F30 320i M-Sport Opinions...

[Bernard///M3]

I was just thinking, Skiet had his Schnitzer upgrade for sale, for half price as he sold his 320, see if he still has it, you can then get the 320, insert the upgrade, have your Motorplan intact and have performance of about a 328i

 

[Baz]

From what i've seen on the forum quite a few F30 320i owners are looking at software for more power. So im guessing that the 320i losers its appeal very quickly in the area of engine power

I drive an F30 320i. Agree! Power lacks. Have to drive in Sport mode all the time. And body panels not aligned properly...is what I noticed. But I love the car. Chose it above another Volvo S40 T5 and Audi 2.0T I owned before buying the BMW.

 

[adamr]

shoe ... ah ... heapolis ... post deleted ... why :sorry:

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From what i've seen on the forum quite a few F30 320i owners are looking at software for more power. So im guessing that the 320i losers its appeal very quickly in the area of engine power

I drive an F30 320i. Agree! Power lacks. Have to drive in Sport mode all the time. And body panels not aligned properly...is what I noticed. But I love the car. Chose it above another Volvo S40 T5 and Audi 2.0T I owned before buying the BMW.

panels not lining up is poor built ... you bought the car new? ... cause thats quite atrocious on a new car ... im curious which panels, you have pics?

on the speed thing ... guess im comparing the car as a daily car and not seeing it as an M3 ... 0-100 in 7.3 and a top speed of 235 ... aint really all that slow ... but if the OP is the spirited driver and likes to launch from robots, test the manufacturers top speed claimsand have fun, then yeah the 135i ... different strokes for different folks

 

[DieselFan]

The 320d is faster than the 320i. If you're going to want to 'play' around with it and tune it then just get the 328i.

I dont see how you can compare a 135i to a 320i :/ . They are completely different cars. What do you want the car for is what you should be asking yourself and then find which 'series' you want. And then the model you can afford.

But I dont see why people think cars are so high maintenance out of mp, tyres have cost me more than the maintenance I've done to my car this year.

Considering the rate at which the F30s are going to be depreciating, you'll probably loose all the money in the first year of owning it than the maintenance for your entire ownership period of a out of mp car.

 

[Iceman007]

The 320d is faster than the 320i. If you're going to want to 'play' around with it and tune it then just get the 328i.

I dont see how you can compare a 135i to a 320i :/ . They are completely different cars. What do you want the car for is what you should be asking yourself and then find which 'series' you want. And then the model you can afford.

But I dont see why people think cars are so high maintenance out of mp, tyres have cost me more than the maintenance I've done to my car this year.

Considering the rate at which the F30s are going to be depreciating, you'll probably loose all the money in the first year of owning it than the maintenance for your entire ownership period of a out of mp car.

I agree 100% with DieselFan. But hey go drive a 320i the just for fun go get in a 320d and drive it. You will see what we are talking about. Diesel is also much easier to do power upgrade. The choice is yours but go drive both and let us know

 

[ZMC]

If you want to save fuel get the diesel. If you enjoy driving get the 320i

 

[DieselFan]

If you want to save fuel get the diesel. If you enjoy driving get the 320i

Please elaborate its not like the 320i is a high revving M car, chances are if you're buying an F30 your going to get the 8speed zf as its silly not to IMO. As this gearbox is amazing. And for me I'd rather have the same power and 100nm+ more torque.

Have you driven a F30 320d and 320i?

 

[Iceman007]

If you want to save fuel get the diesel. If you enjoy driving get the 320i

Please elaborate its not like the 320i is a high revving M car, chances are if you're buying an F30 your going to get the 8speed zf as its silly not to IMO. As this gearbox is amazing. And for me I'd rather have the same power and 100nm+ more torque.

Have you driven a F30 320d and 320i?

I agree with DieselFan. I have experience. I have owned an e46 325i manual. An e90 325i auto and I also said never will I drive a diesel or a 4cylinder again. Then they gave me a F30 320i for a week while they repaired my e90 and I was impressed but not wow impressed. Then I got behind the F30 320d and I had to say WOW. That extra torque makes a world of a difference :inlove: . 325i will only beat me at top end speed maybe. I have taken on a few F30 320i at the reef but they always come second(yes they give me a run for my money but hey I still win)

This is just my experience and you have to go drive both and then decide. Oh fuel economy is a bonus :inlove:

Now that's the reason I changed to the dark side for that torque is addictive
:thumbs:

F30 328i is a different ballgame and obvious faster and better toy but you cant compare it to the 320s

 

[ZMC]

Simple. 320i revs higher and sounds better.

 

[Xeqtr]

Hey all,

Don't worry about the thread derailing haha, quite enjoyable reads.

I am not comparing the 320i against a 135i, you are right there is no comparison... its like comparing a teddy bear to a blow up doll. Ones for adults, ones for kids.

I just simply wanted some input and point of views from previous/current owners, pro's and con's on the 2 cars and I thank the minority of posters on the thread for that.

I am split between the 2 in the sense of:

Do I want the small +- 300hp 135i? I don't drag, I don't race... Do I want it for those Sunday breakfast runs etc? Of coarse it will be fun, and I love power I do...

Do I want the bigger luxurious, better looking 320i (Dont flame me)... That has enough power to keep me happy, enough space for all my girlfriends (rofl) naat, and is nice and comfy and quiet?

I worry with the 135i, that its going to age by 100 years as soon as that 235i hits our roads... I LOVE the 135i, but it is a worry as the next car i get I plan to keep for 4 years.

Im just looking to make the smartest decision... some say you only live once, I agree... 135i is more appealing, much more appealing!

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The 320d is faster than the 320i. If you're going to want to 'play' around with it and tune it then just get the 328i.

I dont see how you can compare a 135i to a 320i :/ . They are completely different cars. What do you want the car for is what you should be asking yourself and then find which 'series' you want. And then the model you can afford.

But I dont see why people think cars are so high maintenance out of mp, tyres have cost me more than the maintenance I've done to my car this year.

Considering the rate at which the F30s are going to be depreciating, you'll probably loose all the money in the first year of owning it than the maintenance for your entire ownership period of a out of mp car.

Hey bud, im not comparing the cars, these are my 2 options and im looking for pros and cons on the 2 by current owners / previous owners.

All the cars I have ever owned have been in MP and then out of MP... i dont have a problem with it, and you right tyres has been my biggest expense. But i want to know what it feels like to have the reassurance of having a car in MP.

I like your point of view though, and you are right, something to think about. 320i M sports i have been looking at have depreciated from R420k to R350k in less than a year... madness.

Spoken to a few guys since my post and 135i is looking like the one for me

 

[RAArmstrong]

You know if you dont do that much mileage and you intend on keeping the car for 4 years... A low miler 2012 135i would do you quite well... As a time extension on MP isn't that much compared to mileage :fencelook:

 

[LFC]

I worry with the 135i, that its going to age by 100 years as soon as that 235i hits our roads...

Disagree here, it will age like a fine wine, it will be similar to a 325is in 10 yrs IMO

 

[akash]

I worry with the 135i, that its going to age by 100 years as soon as that 235i hits our roads...

Disagree here, it will age like a fine wine, it will be similar to a 325is in 10 yrs IMO

Its going to be a very sort after car, if you can keep one in a stock standard form with decent mileage, i dont see the value dropping that much at all.

 

[Xeqtr]

Hmmmm id like to think so too chaps

 

[ASH]

I think you should add in three other vehicles in the equation :-

1. E90 335i
2. E92 335i
3. E90 330d

You mentioned the 135i as an option, why not a 335i E92 as well, both are two doors, in my opinion, the E92 has aged gracefully and is still a stunning looker when you view the whole car in its entirety, yes the F30 has an aggressive front end, but what else???

You should at least try a low mileage 335i or 330d. Coming from a 330i, you will soon get tired of the 320i, lack of exhaust note. Also with 4cylinder turbo cars, you lose that solidness of a straight six, they feel too light. With a straight 6 six, you always feel its worth the money you spent.

 

[Nick]

335i e90/e92 would be my choice to.

 

[Xeqtr]

I think you should add in three other vehicles in the equation :-

1. E90 335i
2. E92 335i
3. E90 330d

You mentioned the 135i as an option, why not a 335i E92 as well, both are two doors, in my opinion, the E92 has aged gracefully and is still a stunning looker when you view the whole car in its entirety, yes the F30 has an aggressive front end, but what else???

You should at least try a low mileage 335i or 330d. Coming from a 330i, you will soon get tired of the 320i, lack of exhaust note. Also with 4cylinder turbo cars, you lose that solidness of a straight six, they feel too light. With a straight 6 six, you always feel its worth the money you spent.

I agree with you bud 100%. That's something that has been in the back of my mind. 4cl < 6cl definitely. Will have a look at the E92's... I want something different. I don't want to jump back into an E90 that's for sure. The appeal with the 135i is the "smallness" of it. I'm def a coupe fan!

Diesels though... i dunno i dunno haha! I drove Executor's 330d and my God it moves, doesn't even sound like a diesel but i just know at the end of the day it will bug me somewhere inside. As much as I want to I cant take a diesel powered car seriously.

 

[DieselFan]

I think you should add in three other vehicles in the equation :-

1. E90 335i
2. E92 335i
3. E90 330d

You mentioned the 135i as an option, why not a 335i E92 as well, both are two doors, in my opinion, the E92 has aged gracefully and is still a stunning looker when you view the whole car in its entirety, yes the F30 has an aggressive front end, but what else???

You should at least try a low mileage 335i or 330d. Coming from a 330i, you will soon get tired of the 320i, lack of exhaust note. Also with 4cylinder turbo cars, you lose that solidness of a straight six, they feel too light. With a straight 6 six, you always feel its worth the money you spent.

I agree with you bud 100%. That's something that has been in the back of my mind. 4cl < 6cl definitely. Will have a look at the E92's... I want something different. I don't want to jump back into an E90 that's for sure. The appeal with the 135i is the "smallness" of it. I'm def a coupe fan!

Diesels though... i dunno i dunno haha! I drove Executor's 330d and my God it moves, doesn't even sound like a diesel but i just know at the end of the day it will bug me somewhere inside. As much as I want to I cant take a diesel powered car seriously.

That is until you lineup at the robots in your 320i against a 320d and receive a nice hiding.

If you are wanting a sporty higher reving car then a 320i is definitely NOT it.

You sound like you want a E92 335i... That would be my choice.:inlove:

 

[DUB-EDITION]

Personally i Love my BMW F30 320 Diesel its sounds a bit like a tractor when you start it but then it gets better.

Its actually faster than the 320i because they both have the same amount of HP but the Diesel has more Torque! PLUS on top of it you save Fuel!! I managed to get an average of 4.8L and 6L on Sport Mode

But as always its personal preference

 

[Iceman007]

Just go drive an F30 320d for the fun of it and then tell us