[Paulo_G]

Hi all,

Pretty sure I've decided on an F34 (although not yet managed to go see one or drive one) to replace my Lexus IS300h, but just have a question or 2 before making the next step. I'm in the UK by the way.

Firstly, whatever one I go for will be petrol and auto. I'm down at the lower end of the price range (£15k-ish max) so will be a 2013/2014 320i or 328i. Availability of the 320i seems a little better than the 328i, or at least a little cheaper for same spec and mileage. Is it worth spending the extra on a 28 over a 20, or would I be better served with a 20 and chip (I believe Superchips does one for £400 that would put the power up above a 28 anyway)

I've not been able to find out a huge amount about the differences between trim levels. Can anyone give any info on the key differences between Modern and Luxury, as there are a couple of each for sale at my price point but not been able to work out what extras you get with the Luxury over the Modern?

Finally, I'd love the professional media but due to being a the bottom end of the price range, very little has anything better than the standard 6.5" set up. I've read a few threads on here about upgrading to professional (all F30/31 rather than F34 specific), but seems rather confusing working out how to go about it based on what system is already in the car, whether it has nav etc already. From what I understand, all F34s had nav of some description, and came with the NBT system, is this correct? Would all professional features be available if I retrofitted it vs original factory fit? Alternatively, would I better off going for an AVIN system? Apologies for what may be basic questions, I've had an E34 and E38 before but tech has moved on significantly since then!!

Thanks in advance for any help!

Paul

[Billfitz]

I can't comment on the 320, they don't sell them in the US. I will say that I'm not the least bit unhappy with the performance of my 328. As for chips, I firmly believe that BMW engineers have a very good grasp on how to build engines. If a simple inexpensive chip worked as well as they claim to BMW would use them. Retrofitting anything into the iDrive can be a nightmare. AVIN seems to be universally reviled. Find a car equipped the way you want it. Luxury is mostly cosmetic. My base model is luxurious enough to suit me.

[cfm56d7b]

As Billfitz suggested, finding the car with the equipment you want will reduce the temptation to sponsor expensive retrofit projects which may or may not succeed. The retrofit project which carries the most risk: new hardware + new wiring + coding.

[KRS_SN]

hi
in your case 328i every time!
65 bhp more than 320i faster and very little effect on fuel economy i would think if that means an extra 1-2k worth it.
luxury has a better interior and larger alloys and chrome trim etc
modern may be base/entry level prob avoid.
sport is somewhat between base and msport
try the link below looks good and approved used bmw.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/2...77%205GU,%20UK"eref=5bdea66d-055f-4ef5-95d7-2ae755d6e0ae
best of luck

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by KRS_SN

modern may be base/entry level prob avoid.

That depends. My base GT is better equipped than my previous Nissan Altima that was third tier. This may have to do with what are base versions in the UK and Eu are for the most part not even sold in the US. For instance, here there is no 320, while xDrive, full power seats and moon roof are standard. My assumption is that a UK base 328 is better equipped than a base 320, that the engine isn't the only difference.

[Paulo_G]

Thanks for the replies. My thinking with regard to the chip was that both the 320 and 328 use the N20 engine, presumably with a few mapping tweaks to acquire the extra power in the 328. If something similar could be done in a different way, then would this be a realistic option?

As for spec levels, in the UK there appears to be be Sport, Modern, Luxury and M Sport. All spec levels seem to be available in combination with both the 320 and 328 engines (and presumably 335, but I've not been considering these as they're either out of budget or done more than twice the mileage of 320 or 328s), so not sure if there's any differences other than engine between 320 and 328.

So, AVIN is not a good option then. Looks like being patient and waiting for the right car is the way to go.

Thanks again.

[mbanck]

The 320 and 328 engine are not the same, they use higher-grade materials for the latter; so it's not just switching a bit somewhere and you get a 328i out of a 320i. Chipping might work for a while, but possibly not for 50000 miles.

As for the trims, you can get them all for all engines (only the m-performace cars are locked to that trim, but the F34 doesn't have it). The main difference is the set of interior design (upholstery color, decors) you could choose from for the trims and the M-Sport trim has a very different front/rear.

I believe there is a further difference in the exhausts (320i had a single exhaust until MY2016), but all other small differences can be leveled by ticking the missing options for the 320i.

[Paulo_G]

Useful info on the engines, thanks. Think I'll give the chip a miss and just go with the 328i based on that.

Also, hadn't actually noticed the single tail pipe on the 320 vs twin on the 328...

Hopefully going to go look at one on Saturday. It's the wrong engine and wrong spec, but should give an appreciation of the size etc.

[Medic-NY]

So, a little insight on the "chip."
The engines are capable of more than BMW puts into them. That goes for almost all car manufactures.the issue with numbers, is that it's hard to sell a 335, if the 328 has the same power. Some may disagree but that's my .02 cents.

As for the rest, I wanted a GT from the start due to the leg room. I wanted a 335 badly but couldn't find a used one with al the options I wanted.

If I had to do it again, I would still take a loaded 328 over a 335 with less options.

You can get a 2016 loaded 328 with nearly everything for 24k. I know, because that's what I did. I picked up a lease turn in, and it was almost flawless, and I'd do it again. Carvana gets a lot of bmw's too, just look it over good.

[mbanck]

The 335 has a totally different engine though?

[mgbabe]

335 is a 6 cylinder. The others are fours.

[Paulo_G]

Originally Posted by Medic-NY

So, a little insight on the "chip."
The engines are capable of more than BMW puts into them. That goes for almost all car manufactures.the issue with numbers, is that it's hard to sell a 335, if the 328 has the same power. Some may disagree but that's my .02 cents.

As for the rest, I wanted a GT from the start due to the leg room. I wanted a 335 badly but couldn't find a used one with al the options I wanted.

If I had to do it again, I would still take a loaded 328 over a 335 with less options.

You can get a 2016 loaded 328 with nearly everything for 24k. I know, because that's what I did. I picked up a lease turn in, and it was almost flawless, and I'd do it again. Carvana gets a lot of bmw's too, just look it over good.

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree that a 335 with less go than a 328 would be a very hard sell! Have you had your 328 chipped then?

[Billfitz]

The 335 has more 'go' than the 328. It's about 1/2 second faster 0-60MPH. That sort of thing doesn't matter so much to the sensible types who buy the GT. The 328 gets better fuel economy than the 335 and the car costs less, things that do matter to GT buyers. That made the 328 a better seller than the 335, so there are fewer 335s on the used market.

[Medic-NY]

I have not had it chipped yet. I will in the spring for sure. Should be around 300hp with that and a downpipe. Maybe a little exhaust work.

I will say the fuel economy is amazing in the 328.
I am coming from a E60 550i though. Anything is better.