[Mwp4me]

I have read a few posts where people claim the 320i is just too slow. I have just come from an R32 [250bhp] to the E92 320i [170bhp] and I find my E92 is more than enough. The thing I did learn was to drive it differently. Bury your right foot in the carpet with the R32 and the power was there. Do the same in the E92 and nothing happens, however if I ease my foot on the accelerator and press with a small degree of assertiveness I find I am up to 60, 70, 80 with a fair good pace. Overtaking, drop it in to tiptronic and work the box and everything is quite lively.

Does anyone agree with me or at [46] am I just getting to old and my poor old body is just at one with the more leisurely pace of the 170bhp unit!!

[The_Bear_Yid]

I was talking to my gf/ex (don't ask) about getting a 335 or M3 and she said whats the point as I couldn't really drive any quicker (legally) on the roads, so why did I want one. Apart from a bigger metaphorical penis and a few cosmetic improvments, I didn't have an answer.

If it suits you then great. But spending time on here will make you want more...

[Mwp4me]

Here what you are saying but sometimes less is more. I have the M sport so the cosmetics are there. Drove the 335d before mine. Stunning car there is no question but apart from the exhaust set up it was the same spec as mine, with 9,500 more miles and an extra £7.5k on the screen.
Still wouldn't get me up and down the M6 any quicker especially when Bert & Doris only fancy doing 65mph in the outside lane whilst Doris is doing her knitting!!
Why do people do 65mph in the outside lane? STOP IT NOW

[dopper99]

Are you in the honeymoon period with your car still? Maybe you will get bored with it in 3-4 months time, if you are used to a faster car. Not knocking the 320i, but you may find yourself wanting a little more in a few months.

[Mwp4me]

Quite the opposite mate, that's why I ask the question. Had my E92 now nearly 3 months and done just over 3,000 miles. I seem to like it more and more which is good as I am a serial car changer.
Had 7 in the last 34 months.
Hoping I will be at one with the BM for some time. Love it!

[Sparky68]

Being able to safely blast past a long line of traffic [ where road conditions permit] is a big advantage with the bigger engines but, sure for everyday driving the 320i is more than capable.

[Richie0345]

i agree i've had mine since january my 320i thought it was nippy but definitely wish i got maybe 325 or 330d in hindsight... theres not much you can do performance wise to it

[Mwp4me]

That was me. 11 cars is my record on an 'A' road. But now I am more relaxed and chilled. My friends are shocked at my new driving style!!

[Rob318]

I'm with you. I'm in a 318 e92 and although it doesn't go like the clappers, it's plenty power. You just learn the way to get the best out of it.

I've had a type R civic and a mini cooper s before this, sure they were quicker, but I dont find myself bored with the e92.

Or the record before the 335 snobs get in there, I'm well aware a CTR or Cooper S isn't as fast, but they were both much faster than my E92.

[Sparky68]

335 snobs? How wude lol

[Rob318]

My experience on here so far has shown that anyone that drives anything less than a 325i is told that their car is way under powered and we hold have bought the bigger model. Enev the 325i guys get the 'Ah mate it's crap, you'll be bored and trading it in' chat.

The reality is I'd love a 335i I don't want to have a car with high insurance and running costs, so it's not for me.

All I'm saying is the smaller engines are more than you'll ever NEED. I appreciate you might want something bigger if you are prepared to fund it. As I said I liked te faster cars I've had before, but got bored with paying a lot to run them.

[Sparky68]

Originally Posted by Rob318

My experience on here so far has shown that anyone that drives anything less than a 325i is told that their car is way under powered and we hold have bought the bigger model. Enev the 325i guys get the 'Ah mate it's crap, you'll be bored and trading it in' chat.

The reality is I'd love a 335i I don't want to have a car with high insurance and running costs, so it's not for me.

All I'm saying is the smaller engines are more than you'll ever NEED. I appreciate you might want something bigger if you are prepared to fund it. As I said I liked te faster cars I've had before, but got bored with paying a lot to run them.

Im puzzled why you think the 335 has higher running costs?

[Rob318]

First off, the cost of the car itself. I buy on finance so the car is significantly more expensive, therefore the monthly cost is more. Yes I could buy an older car, but that's not comparing apples with apples. Neither would it be for a cash sale for a fixed amount as th 335 would be older, more miles etc.

Second the insurance group is higher. Therefore insurance is higher. I haven't quoted it directly but it will be more. Again comparing cars of same age.

Can you beat my £125 a year road tax? both my CTR and MCS were twice that.

I get 35mpg jus now from my 20 mile a road and town commute. I've a worse from all previous cars. I seriously doubt I'd see that from a 335i

I'm not trying to pick a fight - you're tryin to prove that the 335i is better than mine so are actually proving my point. Clearly on performance it is, but in other areas it isn't as good, otherwise why wouldnt everyone buy one!?

[Sparky68]

No to pretty much all of that. Although i do let out a little sex wee everytime im floor mine

Horses for courses, i have very little overheads expenses wise, dont go out to pubs much, have low insurance and love cars. It seems to me you have more of a hang up over owning a 318i than i do.

[dxb335d]

The R32 has massive tranny losses. They are not really regarded as quick are they?

The 320i in my opinion is far from quick at all but is still a nice car.

[Mwp4me]

I'm with you there Rob. When I had my V6's I never listened to radio or anything. The beauty of the V6 was enough. Now in the 320i there is plenty there but instead I listen to music and radio. Quite a welcome change. Do quite miss the V6 note but do not miss the £465 road tax.

[Mwp4me]

Agree dxb. I had a GTi edition 30 before the R32. That was a 265bhp 2.0 FSi. Was much quicker. It was actually a lot quicker than most V6's and V8's because of the lighter engine.

End of the day "V" engine are heavier thus heavy on the front end.

Not on my :little 320 though: he! he!

[E92Dan]

Each to their own. Not for me but im not going to say youve bought the wrong car. I have a diesel which causes huge arguments on here! Do your own sums and buy what suits you best. Oh and obviously its going to be cheaper to run than a big engine

[Rob318]

We can agree to disagree mate, nothing personal at all. I've got no hang up about driving a 318i whatsoever, quite the contrary actually I love it. I just don't like being told its not good enough, when it really is for me.

I had a 116i before I bought the E92 - the 1er forums were much friendlier than I've seen this one. Generally on here you get some attitude or smart arse remark rather than anything constructive (on any topic by he way, not just models)

It's the same for the 'should I swap the 335i for an M3' threads. Totally different beasts and it depends entirely about what your requirements are. My guess for 90% of people asking hat question is that they want to be abe to tell their mates they have an M3 and willy wave.

[Sparky68]

Originally Posted by Rob318

First off, the cost of the car itself. I buy on finance so the car is significantly more expensive, therefore the monthly cost is more. Yes I could buy an older car, but that's not comparing apples with apples. Neither would it be for a cash sale for a fixed amount as th 335 would be older, more miles etc.

Second the insurance group is higher. Therefore insurance is higher. I haven't quoted it directly but it will be more. Again comparing cars of same age.

Can you beat my £125 a year road tax? both my CTR and MCS were twice that.

I get 35mpg jus now from my 20 mile a road and town commute. I've a worse from all previous cars. I seriously doubt I'd see that from a 335i

I'm not trying to pick a fight - you're tryin to prove that the 335i is better than mine so are actually proving my point. Clearly on performance it is, but in other areas it isn't as good, otherwise why wouldnt everyone buy one!?

The cost of the car itself has nothing to do with the running costs. I can get 28mpg out of it if i drive steady, servicing is on a par with a 318i if you know who to take it to. Yup road tax is more but you dont buy it if you cant afford to run it. I could have bought a 318i, M3 or whatever, i chose a car that i like, can easily afford to run and enjoy. I really dont see what the issue is.

If you are saying the 318i is a better car because it is cheaper to run then you are deluded.

[Sparky68]

Originally Posted by Rob318

We can agree to disagree mate, nothing personal at all. I've got no hang up about driving a 318i whatsoever, quite the contrary actually I love it. I just don't like being told its not good enough, when it really is for me.

I had a 116i before I bought the E92 - the 1er forums were much friendlier than I've seen this one. Generally on here you get some attitude or smart arse remark rather than anything constructive (on any topic by he way, not just models)

It's the same for the 'should I swap the 335i for an M3' threads. Totally different beasts and it depends entirely about what your requirements are. My guess for 90% of people asking hat question is that they want to be abe to tell their mates they have an M3 and willy wave.

Who said it wasnt good enough?

[Mwp4me]

Good point Dan. 10 years ago I suddenly found myself doing 35,000 - 40,000 miles a year for work and I revered to diesel. If that happens again it will be a 320d or a 325d for sure. Must say the 335d I test drove was utter perfection but with my mileage could not recover the fuel cost against the purchase cost.