Hi Guys

Wanted to ask your opinion , if its worth to get the following since the all the LCI variant comes with M performance package. I wanted to the 330i but this LCI is hard to justify the additional money to pay it considering the 320i and 330i now both M performance.

320i (283k) : looks the same with 330i, no blue brake calipers, 6 speaker
330i (317k): bigger power, 10 speakers system (update : March 2023 now comes with M Adaptive Suspension , RM2000 price increase to 319k)
330e (298k) : cheaper but heavier with less boot space, low resale value

This post has been edited by chriscym: Mar 20 2023, 03:10 PM

how fast u go everyday.
330i no additional safety meh

They r M Sports
Not M Performance

If u ask me I will take either 320i or 330e

why 320i and not 330i? and why 330e? I am curious

Active safety there is AEB, while the rest are just warnings.

I dont drive too fast everyday, but I appreciate better speaker system in the 330i.

Bcoz 330i is expensive?

Pay lesser for 330e but more powerful than 330i
N 330e has adaptive suspension

yes the adaptive suspension is something on the plus side and also its cheaper, but there are many catch to make the full use of the 330e for example it has to be charged everyday, it is heavier, its fuel tank is 40 litters only, and has bad resale value, higher maintenance cost for the battery module, lesser boot space. Otherwise it is great car.

Fuel is not an issue for me as my company pay for my fuel, 320i technically is sufficient power for my everyday use, but 330 series feels more superior, a proper sports sedan with over 200 hp.

It is almost zero maintenance for the battery pack. Only software update as required during normal service. Maybe every 5 years or so, replace the coolant, it is separate tank from the engine coolant.

40L tank should be good for 600km+. My PHEV comes with 60L tank, and done 760km with about 7L of fuel left (full charge start of trip, then mostly highway holding the battery level at 50% and never charge again). Even if you don't charge, PHEV experience is still better the usual full hybrid. You can last way longer with electric mode in idle wait, and engine only rev little when charging the battery. Full hybrid is very noisy when charging at idle, because the tiny engine tends to rev until near mid range rpm to charge the battery.

Not going to worry of resell value, we don't know the future demand. It is supply vs demand, and the demand trend is changing, will definitely shift when the post 00's generation dominate the used car market.

Even the 90's in my workplace, while using passed down car from the family or some better doing got new Myvi/Vios. Those are not their own choice. They've been looking at XC40, CLA, Mini, or at least a Mazda SUV etc. Totally unlikely they going to buy a used so call "popular high RV choice" that older generation think B/C segment Japanese. They gotta keep driving current car until they can afford what they truly want.

Only real downside for me is the weight balance that affect handling. If you not the touge person, it has very little influence on daily commute.

This post has been edited by constant_weight: Jan 17 2023, 08:55 AM

Just bite the bullet and take the 330i la, you won't regret it.

Recently drove a family member's 330i for a road trip. Surprisingly punchy even with full load. For daily usage I believe you would not be regretting it.

I will wait for the 320Li long wheel base model, heard a lot of good feedback. As BMW 3 series is getting bigger & bigger each generation, it is more suit moving into luxury/comfort range.

I would take the 330i M-sport, anytime.

No hybrids for me, would avoid the 330e.

differ 34k can install what speaker as good as 330i

Among the 3 variants, I would 100% take the 330i M Sport. The extra power is already worth the premium.

is there any brand remark on 10 speaker system.
becos germany audio tuning kungfu not really suits ppl taste here

i agree, different almost 30k between 320i and 330i, seems cant really justify it. 320i i suppose can also return the ECU to offer the same performance since the engine is the same. Then the balance probably can get an aftermarket hifi speaker

Just to add that I have 4% corporate rate discount for the net selling price (exclude handling fee and road tax). I find that the 330e is the most discounted model among these 3. After calculation estimate with the extended warranty
330e = 285k
330i = 304k
320i = 271k

This post has been edited by chriscym: Jan 18 2023, 11:30 AM

Short distance u can use EV otherwise combined
40 liter full can easily go up to 520km

The regenerative braking can help to charge the battery as u move

Battery replacement cost will be covered during the 8 yrs warranty

Of course if fuel and money is not an issue for u, go for 330i

Engine the same, but if not mistaken the intake manifold, ECU, cooling system got different. If want to mod/upgrade it can be done at a lower cost, but if aftermarket modders mostly got some side effects and not all will got happy ending.

I knew 1 BMW owner which done the same thing upgrade, but he lost an engine (ECU remapping done wrong) and also the spark plugs seems not able to last long (Every 30~40k will start misfiring) even with performance plug/coil upgraded. In the end he regretted why not direct buy the higher range model.. Now he consider selling it to exchange for Toyota Alphad/Vellfire.. Out of the days of modifying and become a family man..

This post has been edited by littlefire: Jan 18 2023, 09:16 AM

The price difference you pay between 330e and 330i will all be balanced up by the time you want to sell the car. Meaning the 20k saving on 330e will take a hit when resale. It's just the timing difference, if you pay more now, you get more in future. If you pay less now (for 330e), you get a lot less when resale.

For e.g.

330i, bought 304k, after 5 years sold for say 154k, you lose 150k

330e bought for 283k, after 5 years sold for say 130k, you lose 153k

Of course the time value of money or the interest cost is not covered in the above example.

good point, I didn't consider that, I will need to take into consideration all these factors

The BMW easydrive option offer the 330e after 5 years is 101.8k only . Lower than your estimates

are u fortune teller. how come so accurate one

Haha just guessing work. I am a former user of hybrid car, so I know how bad the resale value is. Basically any hybrid car that is not Toyota or Honda, resale value horrible.

My insurance agent friend ditched his G10 530e at low price, and bought a 320 or 330 Li instead. He said the hassle from the hybrid system is not worth the time he has to endure without having a car to use while claiming for parts / issues.

Since the suspension and everything else except power and speakers are the same between 320i and 330i, I would take the 330i.

If the 320i came with comfort suspension instead of M Sport suspension, I would 100% take 320i lol.

For 270k+, 320i is just too slow. Just get the 330i if you are already gonna spend this amount of money.

Otherwise, there are other options like the Arteon.

The B48 engine on 320i (B48B20M1) & 330i (B48B20O1) are different (Pistons & Compressions Ratio), same case like N20 engine (20i & 28i)

Yes you can remap the engine after the warranty is expired, mine 520i tuned to Stage2+ with TCU...really superb

Concerned on M Sport fitted suspensions as most of the journalists critics on lack of Adaptive Suspensions on 330i models as the 330i ride is harsh especially on bad road surface

This post has been edited by samwan_sambadi: Jan 20 2023, 12:14 AM

The 330i sound system despite 10 speaker is horrible. Lack of bass and clarity, sound so soft have to turn up the volume quite high just to listen..

My ford and peugeot audio sounds way better than my 330li. Not sure how bmw made it so bad, hence u so many g20 owners change to the bowers & wilkins speakers

This post has been edited by Boy96: Jan 20 2023, 05:17 AM

We are not getting the 320Li. Only 330Li. The 320Li is manufactured here but only for export market

That why i mentioned wait.. Got insider news from BMW SA but not too soon yet..

Do you actually switch the drive mode often to soften the dampers?
EDC another source of headache

After awhile you get used to the firmness
Critics test drive short period write review, sure comment etc...else nothing to post

I personally find the G20 M Sport suspension to be very firm but within my tolerance level.
My other car E90 325i LCI M Sport suspension was even more firm than the G20 330i while I often scrape the underneath when going over higher speed bumps due to it's low ride height.

This post has been edited by Yapmy: Jan 21 2023, 11:38 AM

Just stick with 320i. Same engine nanti remap. Bbk change brembo 2 pot also 5k onli lah

They will launch the 330Li and M340i in March. The 320Li LCI spotted on trailers earliers is meant to be for Thai use

Sometimes i switch from Comfort to Sport whenever i cornering in high speed, rarely use Comfort+ unless the road conditions is not smooth

EDC per shock is estimated RM3,647 at SC & RM 2,800 at outside (Specialist Workshop)...parts price may diff as of today
4 pair change with labour around RM14k

Or you can retrofit with ST / KW suspensions and disable the EDC module (RM9k starting price for ST)

Or you go to Reiber Auto for EDC shock absorber reconditioning

EDC was my least concern, compared with Timing Chain Guide parts, rear EPB & Turbocharger unit

This post has been edited by samwan_sambadi: Jan 21 2023, 02:01 AM

B series engine not that worried for the timing chain guides parts as compared to N series.

The latest information i gathered from my mechanic is that B series got coolant or water level keep going low even during warranty period and need to top up time to time. Warranty claimed from owners feedback turbo coolant pipe leaking to EGR internal coolant leak, some even did not manage to claim anything even going thru pressure test etc..

This post has been edited by littlefire: Jan 25 2023, 09:12 AM

b 系列漏水不漏油
my fren told me tis enjin leak water, no leak oils
own experience is turbo there obvious wet mark. leak until coolant finish.
replaced 4 digit 2nd hand parts.

aftermarket B&W for G20? good to know its an option.

Very very costly though..

https://www.aktivtuning.com/collections/aud...em-retrofit-g2x

I wonder if that will void the car's warranty. 5k, is about the price for B&W. Their headphones is 2k onwards, so 5k is about just about right price.

That 5k is just to replace the speakers, theres also the RAM module, subwoofer, amplifiers . Looking at over 25k for a full set

If got concern about car's warranty, BMW got upgrade options in-house.
it can be purchased additionally, it is knew as retrofit hi-fi kit depending on brand & how deep your pocket.
You want add LCD screen behind seats also got original BMW retrokit.

Yes, the B48 coolant issues was also mentioned during discussions with BMW Service Assistant during sending the car at SC,

timing chain has no issues for B48, luckily the Timing Chain positions for N20 is in front, no need to take out the engine from the body (estimated RM 1,500 to replace the chain & guide)

However, the most silly was everyone at SC discouraged to change Gearbox Oil, as there was a case - Gearbox became malfunction after replace the Oil & Pan, even one of my friends (Honda SC Mgr) experienced that, Gearbox became jerking & hesitate to change gear, trade in his F30 with new CR-V, mine ZF oil & pan changed at specialist, feels smooth & faster gearshift after service

This post has been edited by samwan_sambadi: Jan 31 2023, 12:25 PM

Nowadays gearbox for newer gen are software lock and only able to reset by certain personal from SC or pay money to open/reprogram
If you never change auto oil for ZF gearbox you need to reset the settings after changing fresh oil, if not sure jerking & hesitate to change gear as the software inside already adapt suit with the old oil.

If you go for official SC, if not mistaken due to warranty they wont also change the auto oil within warranty period. So call "life time gear oil"
This is also similar to Mazda and other similar car manufacturers nowadays. After warranty period habis, gearbox pun habis lebih kurang sama masa, tukar kereta baru loo..

This post has been edited by littlefire: Jan 31 2023, 04:18 PM

I once was bising with the saleswoman at AB Kuala Lumpur about the gearbox oil change for ZF8HP Gearbox, even she didn't know about the Timing Chain Guide fiasco on N20, nevertheless she called a guy to discuss with me and happened the he is a BMW Genius Product Specialist.

He explained that the 'Lifetime' term was actually 5 years according to BMW standard and is not encourage owner to replace the Gearbox oil due to chance of Malfunction

Yes, it is true that you need to do a proper Gearbox adaptation after flush & fill of new GB Oil (ZF Lifeguard 8), provided with proper bleeding & topup the oil again shortly. (even the bolting sequence on Oil Pan must be correct)

I am very satisfied with the GB Oil change and next changes after 40k of mileage 😁👍🏼

P/S = 1 new unit ZF8HP at SC costing RM40k, Halfcut was RM4,500



This post has been edited by samwan_sambadi: Feb 1 2023, 01:24 AM

Not worth changing new & half-cut nowadays. New service kit (New clutch plates, solenoid vales, etc) for the ZF gearbox is similar & maybe cheaper compare to what the halfcut price, +1~2k workmanship can consider new re-con gearbox with everything new inside. My mechanic already did few ZF gearbox full service kit replacement and the feel is damn responsive and smooth, total around 5~6k the money is worth the full rebuilt.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Feb 1 2023, 09:33 AM

What is the purpose of this sohai tactic lifetime gear oil?. Or they want to milking people money so that customer either change new gearbox after 5 years or buy new car after 5 years.

Then its beat the purpose of free schedule service liao. In the end, better dont have free service la like this. And hopefully got one brave customer bring the car brand into tribunal if indeed they try to cheat customer with this dirty tactics.

Any bros here took delivery of the LCI 330i/320i yet ?

Well their definition of lifetime is the product lifecycle lifetime. My e60 zf6 gearbox which never changed ATF was having E clutch fault at 125k km. It was well over its lifecycle when that happened

For my f30 zf8, i just did the ATF change outside at 80k km as preventive measure while its still under warranty.

Anyway the BSRI is not always about giving your car the best long term reliability. Before the 2015 BSRI revamp, the "free service" interval was at 20k km. Customers who follow their schedule get sludge problems

Even the SA advised me to fork out money for the 10k service in between "free service"

Already in showrooms. First glance:
- rear looks exactly the same, bumper more aggressive
- front grill has too much chrome now. Not sure how it will look in all black grills. Any after shop doing this yet?
- interior dash looks good, similar to Mercedes but slightly curved
There is a new color…slight greenish metallic which looks awesome

The kidney grilles definitely has to be swapped for blacked-out ones.

Saw on car forums during launch, there are these new colours brooklyn grey and skyscraper grey metallic. Both look very nice on the G20.

check out the new M340 LCI on youtube yesterday. it has the black all black grills.

Are those frost colour?

This post has been edited by chriscym: Feb 9 2023, 11:02 AM

I dont think so, bro

I placed booking for 320i with some rebate , but struggling with should I wait for new x1

I have not made booking but kind of having the same dilemma. Tested the current X1 and is a no brainer to go 3 series but all the overseas reviews suggest the new X1 is very different.

Also - I am considering both 330i and 330e and have been really indecisive about it.

330i - the only thing that I wish it has is the adaptive suspension. The passive is too stiff for my liking on 90% of the usage. If it comes with adaptive, then the choice is easy.

330e - I consider this because it has the adaptive suspension (maybe a stupid reason for a lot of people?). Not really concerned on the FC or RV but more on the reliability (more problems?) and I have a noob question - going on a long trip like 700 - 800km, start with full charge, but will it end up dragging the extra weight with absolutely no hybrid advantage if do not re-charge during the 700 - 800km drive? Or it will still have the benefit as it recharges itself? I am talking about a "normal" drive, highway maybe keeping it at 110km - 130km... occasional speed up but that might be just 10% of it....

This post has been edited by bert3227: Feb 14 2023, 02:27 PM

If the frost color is in Malaysia, I bet a lot of potential buyers will be willing to pay a premium for it. It is just so attractive (well, at least from YouTube and overseas' reviews).

This post has been edited by bert3227: Feb 14 2023, 02:31 PM

You get used to the 330i ride quality after some time I'd say

For 330e, I googled and saw this - https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1962540, which fits well with your description above. Not using battery, only ICE (rely on b48 only). He cruised and got about 6L / 100KM of economy.

Realistically, I think it should recharge itself as you brake etc? Efficiency should be slightly better. But no comment about the extra weight.

For comparison when I drove down to Johor on the same day, got 6.5L/100km with ~200kg of passenger (4 pax). Also fairly heavy footed myself

Anyways, also sharing some other reviews I've read (https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1745449), and (https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1673902). Hopefully it helps!

Yeah agree, the new x1 looks cool. And my family keep insisting for a first and only SUV 😅

330i without a doubt. If 330e, might as well go for a full electric like ix.

330i ride is amazing and you will like it after a while.

Yes, you might burn more petrol with the extra weight. But let's be realistic la, why are you worried about FC with the current RON95 price? If you are worried about FC then you should get proper FC efficient car. Say 2l per 100km different in FC, it's RM4+ for 100km. if you travel 2000km per month, it's RM80+ different. Given that you can afford 330i or 330e, RM80+ is barely a slightly good meal with your partner, and how many good meals you have each mth without thinking much?

RV definitely not amazing la, i'll rather buy a slightly used authorized 2nd hand, maybe demo or manager car.

yes agree with you, I think FC is not an issue, even for me as my company is paying for the fuel. But what the 330e has that the 330i doesn't is the adaptive suspension.

Maybe a Mercedes will be better for you if you are into comfortable drive

As mentioned, I am not concerned on the FC/RV. The question on the highway cruising without charge is for me to understand how it works under that condition/circumstance (that's why I said "benefit" rather than consumption, for example, do I still get that "instant torque" etc)

I guess sometimes it is not just purely which car/brand can overcome the shortcoming that we are concerned about (yes, it may not be a concern to another person, it could even be advantage). Merc may (I have not tried the W206) give u the comfort but it does not give you the rest of the things that a BMW offers. Sometimes it is also brand preferences to certain extend where we try to find ways to make it "work" within a brand, hoping that will be a solution (like BMW will eventually offer adaptive on 330i or get convinced that the passive is not that bad or hey... PHEV actually has no issue at all)... I guess that's the fun part about throwing the so called "concern" in the forum so others with actual experiences on either of those cars can comment or feedback if those concerns are even valid.... or if they came across the same and how they overcame it and got to the decision that they have made...

This post has been edited by bert3227: Feb 15 2023, 10:00 PM

I would suggest Volvo S60 / V60 if looking for comfort drive

They hybrid is pretty much useless on highway (talking about long distance highway not the KL city highway), i would switch to pure ICE mode when i go over 80km/h, unless its a short journey or journey within my hybrid / pure battery range. In fact I do charge the car with the engine when im on highway (JB - KL), to prepare the car for jam around seremban area. In jam i either go hybrid or pure EV, depending on the speed of traffic. Summary, for me, hybrid / EV useful in city, slow or jam traffic, instant torque also not super nice / fun in this scenario, just wanna find some comfort in jam. High speed just a waste of battery. Instant torque is fun only when you wanted to have some fun and the road / traffic condition allows.

This post has been edited by hungrygodzilla: Feb 16 2023, 01:26 PM

The 330i M-Sport now comes standard with M Adaptive suspension.
Makes this a more attractive proposition as compared to the 330e hybrid, aside from the price.

330i now with adaptive suspension is a good alternative to 330e

exactly i think now the issue with 330i harsh suspension is fixed with adaptive suspension. so the option between 330i and 330e is very clear and more fairly comparable.

Besides for those who can enjoy corporate fleet discount , 330e is not eligible for it, while 330i is eligible for 4% rebate.

I tested the 330i LCI with M sport suspension, actually I think the ride is acceptable for me, knowing the fact this is a sports sedan, there should be some compromise on comfort, but I am sure also many cant accept the harshness of the ride. But the M Adaptive Suspension came in the right time that I decided to opt for 330i with M Adaptive Suspension.

This post has been edited by chriscym: Mar 20 2023, 03:04 PM

Any idea when a 330i test drive car with the M-Active Susp will be available ?

no idea, some dealers doesnt have test drive cars also. I went to Auto Bavaria the one at Ara Damansara. U can check that dealer

Apparently it is hard to find test drive car even before the update

Don't think they will have test car 330i with adaptive suspension so soon

I suggest u can test 330e for the suspension
And 330i for the power train

Have you taken delivery of your 320i LCI yet ?
Or gotten the 330i with M adaptive suspension ?

hi guys, might be a noob question, but can pre lci g20 330i be retrofitted with adaptive m suspension?

This post has been edited by vinoth: Jul 14 2023, 11:28 AM

People are removing it, while you wan retrofit.. Better get better aftermarket shocks like those Bilstein/ KW/ Koni if your current absorbers already wear, easier to maintain and less issues in long run..

Ohh.. dint know that ppl are removing the adaptive m suspension which comes with the car