2013 BMW 320i Reviews

Few things will make your neighbours weep as much as parking a new BMW in your driveway. It is one of the preferred weapons of mass jealousy that is guaranteed to scorch all adjoining brickwork with the silent heat of envy.But is it all about the badge or is the smaller BMW set worthy of praise above similar-sized - and half-priced - cars from Korea, Japan and even Australia?VALUEPay $62,600 for this BMW 320i Touring and drive away in a pretty German-built wagon that has less occupant and cargo room and similar performance agility as an Aussie-built $29,040 Holden Cruze Sportwagon. But technical data dismisses how the BMW feels to drive, the sensible and clinical precision of the switchgear and the way the cabin integrates with its occupants.Standard kit includes dual-zone airconditioning, electric tailgate, trip computer with central monitor, reverse camera, 17-inch alloys and leather-look upholstery. It's not actually a lot for the bucks - see Hyundai i40 or Mazda6 - and the option list is enormous and candy to a buyer dazzled by the badge.But don't think a BMW is expensive to own - smart buyers can opt for BMW's pre-paid three-year service plan from a fixed $1045 for three years/60,000 km up to $1569 for five years/100,000km. That's better than some Japanese models. The 320i resale is a respectable 53 per cent, equal to the Mercedes C-Class but up slightly on the equivalent Audi.DESIGNThis is an impressive-looking wagon that oozes style. Few rivals can do the same and makes even the Mercedes equivalent look frumpy. It is, however, small. The boot is standard at 495-litres and with the 40:20:40 seats folded down, is 1500 litres. The Cruze, by comparison, is 686 to 1478 litres. The rear-drive layout is the culprit, intruding its mechanicals into the interior.Until BMW's smaller models go front-wheel drive from late next year, not much here will change. Dash design is functional and BMW increasingly applies logic to the once-complex iDrive information system. It's now dead easy.I love the electric tailgate to aid full-handed shoppers, think the materials and fabrics used are first class, acknowledge that four run-flat tyres need no spare and admire the fact that BMW makes really good cars despite knowing that most buyers miss the point and only own one for the prestige of the badge.TECHNOLOGYApparently we're running out of petrol and cars are polluting the planet. All car makers are keen to dissolve these accusations. BMW equips the 320i with a stop-start system (for those who came in late, this turns the engine off when the car is stationary, then automatically restarts to save fuel), regenerative braking (engages the alternator/generator when braking or coasting to charge up the battery) and has an economy mode in the drivetrain's four-mode program.The 2-litre engine is the same as in the 180kW/350Nm 328i but is dumbed down to 135kW/270Nm. Fuel economy is claimed at 6.2 L/100km, not much different to the 328i. The engine has a single, twin-scroll turbocharger and features direct-petrol injection. It's attached to a slick eight-speed auto with paddle shifters.SAFETYPretty much standard for its class, the 320i gets a five-star crash rating, eight airbags, electronic stability and traction control, cruise control with a braking function, park sensors front and rear, LED tail lights, heated mirrors and a reverse camera. It has run-flat tyres with a tyre pressure monitor.DRIVINGYes, first impressions are that this is a small car. The seating position is more like a sports car - precisely what BMW aims to achieve - and for tall drivers, there's not a lot of room in the footwell. It certainly feels cosy and that's magnified by the small-diameter steering wheel and the body-hugging curves of the seat.Ergonomically it's spot on. Like an iPhone 4, it's intuitive and that allows the driver to concentrate on enjoying the car. Despite electric-assist steering, it's as sharp as a Gillette through the corners. The 320i appears to be down a bit on power but the eight-speed box, paddle shifters and the strong mid-range delivery means it won't disappoint the enthusiast.BMW is up to about generation-five for the run-flat tyres and they have matured from hard-riding rubber rings to some with decent compliance. The car rides a bit firm but no occupant should complain.VERDICTWell-appointed car that's fun to drive. But its low height makes it awkward to get in and out and at $62,600-plus, has a lot of like-size rivals with better value for money.BMW 320i TouringPrice: $62,600Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km, roadside assistCapped servicing: NoService interval: 12mths/15,000kmResale: 53%Safety: 8 airbags, ABS, ESC, EBD, TCCrash rating: 5-starEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 135kW/270NmTransmission: 8-spd auto; rear driveThirst: 6.2L/100km; 95RON; 145g/km CO2Dimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.4m (H)Weight: 1445kgSpare: Repair kit

Why don't wagons attract an Aussie audience? It's a mystery worthy of a CSI episode. Yet we line up like sheep to get into a five-door load-lugger if it's got more than 180mm of ground clearance (ie, a compact SUV), even if we're no more likely to drive it on dirt than through a combat zone.The latest wagon from BMW's top-selling 3 Series range provides yet further evidence that SUVs aren't the duck's guts for shifting offspring and their gear. The Touring (as BMW labels its wagons) is lighter than most soft-roaders, better looking to boot (so to speak) and outperforms them.VALUEMost of the Touring's features carry over from the sedan range, which has been on sale for more than a year. The petrol versions - 320i and 328i, running differently tuned versions of the same turbo petrol engine - join the diesel 318d.The Touring comes at a $2500 premium over the corresponding diesel sedan and $4000 over the equivalent petrol sedan. Pricing starts from $58,900 for the 318d which has three upgrade options, from $3768 to the $6000 M Sport pack. Petrol versions start from $62,600 for the 320i with $3152 for Luxury, Sport or Modern packs. For some reason M Sport is even dearer at $6385.At least the petrol models have paddle shifters for the eight-speed auto transmission, which is standard on the range, with stop-start function. All versions get an automatic tailgate as standard. A reversing camera is standard on the two petrol models.Rolling off the production line from this month is the 328i priced from $69,900, with the upgrades adding $1538 or, for the M-Sport, $5000. It too sits on 17-inch alloy wheels but gets electrochromatic mirrors (with folding function for the exterior), "fine-wood burled walnut" interior inserts, Dakota leather trim and top-spec satnav and audio.The Sport Line option pack adds high-gloss black exterior trim bits, 17 or 18in alloys, black and red accents in cabin, red stitching on the sports steering wheel and standard leather upholstered sports seats.Those looking for the finer things can tick the Luxury Line box - high-gloss chrome exterior trim bits and wood trim inserts for the interior, 17 or 18in alloy wheels and model-specific leather upholstered seats are among the highlights.The Modern option pack adds satin-finish aluminium trim, 17 or 18in alloy, a light-coloured dashboard and a steering wheel in dark oyster, leather upholstery in oyster or black and a choice of four trim strips in pearl-effect chrome or optional wood surface in three-dimensional structure.The M Sport package has aerodynamic add-ons, 10mm lower sports suspension, an optional brake upgrade, as well as the exclusive optional exterior paint shade Estoril Blue' metallic, 19in M-design alloy wheels, an M leather steering wheel and aluminium hexagon trim.TECHNOLOGYDiesel power propels the entry wagon. The 318d Touring has a 2.0-litre turbo diesel producing 105kW/320Nm. It gets to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds but also sips 4.7L/100km.The 320i and 328i share a turbo direct-injection four-cylinder, which in the mid-spec model has 135kW/270Nm and gets to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds for a 6.2L thirst. The 328i develops 180kW/350Nm, cutting the sprint time to 6.0 seconds and raising consumption to 6.5L.The range gets the fuel-saving stop-start system, brake energy recovery and the Eco Pro mode, which encourages economical driving and claims up to 20 per cent improvement in economy by way of "intelligent energy management" engine systems.DESIGNFrom the nose to the front occupants' shoulder at the door pillar, the Touring mimics the sedan. It's longer and roomier than the superseded 3 Series wagon. The cargo area is 495 litres with the rear seats up, on par with most big sedans. This trebles when the seats are folded flat.Access is via an electric-opening tailgate (which works via remote or by “kicking'' underneath the rear bumper when the key is in range), which also has a glass-only opening function, with extra clever underfloor storage in the cargo area.SAFETYThe European NCAP program ranked the sedan five stars so the wagon will surely win full marks too. The active electronic driver aid list is long stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, cornering and dynamic brake control, as well as brake drying and electronic "limited-slip" for the rear differential, activated when the "DSC Off" function is employed.Also fitted standard is the Active Protection safety package, which readies the car's myriad safety systems if it detects a imminent impact. The options list has the obligatory raft of choices, including active cruise control (with stop-go function) and head-up display, surround-view camera system and high-beam assist.DRIVINGThe 320i's engine is willing, smooth and works well with the eight-speed auto. It hesitates a little when exiting corners, but is fuss free in fast open country running.Fans of older BMWs will miss the six-cylinder engine soundtrack, but they'll welcome the new car's Sport Plus mode and its steering wheel paddles for changing gears manually. A highlight is the ride afforded by the optional adaptive suspension it remains settled and unperturbed through mid-corner bumps.Switching to the diesel is anything but a stepdown. Its torque is reasonable and the noise intrusion minimal. The noisiest thing on the diesel drive was the climate control's fan. The diesel doesn't get the paddleshifters but has little need for them with the two sport modes offering clever shift patterns, but the more powerful petrol engine is our choice.VERDICTA versatile wagon that offers chassis balance, ride comfort and driving ease. A serious rival for an SUV.BMW 320i TouringPrice: From $62,600Warranty: 3 years/ unlimited kmCapped servicing: NoResale: 54% (Glass's Guide)Service interval: 12 months/25,000kmSafety: 5 starsEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol 135kW/270NmTransmission: 8-speed automatic; RWDThirst: 6.21/100km,Dimensions: 4.6m (L); 1.8m (w); 1.4m (h)Weight: 1495-1595kgSpare: None