[anonymousmoose]

Hi all,

I just have a simple questions for anyone who drivers or has driven a 320i.

I know the 4 cylinder engine is said to be underpowered. I read a few reviews where people said its pretty good for a 4. But when I drove one a year ago I thought it was very much underpowered myself.

I have a simple question. Is there a 'power button' one can push on the BMW? I own a Holden Caprice and I have a power button on it which allows gear changes to last longer so it give better acceleration. Is there an option like this on the BMW I didn't notice during the drive I had?

[E92325i]

The E90 320i has a type of "sport" mode. it is activated by slipping the automatic shifter left (once in drive) which engages a DS mode which is also shown on little LCD in the dash. The DS mode will enhance throttle response and holds onto gears longer. It does not add any power however you can feel the difference.

One thing to note is that it will not improve straight line acceleration when you have mashed the throttle (for example the 0-100km/h time will not vary between D or DS mode since you are at 100% throttle).

[anonymousmoose]

Thats what I thought. I'm still on a lease for my current car for another two years so no hurry. Looks like if I do want a 3 series I'll only be happy of its a 6 cylinder. Thing is I can get a 4 cylinder in my price range still under warranty but 6 I would need to get outside warranty. Not sure if this is safe to do.

[turbocomppro]

To be honest, it really depends on where you are. I drove a '99 Eclipse GS-T when I was in the states (210hp stock) and it was quite fast at the time... with a few mods like boost controller, intake and exhaust, it was really a fun car to drive. Heck, I droved it for 8 years and put 145k miles on it.

Now I'm in my 320i for almost 2 months and of course it didn't have the acceleration of the Eclipse but with all the slow drivers here, I feel just the same. It's hard to explain but in the states, everyone drove quite fast compare to people here... I drive pretty aggressively most of the time so I'll be passing cars and cutting lanes and going around people easily because there are a lot more under power cars here... So the power ratio of my car compare to other cars on the road is pretty much the same as when I was in the states... plus people here drive super slow... and I'm usually stuck in traffic... the computer says my average speed is 13.5mph...

As for the sports mode (DS), you can definitely feel the difference. The computer will try to keep the engine speed where it produces the most torque. Even though this car has 60 less HP then my Eclipse, I'm liking it a lot, especially the handling.

I don't do any freeway driving any more so the 4 banger is quite suitable for city driving... if you do a lot of freeway driving, then for sure you'll need more power to pass people.

[cstavaru]

The new 320i with 170hp direct injection engine may not feel so underpowered compared to the old 150hp engine. If you also get it with a manual gearbox I think it will actually feel nice. But of course, the 177hp 320d would be much better (much more torque and an option to upgrade the power to 197hp with OEM Power Kit)...I don't know if they sell diesels in your country though.

[GnokGnik]

People are spoiled. 170hp, underpowered?

[HJV]

Originally Posted by GnokGnik

People are spoiled. 170hp, underpowered?

Well there's people on these forums saying 230hp is slow and sluggish.

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

If you also get it with a manual gearbox

Not an option I'm afriad.

1st, I'm more of a cruzing person, not into sports and manual shifting

2nd, my wife [who has yet to get her license, failed 4 times now] will not get a manual license, just an auto.

Perhaps when the time comes a dealer will let me drive the car for an hour or so, to get a feel of it.

[SnMalone]

Originally Posted by GnokGnik

People are spoiled. 170hp, underpowered?

Well, actually 170hp are not underpowered, but 170hp in a car that weights 1.5tons it is definitely.

[alim26]

don't get too caught up with modding your 320i. however you can consider lighter rims (forged) which can improve aceleration.

[mmmmQuattro]

The 320i certainly is a bit slow compared to everything else on the street.
Having said that, in traffic if you aren't trying to squeeze into each gap or win any traffic light races, it is OK.
I ended up buying the 320 for my wife because no matter what I bought for her, she would always get speeding tickets. Also, with the family in the car, they already complained that I drive too fast (I don't think so) and driving a six would just make matters worse.

I live 3km out of the city centre, so 90%+ of my driving is around 50km speed limits. The 320i isn't that bad under those circumstances, but if I had a full load going up a hill or doing lots of country or freeway drives, I would get a six.

I didn't get a six mainly because BMW have chosen to provide a 'detuned' 323 in the wagon at the time which was only 15kw more.

[raj55]

looks like we have different expectations. I have a 320i LCI 2009 and am more than happy with the acceleration and speed. The car is very alert and responds very quickly. The fuel consumption figures are absolutely stunning. It is even better than that quoted by BMW when driving on the highway on the 6th gear and with cruise control on. I am addicted!