[Imola.ZHP]

Originally Posted by Ryan T.

....what?

x7.., epic fail.

[USC2000]

Originally Posted by ///M Power

Did Chris say the 320i has a turbo? It actually doesn't, it's just a 328i w/o the turbo but pushes better than a Corolla.

If ppl want a basic BMW, they should get it. It's just nothin but handle. I have a F30 335i and it's the best car I've had. It's better than 535, the S4, the C350, the IS 350 and even better than all the US muscle cars. Just install the Stage 1 and a drop in you are good to go!!!

Are you serious?

[///M Power]

Originally Posted by USC2000

Are you serious?

What am I not serious about?! Last time I checked this is bimmerpost

[Kafkaesque328]

Originally Posted by ///M Power

Did Chris say the 320i has a turbo? It actually doesn't, it's just a 328i w/o the turbo but pushes better than a Corolla.

If ppl want a basic BMW, they should get it. It's just nothin but handle. I have a F30 335i and it's the best car I've had. It's better than 535, the S4, the C350, the IS 350 and even better than all the US muscle cars. Just install the Stage 1 and a drop in you are good to go!!!

Not sure where you are getting your information but the 320i has a twin scroll turbo 2L 4 cyl engine. Basically the exact same engine as the 328i just slightly different pistons and compression ratio, 'detuned' from factory which can easily be retuned with a quick and inexpensive BMS Stage 1 or 2 setup.

Originally Posted by drob23

Not to mention you already have FI on the engine, so you can easily get another 100 lb-ft/HP or whatever people are seeing with a simple stg 1 jb4 piggyback tune, for $500!

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=934316

Yeah for sure. Stage 1 cost me $389 and I'm now close to stock 328i numbers and have surpassed previous gen 328i numbers. It's definitely faster than my old e90 was.. It's funny to me how quickly people seem to forget things. Not long ago the 328i and 335 where basically the two 3 series to choose from. I always like the 328, owned a 328 coupe and the 320i with the stage 1 tune and 8 speed auto vs. the old speed basically destroys it in terms of performance.

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

this is a boring cheap car that puts the starting price of a bmw 3er at 32k. these are the rental fleet cars enterprise uses at the dealership by me. Ive taken out their 328i's before this came out and this is nothing more than a more stripped down version of that (didnt know they could find away to take even more away). I cant believe manual seats are still on a bmw along with halogens. i couldnt imagine owning this as it feels cheaper than my e46 stripper i had. the engine is noisy and the plastic bits on the interior are cheap. you get more quality interior out of a chevy cruze. im sure many will disagree with me, but this car was only created to have a lower starting point in the US to compete with the c-class and audi a4. This has far less options than its competitors and is still overpriced. I'll definitely be skipping the f30 until at least the facelift. here's to fingers crossed on a 1er sedan with xdrive and the same engine but lighter.

More quality interior out of a Chevy Cruze? Haha. Ok. The only thing about your post I agree with is that it comes low on options and to get certain options, like heated or power seats for example that would come standard on lower-end cars, you have to pay for option packages and then you are approaching a $40k car. Agreed on that front. But the other stuff, I don't know man... Have you driven a 320 with the sport package? The base 320 is a little ho hum but the sport package transforms it. So is Chris Harris just stroking BMW in this review and lying through his teeth? He test drives cars for a living...

I drove a 328i luxury line, pretty much loaded the same day that I went to pick up my 320 and it honestly felt kind of heavy and mushy compared to the 320. More power in a straight line, yes, but it was stickering at close to fifty grand. Between the 2 cars, my 320 felt more fun to drive and I drove them back to back. As to your e90 reference, as I mentioned, my wife's friend has a loaded e90 328i w/sport package and the 6 speed step and my 320 drives, rides and performs better in every way. Her car has power seats and NAV, but at the end of the day, mine is more fun to drive, gets far better mileage and feels more refined. I've spent quite a lot of time in that car and it rides like a horse drawn carriage on those old crap run flats. Squeaks and rattles for days too..

But that's the beauty of the internets. Everyone can voice their opinion. For me the 320 is a no brainer if you want a distilled, basic 3 series sedan that performs, drives and handles like a 3 series while still being fuel efficient and refined for under $35k. Budget an extra five bills for a piggyback performance bump and you are at 328i numbers and still under $35k. I don't really get the gripes..

Originally Posted by AgentCircus

It is a great value if you opt for the sport package, and nothing else (maybe the lighting package too). I'd also go 6MT in this car since the Sport Auto is not available in the 320i.

Any other options and you start getting into 328i territory. But w/ those two options and a 65% residual you're looking at a beast of a car for around the same payments as a Jetta or Camry.

The auto in this car is still the 8 speed and it is excellent. I drove the 328i in full sport/sport+ and the only difference I noticed is slightly more aggressive programming in that mode and slightly quicker shifts but the 8 speed in the 320 shifts very quickly.

[pkimM3r]

Well if you guys follow the /Drive network this is one of there "regular" car reviews ... Not too exciting. BUT i expect to see more f30s out there now! I've seen a few and one of them is a regular with our track group.

@JNLBC where you at?

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Too bad so many will overlook this because to the majority it's all about torque, horsepower and how fast a car get go from 0-60 against brand X.

What I find frustrating is how many people will look at this car and how it's equipped and complain about the price. Maybe I'm not looking in the right spots but the price of something this size is around 30k. A 320i starts around 36k CAD. If I had to pick between a BRZ at $28k or a 320i, I'm picking the 320i without thinking or feeling like a "chump".

Is take a brz/frs for cheaper. Way more fun.

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

Is take a brz/frs for cheaper. Way more fun.

No you wont pkim. Where are you gonna put your dogs?

[SoCali E36]

Originally Posted by ///M Power

Did Chris say the 320i has a turbo? It actually doesn't, it's just a 328i w/o the turbo but pushes better than a Corolla.

If ppl want a basic BMW, they should get it. It's just nothin but handle. I have a F30 335i and it's the best car I've had. It's better than 535, the S4, the C350, the IS 350 and even better than all the US muscle cars. Just install the Stage 1 and a drop in you are good to go!!!

Are you feeling ok?

[jwickers]

So overall score 71, that's 2 hairs above an Average in class. I wonder how much the 328i would got, less in the value but more in quite a bit other categories.

Depends what you get standard on each model, and if you think that the engine is an integral part of a BMW xp.

This is not even the cheapest you can get, at least over here we have a 316i (136Hp/220Nm) though because of weird engine tax that is lower on <=2.0l it is not really a bargain looking at similar equipment (though higher trims are always a bit netter equipped): 316i -> 320i (price +13%) 320i -> 328i (+14%) 328i -> 335i (+52%)

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

Is take a brz/frs for cheaper. Way more fun.

Way more fun, perhaps but I still want everything that comes with a BMW and I'm one of those guys who like BMW's designs. I'm not looking for one car to have fun in, I want one that can be an all rounder.

[termigni]

Originally Posted by ///M Power

Did Chris say the 320i has a turbo? It actually doesn't, it's just a 328i w/o the turbo but pushes better than a Corolla.

WTF are you smoking? know your facts before making a fool out of yourself.

[e90Nate]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

this is a boring cheap car that puts the starting price of a bmw 3er at 32k. these are the rental fleet cars enterprise uses at the dealership by me. Ive taken out their 328i's before this came out and this is nothing more than a more stripped down version of that (didnt know they could find away to take even more away). I cant believe manual seats are still on a bmw along with halogens. i couldnt imagine owning this as it feels cheaper than my e46 stripper i had. the engine is noisy and the plastic bits on the interior are cheap. you get more quality interior out of a chevy cruze. im sure many will disagree with me, but this car was only created to have a lower starting point in the US to compete with the c-class and audi a4. This has far less options than its competitors and is still overpriced. I'll definitely be skipping the f30 until at least the facelift. here's to fingers crossed on a 1er sedan with xdrive and the same engine but lighter.

I just had one as a loaner vehicle when my car went in for service. It was a great car, the loaner I had came with power seats and xdrive. as previously said in eco mode and comfort mode it felt very uninspiring however once i switched to sport mode it was a different story, the car was very enjoyable to drive! I am heavily considering moving into one, for the price point you cannot argue! With a JB tune I could only imagine how fun the car would be! Ive driven a new 335i and well the interior is of slightly higher quality and the engine obviously faster, for a daily commuter the price difference is not worth it, I would get the 320.

[bbbbmw]

I drove both the 320 and the 328. Would buy an Accord over the 320 - it's cheaper, much better equipped, and more engaging.

I've always loved the BMW 4cyls - they had a sound that nothing else (including the BMW 6 cyl) had, and a great torque curve. The 320/328 engine has neither - it's noisy, thrashy, and that start/stop thing is a disaster - they should take a lesson from the Toyota or Hyundai hybrids to make it less intrusive. The 320 has a poor ride, and the steering is dead.

The review sounded like a puff piece for BMW, but the scores were very mediocre.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

No you wont pkim. Where are you gonna put your dogs?

My dogs only ride in Sarah's 135i

[Kafkaesque328]

Originally Posted by bbbbmw

I drove both the 320 and the 328. Would buy an Accord over the 320 - it's cheaper, much better equipped, and more engaging.

I've always loved the BMW 4cyls - they had a sound that nothing else (including the BMW 6 cyl) had, and a great torque curve. The 320/328 engine has neither - it's noisy, thrashy, and that start/stop thing is a disaster - they should take a lesson from the Toyota or Hyundai hybrids to make it less intrusive. The 320 has a poor ride, and the steering is dead.

The review sounded like a puff piece for BMW, but the scores were very mediocre.

Hahaha. You should buy an Accord and call it a day. Every day I'm in my 320i
I'm like "you idiot, you could be driving an Altima right now!"

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by ///M Power

Did Chris say the 320i has a turbo? It actually doesn't, it's just a 328i w/o the turbo but pushes better than a Corolla.

If ppl want a basic BMW, they should get it. It's just nothin but handle. I have a F30 335i and it's the best car I've had. It's better than 535, the S4, the C350, the IS 350 and even better than all the US muscle cars. Just install the Stage 1 and a drop in you are good to go!!!

Remind me to take your reviews even more seriously going forward.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by termigni

WTF are you smoking? know your facts before making a fool out of yourself.

Smoking ///M Power son, what did you expect?

[fecurtis]

I see a ton of 328i's on the road but I don't really see 320i's that often.

You'd think that'd be the volume seller in the States since the base models tend to be the most popular.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by ///M Power

Did Chris say the 320i has a turbo? It actually doesn't, it's just a 328i w/o the turbo but pushes better than a Corolla.

If ppl want a basic BMW, they should get it. It's just nothin but handle. I have a F30 335i and it's the best car I've had. It's better than 535, the S4, the C350, the IS 350 and even better than all the US muscle cars. Just install the Stage 1 and a drop in you are good to go!!!

Factual statements in this post: None.

Unusual that someone from Southern California would be completely void of any sense throughout a few sentences...usually they're some of the most engaging and intelligent people I've ever met.

[W///]

Don't think we'll be seeing that idiot for a while.

[Kafkaesque328]

"It's just nothin' but handle"

What the hell is that guy saying?

Originally Posted by fecurtis

I see a ton of 328i's on the road but I don't really see 320i's that often.

You'd think that'd be the volume seller in the States since the base models tend to be the most popular.

I see quite a few 320's in LA but have never seen one with the sport package.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Kafkaesque320

I see quite a few 320's in LA but have never seen one with the sport package.

That's a shame, those drivers are missing out big time. The sports seats, sport suspension and staggered 18s really transform the car