[Fuller]

Originally Posted by natesi

Despite the low output of the 320i, it is still a 3 series -- with all the same suspension components and geometry options available to the 330i and 340i (minus the adjustable dampers, of course). I can't think of a Ford sedan that is RWD (with AWD available), that has near 50/50 weight distribution, a 4cyl engine placed behind the front shock towers, fantastic sport seats, a ZF 8-speed transmission (currently the standard against which all other automatics are judged by), or the handling dynamics of a 3 series with the 704 suspension. Heck, even the standard suspension gets better the harder you beat on it -- whereas most FWD cars start falling to pieces at 7, or 8, 10ths.

The 320i obviously isn't a speed daemon, by any means, but it's something you can drive comfortably every day, and is gong to handle just like a 3 series, with relatively high handling limits -- not handle like a Ford.

I agree with the above. That said, if I was thinking of modding a 320i, I would probably focus more on improving the suspension over adding power. This could give you a car that's very rewarding to take onto a windy country road.

[Mr Podman]

Originally Posted by natesi

What makes me cringe is the small and cheap looking screen -- in any F30 -- for anyone that didn't get navigation. It just looks hideous and makes the interior feel like it belongs in super-budget economy car, rather than a BMW.

+1

I wish that screen on the dashboard didn't exist.
It's never on in my car.
Navigation is achieved with a $130 Garmin GPS.



podman

[Nh5651]

I got a stellar lease deal on the 2018 320iXdrive with a lot of the options like updated nav and stuff and I absolutely love it, just leased a 430i Xdrive and not going to lie there's a world of difference in driving dynamics and that it deffintley feels more well built however I get more comments about the 320i people like the color more and I absolutely love it as a daily driver it's calm collected handles well in all conditions and is very zippy, it is quite comfortable as well. Honestly if I were you I'm pretty sure you'll be very content with the car, as my first BMW it was definitely awesome, immediately noticed a change in driving dynamics from my accord which I was comming from all in all I love the fact bmw came with the 320 it can easily be optioned up to around 48k and it's nice to have a car that you can get fully loaded and still be quite a way under a 330/340 and all you have to Sara five is performance and not quality.

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

BMW 3-series are not investments.... So do most cars.
I don't care about the 320i not because of the miata-like up. But more so with the base trim levels. Each time I see a halogen BMW I cringe.
I think if you have a manual 320i, it might more fun than it's higher hp automatic brethrens.

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

BMW 3-series are not investments.... So do most cars.
I don't care about the 320i not because of the miata-like up. But more so with the base trim levels. Each time I see a halogen BMW I cringe.
I think if you have a manual 320i, it might more fun than it's higher hp automatic brethrens.

Lol @ cringing when you see someone else's bmw

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by natesi

Despite the low output of the 320i, it is still a 3 series -- with all the same suspension components and geometry options available to the 330i and 340i (minus the adjustable dampers, of course). I can't think of a Ford sedan that is RWD (with AWD available), that has near 50/50 weight distribution, a 4cyl engine placed behind the front shock towers, fantastic sport seats, a ZF 8-speed transmission (currently the standard against which all other automatics are judged by), or the handling dynamics of a 3 series with the 704 suspension. Heck, even the standard suspension gets better the harder you beat on it -- whereas most FWD cars start falling to pieces at 7, or 8, 10ths.

The 320i obviously isn't a speed daemon, by any means, but it's something you can drive comfortably every day, and is gong to handle just like a 3 series, with relatively high handling limits -- not handle like a Ford.

This is the best post in this entire thread.

I am an inline six snob, but I am a huge fan of the 320i. There’s a saying, “it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.” Of course, calling the 320i a slow car is a misnomer. In everyday driving you can’t really use all the power a 328i or higher has. I think it’s a blast winding up the 320i and using all it has to give. The fact is the car is very quick with more than adequate acceleration. And the 704/sport suspension makes it a very fun ride. The sport seats and the M Sport steering wheel are the icing on the cake.

[Skyhigh]

“it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.” - While I completely disagree with this statement (it is WAY more fun to drive a fast car slow, than a slow car fast), as I said before, no car should be underestimated as long as you have the correct and adequate reference point! A 20i is not a 30i and a 30i is not a 40i, a 40i is not a 50i and so on and so on. But a 20i is so much better than a 16d or 18d, not to mention other engines on different models and brands! So love it for what it is and enjoy!

(My other car is an Audi with an 1.8 TFSI Engine... never stopped me from loving it and modding it extensively. And it is still faster than plenty of cars on the street, including most Audis from the same model and plenty of BMWs out there )

[F30lolz]

OP, have someone code your car for the sport auto programming. Had a friend of mine from CT visit me last month and coded my car with some goodies. The sport auto programming woke up my 320.

[Beek]

It’s the singer not the song. I’d rather be the best 320 driver than the worst 340 driver, just my two cents.

[harperium]

My first BMW was a 320xi. Had it a 18 months, sold it at a loss and got a 340xi.

Why? Not enough power.

Specifically:

1. When fully loaded with passengers and cargo, there was noticeable drop in acceleration esp. when getting up to speed on the on-ramp.

2. When making a fast over-taking maneuver on a 2-lane highway. The 320i just couldn't get up to speed fast enough and always made me nervous.

The cost difference between a 320 and 328/330 is negligible, but the power gain is substantial. Had I known then what I know now, if I would have originally spent $4k more and gotten a 328xi, I probably would have been satisfied and kept it.

Post-LCI 340i has beefier suspension components than the 320i; also the 340i has better brakes. So it's not really fair to say the 320 is just a 340 with a smaller engine. It's less capable all around.

What did I notice when driving the 340xi?

1. A heavier nose. The 320i is light and nimble, and very tossable.

2. Unrelenting waves of power. Fully loaded I can press everyone in the car into the seat getting on an on-ramp, and still have power in reserve.

3. Whereas I was always going to Wide Open Throttle all the time in the 320, I hardly ever go WOT in the 340. And when I do, it's for like, 2 seconds max. And then I'm in Go To Jail territory. So in that aspect, the 320 was more fun to drive. BMW rates the 340xi MPPSK 0-60 at 4.4 seconds, but it's faster than that. I've clocked it from 3.8 to 4.2.

4. The 340 has so much grunt that it's much more fun to drive overall. I can always shove the car forward with a slight stab of the accelerator.

5. The engine. The B58 is amazing. I have the MPPSK too, and the sound is just awesome. (Also have the M Performance brakes, Dinan springs + Koni Sport yellow dampers).

[F30lolz]

When my e90 was in the shop for the airbag recall for about 10 days I was given a newish 2017 320i loaner with maybe 3k miles. It was my first time ever driving a f30 320i (e21 320’s are fun af) and the car was an absolute dog. Granted this one had zero options (smallish screen, no Nav, no power seats, etc...) but the overall driving experience was a total dissapointment.

Fast forward nearly two years and I test drove a 2015 320i which felt it had more pep. Ending up buying it and even before I had the transmission coded, it just felt more refined and powerful then the one I had for almost two weeks. The car is a CPO so I doubt it has a tune (JB4, etc...).

The 320 is what it is, an affordable entry level 3 series model that doesn’t hold a candle to a 328/Active3/Diesels/335/340/M3. IDK, maybe I got lucky with mine.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

When my e90 was in the shop for the airbag recall for about 10 days I was given a newish 2017 320i loaner with maybe 3k miles. It was my first time ever driving a f30 320i (e21 320's are fun af) and the car was an absolute dog. Granted this one had zero options (smallish screen, no Nav, no power seats, etc...) but the overall driving experience was a total dissapointment.

Fast forward nearly two years and I test drove a 2015 320i which felt it had more pep. Ending up buying it and even before I had the transmission coded, it just felt more refined and powerful then the one I had for almost two weeks. The car is a CPO so I doubt it has a tune (JB4, etc...).

The 320 is what it is, an affordable entry level 3 series model that doesn't hold a candle to a 328/Active3/Diesels/335/340/M3. IDK, maybe I got lucky with mine.

With a bolt on you can exceed 328 power levels. Though you still have the single outlet exhaust unless you go aftermarket.

[CrumbyButter]

It's nice to see more positive than negative remarks on the 320i.

The fact is that any car purchase is very personal and in general according to your needs. It also goes beyond just the car itself. In my case I hardly drive as I take the train during the week, which means any car is relegated to weekend only use, maybe 3-4k miles put on in a year. It doesn't make sense for me to spend tons of money on higher trim levels or upgraded mechanicals.

I've had acuras before, which I liked, so naturally I started there, also checking out what was going on in the Honda line. Frankly I was not impressed with the "value" for the money. Shopping around, I was able to find many CPOd BMWs in my range, finally deciding on a 320xi which checked all the boxes.

With that I get a pretty fast car, the great automatic, nice interior, upgraded navi/media, woodgrain, etc etc. It's plenty fast for traffic-y driving, and the few chances i do get to use it on the open road for longer trips, I easily accelerate and blow by people going 70-75 without much effort. It's also a beautiful car.

The car also was eligible for the all maintenance covered program, so I got a nice refresh right before the original warranty ended (brakes, rotors, oil, etc etc). It's too bad BMW decided to end this.

My only gripe is that literally 2-3 weeks after the original warranty ended, it threw a CEL which ended up being the waste gate on the turbo. Not sure how common this is, and CPO covered it, but I think it's a good idea to get CPO on these cars if possible. (I would like to think that if I had complained loud enough, BMW would have helped me out in this instance, but who knows...)

So, in short, I don't think that for the money spent I'd get the same level of service or attention to detail elsewhere, in addition to it being a pretty good car for a base model.

[Steakpizza]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

With a bolt on you can exceed 328 power levels. Though you still have the single outlet exhaust unless you go aftermarket.

I think the 328 maxes at 290-300hp Stage 2 and the 320 maxes out 270-280 Stage 2. I wasn’t a car guy at all before my 320i but now I’m in love and am going Stage 2 this week. It’s a hella fun car.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by Steakpizza

I think the 328 maxes at 290-300hp Stage 2 and the 320 maxes out 270-280 Stage 2. I wasn’t a car guy at all before my 320i but now I’m in love and am going Stage 2 this week. It’s a hella fun car.

While I don’t plan on tuning mine anytime soon, keep us updated on how the Stage 2 works out for you.

Currently have Eibach super sport springs sitting in my garage and planning on upgrading my wheels to 18’s. That’s the only mods I’m planning to date.

[rlmesq]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I am an inline six snob, but I am a huge fan of the 320i. There’s a saying, “it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.” Of course, calling the 320i a slow car is a misnomer. In everyday driving you can’t really use all the power a 328i or higher has. I think it’s a blast winding up the 320i and using all it has to give. The fact is the car is very quick with more than adequate acceleration. And the 704/sport suspension makes it a very fun ride. The sport seats and the M Sport steering wheel are the icing on the cake.

It's like riding a 600 cc sportbike, or even a Kawasaki Ninja 300 or a Yamaha R3, around people on liter bikes. A good rider on a small displacement bike can make someone on a flashy penis enhancer feel really foolish... and have a great time in the process.

[/Angelo/]

It all depends on what you want to achieve with the vehicle. If you're looking to build a track or drag machine that would embarrass 90% of cars, then probably not. However, if you just want a fairly comfortable means of conveyance with decent fuel economy, then the 320i is a great choice.

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by Z K

If you want a nice car to drive every day, the 320i is good. If you're looking for validation from enthusiasts, you most likely not get it. If you want to upgrade and change things, do it because you want it. Don't do it to get validation from others.

I have a 328i and even then, it is a normal grocery getter for most people. I also have an M3 and the difference is astonishing. People won't care or look twice at the 328i but the M3 draws attention in every day driving or on the track. I enjoy the stealth factor of my 3 series when I don't want attention.

Dude I had a 328 for 120k - really solid car. But then I'd get in my M3 and it was like they were from different planets. Steering feel was incomparable between the 2. Still, the 328 was good on gas, roomy enough, reliable, quick, good looking....I loved it.

I loved it so much I traded it for a 335 to remedy one of the issues I had with it: lacking top end power.

[MmmmmM2]

Does the 320i still use the N20? Or is it a downtuned B48?

[BMWILUVU]

Originally Posted by brianpalvarez

Hey Fam,

I recently purchased a 320i, at the time, its all I could afford. I love the experience and just being in a BMW. I recently over-indulged myself to many youtube videos, mod pages/forums and seen how enthusiastic drop significant $$ on upgrading the performance. Someone, told me the 320i is "the bottom of the barrel," am I wrong? Also, is there any worth to invest in upgrading the performance? (tune, air-flow. etc.) Thoughts? If you have a 320i and have mod-it, let me know your "Why" towards your investment?

Investment? There are many posts about the N20 engine blowing.

[Cccollin545]

I just bought a new 2018 BMW 320i and the car I drove before it was a Lexus 2015 IS250. The BMW to me feels quicker and slightly faster all while handling 10x better. To me The 320i is plenty fast for my needs and wants (I’m really happy with the acceleration). What I want in a car is handling and how the car can control itself at high speeds. The 320i IMO fills that role perfectly, it’s quick, fast enough, and handles like a dream.

[Cccollin545]

Originally Posted by F30ZHP

Does the 320i still use the N20? Or is it a downtuned B48?

My 2018 320i uses the N20 engine

[CntryClub007]

The 320i is an absolutely awesome car to have a blast in, I would have kept mine, but I just wanted to have a very fast car again, hence the 340i. The N20 / 320i just dies in power past 3700-4000 rpm.

320i N20 w/ Methanol Injection

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1508531

IMO, if you are a 320i owner, you do 2 things to the car. 2TB Sport Auto Trans coding & JB4 Map 5. That's it, you'll really enjoy it.

Intake if you want to hear the turbo, and an Axle Back if you want to hear the awesome N20. Deepest 4-cyl I've ever heard.