[ES-Jet]

I have a 2013 320i with 32000 miles on the clock. We bought it with only 3000 miles and so far have had no problems at all with it.

I do renew the warranty every year though just in case. It's also having oil at the next service even though it's not due, as I'm trying to look after it as much as possible

[j.s.]

The N20 320i is not a bad car by any means, have a 2014 model with 50k km on the clock, no problems at all. I recently replaced it with a 440i, but the 320i stays in the family and I feel completely comfortable with it

[davethefish]

I've had my 320i for nearly 6 years now @70k.

Only issue was a whining oil pump sprocket at 4 years old.
done under extended warranty at a cost of around £2500

Been fine since, but its still under extended warranty.
Over the years I'm quids in paying for the extra warranty.

And haven't been tempted to change for a newer plate.
I'd probably get another 2.0 ltr petrol.

It's plenty pokey for me, all twisty back roads to work and back, and corners really well

[Twenty2Three]

On any motoring forum there are horror stories about all engines...
I moved from a 1.8Tsi Skoda (everyone said was a disaster)
Yet in 3 years and 50K not a hiccup!


I would wager too that some bring on their own reliability issues with driving styles!
You rarely get anyone saying anything great about trouble free car because that's boring!

There is no real evidence to say its a bad engine
sure there are plenty of stories starting "A guy at the service department said this" and
"I read this the other day"



I run a 2012 328i with 92K
I paid 17K for her 3 years ago... maybe worth £10k now?

In the very unlikely event the engine goes then what have I lost?
17K in 3 years

Some lose that in one year alone!

[nascot]

Originally Posted by Three28iman

On any motoring forum there are horror stories about all engines...
I moved from a 1.8Tsi Skoda (everyone said was a disaster)
Yet in 3 years and 50K not a hiccup!


I would wager too that some bring on their own reliability issues with driving styles!
You rarely get anyone saying anything great about trouble free car because that's boring!

There is no real evidence to say its a bad engine
sure there are plenty of stories starting "A guy at the service department said this" and
"I read this the other day"



I run a 2012 328i with 92K
I paid 17K for her 3 years ago... maybe worth £10k now?

In the very unlikely event the engine goes then what have I lost?
17K in 3 years

Some lose that in one year alone!

I moved from an Alfa 159 forum and there were plenty of stories of crap engines on there, including mine

[madlad2000]

Originally Posted by rich100

There's always been a bit of piss taking of the 2.0 unit on the forum although mainly directed at the 320i rather than the 328/330.

If it's ridiculous I'll probably look at the 330.

I wouldn't bring it down. This is an enthusiasts forum and hence highly critical and not the real world. The 2.0i twin turbo gives the biggest remap boost, my z4 went from 184 or something, to 270, and removed any slight turbo lag.

My 420d, went from 184 to about 240bhp (of the top of my head), but also completely removed any turbo lag.

However, in real life use, my current 435d 380bhp doesn't really feel any faster. The 2 litre twin turbos felt just as fast. Previously coming from a 320i coupe, moving to a 420d\(twin turbo), (and effectively the z4 2.0i twin turbo too), was out of this world - the power difference.

When you're in a hurry and need to drive quick and for want of a better word, aggressively, its so easy to forget its a 2 litre, as, depending on how you want to drive you can very easily be the fastest car on the road or motorway you're on. In many cases, the bottle neck, isn't the engine but the skill, control, and perseverance of the driver, and how they take corners etc. (I'm useless at all 4 btw). In a 2 litre twin or 3 litre bi turbo the power of the engine is one of the last things that determine the faster car.

I remember having to rush up from Leicester to Sheffield after a funeral to drop my bf off to work for a big DJ gig, then home to Leeds. Timing was critical with an expectation of being late. With limited time I completely focussed on driving. whilst I did speed on long straight empty stretches, a few times, more powerful cars 335s, AMGs etc, randomly felt threatened and had to race me, whilst I ignored and maintained my speed, neither party would go over 125-130 on the straights, and whilst constantly right behind me in the middle lane but not close enough to over take, they couldn't keep up the concertation, and would eventually fall back behind, because maintaining that speed is uncomfortable in any car irrespective of power, combined with them having no legitimate purpose.

I think some underestimate how years of German refinement of the 2d has made it extremely compelling, efficient, and powerful. The other half has a Mazda 3, 2.0i, and it's 150bhp 16v, and guzzles petrol, and slow as hell. With double the road tax of my 435d

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by madlad2000

I wouldn't bring it down. This is an enthusiasts forum and hence highly critical and not the real world. The 2.0i twin turbo gives the biggest remap boost, my z4 went from 184 or something, to 270, and removed any slight turbo lag.

My 420d, went from 184 to about 240bhp (of the top of my head), but also completely removed any turbo lag.

However, in real life use, my current 435d 380bhp doesn't really feel any faster. The 2 litre twin turbos felt just as fast. Previously coming from a 320i coupe, moving to a 420d\(twin turbo), (and effectively the z4 2.0i twin turbo too), was out of this world - the power difference.

When you're in a hurry and need to drive quick and for want of a better word, aggressively, its so easy to forget its a 2 litre, as, depending on how you want to drive you can very easily be the fastest car on the road or motorway you're on. In many cases, the bottle neck, isn't the engine but the skill, control, and perseverance of the driver, and how they take corners etc. (I'm useless at all 4 btw). In a 2 litre twin or 3 litre bi turbo the power of the engine is one of the last things that determine the faster car.

I remember having to rush up from Leicester to Sheffield after a funeral to drop my bf off to work for a big DJ gig, then home to Leeds. Timing was critical with an expectation of being late. With limited time I completely focussed on driving. whilst I did speed on long straight empty stretches, a few times, more powerful cars 335s, AMGs etc, randomly felt threatened and had to race me, whilst I ignored and maintained my speed, neither party would go over 125-130 on the straights, and whilst constantly right behind me in the middle lane but not close enough to over take, they couldn't keep up the concertation, and would eventually fall back behind, because maintaining that speed is uncomfortable in any car irrespective of power, combined with them having no legitimate purpose.

I think some underestimate how years of German refinement of the 2d has made it extremely compelling, efficient, and powerful. The other half has a Mazda 3, 2.0i, and it's 150bhp 16v, and guzzles petrol, and slow as hell. With double the road tax of my 435d

The only F3x cars that are twin turbo's, ie two turbos are the 335d/435d and old 325d which hasnt been made for a while. All others have single turbos, petrol and diesel. (BMW do try to confuse folks with their "twin power" bollox marketing terminology).

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/b...ned-50443.html

There was even a class-action lawsuit against BMW for confusing so many people. Calling the TwinPower Turbo a "false twin," the BMW lawsuit said that the Bavarians are guilty of false advertising in attempting to use the word "twin" in the name when the engines only use a single turbo.


I'm suprised your 380bhp 435d doesnt feel any faster than a remapped 320d lol! Have you ever had it dyno'd? Maybe it doesnt have the power it should have.

[Sasquartch]

The TwinPower refers to the dual exhaust port design of the turbo so it is, sort of, correct

But probably a lot of people think it means two separate turbochargers. Confusingly the turbos in a twin turbo design are NOT twins at all, one small, one large. Identical two turbochargers are usually called biturbo. But nothing that can't be further confused by the marketing people

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by Sasquartch

The TwinPower refers to the dual exhaust port design of the turbo so it is, sort of, correct

But probably a lot of people think it means two separate turbochargers. Confusingly the turbos in a twin turbo design are NOT twins at all, one small, one large. Identical two turbochargers are usually called biturbo. But nothing that can't be further confused by the marketing people

I though "Twinpower" referred to Turbo and variable valve control.

[RobUK]

Didn't they used to refer to it as twin-scroll?

[creepy coupe]

Nicked from elsewhere.

Here's a brief overview of two of the technologies featured in many of the BMW engines available today - TwinPower Turbo and VALVETRONIC (variable valve lift) technology. Valvetronic was first introduced by BMW on the 316ti compact in 2001, and has since often been coupled with BMW's double-VANOS.

Until 2012, no M model used Valvetronic, but instead continued to feature multiple throttle-bodied designs. The 2012 F10 M5 with its S63Tu engine (more details 1, details 2) is the first M model engine to utilize Valvetronic technology in lieu of the individual throttles found on its equivalents in the BMW X5 M and X6 M. The 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe's updated N63Tu engine (good for a +45hp bump over the N63 engine) will also add Valvetronic technology.

[thescouselander]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

I though "Twinpower" referred to Turbo and variable valve control.

I thought "twin" was in reference to a twin scroll turbo design.

[Moleeuk]

Had an early 2012 F30 328i for 30k miles and drove it like I stole it. No issue at all with the engine or auto box. Needed a new steering rack as several others on here have also reported.

Loved it to be honest only minor 'not like' was the engine note.

[1966-TR4]

I think a 320i xDrive with a map would be an interesting car

[magic juan]

Originally Posted by 1966-TR4

I think a 320i xDrive with a map would be an interesting car

Mosselman do an N20 328i package that gets up to 340Hp with Hybrid Turbo, Intercooler, DP back exhaust and ECU remap.

Their equivalent package on the N20 320i gets 300Hp.

Will be interesting to see what they put together for the B48 once they crack the ECU.

[madlad2000]

Originally Posted by dopper99

I'm suprised your 380bhp 435d doesnt feel any faster than a remapped 320d lol! Have you ever had it dyno'd? Maybe it doesnt have the power it should have.

To be fair, it's clearly faster, a kickdown at any speed and driver and passenger slam back into their seats. But in real world use, when you're not wanting to flaw it on a dual carriageway as someone moves over for the thrill, they're both very ample engines, and the 420d achieves the highest comfortable speeds most would temporarily go on a motorway.

At one time bigger engines compared to standard 2 litres meant the difference between one struggling up the hilly m62 towards Manchester for example. Whereas now, both are very capable, and the difference between the both in real world usage isn't as big at all... in many situations that are not long straight runs, the better driver comes out better as opposed to the better engine.

It was dynod at 378, but after a firmware update I had the same map reapplied, plus some other stuff so probably a little higher. But with crap brakes, other than motorways, in urban dual carriageways etc i'd probably be quicker in a 120d sadly and I've no way to fix it.. even the most exensive option, the performance brakes, it's admitted they're not really any sharper, just less fade, as told by a bmw brake technician and confirmed by all who've had it done.

[madlad2000]

Thanks for the info.. so what I understood was incorrect. I had the impression the 420d with twin turbo, as in two turbos stacked together, which gave the huge lag, and the loud engine. And the 6 pots had 'bi turbo', with one for the lower end, and one for the higher end, resulting in a smooth linear power delivery. I actually thought it was a petrol when I first test drove it, being so much quieter, no lag, and linear power. So actually the 435d is twin turbo too?

[SkyJawa]

The 335d is twin turbo.

[Techno 9000]

Originally Posted by madlad2000

... So actually the 435d is twin turbo too?

The 435d has two turbochargers, one smaller than the other.
Both of the turbochargers have variable vane technology.