[Mrklaw]

Well didn't you hit the 6-CCL fairly quickly in the older cars? I think my '98 323i was a 6-cyl (model before the e46 I think). After that it was 330s mostly. These days even the 330 is a 4-cyl for emissions I presume. That was one reason why I went for the 320 - I'd have loved the sound of a 6-cyl engine but you had to go up too far in the range to get one compared to before.

So it should be a fairly natural progression for more members to have 4 cylinder engines as time goes on.

[stefan4]

Originally Posted by rich100

Interesting thread. There was a time when very few 4 cylinder drivers posted, particular the petrols as these seem to be the least popular. Good to see that more people are posting.

I bought my 320i in 2013 so have run it for a while now. I think it's a great car, clearly not as much poke as the 6 cylinder models but I don,t believe it's exactly lacking either. I do agree with Brigands point to an extent about this engine possibly being better suited to a smaller car because I think the weight of the car can at times be a factor. In my view if Bmw had tuned this to say 210bhp out of the Box and perhaps pushed the 328 to 260 that would have been ideal. In most circumstances thoughs as mentioned I think it's perfectly adequate.


Putting the engine to one side for a moment the other things I like are the way it looks particularly after I've cleaned it, and the fact that the cabin is just a nice environment to be in. I specced superman colours with mine and whilst I'm aware that this divides forum opinion it's a combination that I've really enjoyed.

My pcp is due to expire in a few months so I've recently had a number of calls from the dealer who is very keen to explain my options. (Didn't mention to him that I've got a forum full of people that will do this to a an unprecedented level if detail at a about 2 minutes notice )



I have been dabbling with the configurator and toying with the idea of a 340i but Very tempting as it is to change, I've decided to pay the final payment and hang onto it for now as on balance I'm just not doing enough miles at the moment to justify the change and the reality check here is that it's still under 3 years old.

I keep getting the bigger engine itch but that would be the only reason I would swap, not that I feel I need more power but more because I would like more power. But the car is perfect and I wouldn't change the spec, by far and away the best car I've ever had. I'm thinking about keeping the car for a little bit once the pcp has finished. But let's face it, the smell of new car is just too hard to resist

[antjos1]

Originally Posted by stefan4

Love my 320i, it's no 6 pot don't get me wrong but 185 bhp is plenty adequate, and 0 - 60 in a smidge over 7 seconds isn't exactly slow, though its not going to set the world on fire either. Would have no problem getting another 4 pot and currently considering a 330i.

you wont be disappointed if you get the 330i its brilliant.

[rich100]

Originally Posted by stefan4

I keep getting the bigger engine itch but that would be the only reason I would swap, not that I feel I need more power but more because I would like more power. But the car is perfect and I wouldn't change the spec, by far and away the best car I've ever had. I'm thinking about keeping the car for a little bit once the pcp has finished. But let's face it, the smell of new car is just too hard to resist

Agreed, the siren call of a new car is strong no doubt about that.

I do quite fancy a GC which is more money again new so for the mileage I might look at perhaps an 18 month or 2 year old one of those a bit further down the track. Interestingly there are a fair few 435is kicking about on the AUC site but very few 335i tourings.

[teaston]

So I wonder what needs to be done to a 320i to turn it into a 330i? :

[stefan4]

The acs package looks very appealing and gets you most of the way there I guess., though I think I would be tempted to put the 2k into a 330i instead.

[noxeternus]

Originally Posted by stefan4

The acs package looks very appealing and gets you most of the way there I guess., though I think I would be tempted to put the 2k into a 330i instead.

I have the ACS tune and sports exhaust on my 320i. I absolutely love it. Had a tuned (approx 380bhp) E92 335i before. I can safely say that I don't miss the 335 at all. The tuned 320i ( practically a 328/330) is a different experience and yes the 8 speed gearbox is great.

And Diesels , yuck !!!

And oops old post !

[Danno1386]

Originally Posted by noxeternus

I have the ACS tune and sports exhaust on my 320i. I absolutely love it. Had a tuned (approx 380bhp) E92 335i before. I can safely say that I don't miss the 335 at all. The tuned 320i ( practically a 328/330) is a different experience and yes the 8 speed gearbox is great.

And Diesels , yuck !!!

And oops old post !

Hi I'm new to this site. I just sold my asthmatic E91 318i and have just ordered a brand new G20 320i in sport trim. It won't be ready until May possibly longer with Brexit apparently. Anyway I know I it will be night and day over a 10 year plus car but am I just being greedy or would you recommend a tune to bring it up to 330i level. I can't get a clear answer anywhere if it's just the ECU hindering getting extra power or the engine internals being the limiting factor ? Is it better getting a remap or piggy back when contemplating a tune in the future?

[sensible]

Originally Posted by jusdorange

thought it was same engine

2015 onwards B48 engine in the LCI....like the B58 340i but with 4 cylinders (and does have a turbo.) It's called a modular engine because they use a lot of the same parts.

330i is the same B48 engine with different software giving it higher bhp. This is unlike the 328i which had a slightly different engine to the older 320i.

I have had it in the 320i auto from new and now have it in the 420i GC auto which I bought new. It's a great engine, smooth and very economical on fuel (I average 39 mpg of mixed driving). If is was so bad I wouldn't have bought it in the 4 series.

2.0 litre turbo 181 bhp (184 PS), 270Nm torque in auto and 290Nm in manual, 0.60 in 7.2s.....yes really crap...not.

[Armaan]

Originally Posted by sensible

2015 onwards B48 engine in the LCI....like the B58 340i but with 4 cylinders (and does have a turbo.) It's called a modular engine because they use a lot of the same parts.

330i is the same B48 engine with different software giving it higher bhp. This is unlike the 328i which had a slightly different engine to the older 320i.

I have had it in the 320i auto from new and now have it in the 420i GC auto which I bought new. It's a great engine, smooth and very economical on fuel (I average 39 mpg of mixed driving). If is was so bad I wouldn't have bought it in the 4 series.

2.0 litre turbo 181 bhp (184 PS), 270Nm torque in auto and 290Nm in manual, 0.60 in 7.2s.....yes really crap...not.

The B48 is a very smooth and capable engine. I've tuned mine to 240bhp and 410Nm of torque and that makes it pretty much on par with a 330i.

Super fun to drive now and makes decent progress, so it's tuneable. Just don't go to a tuner that will push it much beyond 270bhp and you won't have issues on stage 1.

Armaan