BMW 320i

Typhoon · 11-12-2006, 12:48 AM

Hey All

I'm new to the forums so i'm saying hi! I'm thinking of moving into the BMW area and looking at the 3 series for my next car. Is getting the 320i even worth the price?

Asiann · 11-12-2006, 01:00 AM

Hell Yes!

Typhoon · 11-12-2006, 01:13 AM

hey! thanks for that! Yea i'm considering making a purchase.... and maybe adding some after market modifications to it... but that'd be way later on. Any reasons as to why a BMW 320i is any good though? They're about 110kw and i'm curious as to whether or not the engine is quick enough on the open road and can hold it's own?! thanks for the reply though!

flush01 · 11-12-2006, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Typhoon

hey! thanks for that! Yea i'm considering making a purchase.... and maybe adding some after market modifications to it... but that'd be way later on. Any reasons as to why a BMW 320i is any good though? They're about 110kw and i'm curious as to whether or not the engine is quick enough on the open road and can hold it's own?! thanks for the reply though!

get at least 325... big price difference ?

Typhoon · 11-12-2006, 02:35 AM

hmn... not really after a car that speeds along..... Just more so I enjoy cruising in and around the Adelaide Hills, and I want a car that can cruise but at the same time if I feel like overtaking a road train, i dont have to wait forever till the engine kicks in and finally gets enough go to overtake. So if the 320i can do that then it's fine by me... any suggestions!??!

MarkA · 11-12-2006, 02:42 AM

That said. The engine is extremely smooth and quiet. While the car doesn't accelerate quickly, it's still capabile enough in normal traffic conditions for people who really just want a car to get from A to B etc... It is certainly not race car material (even after aftermarket parts are fitted.. but then neither is the 325i in my opinion .. to be truely exciting you need to be in the 190 to 240HP per tonne arena)

As to never being as quick as similarly priced Japanese offerings, that is very true. For example, my car is priced (with it's spec)including taxes at circa Euro 50K - my car develops 173HP and 200NM. A Subaru WRX STi is also priced at Euro 50K and develops 280HP and almost 400NM. They weigh the same and are both 'small sports saloons' according to EVO magazine. But there is really no competition. To get near the performace of the STi I'd need to purchase a 335i, but for the same spec as I have now, I would be knocking the door of Euro 70K to buy it.

So BMW 3s never hold their own from a performance/price point of view with the Japanese. So why bother even thinking about it? A 3 series offers a much more rounded driving proposition and delivers as well for the 80% of time your aren't driving it like you stole it, unlike the Japanese offerings.

I know that Austrialia has heavy import taxes and that dictates the choice of models, but if they sell the 320D in Aus, you should really have a look at driving that.

It has a little more power and produces twice the torque of the 320i petrol for not much more cash - it provides a good comprimise to drive.

My 320Si was the lowest I was willing to go in the petrol model range from a power perspective, the others (318i and 320i) are just a bit too slow overall.

Yvette · 11-12-2006, 02:42 AM

not really, unless you are into modifying

Typhoon · 11-12-2006, 03:06 AM

well... unfortunately there aren't too many multi lane roads where i am. If you've ever been to adelaide you'll know what i mean

In essence I dont want a powerhouse modded japanese model car either and dont want a generic model 4 door holden or ford that all my friends seem to have. So that's why I started looking at the 3 series.... Unfortunately I'm just starting out as a computer science nerd so my buying power is a bit limited....

Typhoon · 11-12-2006, 03:06 AM

by the way, ignore the excessing cry faces.. i'm just being stupid.

Chris.G · 11-12-2006, 03:44 AM

HI mate, the 320 is a good car. The handling and the ability of a BMW to go around bends or nice curved roads are the reasons for buying a 320. It is as the others said a cruising car but it is definately a major step up in my view from Honda to BMW. I use to drive a crv and know i have a an x3, there is a major difference between these two cars. I couldn't do corners at 60km/h with the crv it would have rolled, however with the x3 it was a breeze. Have a test drive at one of the dealerships in Adelaide and you will know the answer to your doubts.

Chris

MarkA · 11-12-2006, 05:17 AM

Okay forget what I was saying about the 320d in Australia... I've looked up the specs for the Austrialian model and it's down on power and torque compared to the European model.... the 320i (probably except for 80 to 120KM/H in 5th gear) is just as fast.

astra · 11-12-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris.G

HI mate, the 320 is a good car. The handling and the ability of a BMW to go around bends or nice curved roads are the reasons for buying a 320. It is as the others said a cruising car but it is definately a major step up in my view from Honda to BMW. I use to drive a crv and know i have a an x3, there is a major difference between these two cars. I couldn't do corners at 60km/h with the crv it would have rolled, however with the x3 it was a breeze. Have a test drive at one of the dealerships in Adelaide and you will know the answer to your doubts.

Chris

don't bag honda's too much.. i used to have an accord euro luxury... great car, i miss it

HDH · 11-12-2006, 09:24 AM

Hi there. I'm in the UK and I've just got my first BMW being a 320i too (SE spec). I've driven a lot of different cars, mostly run of the mill sorts, but some that were fairly powerful too and my 320i is head and shoulders better to drive and just be in than all of them. My buying power was equally limited - in fact I settled for a 10 month old ex-demonstrator to save £5.5K off the new price. Although the car isn't lightning fast, if you're willing to use the revs and the gears it'll overtake perfectly well, something which I've proved a number of times here in the UK in the first 2 weeks of ownership. If you have the opportunity to forego some extras to put yourself in a six cylinder then do it (as long as you can afford the higher running costs). If the choice is between a 320i or some other brand then buy the 320i. You will not regret it for a moment.

Asiann · 11-12-2006, 11:41 AM

Some of your mates reviews! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4173

Saintor · 11-12-2006, 11:44 AM

What is the difference between your luxury Accord and BMW 320i?

Personnally, I thing that a 6 is a must in a BMW. We have a 323 here in Canada.

Asiann · 11-12-2006, 11:52 AM

Now if BMW came our with a 4 cylinder like the Lotus than that would be a different story and another segment for car buyers.

Dante · 11-12-2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Typhoon

well... unfortunately there aren't too many multi lane roads where i am. If you've ever been to adelaide you'll know what i mean

In essence I dont want a powerhouse modded japanese model car either and dont want a generic model 4 door holden or ford that all my friends seem to have. So that's why I started looking at the 3 series.... Unfortunately I'm just starting out as a computer science nerd so my buying power is a bit limited....

Relax, just do a test drive! You'll like it!

Paul330d · 11-12-2006, 11:56 AM

The 320 is a good car, but IMHO it is underpowered. BMWs are all about hndling (which the 320 can do) and power (which it can't). I understand not everyone can afford a big engine, but personally if cost were an issue, I would prefer a 'cheaper' make with a big engine, rather than a premium make with a small engine... Just my €2

E90Fleet · 11-12-2006, 12:05 PM

Well worth it. Id just upgrade the wheels from the tiny ones the 320i usually have standard.

My first BMW was a E36 316i and it was great and I wouldnt have traded it for any of my friends Japanese cars, even if they had a bit more power. The E90 320i is way better

luckystrike · 11-12-2006, 01:20 PM

well it really depends on the country i think., here we dont really crave for big engine cars coz the city speed limit is only 50 to 60 kms and the highways max of 80 (near city 180 outside city) well you dont really need big engine. i say go for it you wont regret it for sure!!

BMW320i · 11-12-2006, 01:38 PM

i have a 320i, yah its kinda heavy comparing it to the 330i, but its not THAT slow!

nobody will know the power of a car without trying it, when i 1st heared of this car, i thought it would be a turtle on the road, very heavy but with only 150hp

after i tried it, it was pretty good, specially at high speeds (compared to other 4 cylinder cars) there is where a BMW engineering rises

i raced a Legacy XP, it had more hp and less weight, i still smoked him, so the power isnt bad for a 4 cylinder car, but if ur used to 6 cylinders cars, u will feel a difference off course...

F2006 · 11-12-2006, 01:47 PM

I just checked the BMW site for Australia: with a 320i you are looking at 0-100 Km/h time of 9 seconds and top speed 220 Km/h. Looks decent to me: I've been driving a Civic Si for the last 3 years and it is about at the same level in terms of power/weight/performance. It is fast enough if I'm alone or with my kids. It feels underpowered if I travel with a full load.

11-12-2006, 12:48 AM	#1
Typhoon New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Honda Accord Euro Sports Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	BMW 320i - is it worth it? Hey All I'm new to the forums so i'm saying hi! I'm thinking of moving into the BMW area and looking at the 3 series for my next car. Is getting the 320i even worth the price?
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11-12-2006, 01:00 AM	#2
Asiann Got Seoul? 116 Rep 2,862 Posts Drives: 2012 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 535i [0.00] 2008 750Li [0.00] 2006 BMW [0.00]	Hell Yes! __________________ Can you say Alooooha? [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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11-12-2006, 01:13 AM	#3
Typhoon New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Honda Accord Euro Sports Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	hey! thanks for that! Yea i'm considering making a purchase.... and maybe adding some after market modifications to it... but that'd be way later on. Any reasons as to why a BMW 320i is any good though? They're about 110kw and i'm curious as to whether or not the engine is quick enough on the open road and can hold it's own?! thanks for the reply though!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-12-2006, 02:35 AM	#5
Typhoon New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Honda Accord Euro Sports Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	hmn... not really after a car that speeds along..... Just more so I enjoy cruising in and around the Adelaide Hills, and I want a car that can cruise but at the same time if I feel like overtaking a road train, i dont have to wait forever till the engine kicks in and finally gets enough go to overtake. So if the 320i can do that then it's fine by me... any suggestions!??!
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11-12-2006, 02:42 AM	#6
MarkA Resident Nürburgring Junkie 17 Rep 195 Posts Drives: 320Si Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	That said. The engine is extremely smooth and quiet. While the car doesn't accelerate quickly, it's still capabile enough in normal traffic conditions for people who really just want a car to get from A to B etc... It is certainly not race car material (even after aftermarket parts are fitted.. but then neither is the 325i in my opinion .. to be truely exciting you need to be in the 190 to 240HP per tonne arena) As to never being as quick as similarly priced Japanese offerings, that is very true. For example, my car is priced (with it's spec)including taxes at circa Euro 50K - my car develops 173HP and 200NM. A Subaru WRX STi is also priced at Euro 50K and develops 280HP and almost 400NM. They weigh the same and are both 'small sports saloons' according to EVO magazine. But there is really no competition. To get near the performace of the STi I'd need to purchase a 335i, but for the same spec as I have now, I would be knocking the door of Euro 70K to buy it. So BMW 3s never hold their own from a performance/price point of view with the Japanese. So why bother even thinking about it? A 3 series offers a much more rounded driving proposition and delivers as well for the 80% of time your aren't driving it like you stole it, unlike the Japanese offerings. I know that Austrialia has heavy import taxes and that dictates the choice of models, but if they sell the 320D in Aus, you should really have a look at driving that. It has a little more power and produces twice the torque of the 320i petrol for not much more cash - it provides a good comprimise to drive. My 320Si was the lowest I was willing to go in the petrol model range from a power perspective, the others (318i and 320i) are just a bit too slow overall. __________________ 2006 320Si 6MT, Titansilber, M-Sport Pack, 18'' Si Wheels, Anthracite headlining, Blue shadow Alcantara, Shadowline Exterior Trim, Si Alum Interior Trim, PDC, Voice Control, Pro Nav, iDrive, Blacklines, Light/Rain Sensor, Auto Aircon, iPod Integration, Bluetooth integration, BMW Alarm. Last edited by MarkA; 11-12-2006 at 05:12 AM..
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11-12-2006, 02:42 AM	#7
Yvette Major General 761 Rep 7,408 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (19)	not really, unless you are into modifying
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11-12-2006, 03:06 AM	#8
Typhoon New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: Honda Accord Euro Sports Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	well... unfortunately there aren't too many multi lane roads where i am. If you've ever been to adelaide you'll know what i mean In essence I dont want a powerhouse modded japanese model car either and dont want a generic model 4 door holden or ford that all my friends seem to have. So that's why I started looking at the 3 series.... Unfortunately I'm just starting out as a computer science nerd so my buying power is a bit limited....
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11-12-2006, 03:44 AM	#10
Chris.G Banned 105 Rep 3,120 Posts Drives: 2011 LCI MSPORT X5 30d Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	HI mate, the 320 is a good car. The handling and the ability of a BMW to go around bends or nice curved roads are the reasons for buying a 320. It is as the others said a cruising car but it is definately a major step up in my view from Honda to BMW. I use to drive a crv and know i have a an x3, there is a major difference between these two cars. I couldn't do corners at 60km/h with the crv it would have rolled, however with the x3 it was a breeze. Have a test drive at one of the dealerships in Adelaide and you will know the answer to your doubts. Chris
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11-12-2006, 05:17 AM	#11
MarkA Resident Nürburgring Junkie 17 Rep 195 Posts Drives: 320Si Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Okay forget what I was saying about the 320d in Australia... I've looked up the specs for the Austrialian model and it's down on power and torque compared to the European model.... the 320i (probably except for 80 to 120KM/H in 5th gear) is just as fast. __________________ 2006 320Si 6MT, Titansilber, M-Sport Pack, 18'' Si Wheels, Anthracite headlining, Blue shadow Alcantara, Shadowline Exterior Trim, Si Alum Interior Trim, PDC, Voice Control, Pro Nav, iDrive, Blacklines, Light/Rain Sensor, Auto Aircon, iPod Integration, Bluetooth integration, BMW Alarm.
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11-12-2006, 09:24 AM	#13
HDH New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW 320iSE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oxfordshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Hi there. I'm in the UK and I've just got my first BMW being a 320i too (SE spec). I've driven a lot of different cars, mostly run of the mill sorts, but some that were fairly powerful too and my 320i is head and shoulders better to drive and just be in than all of them. My buying power was equally limited - in fact I settled for a 10 month old ex-demonstrator to save £5.5K off the new price. Although the car isn't lightning fast, if you're willing to use the revs and the gears it'll overtake perfectly well, something which I've proved a number of times here in the UK in the first 2 weeks of ownership. If you have the opportunity to forego some extras to put yourself in a six cylinder then do it (as long as you can afford the higher running costs). If the choice is between a 320i or some other brand then buy the 320i. You will not regret it for a moment. __________________ First BMW: E90 320iSE Sapphire Black + split/fold seat, folding mirrors, sport steering wheel Previous cars: 12 and all complete rubbish - not a BMW among them!
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11-12-2006, 11:41 AM	#14
Asiann Got Seoul? 116 Rep 2,862 Posts Drives: 2012 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 535i [0.00] 2008 750Li [0.00] 2006 BMW [0.00]	Some of your mates reviews! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4173 __________________ Can you say Alooooha? [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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11-12-2006, 11:44 AM	#15
Saintor Banned 82 Rep 2,446 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MTL, Canada iTrader: (1)	What is the difference between your luxury Accord and BMW 320i? Personnally, I thing that a 6 is a must in a BMW. We have a 323 here in Canada.
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11-12-2006, 11:52 AM	#16
Asiann Got Seoul? 116 Rep 2,862 Posts Drives: 2012 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 535i [0.00] 2008 750Li [0.00] 2006 BMW [0.00]	Now if BMW came our with a 4 cylinder like the Lotus than that would be a different story and another segment for car buyers. __________________ Can you say Alooooha? [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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11-12-2006, 11:56 AM	#18
Paul330d Torque junky 115 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	The 320 is a good car, but IMHO it is underpowered. BMWs are all about hndling (which the 320 can do) and power (which it can't). I understand not everyone can afford a big engine, but personally if cost were an issue, I would prefer a 'cheaper' make with a big engine, rather than a premium make with a small engine... Just my €2 __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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11-12-2006, 12:05 PM	#19
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Well worth it. Id just upgrade the wheels from the tiny ones the 320i usually have standard. My first BMW was a E36 316i and it was great and I wouldnt have traded it for any of my friends Japanese cars, even if they had a bit more power. The E90 320i is way better __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
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11-12-2006, 01:20 PM	#20
luckystrike First Lieutenant 19 Rep 349 Posts Drives: X3 F25 MSport Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: austria iTrader: (0)	well it really depends on the country i think., here we dont really crave for big engine cars coz the city speed limit is only 50 to 60 kms and the highways max of 80 (near city 180 outside city) well you dont really need big engine. i say go for it you wont regret it for sure!! __________________ black saph./black leather/xenon/heated seatscomfort pkg./advantage pkg
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11-12-2006, 01:38 PM	#21
BMW320i Colonel 176 Rep 2,916 Posts Drives: '06 AW 320i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Muscat, Oman iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 320i [0.00]	i have a 320i, yah its kinda heavy comparing it to the 330i, but its not THAT slow! nobody will know the power of a car without trying it, when i 1st heared of this car, i thought it would be a turtle on the road, very heavy but with only 150hp after i tried it, it was pretty good, specially at high speeds (compared to other 4 cylinder cars) there is where a BMW engineering rises i raced a Legacy XP, it had more hp and less weight, i still smoked him, so the power isnt bad for a 4 cylinder car, but if ur used to 6 cylinders cars, u will feel a difference off course... __________________ 19" velocity CSL replicas staggured // Continental sport contact 2: rear: 255/35/19, Front: 235/35/19 // Blacklines // rear OEM spoiler // y-connector // 30% v-kool tint all around // Black Roof/Mirrors // H&R Sport springs // H&R TRAK+ 15mm spacers // *BMW never makes ordinary cars . . .*
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11-12-2006, 01:47 PM	#22
F2006 Private First Class 3 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 428i GC M Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I just checked the BMW site for Australia: with a 320i you are looking at 0-100 Km/h time of 9 seconds and top speed 220 Km/h. Looks decent to me: I've been driving a Civic Si for the last 3 years and it is about at the same level in terms of power/weight/performance. It is fast enough if I'm alone or with my kids. It feels underpowered if I travel with a full load.
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