Greeting to all the owners and professional of BMW. I am new in this forum and I know everyone here is kind and helpful.

I am looking to own a F30 but I got confused which is best to own. 320i, 328i or 320d?

In term of power 328i is the best and 320d one full tank can go for more than a thousand KM?

I never considered to get 320i due to the horsepower compared to 328i but a friend of mine owned 320i and she is going to change a new car in 2020. She purchased on 2015 but I am not pretty sure the car year made was 2014 or 2015. Anyways, the main point is her car is having super low mileage, never speed, completely original & up to date it is below 40,000km and she is taking real good care of the car, that is the tempting part to me.

Kindly let me have your professional advices which is the best to own and my questions below:

1. 320i, 328i & 320d - Any differences of the maintenance cost?
:

2. 320i, 328i & 320d - Which engine, car parts and etc can last longer? I won’t be changing a car in every 5 years, I might use longer even I get a used one.
:

3. 320i, 328i & 320d - Any differences of the car handling?
:

4. 320i, 328i & 320d - Which one is the best and worth it to own for long term usage?
:

Am helping to answer some of questions coz only experienced with multiple 320d models including F30 currently using:

1. Not sure about other models. But 320d maintenance is about RM700-900 for minor service without changing air filter. The cost is for outside service.

2. Definitely 320d. Engine diesel is quite reliable and tough.

3. 328i the best

4. 320d

I own 320d f30 before....1k km per tank is impossible......unless you hypermiling.....mostly 600 to 700km....the torque is addictive hence lower km per tank

Highway 140-160kmph all the way, 1,000+ KM is achieveable. Done it several time.

But if you drove like a F1 (thanks to the torque), practically speaking 800KM for the full tank is more realistic expectation. Regardless, its more sustainable than all the other option listed above, hell even 330e.

1. 320i, 328i & 320d - Any differences of the maintenance cost?
- I think just about the same. Have to prepare approx 600-1k every 12k KM. Should be fine tho, better than maintaining Merc in a way.

2. 320i, 328i & 320d - Which engine, car parts and etc can last longer? I won’t be changing a car in every 5 years, I might use longer even I get a used one.
- For sure 320d. Read somewhere the diesel may last 500k KM while petrol 300k KM before start to show major breakdown, provided well maintained.

3. 320i, 328i & 320d - Any differences of the car handling?
- All three having almost similar bodyweight and frame, so I don't think so. If you are comparing with 330e, than all this three model are more agile in comparison.

4. 320i, 328i & 320d - Which one is the best and worth it to own for long term usage?
- 320d for sure.


Additional notes :

i - Only buy a LCI version.

ii - Don't underestimate 320i. It can be remapped to achieve the same level as 328i.

iii - Don't overlooked the wear and tear parts - tires, wipers, leathers, tint, coating, steering rack, brakepart, brakedisc

iv - Find a reputable workshop for pre-purchase inspection.

Thank you for all the advices.

i - Only buy a LCI version.
: What is LCI version means?

ii - Don't underestimate 320i. It can be remapped to achieve the same level as 328i.
: Yup, I knew about it. Thanks mate 😀

iii - Don't overlooked the wear and tear parts - tires, wipers, leathers, tint, coating, steering rack, brakepart, brakedisc
: Steering rack and brakedisc will spoil easily?
: Brake part as in what?
: Btw, what are the common parts spoil easily or need to be repaired for F30?

iv - Find a reputable workshop for pre-purchase inspection.
: I am originally from Penang, if I were to get a car from KL then maybe a bit problem.

Am helping to answer some of questions coz only experienced with multiple 320d models including F30 currently using:

1. Not sure about other models. But 320d maintenance is about RM700-900 for minor service without changing air filter. The cost is for outside service.

2. Definitely 320d. Engine diesel is quite reliable and tough.

3. 328i the best

4. 320d


* It’s great to received the owner’s feedback. I will consider over again. Cheers mate

140 ? Too dangerous....at that kind of Speed In a conti...it seriously feels like 80kmh......u become sleepy after a while.....160 to 180 more like it.

But that aside....I feel that contis...are worth the maintenance......Jap has no soul....the contis....steering feedback, grip, chassis design and feedback....these u find in jap equivelant class.....it just cannot be compared....the price u pay is for the rnd, skills, knowledge and quality

Thank you for all the advices.

i - Only buy a LCI version.
: What is LCI version means?

ii - Don't underestimate 320i. It can be remapped to achieve the same level as 328i.
: Yup, I knew about it. Thanks mate 😀

iii - Don't overlooked the wear and tear parts - tires, wipers, leathers, tint, coating, steering rack, brakepart, brakedisc
: Steering rack and brakedisc will spoil easily?
: Brake part as in what?
: Btw, what are the common parts spoil easily or need to be repaired for F30?

iv - Find a reputable workshop for pre-purchase inspection.
: I am originally from Penang, if I were to get a car from KL then maybe a bit problem.

RM700++ for minor service outside? No way bro...I done it with RM350

Mazda? =D

Mazda 3 mps is great but the handling not so good. All that torque....when compared to ford focus st or even rs, was not thought out properly......end up become battle with steering wheel.

Also understeer quite apparent.

Anyway my experience is on Thier passenger car...not sport cars like Rx series.....coz it serve no purpose to me

You got to look at it at the oil quality and amount of oil needed.

Most interval are 10k for diesel...some stretch to 15k...but 10k is the max I will go considering our fuel quality.


Also you are paying for the ride experience......350....go honda or proton only bro

It is German Lub that meets BMW Long-Life 01 spec and it is fully synthetic.

Cheap doesn't mean low quality, you just need to know where to source for honest and quality workshop.

FYI, I service my bimmer every 10k....

LCI means facelifted version. Lifecycle Impulse (LCI) is BMW speak for FL.

Noted. Thanks 😊

At these day and age...I rather just get at a reputable workshop or supplier...cheap...is too good to be true...could be recycle oil or something


Especially for conti...most people can't afford the maintennace so resort to cheapo oil...but find out later got short changed with fake oil or recycle oil

Well, I can't change the way you think. I'm merely sharing my experience...

320d requires less than 6L Lubricant (RM45-70 per litre) and oil filter will cost somewhere RM50 (note - diesel filter is diff from petrol version)

You do the math.... Btw I used to service my car at conti specialist located at Bukit Mertajam... You can check out that workshop "Euro Marques" they do alot conti cars

which year of 320d u are using?

bought new or used?

I bought used unit. Does it even matter considering the service cost quoted by @ziafdhom is also 3rd party workshop.

As for whether is E90 or F30, my unit is E90 and I was told the F30 share the exact same engine and gearbox.