320i 170 bhp

320i 170 bhp

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bracken78

Original Poster:

983 posts

206 months

Saturday 5th May 2012
quotequote all
Hi all,

I am starting to consider finding a 320i instead of a 325i or a 330i due being able to buy a newer car for the same money but have no knowledge of the 2.0 (170 bhp) engine.

Does anyone have one and what do they think of it, is it quick enough for day to day stuff or does the gear-box need using quite often? Also, are the MPG claims a good as the brochure says?

Due to the limited mileage I am not going to consider a diesel.

Derek Chevalier

3,942 posts

173 months

Sunday 6th May 2012
quotequote all
bracken78 said:
Hi all,

I am starting to consider finding a 320i instead of a 325i or a 330i due being able to buy a newer car for the same money but have no knowledge of the 2.0 (170 bhp) engine.

Does anyone have one and what do they think of it, is it quick enough for day to day stuff or does the gear-box need using quite often? Also, are the MPG claims a good as the brochure says?

Due to the limited mileage I am not going to consider a diesel.
Some comments on engine here

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136...

NelsonR32

1,685 posts

171 months

Sunday 6th May 2012
quotequote all
Tried the same engine in a 120i Coupe yesterday as I wanted to see if I could come down from my E46 325.

Immediately decided against it. Certaintly not slow by any means but lacks torque and the "get up and go" you get with the 325i. Goes without saying it sounds terrible too but i've owned 6 cylinder engines for many years now wink

Derek Chevalier

3,942 posts

173 months

Sunday 6th May 2012
quotequote all
NelsonR32 said:
Goes without saying it sounds terrible too but i've owned 6 cylinder engines for many years now wink
I thought my N53 330i sounded rubbish compared to the creamy straight sixes of previous models, but the 320i I had as a courtesy car when mine was back in the garage again was a whole lot worse - the auto gearbox didn't help.

iSore

4,011 posts

144 months

Sunday 6th May 2012
quotequote all
170bhp? Are you talking about the E90 or the 2.2 litre E46? That's the M54 straight six. They're nice enough but getting on a bit now - breather hoses, oil consumption and tired vanos seals are the three main things plus general old E46 issues.

The later 4 cylinder 320i isn't bad. A bit dull sounding but quite torquey and good on fuel.

bennyboydurham

1,617 posts

174 months

Sunday 6th May 2012
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Had an E92 320i as a hire car in Germany and also as a loaner from the stealer here. Both times I was underwhelmed and the lack of go was a serious issue on the 'Bahn. My missus has just bought an E92 325i and it's bloody wonderful. The noise, the silky smoothness and the go when you give it some beans put it on my favourite car list. The 2.0 is asthmatic and rough in comparison. Straight sixes in cars like this are already becoming a thing of the past - get one now while you still can!

bracken78

Original Poster:

983 posts

206 months

Monday 7th May 2012
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Thank you all for your input. I have decided against a 4 cylinder and will be looking for a 6 cylinder. Trying to find a good one is tricky however! Why does no one keep any paper work with their cars... I have been to look a quite a number now and they only have the latest no and stamps in the service book.


bilsland

358 posts

146 months

Monday 7th May 2012
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Bracken, i was also surprised at this. That said Dick Lovett provided me with copy invoices of all work on my new car and were happy to tell me about the car prior to purchase so i was able to buy even on patchy records. Previous owner seemed surprised i wanted to see the service book and V5 before sale!

Whats your budget?

bracken78

Original Poster:

983 posts

206 months

Monday 7th May 2012
quotequote all
Going to call a dealer tomorrow at some point to check on one car I have been to see. From the service history I could not tell when or if the engine oil had been changed.

The budget... looking to spend a little as possible in order to find a nice well looked after 325i or 330i estate. looking at cars around 5 years old.

JB1996

1 posts

90 months

Tuesday 18th October 2016
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looking about getting a 3 seriee myself donno what one to get 320i 325i or 320d. i drove a 325i and was impressed at all it took up till 2500 or 3000rpm to start picking up speed. drove a 320d and it seems very response and nice overall to drive. any thoughts

Mike335i

5,005 posts

102 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
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Always 6 pot with bmw, the 2.0 4 pot is fine in comparison to other manufacturers engines but not in comparison to the straight 6 bmw engines.

There are a lot of reliability issues with them too, Google N46 and N47 reliability to learn more.

A 320d will feel perky at low revs as it is a turbo diesel, but has no power further up the rev range, whereas a 325i might feel weaker lower down but gains in strength. You just need to adapt your driving style to suit.

iSore

4,011 posts

144 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
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Any 4 cyl 2.0 from 2002 is just bad, bad news - N42, N46 and N43 as well as the current N20 with emerging timing chain problems. Just don't.

PTF

4,320 posts

224 months

Wednesday 19th October 2016
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Just got an E92 325i 3.0. It's wonderful.

Smoooooth and revs round to 7k rpm, making a nice noise above 5k. It's a little too quiet below that, but it does make it a very quiet cruiser.

It's not got bags and bags of torque lower down like a diesel or an M135i, but it's enough to avoid having to make too many gear changes.

And on a run i'm seeing 45mpg if i take it easy. Two tankfuls so far, one at 38mpg just normal sensible driving, one at 35mpg with quite a bit of hooning and upping the speed on dual carriageways into the 80s. Not too bad at all for a 3.0 petrol!