320i

about when is this expected to arrive on dealer lots?

Production starts in March I believe, so early April?

Stopped in to see my dealer and inquired about the arrival of 320, He said, "we're expecting delivery middle of March." I replied, "I heard production begins in March." Dealer replied, "The car is and has been in production because it's sold throughout the world."
Highest Regards

So, if handling trumps power and luxury featuers, I'm wondering if this car, given it's slightly lighter chassis and lower cost point, might be a winner. The question, of course, is whether the engine is smooth and refined, or course and rough. Time will tell.

It looks like you can build one up pretty nicely with sport suspension, manual seats navigation, apps, PDC and sunroof for right around $40k. A similar no-line 328i costs around $44.5k (although you get Adaptive M Sport suspension).

Originally Posted by Robert A

So, if handling trumps power and luxury featuers, I'm wondering if this car, given it's slightly lighter chassis and lower cost point, might be a winner. The question, of course, is whether the engine is smooth and refined, or course and rough. Time will tell.

It looks like you can build one up pretty nicely with sport suspension, manual seats navigation, apps, PDC and sunroof for right around $40k. A similar no-line 328i costs around $44.5k (although you get Adaptive M Sport suspension).

Drive a 328, the 320 will share 99.9% of the same engine, so if you find the 328 smooth and refined, the 320 will be as well, just a bit less power.

For what it's worth, my CA told me that they don't have any allocations yet.

Originally Posted by shabadoo25

For what it's worth, my CA told me that they don't have any allocations yet.

Your comment is interesting because when I was at my dealer yesterday they seemed less than enthusiastic discussing the arrival of 320. My thought they can't be too excited about having to sell another model.

seems like a great car honestly . i mean i priced out a 320i, with hids and sport suspension (if i was considering a 320i i guess this is all i'd get) and at msrp of $36 and probably invoice of $33000 it seems like an excellent car.

i mean i drive my 328i and like some of the extras i got (like being able to get m-sport and sport seats and whatever), but if money were an issue, i'd probably be perfectly fine with a 33k 320i. i bet it realistically has like 220 hp also, given BMW propensity for underrating things (just like the 328i probably has 270 and the 335 probably has somewhere in the 320-325 range). its only a 7-8k more than say a well equipped accord EX-L i-4, and if those were my choices and i had to eat ramen and mcdonalds value menu to make up the difference well, i'd be eating ramen and driving a 320i haha

Originally Posted by hans007

seems like a great car honestly . i mean i priced out a 320i, with hids and sport suspension (if i was considering a 320i i guess this is all i'd get) and at msrp of $36 and probably invoice of $33000 it seems like an excellent car.

i mean i drive my 328i and like some of the extras i got (like being able to get m-sport and sport seats and whatever), but if money were an issue, i'd probably be perfectly fine with a 33k 320i. its only a 7-8k more than say a well equipped accord EX-L i-4, and if those were my choices and i had to eat ramen and mcdonalds value menu to make up the difference well, i'd be eating ramen and driving a 320i haha

I agree. If I had budget constraints, I'd be perfectly happy in a 320i. I'd want to load it up with all the options so I guess I'm a little different, but this car is a bargain. It's a great alternative to anything else out there in that price range.

I wonder how they managed to make it lighter than the 328. Also I notice the manual has a more forward weight distribution than the automatic. It's the other way around on the 328.

Originally Posted by Geekenstein

I wonder how they managed to make it lighter than the 328. Also I notice the manual has a more forward weight distribution than the automatic. It's the other way around on the 328.

It's lighter due to less equipment. The weight distribution does not make sense, the drivetrains are physically the same so the relations of auto to manual 328 to 320 should be the same.

Originally Posted by Jamesonsviggen

It's lighter due to less equipment. .

Such as no power seats.