[sensible]

Having done over 3000 miles since receiving my 320i M Sport just wanted to let the forum know that it was a good decision to go for petrol.

At the time of placing my order I was in two minds as to whether to buy the 320i or the 320d. I have always driven petrol cars (apart from an Alfa GT) and my annual mileage was only around 7000 per year. I drove both diesel and petrol and prefered the smoothness of the petrol engine, but that may have been just what I was used to. Was a little put out by the fact that not many petrol cars are sold and wondered why that was.

I was aware that the LCI had a new B48 petrol engine that was more fuel efficient than the previous engine. Also the price difference between the two was around £3000 more for the diesel. Strangely the M Sport Plus pack was £2600 on the 320d but only £1900 on the 320i (I presume that was something to do with the LED headlights that were not chargeable on the petrol car)

Anyway went for the 320i then changed my job before collection in December so now doing 12000 miles per year and wondered if I had done the right thing.

I do a mixture of driving, eco pro on motorway, sport on the lanes (Inc adaptive sport suspension) and the rest of the time in comfort.

My average mpg over 3100 miles is 37.5 which I think is very good....more than the 1 8 Civic I had before, and I thought that was good. My trip computer on the motorway shows up to 50 mpg.

So if anyone is considering a 320i then I would recommend it. The extra I would have paid for a 320d would take me a very long time to get back.

[simon the pieman]

Many haters of the 320i on here but I'm not one of them as have one myself. Mines a few years old now and I'm very happy with it and the great spec it's got.

[tinytrevor]

Good choice sensible! Glad you're enjoying your petrol engine

[dangerous_al]

I had an E90 320i for over 9 years and my daughter is driving it now. Nothing wrong with a 320i, and when I wanted to buy a new car I decided on the 330i (basically the 320i with and extra 70bhp). I did test drive a 335i, but under normal driving conditions the difference wasn't enough to justify the additional cost and running costs. I am very pleased with it, great car and easily achieves over 40mpg on the motorway, not bad for a car that does 0-60 in sub 6 seconds.

[Twenty2Three]

I bet you will see an improvement on 37.5... my average in 5 months and 6k is 40.4!
Think the 340i will become very popular car in the near furture

[philiper1]

I enjoyed my F30 320i as well, just the engine noise I didn't like !

[dstor]

Picked up a 330i Touring this week and it's the dogs knackers.

[BimmerMad]

Mine is 18 days old. Still running in so hopefully the mpg will improve. The B48 engine is great. Sounds nice with that twin exhaust too!

[stefan4]

Loved my 320i, I could get low to mid 40's mpg on a good run without even trying. Generally got 37 mpg for my normal mixed driving.

Great engine IMO the only reason I am changing is because the lure of the 340i was too great I would get a 320I over a 320d any day of the week for the driving I do

[sensible]

Originally Posted by philiper1

I enjoyed my F30 320i as well, just the engine noise I didn't like !

New B48 engine in mine. It doesn't sound unpleasant!

[sensible]

Originally Posted by RDowson

Mine is 18 days old. Still running in so hopefully the mpg will improve. The B48 engine is great. Sounds nice with that twin exhaust too!

The 37.5 mpg average included the 1200 mile running in period and it has increased so probably averaging more than 37.5 now.

[philiper1]

Originally Posted by sensible

New B48 engine in mine. It doesn't sound unpleasant!

Mine was the N20

[F30 Steve]

Originally Posted by simon the pieman

Many haters of the 320i on here but I'm not one of them as have one myself. Mines a few years old now and I'm very happy with it and the great spec it's got.

Yeah and the annoying part about it is half of them have never had a six cylinder before or Bmw to that matter,but feel they are some sort of expert!!!
( I've had 20 yrs + of owning 325/330's) but thought I'd try a 320.

[Tengocity]

Interesting to hear as my new 330e when it arrives will be much like a 320i when the batteries are dead, so happy to hear you guys still average about 37mpg. Sounds like that should be my absolute minimum as an average and I know that's enough for me to make money for each business mile I do.

[deebee]

Good post mate and for 99% of people its all the car they'll ever need

Its more powerful than the majority of the cars on the road and nice and refined

I also like that the 320i gets twin exhaust pipes now too so win win

Also, is it simply a case of a remap basically turns it into a 328/330i? If so a saving of £3k for same car

Id consider one for defo if a 330i or 340i is out of reach next time around

[teaston]

Originally Posted by The Doctor

Good post mate and for 99% of people its all the car they'll ever need

Its more powerful than the majority of the cars on the road and nice and refined

I also like that the 320i gets twin exhaust pipes now too so win win

Also, is it simply a case of a remap basically turns it into a 328/330i? If so a saving of £3k for same car

Id consider one for defo if a 330i or 340i is out of reach next time around

They do have the same engine and turbo according to the parts catalog. A remapped 320i reaches 330i levels, but then a remapped 330i reaches 340i levels, so there's obviously some differences between the two mechanically.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by The Doctor

Good post mate and for 99% of people its all the car they'll ever need

Its more powerful than the majority of the cars on the road and nice and refined

I also like that the 320i gets twin exhaust pipes now too so win win

Also, is it simply a case of a remap basically turns it into a 328/330i? If so a saving of £3k for same car

Id consider one for defo if a 330i or 340i is out of reach next time around

It wasn't that the other cars were out of reach as I could have had what I wanted. This is what I considered. ..

I have driven a lot of high powered cars in my time (mostly at work) including the 330d and many have more power/torque than you would every need. I considered that the B48 car was 181 bhp and increased torque on the older engine. Test drove a 320i and gave it a good spirited drive to the horror of the salesman, but got the measure of the car. Rear wheel drive 0-60 in 7.2....good fuel economy, what more do I need. Sports auto and adaptive M suspension in M Sport trim with M Sport plus pack...an ideal car for my needs. It will still do a three car overtake on the lanes when you plant your right foot.

.....it is a great car.

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Interesting to hear as my new 330e when it arrives will be much like a 320i when the batteries are dead, so happy to hear you guys still average about 37mpg. Sounds like that should be my absolute minimum as an average and I know that's enough for me to make money for each business mile I do.

Think a 330e will get much worse mpg that a 320I when the batteries are empty as it's noticeably heavier.

[dangerous_al]

Originally Posted by E60525d

Think a 330e will get much worse mpg that a 320I when the batteries are empty as it's noticeably heavier.

I don't think so as the batteries get regenerated whilst driving so as far as I understand it you are still getting the benefit from the electric power even when running on petrol. I would expect fuel consumption 5-10mpg better than a 320i/330i on a normal journey and massively better on short journeys of 20 miles or less where fuel consumption on normal petrol cars is at its worst

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by dangerous_al

I don't think so as the batteries get regenerated whilst driving so as far as I understand it you are still getting the benefit from the electric power even when running on petrol. I would expect fuel consumption 5-10mpg better than a 320i/330i on a normal journey and massively better on short journeys of 20 miles or less where fuel consumption on normal petrol cars is at its worst

True, it will be at its most efficient at journeys below 20 miles. But the batteries are not going to recharge much on a motorway journey.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by dangerous_al

I don't think so as the batteries get regenerated whilst driving so as far as I understand it you are still getting the benefit from the electric power even when running on petrol. I would expect fuel consumption 5-10mpg better than a 320i/330i on a normal journey and massively better on short journeys of 20 miles or less where fuel consumption on normal petrol cars is at its worst

330E NOT suitable for high miles/long journeys for sure.
My test drive proved that.
I would not want one even for the wife. Which it would have been for.

[jaron]

Originally Posted by sensible

It wasn't that the other cars were out of reach as I could have had what I wanted. This is what I considered. ..

I have driven a lot of high powered cars in my time (mostly at work) including the 330d and many have more power/torque than you would every need. I considered that the B48 car was 181 bhp and increased torque on the older engine. Test drove a 320i and gave it a good spirited drive to the horror of the salesman, but got the measure of the car. Rear wheel drive 0-60 in 7.2....good fuel economy, what more do I need. Sports auto and adaptive M suspension in M Sport trim with M Sport plus pack...an ideal car for my needs. It will still do a three car overtake on the lanes when you plant your right foot.

.....it is a great car.

How did you get B48 engine ?. On BMW site in UK I can see that engine is still stated as 184 HP and 270 Nm - looks like N20...