G20 320i - good enough BMW? Or do you have to go M340i?

[MichalPH]

With current 3 series production ending soon, there are some masive discounts available. I went on the configurator, an the only RWD options left are auto 320i and 320d thought... I'm wondering if its enough? The dealer has only 320d xdrive for test drives which doesn't feel much like BMW and understeers when pushed.

340i is available to order, but only auto with 4 wheel drive, and I'm looking for that old school BMW feel...

Are any owners of 320i here to share the experience?

TIA,
Michal

[The Conflated Outlier]

The 320i is alright. Very quiet, decent performance, excellent ride, and reasonably forgettable. It's a tool for a job and it won't annoy you - go for the automatic though.

It only seems like 5 minutes since these were new. I expect the new one will be just as bland yet uglier still.

[cerb4.5lee]

I had a G20 320i as a loan car not long back, and it was competent rather than exciting, but it was nice enough though.

[SteBrown91]

Hate to break it to you but a Modern 320i will not feel like an old school BMW.

If you want the old school BMW feel buy an older one.

[DannyScene]

SteBrown91 said:

Hate to break it to you but a Modern 320i will not feel like an old school BMW.

If you want the old school BMW feel buy an older one.

This^ If you want it to feel like an old BMW you need to buy an old BMW

[Rob 131 Sport]

Get the biggest engine you can afford. However, if your set on a 320, you won’t be disappointed, based on my experience of driving my sons.

I’ve predominantly had BMW’s since 1993 (age 20) and can advise that the current ones are just as good and in most respects better than previous generations.

[Wills2]

For start they are all auto no manual available and to be honest that's not a bad thing as the manuals aren't great, 320i is more than enough just over 1500kg DIN and RWD 60 in around 7 seconds, I've had G20 320i as loaners in the past and they are fine, but you'd always chose the M340i over it if the price doesn't matter.

[twokcc]

MichalPH said:

340i is available to order, but only auto with 4 wheel drive, and I'm looking for that old school BMW feel...



TIA,
Michal

Only way you will get the old school BMW feel is with 6 cylinders. The best one is B58 engine unless you want to go back to the N52
List of cars here that have the B58
https://discover.hubpages.com/autos/cars-with-b58-...

If you want to go 4 cylinder 2 litre its better in a lighter car(Cooper S).Test drove a bmw 220i (180ish bhp) convertible - felt flat without much go , The 230i convertible (about 240isg bhp) was far more suitable for the car and far more pleasurable to drive
Although a two series convertibles are heavier so about same weight as 3 series.
So just go for the B58 - the old 340i tourer would be my choice.(2015 - 2019) or currrent version -but not the four wheel drive.
Edit missed only 4 wheel drive available new.

Edited by twokcc on Friday 13th June 11:08

Edited by twokcc on Friday 13th June 13:52

[rottenegg]

Rob 131 Sport said:

I've predominantly had BMW s since 1993 (age 20) and can advise that the current ones are just as good and in most respects better than previous generations.

Same, and I agree. Objectively modern BMWs are far superior to old ones, but nostalgia always over rules common sense. As much as I fondly remember my old E30s and E46s etc, there is no way I would do my current 80 mile commute in one of those. The ZF 8HP is an absolute game changer for both daily refinement and performance. I shudder at the thought of sitting in heavy traffic with a manual now, especially an ancient 80s/90s one.

I wouldn't go any older than the E9x personally, and the F3x are the last of the 'proper' and instantly recognisable 3 series, imo, which is a good old and new school compromise. Last of the staggered wheels as well I believe. I don't think the 3 series looks right with square wheels.

[onlychengy]

Handles really well in its class, quiet and rides comfortably (depending on spec) but it wont give you the fun that you’ll find in an older, bigger, naturally aspirated BMW.

[MichalPH]

I was considering an E90 - but no one seems to be selling them. All that pop up have either moon mileage or are poorly specced. Where I live F30's are also mostly Xdrive....

BTW - while looking for info on 320i a found that Tiff Needel (I assume a childhood hero driver of many ) just bought one.

https://x.com/tiff_tv/status/1875159984927064417

[twokcc]

After my test drive in the 230i (4pot) convertible I though the 8 sped auto was superb- the engine was ok plenty of torque but just didn't feel to be something special . Previously owned a 2003 e46 330i convertible fr 13 years Best compromise I could find was a 1 series 135i or 125i convertible. Recently sold an £89 Z435i.ads of problems -so with same engine in 135i ruled this out.
So choice was between the 230i or 125i (N52) engine so went for a test drive in one. Old 6 speed auto with the 6 cylinder N52. Mad my mind up immediately for BMW feel was a far better car. The 125i had few less bhp and no turbo but it runs like a sewing machine. Enough torque to pick up from about 1600 revs and goes all the way round to 6800 without an hiccup. Could see why this engine has rave reviews from older BMW fans.
Gearbox change hardly noticeable -suspect this has something to do with the smoothness of the engine. Think it is same auto box as in my E91 325d (also 3litres) which is pretty good- but blindfolded in either would always be able know which one you are in.
The diesel engine is agricultural in comparison but still a great comfortable car(went for SE for softer suspension, but msport seats etc
Not sure what you can get in Poland but all older ones are gooing to be considerable cheaper than massively discounted new. Only way is to go and drive a few.

[Mr Tidy]

It depends what you want really. Even if you aren't going to use the extra performance would you miss it if you got a 320i?

My daily is a manual E90 330i with the N52 engine that has done 128K and became a Cat N a couple of years ago so it owes me vey little and does everything so well.

If I was looking for a newer replacement it would have to be a 340i, although for me an M140i would probably suit me better.

[cerb4.5lee]

MichalPH said:

I was considering an E90 - but no one seems to be selling them. All that pop up have either moon mileage or are poorly specced. Where I live F30's are also mostly Xdrive....

BTW - while looking for info on 320i a found that Tiff Needel (I assume a childhood hero driver of many ) just bought one.

https://x.com/tiff_tv/status/1875159984927064417

That's shocked me a bit to see Tiff in only the 320i in some ways being honest.

I guess he gets to drive the more fruity stuff in his day job, so he just prefers taking it steady for his own daily trips perhaps?

[MichalPH]

To be honest - can you even use the full performance of basic 320i on todays roads with traffic, speed cameras etc? Thats why I'm mostly looking for feel, not performance...

[cerb4.5lee]

MichalPH said:

To be honest - can you even use the full performance of basic 320i on todays roads with traffic, speed cameras etc? Thats why I'm mostly looking for feel, not performance...

Yes and that is a good point. I generally love performance cars, but even I've wondered why I still run performance cars nowadays though, for exactly the reasons you mention.

[MichalPH]

Risking ridicule I will say around town I have more fun in my wifes Renault Captur 1.0 than in my GR Yaris. I can actually use the throttle, change some gears, feel the traction of skinny all season tires. Seriously. I know how it sounds.

[ryallm]

MichalPH said:

340i is available to order, but only auto with 4 wheel drive, and I'm looking for that old school BMW feel...

Are any owners of 320i here to share the experience?

TIA,
Michal

If you are looking for old school BMW feel, may I suggest a non-xdrive G20 330d. It was the very last 6 cylinder RWD 3 series variant on the UK market. From 2021 on it got the MHEV twin turbo engine very similar to the 340d with a monster 650 Nm of torque. That is well over double the torque of the 320i. In sport plus spec is has an LSD which gives it a very old school RWD handling feel, and without all the 4WD gubbins it is a good chunk lighter than a 340d. Not many of them about but worth seeking out for the enthusiast. I have driven a 320i courtesy car - pleasant enough in isolation, but decidedly tepid in comparison.

[rottenegg]

MichalPH said:

I was considering an E90 - but no one seems to be selling them. All that pop up have either moon mileage or are poorly specced. Where I live F30's are also mostly Xdrive....

BTW - while looking for info on 320i a found that Tiff Needel (I assume a childhood hero driver of many ) just bought one.

https://x.com/tiff_tv/status/1875159984927064417

£50K! Yikes. Good ol' Stiff Needle. Kind of similar to Chris Harris loving the 320d and Clarkson loving the Golf GTI I guess. It's not always about having the max amount of power and handing I suppose.

E90s are great cars and folk are rightly hanging onto them. Starting to rust now though, so have a good look around any potential purchases.

As mentioned, a nice RWD diesel is a good choice. Either the F30 or G20. If you can stretch to the 30d, they are fast cars period, not just fast for a diesel. F & G are ULEZ compliant if that matters, but the E won't be.

E, F & G are all essentially the same car underneath, albeit the F and G moved to externally mounted rear shock absorbers like the MK5/6/7 Golf, so swapping those out is a doddle, and electronic PAS - which isn't as bad as it's made out to be. The key differences are obviously styling and interior/electronics improvements, but they all drive very similar.

I would say a good value option would either be an F series 330d or 340i RWD. The 4 pots sadly aren't anything to write home about. The B48 is capable of Golf R power but BMW restricted it down a lot in the less models, so costs big cash to get it over 300hp. And it goes without saying, BMW are famous for their straight sixes, and are like cream infused butter compared tot the 4 bangers.

Edited by rottenegg on Saturday 14th June 13:38

[Rob 131 Sport]

rottenegg said:

MichalPH said:

I was considering an E90 - but no one seems to be selling them. All that pop up have either moon mileage or are poorly specced. Where I live F30's are also mostly Xdrive....

BTW - while looking for info on 320i a found that Tiff Needel (I assume a childhood hero driver of many ) just bought one.

https://x.com/tiff_tv/status/1875159984927064417

£50K! Yikes. Good ol' Stiff Needle. Kind of similar to Chris Harris loving the 320d and Clarkson loving the Golf GTI I guess. It's not always about having the max amount of power and handing I suppose.

E90s are great cars and folk are rightly hanging onto them. Starting to rust now though, so have a good look around any potential purchases.

As mentioned, a nice RWD diesel is a good choice. Either the F30 or G20. If you can stretch to the 30d, they are fast cars period, not just fast for a diesel. F & G are ULEZ compliant if that matters, but the E won't be.

E, F & G are all essentially the same car underneath, albeit the F and G moved to externally mounted rear shock absorbers like the MK5/6/7 Golf, so swapping those out is a doddle, and electronic PAS - which isn't as bad as it's made out to be. The key differences are obviously styling and interior/electronics improvements, but they all drive very similar.

I would say a good value option would either be an F series 330d or 340i RWD. The 4 pots sadly aren't anything to write home about. The B48 is capable of Golf R power but BMW restricted it down a lot in the less models, so costs big cash to get it over 300hp. And it goes without saying, BMW are famous for their straight sixes, and are like cream infused butter compared tot the 4 bangers.

Edited by rottenegg on Saturday 14th June 13:38

I’ve owned 9 BMW’s in total, 7 of which have been 4 cylinders with the remainder 4 cylinders. I simply don’t get that the 4 cylinders shouldn’t be considered as in my experience they’ve been great.