[clarence]

I don't see wht all this fuss is abt with the 320i. In Europe & other markets there are even F30 316i & 318i, they spread the range downwards (in fact the real entry level 3er is always the 316 since day one).
The biggest selling 1er in the range is the F20, the E8x 1er is old news (in fact will discontinue soon). Will F30 eat into F20 sales? No way cos they belong to different markets.
Will the 320i cheapen the brand? I don't thinks so, wht it'll do is kill off some of the models from other more volume brands. For example, in Europe volume brands no longer make large saloons cos it's at the same price point as an entry level 3er & ppl choose BMW/MB/Audi over those larger cars. Did it cheapen the brand in Europe? Nobody's complaining. After all, those 1ers/A3s/A-class B-class already existed for many yrs and the range has been spreading down for some time.

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by palpatine_us

What this may mean is that the six-cylinder engine is going away from the 3 series lineup. Now, you'll have two 4 cylinder engines- a higher output and a lower output. In the US typically 2 variants of the three are offered.

Also, if the M version will have a 6 cylinder engine, all the more reason to remove the six from the normal lineup.

Not to mention the cost savings of using only 4 cyl engines.

Not going to happen. If anything, they need the I6 for the upcoming M335i. This is an expansion of the lineup, not moving down-market.

[shivaswrath]

mpg is 10% better, that's it?

[lynyrdskynyrd803]

I think this is great. A 3 series this has a reasonable starting price. really cool. i love my x1. but if i could afford another car i would get this to. I think these will sell like hot cakes.

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

It's to get the MSRP down to compete with cars like the ATS 2.5, the MPG is not the issue.

Exactly. The base 328i is one of the most expensive car in the class, starting at $36,850.

Other Starting Prices:
A4 -- $32,500
ATS -- $33,095
C-Class -- $35,350

[rconti]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

So I assume this will lend to the same trend BMW has been up to recently. Introduce a new base model, and hike up the MSRP on the existing models to move them 'upmarket.'

Unfortunately, this will sell because some people only want to have the BMW on the hood.


BMW, you are making a very strong case for me looking elsewhere for my next car. Not that you cared much about me anyway.

Are the existing models' prices going up above the level of inflation? Are you sure?

Why do you care what other people drive? I'd focus more on whether the car makes me happy or not. If anything, it seems like you're the one badge snobbing by worrying that people will have the same marque as you but pay less. It's like the 335-or-bust crowd that turn their noses up at the 328, because they need the most powerful car and need to be "moved to the fastest run group."

I applaud having more drivetrain choices, and BMW should focus on this kind of variety rather than the ugly hunchback (3GT/5GT) and crossover-for-everyone variety that serves to take R&D money from powertrain choices.

180HP, especially with that level of torque, should be plenty for many people.

My only question is, what's the point given the poor fuel economy numbers? I thought 34 highway was what the 328 was rated at?

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by clarence

I don't see wht all this fuss is abt with the 320i. In Europe & other markets there are even F30 316i & 318i, they spread the range downwards (in fact the real entry level 3er is always the 316 since day one).
The biggest selling 1er in the range is the F20, the E8x 1er is old news (in fact will discontinue soon). Will F30 eat into F20 sales? No way cos they belong to different markets.
Will the 320i cheapen the brand? I don't thinks so, wht it'll do is kill off some of the models from other more volume brands. For example, in Europe volume brands no longer make large saloons cos it's at the same price point as an entry level 3er & ppl choose BMW/MB/Audi over those larger cars. Did it cheapen the brand in Europe? Nobody's complaining. After all, those 1ers/A3s/A-class B-class already existed for many yrs and the range has been spreading down for some time.

The problem is that some people are just desperate to think they are special and elite because they bought a $37,000 car. Somehow thinking a BMW 3 series is "exotic". And now that more people can buy a similar car they no longer feel as superior to as many people. It boils down to insecurity issues. Most people would just choose to not buy one if they feel it doesn't have enough power or prestige (and that's fine) and never say a word about it, others cry about it.

[ATX78703]

so this is just a detuned n20, right? with no fuel economy advantage - what's the point? is it really that much cheaper? i guess the 328i gets pretty pricey when you start adding options.

[BradF]

Really. How much less does this engine "cost" BMW to manufacture than the N20? Probably not a lot - it's just detuned.

This is obviously BMW's way of bringing the 3-series downmarket. The 335 will be dropped when the new M3 hits, and the 328i will become the new 335 - with more power than the 320i to justify the price difference. Meanwhile, the 320i will become a lower margin, high volume car for BMW. In all, maybe not a bad strategy but further evidence that BMW continues to water down the brand and experience in favor of volume and profit. My guess is that on the LCI 328i, they'll finally fix that numb steering to further justify the price difference between the 320i and the 328i -- i mean, you gotta get something for that extra $4k besides a better tuned engine (which has no difference in manufacturing costs).

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by ATX78703

so this is just a detuned n20, right? with no fuel economy advantage - what's the point? is it really that much cheaper? i guess the 328i gets pretty pricey when you start adding options.

I bet it's mostly because the base A4 (the 3's main competitor) is now more than $4,000 cheaper to start.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

Exactly. The base 328i is one of the most expensive car in the class, starting at $36,850.

Other Starting Prices:
A4 -- $32,500
ATS -- $33,095
C-Class -- $35,350

Yeah, current owners looking at why this car costs this much or has this much power or MPG is not the point.

The people on the fence for the $$$, to be class competitive or get the lowest lease rates, BMW is very smart with this car.

The 320 will give performance on par with the cars above, especially the C250(again, watch this 180hp car dyno close to 180-190 at the wheels) and no longer be the MOST expensive.

[topcat87]

320i vs 328i


The 320i and 328i's engine, fuel system, intercooler,downpipe etc etc are exactly the same. Differences would include smaller brakes and exhaust which can be easily changed.

This has been discussed to death in other regions where N20 320 and 328 are available

The only difference is the boost level that the ecu allow the 320i to make which is definitely lower than that of the 328i. This is how BMW differentiates the cars and control the HP output.

So right now once aftermarket tuners circumvent the DME and reflash the 320i engine maps with that of the 328i the 320i is game!!

[kevlartoronto]

where is the 320d errrr relabelled 320d as a 328d manual transmission??

[topcat87]

for now aftermarket piggybacks bump the power of the n20 320i near to that of stock 328i (around 230-240ish)

[aarslan]

It is interesting to me that everyone is discussing the mpg values rather than the actual sales price. Obviously 3.28i has better performance than 3.20i, yet the two cars are identical from other aspects, which causes the price difference. My two cents.

[pokerface]

Seems like more options than available on the Canada spec 320.

[tonmonde]

ha interesting BMWusa has it advertised minus the destination fee
$32550

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

mpg is 10% better, that's it?

As if a 10% improvement for what is, essentially, the same car isn't much? Say you get 270 miles on a tank of gas. That's an extra 27 miles per tank. In terms of efficiency, 10% is a big move when the mass of the car remains unchanged.

[Mako]

How does this only get 22/33 with xdrive and automatic? I think my 335i xdrive is rated 21/30 (avering exactly 25.0 after 3,000 miles). going from an i6 with 300 HP to an i4 with 180 HP, I would have expect something like 25/36

[Frencholivier]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

It physically is likely 99% identical to the full output N20. I also bet it does not make 180hp, but more like 200+.

I was wondering about that. Anybody seen a dyno run of the 320i?

[KORALLROT]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

It isn't just you. People like you keep adding up. Although hey will gain buyers from other brands with their new models, but in turn they will lose the diehard old school owners.

Yup. Right here.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by Mako

How does this only get 22/33 with xdrive and automatic? I think my 335i xdrive is rated 21/30 (avering exactly 25.0 after 3,000 miles). going from an i6 with 300 HP to an i4 with 180 HP, I would have expect something like 25/36

It's not a different, lighter engine, it's got the same size fuel system even lol.

Like I said, I am confident it's more than 180hp, dyno's will confirm.

The MPG was already class competitive if not leading, it's the price of $37k that can turn off buyers. Now at $33k, without tech being discontented, BMW has positioned itself well with this iteration.