turbo, while the stock 320i is dissapintingly detuned to 8 psi from the factory

Those of you with stock 320is, bless yourself with a tune for 2017. A $500 jb4 piggyback tune will bring you above stock 328i performance.

BOTH GREAT CARS -- wouldn't regret buying either!

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by BMWtight2me

That's a good point though!

If I wanted to keep it stock and had to choose between the two, than I would go for the 328i. The 320i really only becomes worth it if you can get it with the right options for a decent price and tune it. Speaking in terms of stock, the 328i comes quite impressive with 18psi to the turbo, while the stock 320i is dissapintingly detuned to 8 psi from the factory

Those of you with stock 320is, bless yourself with a tune for 2017. A $500 jb4 piggyback tune will bring you above stock 328i performance.

For some reason, that made me regret my decision LOL

[Portadown95]

If you can survive with two doors, get a 228 coupe with track handling package. If you get the 3 series, get the thp over mSport.

[BMWtight2me]

Originally Posted by jeffc83

For some reason, that made me regret my decision LOL

Dont. If I wanted stock I would have chosen the 328i as well. Plus you can do the same kind of build on either car if you get bored.

[BMWtight2me]

Originally Posted by Portadown95

If you can survive with two doors, get a 228 coupe with track handling package. If you get the 3 series, get the thp over mSport.

Fun fact -- my 2015 320i surprisingly weighs slightly less than a 228i (3295 lbs vs 3334 lbs -- I found this really surprising). Plus it has the wider wheel base and two extra doors...

I agree, msport all the way. Although I was able to get the steering wheel and kit cheaper aftermarket.

[BlueCrabMafia]

One other fact to hammer home on the 328i also. They come with two different engines, the N20 or N26.

Get a N20 version if at all possible. The N26 has additional EPA components (more restrictive primary cat and an additional secondary cat among other things) that lower its horsepower from the N20.

[jeffc83]

Good to know! (on both counts) Coupe doors must weigh a LOT

[metallicpea]

Another interesting fact, my 2016 320i weighs almost the same as my first BMW - a 2002 325i. Amazing since it is so much larger. Also have very similar HP numbers.

[Aekdbrich]

Originally Posted by BlueCrabMafia

One other fact to hammer home on the 328i also. They come with two different engines, the N20 or N26.

Get a N20 version if at all possible. The N26 has additional EPA components (more restrictive primary cat and an additional secondary cat among other things) that lower its horsepower from the N20.

So there are TWO cat converters? I guess I haven't been paying attention to my own car. I'm an N26er.

[nozydog]

Originally Posted by jmg

That goes without saying, but if faster is better why not an M3? Or a Buggati Chiron? The OP clearly has a budget for a used 320 or 328, otherwise he would have included a 330i, let alone a 340i. No point in even bringing it up unless you can get a 2015 340i for the price of a 328i.

I got my brand new, custom order 340i for the (list) price of a 320i

[Aekdbrich]

Originally Posted by nozydog

I got my brand new, custom order 340i for the (list) price of a 320i

Haha. How'd you pull that off?

[BlueCrabMafia]

Originally Posted by Aekdbrich

So there are TWO cat converters? I guess I haven't been paying attention to my own car. I'm an N26er.

Yes. If you look under your car, you'll see what looks like a small muffler just after the downpipe and before the resonator. It's an unmonitored 200 cell cat.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by nozydog

I got my brand new, custom order 340i for the (list) price of a 320i

My 340i M Sport with Track Handling fully loaded had an MSRP of $62k. The 320i is in the 33-38k range. What kind of stripped 340i did you get?

Cloth seats
No Nav
No Tech
No LEDs
No seat heaters
No 19' wheels
No Cameras
Manual Trans

How much can you uncheck to get almost half the price off?