[E92LNGCGY]

I'm sure most of you know this but in Canada we have an entry level 323 as our base model. Since the 328 motor will be replaced by the Turbo 4 in the F30 does it mean the 323 will be dropped? Or should we expect to receive a 200hp ish Turbo 4?

Any thoughts?

[epiphone3]

Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY

I'm sure most of you know this but in Canada we have an entry level 323 as our base model. Since the 328 motor will be replaced by the Turbo 4 in the F30 does it mean the 323 will be dropped? Or should we expect to receive a 200hp ish Turbo 4?

Any thoughts?

I wouldn't be surprised to see a detuned version of the N20 turbo 4 go into a 323 replacement or, they may take one of the smaller 4 or even 3-cylinder turbo charged engines and put that in a 323 replacement. I think they had plans for a 1.6 liter turbo-charged 3-cylinder that would make something like 180 hp. Maybe that would be the one?

[issabmw]

Very good question. Although it would be dumb to detune it and charge a higher premium for the N20s standard numbers, I don't doubt it.

As epiphone3 said, they'll probably shave off some displacement or cylinders. The 3 cylinder could very well be in the next 323, but then you're forgetting about the euro 320 and 318. What would they get?

[E92LNGCGY]

I just can't see BMW putting a 3 cylinder in the F30 (at least in NA). In a way it may damage their image. I'm thinking either a detuned N20 or a smaller displacement 4 Turbo.

[mkoesel]

Good question. As long as the 3 cylinder makes at least 200hp, I don't see why it wouldn't work for the Canadian entry level 3 series.

That said, it may not necessarily be likely. epiphone pretty muched covered all three possibilities. With the debut of the F20 1 series in just a few months (and an internet reveal sometime before that) we should know at least one more piece of the puzzle. As SCOTT says, the F20 will have an all turbocharged engine lineup. And I have to believe there will be some gasoline models available from introduction with less than the ~240hp the N20 has been seen with so far. My guess is whatever powers the next gasoline model down from the upcoming 128i (be it a 125i or perhaps a 123i) will also power the Canadian 323i.

At this point it seems like it will be a lower output N20, but there is also an "N13B16" four cylinder coming too, according to rumor. Though it remains to be seen if that will be featured only in the upcoming range of FWD 1 series models that share the next Mini platform, or if they will adopt it to the RWD 1 and/or 3 series model also.

[E92LNGCGY]

Another possibility may be to drop the 323 and have the 328 as entry level model just like the US. The reason I say this is because the next gen 1 series will have 4dr as well so it makes sense to push the 3 upscale and let the 1 be the entry level with a turbo 4 or turbo 3.

[mkoesel]

^ Remember though, a four door 1 series will not be here any time soon. It would probably be 2014 a the earliest. Also, according to SCOTT it would, if approved for production, most probably come in the form of Gran Coupe, not a proper sedan.

[Frenk]

e46 320i was available in Canada, then they eliminated it with e90

So I guess, it could start with 325i this time, no ?

[epiphone3]

Originally Posted by Frenk

e46 320i was available in Canada, then they eliminated it with e90

So I guess, it could start with 325i this time, no ?

My guess is that you will see a 328i and 335i to start the F30 line. They will probably then be joined by a 323i a few months later. Within a year or two of that, my guess is that you see a 325i, 330i, and 335i line up in Canada.