The section showcases reviews from BMW 320i car owners. If you have experience with BMW 320i models, feel free to share it with others by submitting a review through the comments form. It will be published immediately after moderation.
About the Model
The German conglomerate BMW is unlikely to ever compete with the Japanese Toyota in terms of the number of cars sold. Vehicles from the Land of the Rising Sun are significantly cheaper. Many find purchasing a car from the Bavarian conglomerate simply unaffordable. However, a multitude of drivers have heard about the quality of assembly and luxury of German cars. Reviews of the BMW 320i only confirm this opinion.
BMW 320i Review: Pros and Cons
I bought the car in the fall of 2006. I got a used one, but from the showroom. The total mileage was 80 thousand km. Honestly, I bought it almost spontaneously. I arrived with a friend at the showroom, sat behind the wheel, and fell in love. I drove the car for several years. Using this driving experience, I compiled my own review of the BMW 320i.
The first impression after the purchase was exceptionally positive. Everything in the car delighted me:
- great quality interior;
- excellent handling with precise cornering;
- quick acceleration;
- enviable glances from acquaintances and friends (inevitable, as we all are vain).
I tried to service it only at official dealers. I never dared to take the car to some shady repair shops. Who knows, they might intentionally replace some part just to make me come back again.
The main drawback of the car is its problematic maintenance. Parts for the car and the repairs themselves are very expensive. And they take a long time. I live in a city with a population of a million, but for some reason, parts are constantly unavailable. I have to search for them somewhere, order them, and wait for weeks. During my ownership, I had to replace:
- All brake pads.
- All brake discs.
- Rear and front suspension bushings.
- Front control arms.
- Tire pressure monitoring system electronics.
The mechanical gearbox works as precisely as Swiss watches. The gear shifts are clear and smooth. It has never let me down on the road.
It performs excellently on the highway. I easily overtake trucks and newer Japanese cars. The car is worth its money and completely justifies its price. However, I feel that the service quality is deteriorating. The prices for services and parts are really overpriced.
I actually sold the car later on. I also bought a BMW 3 Series, but in a newer body. In the BMW 320i review, I want to make a brief conclusion. If you have the money: buy it without hesitation. The car will fully justify itself.
BMW 320i Review: Sold and Relieved
My review of the BMW 320i is negative. The car is from 2011, relatively old, but I did not expect so many problems. The main downside of this series is the N86 B20 engine. It's a constant headache. Typical problems include:
- vacuum pump;
- heat exchanger;
- weak seals;
- timing system;
- oil seals;
- valve cover.
There is practically no room left in the engine. It's falling apart. After 90,000 km, my car started burning oil. It was consuming 1-2 liters every thousand km. To fix the issue, I had to practically overhaul the entire engine at the service center. It cost me a fortune.
The steering rack is unreliable. The plastic cover on the steering shaft cracked, water got in, and the contacts corroded. I neglected the situation and ended up spending 150,000 rubles. That's just for one part, mind you.
The suspension is stiff, but it's a matter of personal preference. I personally like the sporty dynamics of the car. So, in my BMW 320i review, I would rather list this fact as a positive rather than a negative. Some may not appreciate this format.
Overall, I had no issues with the acceleration, handling, interior quality, and exterior design. The car is almost perfect. It's comfortable and quiet inside. In this case, the Japanese cars were no match. However, the model itself is unfortunate. The Germans went overboard and produced such a wonder.
As for advice: never buy such a car with your last resources. If you can't spend 150-200 thousand on repairs and parts, it's better to refrain from purchasing.
BMW 320i Review: Perfect from Scratch
I bought the car from the showroom 4 years ago. I still drive it, albeit not much. So far, my opinion of the car is exceptionally positive. In the BMW 320i review, I can list the following as pros:
- Distinctive design. Even after 4 years, I still can't get enough of it.
- Intuitive multimedia system. All settings are simple, clear, and quick. There shouldn't be any difficulties at all.
- The quality of the interior assembly and parts fitting is top-notch. No flaws have been found in 4 years of use.
- The firm suspension, stability system, and quality response to steering commands. It's impossible to lose control of the car.
Of course, there are also drawbacks. You can't do without them. The main downside is the constant drain of money. The car may be used, but I drive it infrequently, yet I already know the repair costs. I got hit by a stone on the highway, causing a large crack. I didn't wait for it to fall apart and went for a new one. The cost was 37,000 rubles. Aligning the wheels at the official center cost 11,000.
In the BMW 320i review, I want to highlight the run-flat tires. The car was sold with these tires. They are rigid. Plus, they are extremely heavy, and there's no spare. So you have to replace it with the same miracle tire. And such tires are more expensive than regular ones.
In the BMW 320i review, I want to mention the low ground clearance. If the city roads are not great, it's better to steer clear of the BMW. It will scrape its undercarriage on everything.
The car makes me happy. But if it starts breaking down frequently, I'll sell it. The maintenance is just awful.
