RE: Spotted: BMW 320Si
Discussion
I recall reading about in in Evo Mag at the time:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2005...
Lukewarm reception ...
TX.
Edit - just seen article posted on page 2, sorry
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2005...
Lukewarm reception ...
TX.
Edit - just seen article posted on page 2, sorry
Edited by Terminator X on Wednesday 30th January 18:38
Terminator X said:
I recall reading about in in Evo Mag at the time:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2005...
Lukewarm reception ...
TX.
Did you read the EVO article you posted? A few words picked from the articlehttp://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2005...
Lukewarm reception ...
TX.
unique and beautiful
has never looked so good
noise is fantastic
bursting with aggression
high-rev fireworks
beautifully balanced
love the way the 320si
genuinely thrilling
You consider that lukewarm?!
braddo said:
Just had a thought - were there similar arguments going on in the 80s?
"Why would you buy a M3 when you can get a 325i that sounds better, has the steering wheel on the correct side and is a lot cheaper? The M3 is overpriced and too slow, BMW are just taking the mick."
Except that it was the fastest of the bunch so not too slow "Why would you buy a M3 when you can get a 325i that sounds better, has the steering wheel on the correct side and is a lot cheaper? The M3 is overpriced and too slow, BMW are just taking the mick."
And turned into perhaps one of THE most sought after and well respected cars of all time.
Not a totally fair comparison with a lardy, slow , generic 4 door really?
High revving sweetly balanced 4 cylinder RWD sports saloon. Not fast, but probably one for the purists...basically a saloon version of the Toyota GT86.
Most of us would go for the 320d, but I'm still glad BMW made it. I remember VBH quite liking it on 5th gear. Seem to recall it could pull 1g in the corners.Not bad for a rep mobile.
Most of us would go for the 320d, but I'm still glad BMW made it. I remember VBH quite liking it on 5th gear. Seem to recall it could pull 1g in the corners.Not bad for a rep mobile.
405dogvan said:
braddo said:
Just had a thought - were there similar arguments going on in the 80s?
"Why would you buy a M3 when you can get a 325i that sounds better, has the steering wheel on the correct side and is a lot cheaper? The M3 is overpriced and too slow, BMW are just taking the mick."
Yes - not on the internet, obviously, but that was a common argument. Moreover, most people would have pointed at a Sierra Cosworth and suggested that as it was cheaper AND faster you'd be crazy to buy the BM"Why would you buy a M3 when you can get a 325i that sounds better, has the steering wheel on the correct side and is a lot cheaper? The M3 is overpriced and too slow, BMW are just taking the mick."
Ironically, both are now worth muchos money so...
Btw why do E30 325 sound soooooo good compared to E36 328/E46 330/E92 335 ????
Dan Trent said:
Apologies for being late to the party with a response but, to answer your point, I guess the comparison I was making was that both the E30 M3 and Si share a common thread in that they were road cars built to homologate their racing equivalents. I don't imply that they're necessarily similar to drive, comparable in performance or, indeed, the depth or extend of the modifications. As a true M car the M3 is a much more heavily upgraded car with extensive changes throughout. As has already been pointed out, the 320Si was basically a normal 3 Series shell with a homologation engine and - in terms of its position in the range and the performance relative to other models - indeed probably a closer match to the 318iS in spirit. I was being a bit cheeky/provocative saying it was the true successor to the E30 M3 but, hell, it got everyone chatting didn't it!
My *personal* enthusiasm for this car is that for all the conventional looks and lack of modification elsewhere it's packing a carbon-topped race engine with direct links to the WTCC car. That's novelty enough for me. Not everyone, clearly, and I can understand why the lack of on-paper performance isn't to universal taste.
Yes, to answer an earlier point, I'd probably be better off with a re-mapped 320d my any rational measure. But PH isn't about rational approaches to choosing cars is it. Which is why *I* love this car and felt moved to write a story on it in the hope a few others would too.
Hope that answers the points you raise!
Cheers,
Dan
Dan, thanks for the reply.My *personal* enthusiasm for this car is that for all the conventional looks and lack of modification elsewhere it's packing a carbon-topped race engine with direct links to the WTCC car. That's novelty enough for me. Not everyone, clearly, and I can understand why the lack of on-paper performance isn't to universal taste.
Yes, to answer an earlier point, I'd probably be better off with a re-mapped 320d my any rational measure. But PH isn't about rational approaches to choosing cars is it. Which is why *I* love this car and felt moved to write a story on it in the hope a few others would too.
Hope that answers the points you raise!
Cheers,
Dan
Yes certainly got people talking - What the forum is about. Job done
The 320Si usually divides opinion and I am, by and large, a fan of it. I did consider one a while ago but am happy with my E46 320 Sport........ Although I wouldn't mind that carbon engine cover....... and maybe those alloys. Damn, thinking about a 320Si again!
SpudLink said:
Devil2575 said:
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2005...
I like it and so did EVO when they reviewed it.
They make it sound pretty interesting. Maybe it has to be driven to be appreciated.I like it and so did EVO when they reviewed it.
Urban Sports said:
You can get into a 330i M Sport for that money....
I know which I'd rather have.
I know which I'd rather have.
I really, really, want to prefer the 320si, I have so much respect for the fact is exists. But the 330i is so much better, 90bhp more (yet only 30kg heavier) and the engine is a work of art. It was a lot more expensive new to be fair to the 320si.
mat205125 said:
I think it's quite conceivable that this generation of 3 series could not have been as successful, for so long, if weren't for this homologation car.
This was the same homologation period that also spawned the very rare fuggly vectra bumpers
Kind of. The Vectra was only under national homologation, so didn't require as many units to be built. I don't think too many hit the road with those bumpers, apart from management cars. They were hideous rubber extensions on the roadcar that stuck out like a sore thumb. I did hear that the bumpers were replaced with regular items before quite a few dealers put the cars on sale. This was the same homologation period that also spawned the very rare fuggly vectra bumpers
The 320si served it's purpose. Two world titles in 06 and 07 (05 was in the old 320i E46), plus the BTCC in 09, as well as other series wins. BMW reputedly sold over two hundred 320si kits to racing customers.
s m said:
braddo said:
It would be interesting to see how the 320si would go against, say, 125i/325i around Cadwell for a day.
I've had a little go in two of these and I reckon the smaller 125i would definitely have the measure of the 320si. 125i is basically E46 330i performanceBy saying 'for a day' I was also hypothesising the 320si might be better equipped for an entire day's track driving (bigger brakes, better weight distribution?).
timmartin said:
I think the 320Si is an interesting car and as mentioned was made so BMW could race (and win) the WTCC.
Imvho it doesn't offer enough over and above a standard 330i for it to be a true collectors car. E30 M3 and 2002(tii) apart, BMW 3ers need 6 cyl engines.
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