BMW 320i Review

Guest

Its just a pity that they tend to be driven by wannabe types, the ones who used to buy the old 318s (which had all the power of a clockwork toy) just to get a BMW badge.

NP

That’s not the wannabes’ fault, it’s BMW’s fault for releasing such a car in the first place.
Mitch Subishi

Whats your point, are you jealous, cant afford one? I would say good on them if it puts a smile on their face. So much negativity in the world these days.
Mitch Subishi

Whats your point, are you jealous, cant afford one? I would say good on them if it puts a smile on their face. So much negativity in the world these days.
Mitch Subishi

Whats your point, are you jealous, cant afford one? I would say good on them if it puts a smile on their face. So much negativity in the world these days.
MichaelFarese

Wow… so snobby! Why would anyone buy any car if they didn’t “wannabe” in it? This allows people who maybe can’t afford a more expensive model to own and drive a BMW.

What’s your problem?

Golfschwein

I won’t stamp on people’s aspirations. I think it’s perfectly valid for people to want nice things, and this will be seen as a nice thing. I mean, you want nice things, too. Do you go out of your way to buy something horrible?

nickdl

There was a time when all you were getting with a base 3 Series or C Class was the badge. For around $60K you got an engine that couldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding and maybe artificial leather. A few years ago, you’d have been mad not to save $20K and buy an Accord Euro, or buy a Calais V8 for the same money.

However in 2012 I see no shame in buying either a 320i or a C200. Both deliver amazing efficiency, great quality, great dynamics, lots of features and engines that aren’t going to find you wanting for power. I’d say the 320i would be the pick of the range, optioned with one of the modern or sport lines.
- Dominique Vøn Hütch
  
  Good point

gt86.com.au

it puzzles me, how a car in this price range, that does not attract LCT is still double here than in the USA. 45K is the max this car should cost in Aus.

gt86.com.au

it puzzles me, how a car in this price range, that does not attract LCT is still double here than in the USA. 45K is the max this car should cost in Aus.

gt86.com.au

it puzzles me, how a car in this price range, that does not attract LCT is still double here than in the USA. 45K is the max this car should cost in Aus.

O123

well its worse than that as the base model in the USA is the 328i, shove all ur taxes on and its most likely about 38k, so australians pay over 30k more for the same privilege, BMW must be laughing

O123

well its worse than that as the base model in the USA is the 328i, shove all ur taxes on and its most likely about 38k, so australians pay over 30k more for the same privilege, BMW must be laughing

O123

well its worse than that as the base model in the USA is the 328i, shove all ur taxes on and its most likely about 38k, so australians pay over 30k more for the same privilege, BMW must be laughing

Taguchi

BMW 3 series, the car $30,000, the badge $30,000 = $60,000.

What the market will bear for an entry level euro is unbelievable…

nickdl

As I said above, I don’t think BMW and Merc are such a rip off anymore. All of these people saying we shouldn’t be paying so much for this car need to realise what amazing levels of quality, safety and technology they are getting in comfortable yet fun RWD cars.
- Noel
  
  This is so true…..the Germans have finally realised they need to spec their cars out better for what they are charging. There is going to be a huge downside though, as these cars come down in price and go up in value, they will become less special. Think about the number of people you know now who own a BMW/Merc/Audi, they are becoming so run of the mill.
  - Drac
    
    The entry level BMW/Merc/Audi models were never special. You can charge whatever you want for them it wont change that.
    
    An M3? Special. A 330i? Premium yes, special no.

Monster

Not to mention the 3 series we get here are made in South Africa.

Sting

So?
- Daniel
  
  Yeah every time someone says that about a BMW or a Volkswagen I really fail to see the point. Just because a car isn’t made in it’s home country doesn’t mean it’s somehow inferior.
  - Shak
    
    Most people go for that option and someone believe ’not made in germany’ is somehow inferior. I think the real reason that people actually dont like this fact is that, BMW and the other Deutsche-marques do charge for their apparent ‘germaness’. The average consumer who buys one, actually thinks most ‘German’ cars come from Germany. Im saying this from a few past experiences, the most recent of which was today when i asked the daughter of one of my co workers where she thought her ML was made. In the most confident tone you could imagine, she unequivocally stated “Germany”.
- Monster
  
  Means the price should be even lower than the current list price.

SM

No one is forcing anybody to go and spend $60K or $70K or $80K (you get the picture) on what people keep refering to as overpriced German taxis.

Those who can afford it just go out and buy one. Those who can’t, complain and moan and merely show how little they appreciate and understand what goes into making a decent car. Applying Taguchi’s logic there is no difference between a $30K Cruz and what should only be a $30K 3-series.

No I don’t own a BMW.

Legnab

SM again your so correct , enough, moan away somewhere else .

Josh

I would pay $60K for this, because I genuinely feel it is worth that much…Anecdotally speaking, the car is of a high quality, with great steering feel and is an overall engaging drive. While it would be great if it were around the $40K mark, our economy and buying power simply isnt strong enough to justify a lower price point. I know that sounds somewhat paradoxical, but im sure most will agree that if our population were similar to North Americas, with the similarly increased customer base, it would mean a lower overall price point in order to attract more customers.

trololololol

Depends on the manufacturer, aussies actually punch WAY above our weight on the global buying stage, it comes down to taxes taxes taxes and companies asking more for “premium” product (i.e vw lol) But still it could be worse….we could be living in singapore! Just google how much cars cost there!
JoeR_AUS

Buy a Ecoboost Falcon. A little bigger but would have the same driving dynamics and performance. Alas you wont have the badge appeal!

JJ

Which engines will the offer with the wagon? Has that been decided?

http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah

No, not yet. However it’s very likely the wagon range will simply be a copy of the sedan range. It’s almost a guarantee that a 320i touring will come, which will have the exact same engine as this one.
- Norm
  
  The word on another site is no 320i for the Touring model in Oz. That would be a shame if it’s correct.

jav

OMG the rear end looks like the new Camry,

rightindicator

Interested to know if the leather seats were firm or soft? Some Euro leather can be quite firm but supportive.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah

They were certainly not too firm but also not soft enough that you’d sink into. They felt rather comfortable but I can’t remember exactly how soft or firm they were. We will have the car for a week long period for a more solid test soon.
John

what leather seats? oh you mean the standard ‘luxury’ vinyl or the optional leather.
- Dominique Vøn Hütch
  
  mmmm Sensatec

D987

I’m really not a fan of the front of these, the C-Class is a lot better looking.

Vins

Agreed. For the first time I think C-Class is a better looking car. Though I never doubt BMW’s driving dynamic

Travis_2445

one of the reasons for Merc’s C200 outselling Beemer’s 320 is because it is still made in GERMANY. A colleaque who recently bought brand new 3 series was very disappointed when he found out that his beloved BMW is made in South Africa.

Phil

There are still a small but signifigant number of Mercedes E class’ from the 60s and 70s driving around here - their owners must surely be happy with S’African workmanship for their W114/5 models to have lasted this long.
I bet you wont see any of the ‘GERMANY’ made W211 E class’ still on the roads in 30 years time.
Sydlocal

Aren’t the “Individual” optioned BMWs still made in Germany? I remember a few years ago that was the case. Back with the E46 it used to be pot luck which factory it came from. It seemed to be the more options you chose, the greater chance it came from Germany!

Class warfare

BMW charge what they can get away with.
If our local made cars were cheaper then the BMW would be cheaper.
Imagine how cheap the BMWs made in China would be here even with shipping to Oz.Even cheaper than the US I bet
Be interesting to see whether the China BMW cars come here but I expect the price won’t come down much unless the locals drop prices and that won’t happen because the locals are struggling .
So don’t be envious of BMW drivers.
Thank them for their taxes which indirectly subsidise the local industry.

Dominique Vøn Hütch

On the right side of this page there is an ad for an FPV F6 – do you get that or the 320i, I know know very different market etc, but very similar in price.

Rocket

The current Ford Focus (made in Germany) sells for similar prices in the UK, USA and Australia while BMW prices in Australia are double or more the price compared to UK and USA. Why? Because Australians are content to pay it due to marketing and the perception of German brand superiority. The same cannot be said for VW though.

Me

Most brands overprice their cars here, such as Holden who sold the $57,000 SS V in the US for less than 30K.
- Drac
  
  The SS is not 57k. You can pick it up for $40k.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Chaitanya-Kumar-Samardhi/820693647 Chaitanya Kumar Samardhi

HI Albortz,I have been to the BMW showrooms and I was actually in a fix trying to decide between the 328i and the 320 (both with the sport line), the reason being that both were evenly priced. Let me explain, The 328i on the sport spec was just $2000 more expensive than the 320d but what it gets more is the Business Satellite navigation approx $2.4k, electric lumbar seat adjust, Premium (9 speaker audio) $.9k and the 18 inch wheels $1.2k. So add this to the 320d then the price exceeds the 328i by quite a bit. So I see the 328i more valuable and the 320d more expensive. Can you now please help me choose between these 2. Please do not compare the 320d with the 318d and the 320i. It can only be compared with the 328i as the price is the same.
What fuel efficiency can I expect from the 320d and the 328i in the city.
Thanks

Guest1

I own the e90 320D and can comment a bit about fuel figures

The best motorway result I got was an empty car and (more downhills ) 4.6L/100km

Sydney up to Byron 5.3L/100km (full boot and one passenger). The whole round trip (2000km) including a windy road and driving a bit more enthusiastically around the hunter valley and around national parks was 5.5L/100km (this is all with a full boot and one passenger)

Suburbia driving around 40 – 50 km/hr around schools and runs around shops the worse I got was 12L/100km ie. 3 km short trips

Doing the rat run from suburbia to the city 9.5L/100km with the stop starts taking about 40 minutes to drive 10 km
Overall my car’s fuel efficiency is 6.4L/100km after 18000kmI’d be interested to see how the new 328i motor does in terms of fuel efficiency. It’s certainly nice that you can get about 1000 – 1200km on a full tank of fuel.The 328i is better in terms of overall luxury items. THe only item I would want extra on a 320D is the satellite navigation.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Chaitanya-Kumar-Samardhi/820693647 Chaitanya Kumar Samardhi
  
  Mate thank you very much for the info, was quite comprehensive.Have you had any issues with the car so far?
  - ABCDEFG
    
    You are very very successful you could afford a $60,000 car. Your friends and relatives will be impressed. The main issue is you are paying $60,000 for a $30,000 car. But your friends and relatives will be impressed still and I am sure they will comment “you have made it”.
    - http://www.facebook.com/people/Chaitanya-Kumar-Samardhi/820693647 Chaitanya Kumar Samardhi
      
      ha ha. that is so much true. but in life every thing beyond the necessities is a luxury. i may not end up buying a 3 series as I think I am still too young for that. It is just a fancy at the moment and yes you are very right about the overly priced product they sell.

Ajou

I have just booked a new 320 in Saudi Arabia and the cost is 132000 Riyals after discount and less service package. This is around $35,000… I tell you I test drove it and it is more than enough for me. Mind you my last car was a BMW 550 which I adored and I have had 5 series all my driving life. i.e I have changed around 10 5-series in the past 20 years… Now priorities have changed with 3 kids in the house. So I have decided to go for this model which was good enough for the value.