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

[whaddaiknow]

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.

When I took the 320i for a test drive, the salesman made a clear point that the engine does NOT require premium and will run fine om mid-grade, though premuim was still recommended for best performance.

[mixmanmash]

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.

It depends on the tuning and how aggressive it's being driven.  Typically, turbo or supercharged vehicles will not exhibit the same sort of power loss at elevation that a naturally aspirated car will.  So, I would say that for a turbo or supercharged car, you should still be giving it premium.

That said, most modern ECUs have very advanced knock detection and can run on the lesser fuel.  All it will do is adjust ignition timing and richen the fuel delivery up to keep the engine safe.  Translation?  You won't get the same level of power, nor will you get the same fuel economy.

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.

When I took the 320i for a test drive, the salesman made a clear point that the engine does NOT require premium and will run fine om mid-grade, though premuim was still recommended for best performance.

It's basically what I said above.  The advanced knock detection of modern ECUs makes this possible.

[whaddaiknow]

It's basically what I said above.  The advanced knock detection of modern ECUs makes this possible.

No, it is now. 320i is the FIRST BMW that does NOT REQUIRE premium fuel (actually, I think the X3 28i will also run on 89). Modern ECU or not, you may lose your warranty if BMW finds out you were running your twin-scroll turbo on 89.

[mixmanmash]

It's basically what I said above.  The advanced knock detection of modern ECUs makes this possible.

No, it is now. 320i is the FIRST BMW that does NOT REQUIRE premium fuel (actually, I think the X3 28i will also run on 89). Modern ECU or not, you may lose your warranty if BMW finds out you were running your twin-scroll turbo on 89.

You might be right, but I would love to see some official documentation backing this up in the form of a brochure or owners manual.  I wouldn't take any sales person's word for it. 

EDIT: I found the 2013 3 series manual online.  http://cache.bmwusa.com/PDF_70ef29dd-987a-4575-89fe-a6fadb8ef0f1.arox?v=99441dd1-a098-47c1-a02e-90a042d45292
Page 174.

It doesn't state any specific engine, but it does say for all of them that Recommended fuel is 91.  Minimum Fuel Grade is 89 with a statement: "If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rating, the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside temperatures.  This has no effect on the engine life."  Maybe that's the reason for diesel like sound?  Maybe it was filled with 89?  As well, even though I found this manual on the US site, it does mention the 320i as well (which is now available in the US for MY2014, but wasn't for MY2013).

Sidenote:  I wonder how much BP paid BMW for mentioning that BMW recommends BP (page 175).  LOL.  Advertising in owners manuals!

[philmcneal]

good discussion about the 320i vs 328i fuel economy , thanks for the info guys!

[nlm]

It's basically what I said above.  The advanced knock detection of modern ECUs makes this possible.

No, it is now. 320i is the FIRST BMW that does NOT REQUIRE premium fuel (actually, I think the X3 28i will also run on 89). Modern ECU or not, you may lose your warranty if BMW finds out you were running your twin-scroll turbo on 89.

You might be right, but I would love to see some official documentation backing this up in the form of a brochure or owners manual.  I wouldn't take any sales person's word for it. 

EDIT: I found the 2013 3 series manual online.  http://cache.bmwusa.com/PDF_70ef29dd-987a-4575-89fe-a6fadb8ef0f1.arox?v=99441dd1-a098-47c1-a02e-90a042d45292
Page 174.

It doesn't state any specific engine, but it does say for all of them that Recommended fuel is 91.  Minimum Fuel Grade is 89 with a statement: "If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rating, the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside temperatures.  This has no effect on the engine life."  Maybe that's the reason for diesel like sound?  Maybe it was filled with 89?  As well, even though I found this manual on the US site, it does mention the 320i as well (which is now available in the US for MY2014, but wasn't for MY2013).

Sidenote:  I wonder how much BP paid BMW for mentioning that BMW recommends BP (page 175).  LOL.  Advertising in owners manuals!

Good research!

[dragonfly]

 Nice review, thanks....You allude several times to this car being small..It is, in fact, a full size car...111 inch WB would indicate that...It is light for it's size at 3450 pounds....180 HP and 184 lb ft of torque would seem to put this car in the slow lane..I know BMW is wont to undervalue their power estimates to make them seem like wunderkinds...But I'd wager this baby is pretty slow in the passing speed ranges...
  You rate it a 4.5 in the looks department..I don't see it...Ho-hum is what I see...This is subjective, I know...Good on gas, though...even if it is high-test...(oh..premium)..Thanks again..Jack

[Vanstar]

i just noticed that bmw is not treating the 328i manual transmission as a no charge extra.  it's at a discount now!  i guess it annoyed a lot of people.  actually when i was test driving the 3 series in june, i mentioned how annoying it was that bmw charged 1500 for the sport line and basically another 1600 for a manual transmission.  now the 328i manual is 42k.  now give me the 328d rwd manual at that price and i would be sold.  oh wait, they won't bring it in a manual tranny or rwd. 

This is one of the main reasons I avoid German cars. Actually finding a lightly equipped model is almost impossible and the options are absurdly expensive and there are always many of them. A $30k German car quickly becomes a $40k German when a couple of "packages" are added.

Not that this seems to have affected 3 Series sales in any way.

[OliverD]

This is one of the main reasons I avoid German cars. Actually finding a lightly equipped model is almost impossible and the options are absurdly expensive and there are always many of them. A $30k German car quickly becomes a $40k German when a couple of "packages" are added.

Not that this seems to have affected 3 Series sales in any way.

You are free to order a German car that is lightly optioned.

[PJ]

i just noticed that bmw is not treating the 328i manual transmission as a no charge extra.  it's at a discount now!  i guess it annoyed a lot of people.  actually when i was test driving the 3 series in june, i mentioned how annoying it was that bmw charged 1500 for the sport line and basically another 1600 for a manual transmission.  now the 328i manual is 42k.  now give me the 328d rwd manual at that price and i would be sold.  oh wait, they won't bring it in a manual tranny or rwd. 

This is one of the main reasons I avoid German cars. Actually finding a lightly equipped model is almost impossible and the options are absurdly expensive and there are always many of them. A $30k German car quickly becomes a $40k German when a couple of "packages" are added.

Not that this seems to have affected 3 Series sales in any way.

I notice that's true of most cars and trucks these days.  Options are where the money is and automakers spend a lot of time dreaming up new high profit must haves. 

Doesn't matter if it's a 3 series or a Fiesta or a Ram.  You can double the price of all of them ... IF you want to.