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      12-06-2016, 03:41 PM   #89
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Guys a 320 is a nice bimmer and a good ride for sure
0-60 in the 7 second range.. not bad at all

An M3 or 335/340i yer talking under 5 seconds..
theres a difference..
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      12-08-2016, 05:07 AM   #90
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I've driven every version of the F30, including the M3. They are all excellent in their own way, and to be honest, a 320i with sport pack and stick seems like a helluva fun way to get around.

Owning an M car (which I do) is awesome, but sometimes it's like using a nuke to kill an ant. There is nowhere safe on a public street to use that power.

With only 180hp, you can always use the 320s maximum performance potential and really ring it out. And forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think you can option a 320 so that it's almost identical to its more expensive non-M brethren on the inside.
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      12-08-2016, 08:01 AM   #91
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The 320i starts at 33,450 while the 340i starts at 47,900 so for a discount of ~30%, BMW did an OK job swapping cheaper components and deleting features to hit that much lower price point. BMW didn't have a 320i at the start but probably introduced it to compete against the 4 door A3 sedan and CLA while avoiding cannibalization of higher margin 328i sales.

And don't forget numerous threads here about the 3 series getting mainstream. It drives softer because that's what mainstream want - just like autonomous driving.

So what you get is a version of the 3 series geared for mainstream with reduced performance components to keep price down. What do you expect?
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      12-08-2016, 09:13 AM   #92
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan5034 View Post
I own a 2011 X5 xdrive 50i (bought used) which I just put into the BMW dealer today for some recall work.

I am by no means an elitist (says me) but this 320 BMW xdrive they gave me doesn't seem much better then a Chevy Malibu.

I can't believe folks would pay this much money for a mediocre small car?

Just knowing that the M3 or 340 version of this car can't be much different then what I have now seems like a let down.

I previously had a 2008 Passat VR6 4motion. Given the choice, I'd rather drive the old Passat then a brand new 3 series.

What do you think? Am I way off base here or is this the ultimate driving machine that I grew up listening to commercials lusting after?
Yes you are way off base. 320-M3. Day and night.
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      12-08-2016, 10:03 AM   #93
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I think 320 is fine, it's not a bad car by any means. It gives nice taste of what's coming once you move up the line.

It's just that those who expect "premium" from luxury brand, advertising as "ultimate driving machine" might be slightly disappointed. In my personal opinion, ride on runflats is rough (not good "firm" rough, just rough), there's more road noise than car at this price point should have and interior feels, well, average at best if I'm honest. Engine performance and handling are "fine", deep down, still a BMW.

There isn't anything that exactly feels "premium" once inside this car. Some might say that's fine, it's "entry level" 3 series, but, still, this car sells for mid 30s in US and low to mid 40s in Canada (not exactly "affordable"). For a brand that had certain luxury/handling reputation, going mainstream leaves you open to criticism, no matter how much your bottom line improves. In my opinion, 328 should be where 3 series starts.
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      12-08-2016, 10:08 AM   #94
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SoManyBlueCars View Post
I've driven every version of the F30, including the M3. They are all excellent in their own way, and to be honest, a 320i with sport pack and stick seems like a helluva fun way to get around.

Owning an M car (which I do) is awesome, but sometimes it's like using a nuke to kill an ant. There is nowhere safe on a public street to use that power.

With only 180hp, you can always use the 320s maximum performance potential and really ring it out. And forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think you can option a 320 so that it's almost identical to its more expensive non-M brethren on the inside.
That's what I enjoy when I get a 320 loaner. I used to run my E36 and E46 up to 4-5k rpm all the time because they didn't have a ton of torque and it was just awesome to hear those great I6 engines revving.

My 335i though I don't get to go much over 3-4K before exceeding reasonable speeds. The 320i you almost have to keep in sport mode and rev high, which is a lot of fun.
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      12-08-2016, 10:09 AM   #95
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan5034 View Post
Just knowing that the M3 or 340 version of this car can't be much different then what I have now seems like a let down.
What drugs were you on when you typed this?

It's like driving a X5 35i and assuming that an X5 5.0 or X5 M couldn't be much different.
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      12-08-2016, 10:18 AM   #96
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The 320 is a great option for it's intended audience. I'd get one for my
mother, for instance, as she'd have literally no use for a 340 and would never in a million years drive an M3 even if it was given to her for free. There's a reason they don't make just one car...
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      12-08-2016, 11:47 AM   #97
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Many comments in here are elitist. Some people may even realize it when they post, but many do not. And some of the worst are from people who wouldn't know a good car if it ran over them.

I am done with this thread.
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      12-08-2016, 11:59 AM   #98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by metallicpea View Post
Many comments in here are elitist. Some people may even realize it when they post, but many do not. And some of the worst are from people who wouldn't know a good car if it ran over them.

I am done with this thread.
if it ain't an I6 it ain't a BMW.
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      12-08-2016, 12:17 PM   #99
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
The 320 is a great option for it's intended audience. I'd get one for my
mother, for instance, as she'd have literally no use for a 340 and would never in a million years drive an M3 even if it was given to her for free. There's a reason they don't make just one car...
This. This sums it up perfectly.

My parents don't want 425 hp. They want a semi luxurious car that has decent handling and is safe. 320i ticks those boxes perfectly. 180hp is plenty to get around in the city considering they don't ever exceed 80 mph.
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      12-08-2016, 12:19 PM   #100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ls3c6 View Post
if it ain't an I6 it ain't a BMW.
Got it.

E92 M3, not a bmw
E30 M3, also not a bmw
Last 3 generations M5, not a bmw.
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      12-08-2016, 12:49 PM   #101
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ls3c6 View Post
if it ain't an I6 it ain't a BMW.
Is too!
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      12-08-2016, 01:08 PM   #102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob in IL View Post
Is too!
No, sorry, our 328i's are out to disappoint, lol. I6 is the only BMW
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      12-08-2016, 01:09 PM   #103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pz619 View Post
Got it.

E92 M3, not a bmw
E30 M3, also not a bmw
Last 3 generations M5, not a bmw.
haven't driven any but the E92 M3 but it was shit too
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      12-08-2016, 01:28 PM   #104
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SoManyBlueCars View Post
I've driven every version of the F30, including the M3. They are all excellent in their own way, and to be honest, a 320i with sport pack and stick seems like a helluva fun way to get around.

Owning an M car (which I do) is awesome, but sometimes it's like using a nuke to kill an ant. There is nowhere safe on a public street to use that power.

With only 180hp, you can always use the 320s maximum performance potential and really ring it out. And forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think you can option a 320 so that it's almost identical to its more expensive non-M brethren on the inside.
I agree. Opening up the M3 in LA traffic is like using a chainsaw to trim your pubes. It's fun, but be careful!
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      12-08-2016, 05:50 PM   #105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pz619 View Post
Got it.

E92 M3, not a bmw
E30 M3, also not a bmw
Last 3 generations M5, not a bmw.
Don't forget these beauties :



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      12-08-2016, 06:13 PM   #106
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ls3c6 View Post
if it ain't an I6 it ain't a BMW.
RWD 320i 6MT > xdrive 340i 8AT
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      12-08-2016, 07:45 PM   #107
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Conversations like this remind me why I love forums
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      12-08-2016, 08:04 PM   #108
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pz619 View Post
Got it.

E92 M3, not a bmw
E30 M3, also not a bmw
Last 3 generations M5, not a bmw.

Don't confuse this guy with the facts. You may add any of the 540 v8s to this list. Also, any of the i4 2002's from back in the day.


BMW has built many legionary engines that have a cylinder count not equal to 6.
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      12-09-2016, 11:10 AM   #109
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love how easy it is to rile you ladies, enjoy your badge cruisers
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      12-09-2016, 11:13 AM   #110
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I think the OP is a Jedi Master level Troll and everyone took the bait.
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