Newer 320i v older 340i
Discussion
I'm looking for a petrol touring and I'm split on my opinion between 320 v 340. For my budget I can get 2018-2019 320i at around 40k miles (including some 1yr warrantied approved used cars) or a 2015-2016 70k miles 340. Obviously I like the idea of a 340i but we already have another fast estate (E63) so I was trying to get something a little more frugal. Basically is the older earlier generation 340i going to have more issues/much worse mpg. I feel a later model 320i would have some of the usual bmw issues ironed out. I previously had a first year e91 335d and that had a few issues down to being the early production run. If I get a 320i I was planning on remapping it as it looks like they're heavily held back as standard.
The car is going to be used mostly for short journeys and central London driving. About a third of the mileage will be longer trips. Thanks for any advice!
The car is going to be used mostly for short journeys and central London driving. About a third of the mileage will be longer trips. Thanks for any advice!
We're not spending the money so everyone is going to say 340i, it's by far the better engine but it's whether you think it's worth it for you.
When looking at a 320i, I feel you might as well get a 320d. Both are characterless 4 pot engines, but the 20d is at least good on fuel and has more torque. My wife had a 420i as a company car and I don't think it did more than 28mpg, terrible for the performance on offer.
When looking at a 320i, I feel you might as well get a 320d. Both are characterless 4 pot engines, but the 20d is at least good on fuel and has more torque. My wife had a 420i as a company car and I don't think it did more than 28mpg, terrible for the performance on offer.
I’ve got an 18 reg 320 auto it’s fine.
Ave mpg around 42 and can just squeeze 50 on a long run.
Sure it’s not going to have the shove of the 340 but it’s a lighter unit and the handling is better with a little less weight over the front.
I had a 520d before this one and I prefer the way the 320 drives.
Bring newer you should get idrive 6 which can be coded for CarPlay
Ave mpg around 42 and can just squeeze 50 on a long run.
Sure it’s not going to have the shove of the 340 but it’s a lighter unit and the handling is better with a little less weight over the front.
I had a 520d before this one and I prefer the way the 320 drives.
Bring newer you should get idrive 6 which can be coded for CarPlay
Thanks for the advice. I should have said, diesel isn't an option. I want to keep the car for 10 years, so I'd expect in that time diesel will be not allowed in the ulez. It's only going to cover 6-8k a year so the extra efficency of a Diesel isn't important.
I wasn't so worried about the reliability of an older 340i engine, it was more the rest of the car closer to the start of f31 production.
I wasn't so worried about the reliability of an older 340i engine, it was more the rest of the car closer to the start of f31 production.
JackJarvis said:
We're not spending the money so everyone is going to say 340i, it's by far the better engine but it's whether you think it's worth it for you.
When looking at a 320i, I feel you might as well get a 320d. Both are characterless 4 pot engines, but the 20d is at least good on fuel and has more torque. My wife had a 420i as a company car and I don't think it did more than 28mpg, terrible for the performance on offer.
I had a 2023 420i courtesy car for a week and managed to get about 42mpg from a long run and some shorter trips. I then had to swap it with a 320i (as the 4 series sold) and managed to get over 60mpg on a motorway trip. When I handed it back (after lots of short trips) it was showing 52mpg. I cannot fathom how it managed it, but it would certainly negate the need to go near a diesel.When looking at a 320i, I feel you might as well get a 320d. Both are characterless 4 pot engines, but the 20d is at least good on fuel and has more torque. My wife had a 420i as a company car and I don't think it did more than 28mpg, terrible for the performance on offer.
The engine had sufficient power and torque. You would not drive it for fun, but it never felt woeful. A 340i would be much nicer, but I would be inclined to lean towards the 320i if you already have a fast estate.
I'd usually say go for the 340i, but because you already have the E63 I reckon the 320i will be fine for what you're going to be using it for. I had the B48 engine in a F56 Cooper S(manual), and while it was a bit unexciting to use, it did do a decent enough job though I thought.
I also tried a 2017 530i with the B48 engine mated to a ZF8 auto, and I thought that they were a well matched combination.
I also tried a 2017 530i with the B48 engine mated to a ZF8 auto, and I thought that they were a well matched combination.
solamanda said:
I thought the 320i upto 2019 is the N20 engine. I believe the 328/330i have the b48 but the used ones show signs of abuse or weird mods.
I'm not a 100% sure, but I believe that the 320i up to 2019 still used the B48(just in a lower state of tune than the 330i) and not the N20. cerb4.5lee said:
solamanda said:
I thought the 320i upto 2019 is the N20 engine. I believe the 328/330i have the b48 but the used ones show signs of abuse or weird mods.
I'm not a 100% sure, but I believe that the 320i up to 2019 still used the B48(just in a lower state of tune than the 330i) and not the N20. cerb4.5lee said:
I'm not a 100% sure, but I believe that the 320i up to 2019 still used the B48(just in a lower state of tune than the 330i) and not the N20.
I've done some research and it looks like from 2017 all 320i's were definitely B48. Also on car adverts, I can tell from the photos as the engine bay is distinctive if it's the B48. So looks like a 2017 or newer 320i is the smart move, a remap also makes them 270bhp, so a lot more 'useable' than the stock 181bhp.340i every day. They are robust units and the F31 platform generally hasn't seen any major faults that I am aware of which needed ironed out through production. Happy to be corrected on that of course.
Other thing to be aware of is resale. You'll lose a lot more on the 320i because it's (a) newer (and therefore has depreciation to continue for a bit yet); and (b) is just another 4 pot BMW. The 340i will have depreciated more already and in F31 guise are proving to have great residuals - there aren't as many of them around and the engine and gearbox a desirable combo.
Other thing to be aware of is resale. You'll lose a lot more on the 320i because it's (a) newer (and therefore has depreciation to continue for a bit yet); and (b) is just another 4 pot BMW. The 340i will have depreciated more already and in F31 guise are proving to have great residuals - there aren't as many of them around and the engine and gearbox a desirable combo.
No criticism, but it sounds like you've been set on the 320i from the beginning and just needed to make sure no-one came up with any arguments for the 340i that you hadn't thought of already - you might have the solution that suits you best, so go for it.
In fairness if you have an E63 already then you don't need another fast estate, even if the 340i is the better car in every respect than the 320i
In fairness if you have an E63 already then you don't need another fast estate, even if the 340i is the better car in every respect than the 320i
solamanda said:
That's a good point, but there aren't many choices with our other requirements in a car. We want a 'small' estate, petrol, can fit a tow car (for bicycle rack), automatic (not cvt) and not hybrid. As far as I can see that leaves Seat Leon, C-class, 3 Series, Volvo V60 or a Skoda Fabia. The Leon or 3 Series have the most available second hand in good condition.
Skoda Scala? As a 1.5 TSi? Very roomy in the back.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff