Advice - Buying a second hand 320 i (f30)

[///M Individual]

The stigma attached to diesel cars is always entertaining, mostly from misinformed individuals whose cousin's friend owned a 1982 Mercedes 300d at some stage.

Between a 320d and a 320i, the 20d performs better, is more reliable and lighter on fuel (Please don't comment that your 320i did 5.3l/100km once while rolling downhill). In terms of maintenance, how much is a timing chain guide service on a 20i these days? I cannot see a logical reason why someone would purchase a 320i over a 320d... B series engines included.

I suppose the attraction to a 320i comes from the price-tag which is very tempting indeed, this coupled with the fact that there is a seemingly endless supply of these cars on the classifieds makes it quite clear why more people consider purchasing them over a 320d.






But don't.

Kyle for president!

He pretty much summed up what most of us are trying to say.

@OP get the 320d and you will thank us later.

 

[THass]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Much appreciated.

I am going to have a look at both and I have also been to see a 420i. Not sure what the biggest difference is between the 420 and 320 apart from the size. Not sure if its worth the extra cost. I have heard price difference has something to do with the 4 being imported or something.

 

[Ironman15]

Question to anyone that has a 320i msport with the upgraded gearbox

In sports mode (both the suspension setting and the gearbox) when you floor it from line at the traffic lights does your gearbox feel like someone is hitting the gears in the place with a sledge hammer?

 

[Kyle]

Question to anyone that has a 320i msport with the upgraded gearbox

In sports mode (both the suspension setting and the gearbox) when you floor it from line at the traffic lights does your gearbox feel like someone is hitting the gears in the place with a sledge hammer?

Have you tried shifting without the suit on?

 

[MR_Y]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Much appreciated.

I am going to have a look at both and I have also been to see a 420i. Not sure what the biggest difference is between the 420 and 320 apart from the size. Not sure if its worth the extra cost. I have heard price difference has something to do with the 4 being imported or something.

The 420i weighs about 100 or 200kg more than the 320i.
You are surely not going to win any traffic light sprints in that and will likely be humbled by a 320d....

The 4 series was imported, so yes that may play a factor in pricing.
When it comes to you selling or trading in the 420i it will not sell as quickly as a 3-series, so any perceived price premium disappears if you want a quick sale.

Having driven a 320i and having owned a 320d, I can say that the 320d is the one to go for.
Unless, you get a 320i that is super cheap.

The 420i is a no from me.

---

Question to anyone that has a 320i msport with the upgraded gearbox

In sports mode (both the suspension setting and the gearbox) when you floor it from line at the traffic lights does your gearbox feel like someone is hitting the gears in the place with a sledge hammer?

Suspension setting?
I have yet to find a 320i (or 320d) F30 in SA that had adapative damping fitted.

 

[SubLoaded]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Much appreciated.

I am going to have a look at both and I have also been to see a 420i. Not sure what the biggest difference is between the 420 and 320 apart from the size. Not sure if its worth the extra cost. I have heard price difference has something to do with the 4 being imported or something.

The 420i weighs about 100 or 200kg more than the 320i.
You are surely not going to win any traffic light sprints in that and will likely be humbled by a 320d....

The 4 series was imported, so yes that may play a factor in pricing.
When it comes to you selling or trading in the 420i it will not sell as quickly as a 3-series, so any perceived price premium disappears if you want a quick sale.

Having driven a 320i and having owned a 320d, I can say that the 320d is the one to go for.
Unless, you get a 320i that is super cheap.

The 420i is a no from me.

---

Question to anyone that has a 320i msport with the upgraded gearbox

In sports mode (both the suspension setting and the gearbox) when you floor it from line at the traffic lights does your gearbox feel like someone is hitting the gears in the place with a sledge hammer?

Suspension setting?
I have yet to find a 320i (or 320d) F30 in SA that had adapative damping fitted.

---

Got it on my plain jane 320d

 

[MR_Y]

I have yet to find a 320i (or 320d) F30 in SA that had adapative damping fitted.

Got it on my plain jane 320d

Really?

 

[Ironman15]

I thought that little button next to the level selects different modes on the suspension, is that not the case? what does that button do ?

 

[SubLoaded]

I have yet to find a 320i (or 320d) F30 in SA that had adapative damping fitted.

Got it on my plain jane 320d

Really?

Would be awkward if I said this and it didn't :fencelook:

But yes, really. Will upload some interior pics on the thread.

 

[MR_Y]

I thought that little button next to the level selects different modes on the suspension, is that not the case? what does that button do ?

The option code is SA2VF:
Adaptive M Suspension: features electronically controlled
dampers that adapt to both driving style and road conditions,
operating characteristics can be adjusted via the Driving
Experience Control button, suspension lowered by 10 mm

When I was looking to buy a 320d, I looked wide and far for a car with this code.
There were none in demo stock in SA in Jan 2018.
The option cost R15,300 back in Jan 2018 and (from what BMW SA told me) most of the M-sport 4-cylinder cars brought into SA did not have SA2VF fitted.
The M-Sport stock rather came with sunroof, F+R PDC and the M-Sport kit.
SA2VF was not seen to be a popular fitment for SA buyers.

I will donate R500 to a legitimate charity of anyone's choice if someone can show me that they actually have SA2VF fitted to their car.

Paste your VIN here and see what the option codes are:
https://www.mdecoder.com/

 

[Ironman15]

So thats a bit underwhelming, I take it that buttons basically runs different maps on the ECU. Havent bought the car as yet so not so clued up with it

So back to the question part about the gearbox has anyone felt those really hard shifts when pulling away hard

This could be me being used to double clutch automatics ( DSG and Powershift) that I find these shift very hard and brutal.

 

[Kyle]

So thats a bit underwhelming, I take it that buttons basically runs different maps on the ECU. Havent bought the car as yet so not so clued up with it

So back to the question part about the gearbox has anyone felt those really hard shifts when pulling away hard

This could be me being used to double clutch automatics ( DSG and Powershift) that I find these shift very hard and brutal.

The ZF8 is generally the smoothest auto you will find.... Likely needs an oil service, what the current mileage?

 

[MR_Y]

So back to the question part about the gearbox has anyone felt those really hard shifts when pulling away hard

This could be me being used to double clutch automatics ( DSG and Powershift) that I find these shift very hard and brutal.

Is it the Normal 8-speed Auto (no paddles on steering wheel) or the Sports 8-speed Auto (paddles on steering wheel)?

I had the Sports Auto on my 320d F30.
I felt it was a lot smoother than my dry clutch DSG (DQ200) box in my Audi TT 8J.

Note, that there are a few permutations you can try if you have a Sports Auto box:
1. Sports Auto in Sport (D/S), Driver Mode in Sport
2. Sports Auto in Sport (D/S), Driver Mode in Sport +
3. A lot more for me to type out...
rather see attached (courtesy: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1107998&highlight=Modes)

Note - the Suspension setting means nothing, if you have no Adaptive Suspension fitted.

 

[Salt]

The stigma attached to diesel cars is always entertaining, mostly from misinformed individuals whose cousin's friend owned a 1982 Mercedes 300d at some stage.

Between a 320d and a 320i, the 20d performs better, is more reliable and lighter on fuel (Please don't comment that your 320i did 5.3l/100km once while rolling downhill).In terms of maintenance, how much is a timing chain guide service on a 20i these days? I cannot see a logical reason why someone would purchase a 320i over a 320d... B series engines included.

I suppose the attraction to a 320i comes from the price-tag which is very tempting indeed, this coupled with the fact that there is a seemingly endless supply of these cars on the classifieds makes it quite clear why more people consider purchasing them over a 320d.






But don't.

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Between a 320d and a 320i, the 20d performs better, is more reliable and lighter on fuel [/font][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif](Please don't comment that your 320i did 5.3l/100km once while rolling downhill).  :roflol: :roflol: :roflol: :roflol: [/font]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]B47 motors are from Aug 2015[/font]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I just drove from JHB to East London - 1000km and still had 100km range left on the tank - 57L tank.[/font]

 

[Ironman15]

So thats a bit underwhelming, I take it that buttons basically runs different maps on the ECU. Havent bought the car as yet so not so clued up with it

So back to the question part about the gearbox has anyone felt those really hard shifts when pulling away hard

This could be me being used to double clutch automatics ( DSG and Powershift) that I find these shift very hard and brutal.

The ZF8 is generally the smoothest auto you will find.... Likely needs an oil service, what the current mileage?

Its on 104 371Km when test driven, 2016 model with the paddle shifters

---

So back to the question part about the gearbox has anyone felt those really hard shifts when pulling away hard

This could be me being used to double clutch automatics ( DSG and Powershift) that I find these shift very hard and brutal.

Is it the Normal 8-speed Auto (no paddles on steering wheel) or the Sports 8-speed Auto (paddles on steering wheel)?

I had the Sports Auto on my 320d F30.
I felt it was a lot smoother than my dry clutch DSG (DQ200) box in my Audi TT 8J.

Note, that there are a few permutations you can try if you have a Sports Auto box:
1. Sports Auto in Sport (D/S), Driver Mode in Sport
2. Sports Auto in Sport (D/S), Driver Mode in Sport +
3. A lot more for me to type out...
rather see attached (courtesy: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1107998&highlight=Modes)

Note - the Suspension setting means nothing, if you have no Adaptive Suspension fitted.

Thank you for the comprehensive information 

The car has paddle shifters

 

[Kyle]

Its on 104 371Km when test driven, 2016 model with the paddle shifters

Where are you based? It's a good time to get the box serviced.

 

[Ironman15]

Its on 104 371Km when test driven, 2016 model with the paddle shifters

Where are you based? It's a good time to get the box serviced.

Havent bought the car as yet, still in the process. Will do that the first thing if the deal goes through. I am based in the West Rand in JHB

 

[rodga]

Paste your VIN here and see what the option codes are:
https://www.mdecoder.com/

Are these decoders working again?

Still not my side...

 

[MR_Y]

Paste your VIN here and see what the option codes are:
https://www.mdecoder.com/

Are these decoders working again?

Still not my side...

My VIN (as written on my NATIS doc) for my 2017 F30 still works. I can see all the option codes.

 

[rodga]

Paste your VIN here and see what the option codes are:
https://www.mdecoder.com/

Are these decoders working again?

Still not my side...

My VIN (as written on my NATIS doc) for my 2017 F30 still works. I can see all the option codes.

Search for a new vin, apparently vins searched for previously are saved in the database, but new ones wont work