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2013 BMW 320i Full Test
Edmunds.com
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2013 BMW 320i Full Test
Edmunds' road test of the 2013 BMW 320i. Includes instrumented test data, on-road driving impressions, photos, specs and more.
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BMW is really doing a disservice to their reputation of sport and luxury by putting out garbage like this. If they want to go after the lower income market, they should spin off another brand to do so.
I've got a really hard time rationalizing dropping that much cash on a car and not even freaking getting leather!
I'm not in the market for an entry level *lux* sport sedan, but if I were, I'd most likely look at the A3 when it comes out.
I also find this article a little disingenuous. They're saying that other than the acceleration, this 320i pretty much matches the 328i. However, you have to consider that the numbers are delivered with a Sport Package installed. In the same vane, they're talking about the wonderful, manually adjustable seats and that they have 10-way adjustments. Is that the same for the regular seats, because this car has the sport seats installed.
I'd be far more intrigued by a test of the completely stripped, no options 320i and how it performs. Even so though, I don't find this generation of 3 series all that appealing, from a looks, interior design or quality, or driving dynamics aspect. I don't feel that it's still the benchmark of the luxury sport sedan market like it used to be, in my mind. I don't think any of the cars out now really shine above the other at this point either though. I think it just comes down to a preference on the blend of brand, styling, interior design/quality, and driving dynamics for the consumer. It seems Cadillac is the new driving benchmark in this segment when it comes to sport sedan dynamics.
First, the auto stop/start is the most annoying feature ever put on a car. Maybe if you live in a city with long stoplights it would make sense, but for the small town where I live it is just a major annoyance. I now turn it off the instant I crank the car.
Second, the entire radio/iDrive experience is just a mess. If you are on the screen to view your preset stations you can't see the song/artist information unless you toggle through the menu. Also, why does the radio have buttons on the dash? They do not correspond with the pre-sets that have been entered with the iDrive controller. If you use the scroll wheel on the steering wheel the red channel indicator on the information screen doesn't change to the new station you have selected. I could go on and on about this radio, but I won't.
Third, if you turn the climate control off, when you restart the car it will turn itself back on. This can be a pain if you are running errands and are in and out of the car several times.
Fourth, the trunk release sensor under the rear bumper only works about 50% of the time and it is s-l-o-w. It is much faster to use the remote fob or the trunk release above the license plate.
Fifth, the quality of the plastic and rubber on the car is really questionable. All the trim around the windows looks several years old and I only took delivery 5 months ago.
Last, but not least, is the handling. So much has been lost in terms of how the car handles versus the 2011 model. It feels big and ungainly. I loved to drive my 2011 in the mountains but this one doesn't inspire me to do that.
I probably sound like a whiner, and had I never driven a BMW prior to this one I would probably think it an awesome car. As it stands, I think it is a good car that has lost its way.
BTW
Correction: BMW's 2013 exists because there are those potential buyers out there who want the "prestige" of driving a BMW and couldn't care less about what's under the hood or the performance aspects of the vehicle (poseurs; badge whores; snobs-define them as you will.)
Think of it: rather than having to create a whole new car from scratch like the MB CLA; they simply lowered the boost and simplified the option list. A pretty shrewd and smart move for BMW if you ask me.
The sport package includes the M sport suspension, M sport napa leather steering wheel, sport seats, increased top speed limiter and staggered HP summer tires. The handling, road feel, composure at high speeds and flat cornering are excellent and 100% BMW. The car is lighter than the 328 and 335 and my selling price on the car was $32k, down $4500 from MSRP. This gives me a perfectly balanced (ever heard of 50/50 weight distro?) RWD german sports sedan with the best 8spd Auto in the business. The tune brings it about 15HP shy of a 328i and I get 35mpg highway. Contrary to what a few of you said about how it is for 'snobs' and 'wannabes' and 'people who don't know about cars', I got the car because I do know about cars and I knew I could get a no frills sports sedan with excellent driving dynamics, world class suspension and handling for cheap. Yes, this car is cheap. If you don't think so, all I can say is that it must suck to be so poor. If you would seriously rather drive a Fusion than this car, you are just hopeless.
The 320 has won entry level comparisons against the C250, IS250, CLA250, Audi A3 sedan, VW CC and Buick Regal, because it's the best entry level luxury sedan out there. And for a little more real world data, since you guys live and die by published HP and 0-60 numbers, Car and Driver and Road & Track clocked the stock 320i at 6.7 sec to 60, right in line with the previous generation GTI. If that's not good enough for you, tune it. If that's still not good enough for you, get a 328.. Oh wait, that's right. You can't afford it. Sucks to be you.
Now all you guys need to do is save your pennies and In the meantime, keep on keepin' on in your Fusions, Camrys and other rental fleet turd boxes and bagging on every BMW review you see, talking about how they are too expensive and have 'lost their way', all while you have most likely had zero seat time in any of them. Waaaah.