Quote:
Originally Posted by harperium
Last year I bought my first BMW: The dealer had a loaded '15 320xi, or a less-loaded 328xi. I went with the 320xi.
Having driven it for a year as a daily driver and also on some 2000 mile road trips, I can say that the car does have plenty of power - most of the time. It's very easy to get into jail territory even with the 320xi. The cornering and handling and great. It's fun to drive.
The only time I felt the car lacked enough power was when I had 4 people + luggage in the car and had to get on a highway with a very short onramp with traffic going 70 mph. The 320xi still had zip, but not as much as when I drive it alone.
If I could trade in the car today for a different one, I'd probably get the M3. Because if I had a 328, I'd want a 340. If I had a 340, I'd want an M3...
But 99% of the time, the 320 is more than enough and I love it.
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I wrote the above post about a year ago... Turns out, I just couldn't abide the 320. I got rid of it in Nov '17 for a 340i MPPSK.
The differences are night and day. The 320 is a bit lighter; the 340 is heavier in the nose. But the 340 has so much more power that the 320 just isn't in the same league. I can have the 340 fully loaded (4 people + luggage) and still pin everyone to their seats when I blast onto an on ramp.
Do I still want an M3? Yes! But the 340 keeps M fever at bay until the new lease is up.
The power difference from the 320 to the 328 is also substantial. So don't be like me: if you will be bothered by that power difference, I would get the 328 or 340.