Can't really find reviews of F30 320i, mostly on 328i. But here are some I could find, just to share with 320i owners or future owners:
GoAuto.com.au
The question in many buyers’ minds will be: is it worth $$$ to step up? After all, the 320i and 328i share the same 2.0-litre TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, although the pumped-up version in the 328i delivers a handy 35kW of extra power.
On the road, the difference is not as marked as you might think. The key is the creamy torque delivery of both versions of this engine in the normal driving range, which masks any obvious deficiency in performance.
The twin-scroll turbo eliminates turbo lag – a key goal for BMW in its switch away from normally aspirated engines – delivering on-demand performance from idle to the redline.
It is only as the revs climb that the frisky 328i shades the 320i, with the former hitting the 100km/h mark a full 1.5 seconds faster, at 6.1 seconds.
Another triumph for the 320i is the matching of the engine with the new eight-speed automatic transmission that has found its way down through the range to the ‘3’, across the range.
In terms of performance, the average motorist can rest assured that the 320i not only does the job, it does it surprisingly well.
Sgcarmart.com
http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/newcars_reviews.php?CarCode=11120
4.5/5
Performancedrive.com.au
2012 BMW 320i SPORT LINE – OVERVIEW
You may think the base model 3 Series is a bit of a slouch when it comes to engine power and acceleration, however, the new 2012 BMW 320i (F30) aims to change all that with the help of a feisty turbocharged engine under the bonnet – a first for a base model petrol 3 Series. The new model gets more technology and improved efficiency, while the styling has been honed for a sleeker and more aerodynamic look
Not only are turbocharged engines more economical these days, their power delivery is becoming more and more linear, like a naturally aspirated (NA) engine. It’s to the point where the term ‘turbo-lag’ is almost a phrase of the past. The bonus upshot for us performance enthusiasts is these new engines also offer more power and lots more low-down torque than an equivalent NA.
With the new 320i, that’s exactly what BMW has achieved. The new model is 20kW more powerful than the predecessor and it offers 70Nm more torque. The increased grunt comes from the company’s new 2.0-litre N20 turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 135kW and 270Nm.
Peak power is achieved at 5000rpm, while peak torque is available from just 1250rpm up until 4500rpm. This means there’s always plenty of oomph ready to be dispensed at the flex of your ankle. The engine still encourages you to rev on towards the red section of the tacho too, like a true sports sedan should.
2012 BMW 320i SPORT LINE – ON THE ROAD
If you smash the throttle off the mark, wheelspin can be achieved in the 320i. This might sound like a silly and rather crude way of evaluating a vehicle, however, we want to bring this up to give you an indication of how far the performance and acceleration of the base model 3 Series has come. Compared with the predecessor 320i, the new F30 320i has an official 0-100km/h time of just 7.6 seconds (we tested 7.5) while the old model managed it in a pretty ordinary 10.4 seconds. This is a huge improvement. It’s only 0.5 seconds behind a Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Out on the road the new 320i never feels like it’s lacking in power, in fact, you can tell the engine has more to give; the same engine, albeit with a different turbo and compression ratio, is featured in the 328i with 180kW/350Nm (full review coming soon). In other words, steep hills needn’t be avoided anymore, even if you are carrying a full load.
The TwinPower variable geometry turbo means there’s plenty of torque available virtually all the time. When the torque peaks at 4500rpm, peak power is just 500rpm away to pull it the rest of the way up to the 6500rpm redline.
For us driving enthusiasts, the engine provides exciting point-to-point acceleration, with great pick up coming out from tight bends. It’s also got plenty of top end when you’re in between them, with the engine willing to keep on screaming as the momentum keeps building at a constant and consistent rate.
2012 BMW 320i SPORT LINE – VERDICT
This is the most powerful, most economical, and the most technically advanced and aerodynamically efficient base model petrol 3 Series ever made. It’s also the most powerful base model medium-sized premium sedan out of the two German rivals; Audi A4 1.8 TFSI (125kW) and Mercedes-Benz C 180 CGI (115kW) too.
It’s both ready to take on some serious speeds and the twisty stuff (especially with the M Sport suspension), yet it’s also very efficient and gentle at the petrol pumps. We averaged around 7.6L/100km on test, while the official average is just 6.0L/100km.
If all that is not enough of a reason to want to buy one then we don’t know what is.
GoAuto.com.au
The question in many buyers’ minds will be: is it worth $$$ to step up? After all, the 320i and 328i share the same 2.0-litre TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, although the pumped-up version in the 328i delivers a handy 35kW of extra power.
On the road, the difference is not as marked as you might think. The key is the creamy torque delivery of both versions of this engine in the normal driving range, which masks any obvious deficiency in performance.
The twin-scroll turbo eliminates turbo lag – a key goal for BMW in its switch away from normally aspirated engines – delivering on-demand performance from idle to the redline.
It is only as the revs climb that the frisky 328i shades the 320i, with the former hitting the 100km/h mark a full 1.5 seconds faster, at 6.1 seconds.
Another triumph for the 320i is the matching of the engine with the new eight-speed automatic transmission that has found its way down through the range to the ‘3’, across the range.
In terms of performance, the average motorist can rest assured that the 320i not only does the job, it does it surprisingly well.
Sgcarmart.com
http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/newcars_reviews.php?CarCode=11120
4.5/5
Performancedrive.com.au
2012 BMW 320i SPORT LINE – OVERVIEW
You may think the base model 3 Series is a bit of a slouch when it comes to engine power and acceleration, however, the new 2012 BMW 320i (F30) aims to change all that with the help of a feisty turbocharged engine under the bonnet – a first for a base model petrol 3 Series. The new model gets more technology and improved efficiency, while the styling has been honed for a sleeker and more aerodynamic look
Not only are turbocharged engines more economical these days, their power delivery is becoming more and more linear, like a naturally aspirated (NA) engine. It’s to the point where the term ‘turbo-lag’ is almost a phrase of the past. The bonus upshot for us performance enthusiasts is these new engines also offer more power and lots more low-down torque than an equivalent NA.
With the new 320i, that’s exactly what BMW has achieved. The new model is 20kW more powerful than the predecessor and it offers 70Nm more torque. The increased grunt comes from the company’s new 2.0-litre N20 turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 135kW and 270Nm.
Peak power is achieved at 5000rpm, while peak torque is available from just 1250rpm up until 4500rpm. This means there’s always plenty of oomph ready to be dispensed at the flex of your ankle. The engine still encourages you to rev on towards the red section of the tacho too, like a true sports sedan should.
2012 BMW 320i SPORT LINE – ON THE ROAD
If you smash the throttle off the mark, wheelspin can be achieved in the 320i. This might sound like a silly and rather crude way of evaluating a vehicle, however, we want to bring this up to give you an indication of how far the performance and acceleration of the base model 3 Series has come. Compared with the predecessor 320i, the new F30 320i has an official 0-100km/h time of just 7.6 seconds (we tested 7.5) while the old model managed it in a pretty ordinary 10.4 seconds. This is a huge improvement. It’s only 0.5 seconds behind a Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Out on the road the new 320i never feels like it’s lacking in power, in fact, you can tell the engine has more to give; the same engine, albeit with a different turbo and compression ratio, is featured in the 328i with 180kW/350Nm (full review coming soon). In other words, steep hills needn’t be avoided anymore, even if you are carrying a full load.
The TwinPower variable geometry turbo means there’s plenty of torque available virtually all the time. When the torque peaks at 4500rpm, peak power is just 500rpm away to pull it the rest of the way up to the 6500rpm redline.
For us driving enthusiasts, the engine provides exciting point-to-point acceleration, with great pick up coming out from tight bends. It’s also got plenty of top end when you’re in between them, with the engine willing to keep on screaming as the momentum keeps building at a constant and consistent rate.
2012 BMW 320i SPORT LINE – VERDICT
This is the most powerful, most economical, and the most technically advanced and aerodynamically efficient base model petrol 3 Series ever made. It’s also the most powerful base model medium-sized premium sedan out of the two German rivals; Audi A4 1.8 TFSI (125kW) and Mercedes-Benz C 180 CGI (115kW) too.
It’s both ready to take on some serious speeds and the twisty stuff (especially with the M Sport suspension), yet it’s also very efficient and gentle at the petrol pumps. We averaged around 7.6L/100km on test, while the official average is just 6.0L/100km.
If all that is not enough of a reason to want to buy one then we don’t know what is.
