[lz419]

Diesel rocks IMO)))))
320d will be good if you like that "pull you back" feeling when you floor it..

[pcockley]

ummmmmm sounds like you are kidding yourself to me. IMHO you either need to look at a 1er or an older 3, say a 330ci they are a nice looking and go well???

[RaihaX]

E46 330ci supercharged mmm

What is your budget?

[e92sydney]

Good luck with the test drive. Does the car you are looking at have idrive and Nav? Later models come with Business Nav if I am not wrong.

[John_01]

Originally Posted by hawk77

Is there a chip I could use to release some ponnies off the 320I? Or is just a lost CAUSE?

Cheers for your adivces so far.

IMO, its a lost cause. They can't get more than a few kw from chip upgrades for the 320i. Some people talk about supercharger, but its very problematic with the E90 because of the vanos and valvetronic systems used in these cars. What I've read is the limited tunability of the ECU makes any forced induction modification virtually unworkable although there are a few guys in the US having a go on 6 cylinder cars (not 320i). There have been supercharger systems for the E46 320i and Z3, but they are not compatible with E90 cars as far as I know. It will probably cost almost as much as the difference in price to a 325i, and that money will not be recovered when its time to sell. Apart from that, your insurance company wouldn't want to know you.

Some people do whinge about problems with older E90 cars. I don't think the reliability is that bad, but rather the parts and service are very expensive for BMW so people tend to remember what they paid to get things fixed. I'm not sure why you wrote that Lexus is more expensive to own. I'd have thought it was the other way around due to general reliability and pricing of spare parts.

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by John_01

IMO, its a lost cause. They can't get more than a few kw from chip upgrades for the 320i. Some people talk about supercharger, but its very problematic with the E90 because of the vanos and valvetronic systems used in these cars. What I've read is the limited tunability of the ECU makes any forced induction modification virtually unworkable although there are a few guys in the US having a go on 6 cylinder cars (not 320i). There have been supercharger systems for the E46 320i and Z3, but they are not compatible with E90 cars as far as I know. It will probably cost almost as much as the difference in price to a 325i, and that money will not be recovered when its time to sell. Apart from that, your insurance company wouldn't want to know you.

Some people do whinge about problems with older E90 cars. I don't think the reliability is that bad, but rather the parts and service are very expensive for BMW so people tend to remember what they paid to get things fixed. I'm not sure why you wrote that Lexus is more expensive to own. I'd have thought it was the other way around due to general reliability and pricing of spare parts.

I dunno if its problematic but ARMA does have one for the E90 320i

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200674

[John_01]

Interesting, but I think they should show some dyno charts on the website to justify their claims. It seems like the ARMA supercharger is only a bolt on and dosen't include any ECU programming at all.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

- Get the 320d
- ZERO point in 'tuning' a 320i
- If putting an arma supercharger on you're better off just spending the money and getting a manual 325i?

[sbce90]

Go 320d.

If you want manual petrol then you will be far happier even in just a 323i if you can get that over a 320i. If you can stretch to a 325i then I guess you will be happier with that, just be sure not to ever get in to an N54 car.

I believe Ninja333 had a manual 320i, maybe ask him how he thought it was. I think manual 320i is about a second faster than auto so it should feel a little more decent.

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by John_01

Interesting, but I think they should show some dyno charts on the website to justify their claims. It seems like the ARMA supercharger is only a bolt on and dosen't include any ECU programming at all.

no dyno but here is a guy that have installed it on his 120i

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...highlight=ARMA

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

- Get the 320d
- ZERO point in 'tuning' a 320i
- If putting an arma supercharger on you're better off just spending the money and getting a manual 325i?

What he said might as well get a 320d or 325i!

Originally Posted by SBC

Go 320d.

If you want manual petrol then you will be far happier even in just a 323i if you can get that over a 320i. If you can stretch to a 325i then I guess you will be happier with that, just be sure not to ever get in to an N54 car.

I believe Ninja333 had a manual 320i, maybe ask him how he thought it was. I think manual 320i is about a second faster than auto so it should feel a little more decent.

Or even better don't ever get into a N54 FBO + Meth!

[hawk77]

OK, so I drove the 320I...very placid car. It drives nice, very stable, very slight dive in the corners but very nice feeling. It would definetly use more power. The manual it gives you the oportunity to rev the shizzle out of the engine...but with not much luck. Boring-ish interior, nothing to write home about...but despite all that I am really liking the way it drives: stable, solid, secure....but it lacks power. I definetly fell in love with it, but I would "mary" her only if she'd have more power. somewhere around 180-220 would probably keep me happy. I understand that the 320d has a bit more oomph so I might look into that.

[playwithonehand]

You still can drive manualish with 320d Paddle shifter..... and a tuned 320d 220hp.....can be very satisfying!

Are you in Sydney? if you are you can have a go at mine.

[sbce90]

But be wary that the way the 20d drives is quite a bit different to an NA car. Try a 20d but also try some of the 6cyl cars.

[Ninjaoz]

I had a manual 320i 2010 for about a year, it feels slightly more power than the auto but still pretty gutless from standstill on 1st and 2nd.

320d FTW!

[pcockley]

Ok before I say this PWOH sit down

Sounds to me like it's a slam dunk get the D with the M chip in an auto with paddles it'll be like a manual but quicker! That's my .02.

Just remember to get a mask and good radio hehehehe

[kaitan]

Originally Posted by playwithonehand

You still can drive manualish with 320d Paddle shifter..... and a tuned 320d 220hp.....can be very satisfying!

Are you in Sydney? if you are you can have a go at mine.

I'll take you up on that offer !! lol Really curious how much more power you are getting of that chip..

[playwithonehand]

Originally Posted by kaitan

I'll take you up on that offer !! lol Really curious how much more power you are getting of that chip..

Haha i am trying to arrange a meeting with Luster to test out the speed box. Once i get a confirm day/time i will let u know mate.

[luster]

Early next week, promise!

[kaitan]

Originally Posted by playwithonehand

Haha i am trying to arrange a meeting with Luster to test out the speed box. Once i get a confirm day/time i will let u know mate.

what you gonna do?? not enough power now ?? lol

[Ninjaoz]

Originally Posted by playwithonehand

Haha i am trying to arrange a meeting with Luster to test out the speed box. Once i get a confirm day/time i will let u know mate.

let me know mate, i might tag along as well.

[pcockley]

Originally Posted by kaitan

what you gonna do?? not enough power now ?? lol

Bwahahahahaha no power from the con box dude!

[playwithonehand]

Originally Posted by kaitan

what you gonna do?? not enough power now ?? lol

LOL just wanna find out if its worth $200

Originally Posted by Ninja333

let me know mate, i might tag along as well.

No worries will let you know.

Originally Posted by pcockley

Bwahahahahaha no power from the con box dude!

Maybe u can tag alone too and give us your 2cents on so called con box