[JohnMan]

Just wondering, how does my E90 325i stack up against the F30 320i?

The F30 328i would have been my preferred car. But the 328i's $555,000 compared to 320i's $42X,XXX seems like a big gap. So the F30 320i does look tempting. If I look at the stats, 0-100 time for the E90 325i is 7.7 sec (for the auto) vs 7.6 sec for the F30 320i. The top speed is the clear difference, the F30 320i is 233 km vs E90 325i's 242 km, but it's not like I can do 200+ km in Hong Kong on regular occasion, so top speed is somewhat academic.

The only question is the mental block, the perception of getting a "downgrade" to a F30 320i compared to a E90 325i.

Or is the above false? And the F30 320i's noticeably inferior in everyday driving to a E90 325i?

[scflaw]

Originally Posted by JohnMan

Just wondering, how does my E90 325i stack up against the F30 320i?

The F30 328i would have been my preferred car. But the 328i's $555,000 compared to 320i's $42X,XXX seems like a big gap. So the F30 320i does look tempting. If I look at the stats, 0-100 time for the E90 325i is 7.7 sec (for the auto) vs 7.6 sec for the F30 320i. The top speed is the clear differnce, the F30 320i is 233 km vs E90 325i's 242 km, but it's not like I can do 200+ km in Hong Kong on regular occasion, so top speed is somewhat academic.

The only question is the mental block, the perception of getting a "downgrade" to a F30 320i compared to a E90 325i.

Or is the above false? And the F30 320i's noticeably inferior in everyday driving to a E90 325i?

Hey Johnman

It really depends what you are looking for. my recommendation would be to get the f30.

Performance Wise
Turbo Inline 4 vs NA I6, the engines that come from BMW always have room for more tuning. You just have to be patient, BMS or Proceed will most likely have somthing for the Inline 4 Turbo. You'd get more gains from just chipping your car. You also have some OEM M tech parts you can choose from now too.

Maintenance Wise
The F30 may have some glitches but nothing that shouldn't be excluded from warranty. The E90 may look better (IMO) but i'd go with the easier option.

Exterior Looks
E90 M tech hands down, F30 looks nice but its still lacking something.

Handling
They gave the f30 a pretty good handling rating. Heard they ditch the electro mechanical system and gave it drive by wire. I've never driven it but i've heard that the steering feeling is kind of "numb".

Hope that helps, Get the F30 and wait for a chip. Faster 0-100 and removed limiter to pass 242 KM =)

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by scflaw

Hey Johnman

It really depends what you are looking for. my recommendation would be to get the f30.

Performance Wise
Turbo Inline 4 vs NA I6, the engines that come from BMW always have room for more tuning. You just have to be patient, BMS or Proceed will most likely have somthing for the Inline 4 Turbo. You'd get more gains from just chipping your car. You also have some OEM M tech parts you can choose from now too.

Maintenance Wise
The F30 may have some glitches but nothing that shouldn't be excluded from warranty. The E90 may look better (IMO) but i'd go with the easier option.

Exterior Looks
E90 M tech hands down, F30 looks nice but its still lacking something.

Handling
They gave the f30 a pretty good handling rating. Heard they ditch the electro mechanical system and gave it drive by wire. I've never driven it but i've heard that the steering feeling is kind of "numb".

Hope that helps, Get the F30 and wait for a chip. Faster 0-100 and removed limiter to pass 242 KM =)

Thanks for your input, much appreciated. I test-driven a F30 328i earlier, the low-end torque is indeed more immediate than a E90. But haven't driven a F30 320i yet so I don't know about the 320i. BMW HK list the non-sport/modern/luxury "bare-bones" 328i in the $487,XXX range, while the sport line range is in the $555,000 range (tai quai-too pricey for me ). But what does this "bare bone" 328i include/exclude? And how does that compare to the F30 320i?

[BMWseeker]

it really depends on what you want...

the 328i has a lot more power than the 320i. And it's more bang for the buck (when it comes to that license fee thing, cuz they are both 4 cylinder engines) I personally dont like the single exhaust pipe of the 320i, and would rather keep an E90 if you already have it... until I muster enough money to get the 328i.

I haven't driven either of these, but I have driven the x3 2.8i and the 335i. x3 2.8i has the same engine as the 328i and I can tell you that it's no slouch. Needless to say 335i is a lot more fun, but for the price, really isn't worth it.

So if I were you, I wouldn't actually... change up yet.

[itrswong]

I think e90 M package looks better than F30 (the bonnet is too long, it looks like a table).
If I were you, I will go for 328i (bare bone) instead of 320i. You'll regret to downgrade in a long run.

[scflaw]

Originally Posted by BMWseeker

it really depends on what you want...



I haven't driven either of these, but I have driven the x3 2.8i and the 335i. x3 2.8i has the same engine as the 328i and I can tell you that it's no slouch. Needless to say 335i is a lot more fun, but for the price, really isn't worth it.

So if I were you, I wouldn't actually... change up yet.

I totally agree. I read some reviews that in the Z4, the N20 engine feels better than the N54. The n54 definately makes more power for those fun runs but the N20 will give you more than enough oomph in Hong Kong. I just don't like the nomenclature, it used to be much easier to recognize what kinda engine it has haha. 328 != 2.8L engine anymore =(

[NL684]

i can say new 328 power is more or less than E9X 330, even if you just drive in city, the accereclation/torque response is very similar with a 335 engine.

While new 320 power is more or less than E9X 325, so just depends on the power you desired......

If you are E90 325 user, u will feel new 320 accreclates faster and max torque arrives early (which very situable for HK traffic condition) plus better fuel consumption

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by itrswong

I think e90 M package looks better than F30 (the bonnet is too long, it looks like a table).
If I were you, I will go for 328i (bare bone) instead of 320i. You'll regret to downgrade in a long run.

But what does the "bare bone" 328i include/exclude as options?

[itrswong]

Originally Posted by JohnMan

But what does the "bare bone" 328i include/exclude as options?

As I recalled in the bmw car show earlier this year, it excludes sport interior trim & sport seats and 18" black alloy wheels. You should check with BMW for more details.