Topic: Day-by-Day Review: 2013 BMW 320i xDrive; Day 1

[mmret]

Yeah I'm sure the dealer will put a 325 badge on free of charge to make the sale.

In Europe I noticed most cars had no badge at all!

After a couple of years you need to replace the BMW rounded , because it will fade 

Have not noticed such a thing.

Also, no fade with these

[dirtyjeffer]

Tray goes into the glovebox.  That's where I found it lol

I'm sure the next journalist is going to write "Kind of odd this vehicle doesn't come with cup holders"

that's funny...my Kia Rio5 has a place for my phone, without covering up the cup holders.

[dirtyjeffer]

It's the trade off people like my BIL don't notice. He gripes about all the features he would have to to pay for in a luxury brand but neglects to mention the poorer features of their KIA (IE tin can, dubious materials, engineering, etc.)

At the end of the day you have to be prepared to pay to play......right or wrong.

tin can, dubious materials, engineering??

seems like odd comments...care to elaborate?...i don't think their cars are any less "tin can" than its competitors...the materials are often competitive if not above the norm (also mentioned in reviews), and engineering is also top notch (one of the first to employ DI engines throughout their line up, increased use of high strength steel, etc).

[PJ]

Tray goes into the glovebox.  That's where I found it lol

I'm sure the next journalist is going to write "Kind of odd this vehicle doesn't come with cup holders"

that's funny...my Kia Rio5 has a place for my phone, without covering up the cup holders.

All cars have a place for your phone.   It's called your pocket where it belongs until you get where you going. 

[Ex-airbalancer]

Tray goes into the glovebox.  That's where I found it lol

I'm sure the next journalist is going to write "Kind of odd this vehicle doesn't come with cup holders"

that's funny...my Kia Rio5 has a place for my phone, without covering up the cup holders.

All cars have a place for your phone.   It's called your pocket where it belongs until you get where you going.

[mixmanmash]

Tray goes into the glovebox.  That's where I found it lol

I'm sure the next journalist is going to write "Kind of odd this vehicle doesn't come with cup holders"

that's funny...my Kia Rio5 has a place for my phone, without covering up the cup holders.

All cars have a place for your phone.   It's called your pocket where it belongs until you get where you going.

True.  And in that way, we can reduce distracted driving.

[PJ]

Yeah I'm sure the dealer will put a 325 badge on free of charge to make the sale.

In Europe I noticed most cars had no badge at all!

in europe removing the designation is a no charge option.    funny but bmw changed the new 320d's badge to 328d for NA just because of this "perception issue".  they also ended up charging 1500 more than a 328i when in europe the 320d is less than the 328i.  that's an expensive badge!!

i don't get why some of you guys keep bringing up the mustang!!  what's?........ok i'm not going to ask it will just turn the conversation back to the mustang.......

The 320 got really good mileage but you have to think .... How does it compare to a Mustang?

[KD]

I am really starting to like this car more and more!  It sounds like it strikes a good balance between performance and economy which is right on target I would say and well executed. What's not to like?  Well, my only gripe is that they dont offer the touring (wagon) version here in NA and that's a real bummer for me!  I would seriously consider that, but i seem to in the minorty there.  This drivetrain would be really sweet in that lexus hybrid hatch!  Too bad you couldn't mix and match like high-end audio. 

[dirtyjeffer]

Tray goes into the glovebox.  That's where I found it lol

I'm sure the next journalist is going to write "Kind of odd this vehicle doesn't come with cup holders"

that's funny...my Kia Rio5 has a place for my phone, without covering up the cup holders.

All cars have a place for your phone.   It's called your pocket where it belongs until you get where you going.

True.  And in that way, we can reduce distracted driving.

my phone usually is in my pocket, since the bluetooth connects to the infotainment system anyway...however, there is a spot to put the phone if i wanted to charge it, or even just put my sunglasses there.

[OliverD]

I am really starting to like this car more and more!  It sounds like it strikes a good balance between performance and economy which is right on target I would say and well executed. What's not to like?  Well, my only gripe is that they dont offer the touring (wagon) version here in NA and that's a real bummer for me!  I would seriously consider that, but i seem to in the minorty there.  This drivetrain would be really sweet in that lexus hybrid hatch!  Too bad you couldn't mix and match like high-end audio. 

Do you specifically mean they don't offer the 320i Touring here, because they do sell the wagon in both 328i and 328d models.

[KD]

I am really starting to like this car more and more!  It sounds like it strikes a good balance between performance and economy which is right on target I would say and well executed. What's not to like?  Well, my only gripe is that they dont offer the touring (wagon) version here in NA and that's a real bummer for me!  I would seriously consider that, but i seem to in the minorty there.  This drivetrain would be really sweet in that lexus hybrid hatch!  Too bad you couldn't mix and match like high-end audio. 

Do you specifically mean they don't offer the 320i Touring here, because they do sell the wagon in both 328i and 328d models.

Well, i did, but did not realize the 328d was available as an option.  Very interesting!  Thanks for that!  We are now down to a single vehicle (and work truck) as we hardly used our previous wagon anymore and it was getting old, so we sold it.  We didnt miss it at first, but would like something with more utility than the current sedan for our next vehicle, so the 328d and i for that matter will defininitely make the shortlist.

[greengs]

7.5L/100kms?   Most FWD compacts have trouble getting those numbers in these tests. 

[philmcneal]

i'm shocked that the 320i required premium fuel since it is a detuned version of the 328i turbo. What's more shocking is that the 328i gets the same economy as the 320i what the hell, where does the engineering makes sense?

[mmret]

The mileage is where the q50 is probably going to lose a lot of sales to the cars like the 320i, 328d, the next a3/a4 tdi, and the next c class will have a small displacement petrol and Diesel engine.

Yeah there are folks out there who don't care about power, and although the Q50 isn't too bad econ wise on paper its a far cry from the BMW numbers.

Infiniti needs a 3.0L or 2.0T. That 2.5L V6 does not cut it.

[PJ]

i'm shocked that the 320i required premium fuel since it is a detuned version of the 328i turbo. What's more shocking is that the 328i gets the same economy as the 320i what the hell, where does the engineering makes sense?

I was surprised the 320 got 7.5 L/100 km, I would be stunned if the 328 does.  I think its safe to say they do not get the same mileage.

I agree about the premium gas though.  BMW has always done that, I think it's a status thing.  Never understood why the base Mini 1.6 needed premium.

[tpl]

I suspect that the Euro manufacturers have all these engines originally designed to run on Euro95 and they just specify 91-93 for NA and then don't have to make any changes.

[sailor723]

It would be interesting if all of these reviews had the ability to include dyno results to compare with manufacturer's hp and torque specs. I wonder how often they would match?

[mixmanmash]

I suspect that the Euro manufacturers have all these engines originally designed to run on Euro95 and they just specify 91-93 for NA and then don't have to make any changes.

Europeans state the research octane numbers (RON) whereas we use the average of research and motor octane (R+M)/2.  Their regular unleaded is 95 which is equivalent to our 91.  They also have a 99 which is closer to a 94 for us.

[tpl]

I suspect that the Euro manufacturers have all these engines originally designed to run on Euro95 and they just specify 91-93 for NA and then don't have to make any changes.

Europeans state the research octane numbers (RON) whereas we use the average of research and motor octane (R+M)/2.  Their regular unleaded is 95 which is equivalent to our 91.  They also have a 99 which is closer to a 94 for us.

Exactly!   A standard euro engine translates to a premium fueled engine in NA. No need to recalibrate etc. The emissions are close enough now that perhaps just a slightly large cat converter would be enough.

[aquadorhj]

Exactly!   A standard euro engine translates to a premium fueled engine in NA. No need to recalibrate etc. The emissions are close enough now that perhaps just a slightly large cat converter would be enough.

For higher elevation areas like Calgary (1200m above sea level) i think you can get away with using lesser octain fuel because the air is only about 86% as dense as at sea level thus, lesser chance of knocks.


I know, i know..  you say, "OMG, you bought a f-ing BMW, just use the premium, how much do you really save buying regular fuel!"

you are absolutely right, and it pains me every time i see VW/Audi turbo cars being fed regulars at pumps, but really..  i don't think it will harm the engine at our elevation.