BMW 320i 2017 Review

How much does it cost?
While BMW lists the 320i from $62,500 (plus on-road costs), like most prestige brands there’s a long, pricey options list. Included with our test car were the M Sport Package (which includes M steering wheel, M aerodynamics package, ‘Dakota’ leather upholstery, LED fog lights, ambient lights, anthracite headliner and Aluminium Hexagon interior trim for $4154), electric glass sunroof ($2245), metallic paint ($1490), Navigation system Professional ($1154), 19in BMW M alloy wheels ($615) and ‘Fineline’ anthracite wood and pearl gloss chrome interior inlays ($200). All up, the test car was $72,358 (plus on-road costs).

The 320i comes with warranty and roadside assistance for three years/unlimited kilometres. BMW offers a pre-paid, five year/80,000km basic servicing package for $1440 (which covers annual checks, oil, oil filters, air filters, spark plugs and labour as laid out in the service schedule).

If you were to puncture one of the Bridgestone Potenza 225/40R19 run-flat tyres (and don’t get it plugged straight away or if it’s irrevocably damaged), it’ll cost you $397 for a new one.

Why should I buy it?
Not surprisingly, with its silken 2.0-litre engine, the 320i goes hard (although it only really wakes up above 1800rpm). And, the eight-speed automatic transmission is both smooth, and, in ‘Sport’ mode, whip-quick.

A switch to the fuel-saving ‘Eco Pro’ setting keeps the transmission in as tall a gear as possible, which can cause a slight resonance in the cabin when the engine is under load. On test, with mostly highway driving, our fuel consumption averaged 7.5l/100kms.

Naturally, the 320i handles beautifully, but ride quality turns from supple over mild bumps to sharp over bigger ones.

Like all BMWs, the 320i has no spare tyre and no tyre inflation kit. If you do get a puncture, the run-flat tyres are limited to a range of 80km and a maximum speed of 80km/h.

I got two flats on a Sydney-Canberra run. The first (a screw stuck in a tread groove) was plugged before leaving the Emerald City and the second (a split in the sidewall after hitting a pothole) was flagged by the tyre pressure warning system near Lake George - so it was down to 80km/h for the 30km limp into Canberra.

Unfortunately that tyre had to be replaced, a lengthy process which afforded plenty of time to absorb some trinkets about our Nation’s Capital. Bet you didn’t know Canberra is the sister city to Nara, Japan and Beijing, China.

When is it available in Australia?
BMW dealers have been selling the 320i in its current form since the 2015 update, and the 3 Series is slated to be refreshed again later this year.

Who will it appeal to?
Singles or couples who prefer a traditional rear-drive sporting sedan and have a hankering for the BMW prestige factor will find great appeal in the 320i. Until they get a tyre puncture on a weekend away in winery country.

Where does it fit?
The 320i is a firm fixture in Australia’s medium >$60k category, notwithstanding the ‘medium’ BMW listing height and length measurements identical to the Honda Civic sedan. It’s the traditional rival of the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and while the 3 Series is edging the A4 for sales so far this year, the ‘Benz is enjoying more than three times the sales volume.

For families with one or two youngsters, the 320i does offer sufficient interior space. But, by the time they grow to lanky teenagers, you’ll need to be thinking of trading-in.

So, what do we think?
On any front, the 320i is a convincing advocate for the BMW way of doing things, in particular perceived quality, excellent powertrain and chassis. However the F30 model is becoming dated, as evidenced by its lack of contemporary technology as simple as an electronic park brake, for example. And the run-flat tyres? They do nothing for ride quality and are no fun when you do get a puncture.

2017 BMW 320i M Sport pricing and specifications:
Price: $62,500 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 135kW/270Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 134g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Related reading:
>> BMW 3 Series 2015 Review
>> Medium Prestige Car 2016 Comparison

BMW 320 i Sport Line shown for illustrative purposes