I am currently in the market for a BMW 320i and regularily use your website to read reviews. It seems that this review only partially contains the article. Could you please ensure that the full review is uploaded onto the site?

Thank you,

James

So if you have owned several can you tell me where the label is then please, if there is indeed one.

thanks

I have now aquired an SA assembled 320d here in Australia which can be identified by the glass manufacturer being Pilkington.

My issue is these cars are horribly overpriced in this country and for the amount of money I paid for it I could have had a 330d which unfortunately is not sold here. BMW South Africa also offer virtually all models in manual together with 100 000km service maintenance contract as part of the purchase price which is now become the norm with most brands selling cars in SA and something manufacturers should consider in this country.

where abouts is the “made in South Africa’ tag or plate on these cars hiding?

In this case, the 3-Series’ main rival is actually itself. Petrols are bought over diesels generally because they’re faster and smoother, but it’s obviously different here. The 320i is very hard to justify over its quicker, more efficient oil burning brother. Maybe if BMW employ their turbocharging wonders to this engine without a hefty price increase, then the car would make more sense.

For 55 grand, I’d buy the best Accord Euro and take a nice trip to, well, Europe. I am a fan of BMWs but this just doesn’t cut it. It’s quite mediocre in spite of the brand. It doesn’t ace anything.

320i is a fake BM, only for badge pursuers, but let down by itself. Get 325i/320d or just get a 125i. My favorite is X5 3.0d.

Almost all Lexus are too boring for people who wish to spend hours to argue here. mind u, people like defend cars they have. me too, i love my x5.

You seem to have anger problems mate,next time you want to try arguing with me try not to start the first sentence with abuse!Shows a lack of development!:)

PS. In saying all of that – I still think it’s entirely acceptable to abuse someone who drives a Holden Epica though…..there is no justification for such poor tatse and stupidity, and they need to be told :-)

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Tha’s not nice, I once sold an elderly gentleman an ex rental Epica and considered I was doing him a favour!!!!!!!!!
I also managed to find a home for his one owner Lada Cervaro that he traded in :-)
(is that anacceptible reason for buying a new shape Daewoo Leganza???)

The Realist – You’re right, the ES was the Camry, shared the same 3.3L V6 I believe.

With regards to the whole performance/gadgets thing, you need to realise that sometimes a cruiser like the IS250 just fits the bill better than the 320i for some buyers. As has been said, the IS250 is a bit of a mushy car (that is, in comparison to the 3 Series) but that’s exactly what I and many other buyers want in a daily driver, something to kick back in and just take it easy (gadgets help there, cooled seats and the Mark Levinson to keep the hairs in your ears happy — Pre-coll. is handy too for those days you almost fall asleep in traffic =P).

Weekends on the other hand, that’s what the W204 with M156 is for =)

It’s Friday people, chill out.

PS. In saying all of that – I still think it’s entirely acceptable to abuse someone who drives a Holden Epica though…..there is no justification for such poor tatse and stupidity, and they need to be told :-)

Strange how people keep relating performance with expense – most buyers of this car don’t care if their car goes quicker than anything else. Same with those buying Lexus.

Now I’d never purchase a Lexus – but can certainly appreciate that they build an extremely well built car, with a lot of features for the money, and the best customer service of any car this side of $300K.

That being said I’d never buy one. 335i is the minimum I’d stoop to in a 3 series / C Class / IS range.

Bavarian Missile (.)(.) Says:
February 20th, 2009 at 8:55 am
“Gadgets are for geeks ………….”

And performance is for peasants?

Perhaps MB and BMW should stop loading their S Class and 7 Series cars with features, and turn them into low tech tractors like the Holden Caprice?

Wheelnut Says:
February 19th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
“IS=Camry”

ES was the Camry… worst car along with the SC430 ($160K!) ever to be released by Lexus in Oz!!

Gadgets are for geeks ………….