Asking BMW - Difference Between 320i and 328i | F30 Review

I decided to answer your most asked question to BMW, "what is the difference between the N20, 320i, and 328i BMW. This is based on what the dealership advises, a more detailed video will be coming out soon, if this video gets more than 500 likes, I will produce a solid video with all the facts on the differences.

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My name is Brian P Alvarez, and I drive a 2016 F30.

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[winston]

new 320i owner here and i love it. at the end of the day there’s always a car that’s gonna be faster than yours

[JackKello]

Bro,

There is *ONE* major difference between the engines.
The 320i has a higher compression ratio of 11.3:1
The compression ratio for the 328i is 10:1

Why is that?
Higher compression means more effective engine and better fuel economy. the downsize is that you can't have high boost.
The stock boost for the 328i is 17psi which gives an effective compression ratio of 21.56:1
If you tune the 320i to 17 psi you will have a much higher effective compression ratio of 24.37:1, which could cause "knock" and engine failure.

[lightningcyber]

I like how the lady explained it. She kept it simple, straight to the point. The guy was kinda everywhere.

[krystianrebowski]

The 20i and 28i cars have been confirmed a long time ago to have different piston heads giving them different compression ratios. They are more differences than just the "tune"

[The_Truth]

BMW has been doing this since way back when. E46 came with a M54 motor, which was used in the 320i, 325i, 328i as well as the 330i. Whilst the engine block was the same, there would be small but critical differences which made a huge difference in power and performance. For e.g. The intake manifolds where different, with 330i having the biggest. Tune was different, throttle actuator, etc. BMW is still doing the same thing with the N20.

[Arcolion]

differences between a N20 320i and N20 328i : 1) different pistons 2) lower compression ration on the 328i engine wich results in a bigger potential for tuning (less engine knock). a 320i can be tuned all oem witout bolt ons to 280 hp, a 328i will do 295 - 300 hp. once you put on bolt ons, the 328i engine wit the lower compression ratio will extend that lead and go well over 320 - 325 hp. Also te proshaft and final gearing ARE different, a 320i with bolt ons results in transmition problems.

[carsinourdna]

Good video👍🏼, love the way you describe and talked to BMW dealers and ask for their opinion. keep it up, congratulations for your new 440i

[TechTokOffical]

These numbers used to mean something, now they are just nostalgic...like my e36 328i has a 2.8l motor while the 320i has a 2.0.

[isaiahdiaz]

The 328i has forged pistons as well, it’s way better than a 320

[gustavocobra]

328i is the same car but much better performance and monster acceleration, don't waste time with 320s since maintenance are exact the same price

[imrankabir]

IMO, randomly check and compare part numbers, like the charge pipe, turbo, manifolds, injectors. If they match, then it's the factory tuning. I saw a similar thing in JDM Toyotas. For example: 3SGE engine was put into various cars and SUVs with different power output within the same year. As it turns out, they changed some small components and the ECU. And since they don't need programming like BMW, we just sourced those parts and the ECU, voila. Instant gain. That's why people love these vehicles, they are like Lego.

[Reaper_f]

from watching this and you talking about the 320 and 328i i assume its the n20 engine
thoughts on getting a 320i f30 b48 184bhp to the level of a 330i f30 b48 250ish bhp?? im looking into doing this to my 320i b48 2018

[PokeFlexii]

whats more reliable ?
F30 or E90 ?
I know it depends on the maintance and driver but if we just compare those cars, wich one is more reliable ?
Wich one has the higher prive per maintance Ratio if something brakes ?

[kennkart]

Brian. Where did you get that jacket? Looks dope tho. Care to share where to buy it?

[mike]

Great video, good to know. I'm interested in the actual differences between the two motors

[spingybingy]

I've had a 320 and now onto a 328i. In the uk at least the 328i is much rarer and ends up costing quite a bit more. Out the factory the 328 is a different animal. 0 to 60 in 5.9. Genuinely quick for a standard car. The 320 wasnt slow by any means but a night and day difference. I'm pretty sure in a str8 light traffic shootout my 328 would leave the 320 for dead. My research led me to believe they both had the same 2 litre engine but the 28 had better cooling as well and like you said other rumours but nothing confirmed. I know in the uk as soon as you tune, you not only invalidate your insurance but you also ruin your warranty and most people don't want to buy a tuned car. If this isn't an issue it just makes more sense to run the tune on a 320 and save the money ( and have a bigger pool to buy from) Just for info the 330 is pretty much the facelift lci 328. I love my 328, only criticism is the rough idle. My dream is to get the extra 2 cylinders and get a 340 next. :) great vid mate

[NzScruff]

Got a 2014 320i F31 N20 in NZ. From my research, its the compression is different between the 320i and 328i. Havent confirmed if other parts are different or the same. I know they improved the later N20 motors to stop them from getting issues with timing chain (well reduce the risk). So if you had to choose between a 2012 and a 2014/15 i would always go for the newer N20 motor. Build up from there.

[spiritualaries]

Can you always drive a 320 in sport mode? or only when you need to go fast . My first bmw .n dealer told me it had 250 horsepower I see now that was wrong I have a 2016 320xi can you explain about the sport mode thanks for video . My choice was between 338i 100k at 15k or a 2016 320 37k mi at 21k n perfect condition I chose the 320 n I'm also wondering how long till anything goes ...n I hope I can learn to keep iit maintained correctly watching videos to learn. Thank you.

[socalnitro]

I’ve got a 2016 320i. Love it. 36 mpg. 90k miles on the original timing chain. 🤟🏻

[jachinchetty]

@f30Fans I have a question for you guys
Does the 320i lci have the same N20 and the prelci or does it have a new b48 motor??