[capt_slow]

I'm by no means a driving expert nor have I played one on TV. So take what I say with a grain of salt.

I just got to spend a week with a base 320xi loaner w/o DHP and I honestly felt that it was quicker and more responsive off the line than my 328xi. I realize they are both '14s, both have the same N20/N26 engine, and both have the same 8AT tranny, but the 320i is just tuned down.

The best way I can describe the difference is that power in the 328 is either muted by the 8AT or delayed from turbo-lag. I'm not saying it's because of that, it's just my observation after being in the driver's seat for 8 months. I did code the Sports Auto Tranny into my 328 and it still didnt feel as peppy as the loaner.

That said, I dont have any regrets on my 328. It drives great and power is more than enough for me. I was just surprised a 320 felt quicker.

My 328 is going back to the dealer for a different issue, but I'm hoping to get a 328 loaner to see the differences. In the meantime, does anyone think I'm crazy?

[BMWFanatic2008]

Something's wrong with your car. I drove both for an extensive period of time and 328 felt stronger at any speed.

[capt_slow]

I'll definitely bring this up to the SA at next week's visit. I'm just not sure what the tech will find (if anything).

[300hp]

I drove a 328i and a 320i back to back. No doubt the 328i is faster

[justinnum1]

hey op, just curios, do you have one exhaust pipe or two?

[newoldbeemer]

No way the 320i feels quicker than the 328i if everything is normal. Do have your car checked.

[613Bimmer]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

hey op, just curios, do you have one exhaust pipe or two?

Lol

[Luongo]

Maybe the loaner 320xi had a hard break-in as in "drive like you stole it" while you followed the BMW recommendation of "drive like a granny until 1,200 miles"???

[tturedraider]

No comment to make on your experience, but I'll say this - I was really pleased with the 320i the first time I drove it. My very first thought as I pulled out and gave it the gas was that I could really enjoy this car as a daily driver.

[Dcarter15]

Definitely something wrong. I have a 320i and got a 328i loaner once and I was surprised how much faster it pulled. Very noticeable difference.

[capt_slow]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

hey op, just curios, do you have one exhaust pipe or two?

I had to check just to be sure, but yep: two pipes.

Originally Posted by Luongo

Maybe the loaner 320xi had a hard break-in as in "drive like you stole it" while you followed the BMW recommendation of "drive like a granny until 1,200 miles"???

I definitely drive it like a granny.

Yesterday, I let a friend drive the car for a little bit. Coming from a beater Pontiac Grand Am, she also noticed that the car had trouble "pulling" from a stop. Given that peak torque is at 1250rpm and stay flat from there, I definitely dont see that in 1st or 2nd. In those gears, I can hit 2500 or so and wont feel any "oomph".

The car is going back Wednesday for a separate issue, but I'm having them look at this too. Going to see if I can score a 328 loaner instead of a 320, just for a nice sanity check.

[capt_slow]

I'm dropping off the car at the dealer tomorrow. So I thought I add some data points for the record

1. I've been observing the Sport Displays and noticed that measured torque is anywhere between 80-200 ft-lb on a normal red light start. Comfort stays on the low end of 80-160 ft-lb, while Sport can hit up to 200 ft-lb. Both are in full auto mode. Not sure how reliable are the displays, but just throwing it up there for info.
2. I driven in Sport w/o M/S a few times on local roads and found the transmission to be jerky during shifts.
3. Using the M lap timer app, 0-60 in Sport w/ tranny in M/S is around 9.7s.
4. For the noise that the engine was making (2000-2500rpm), I was expecting to pull more Gs when moving through the first 3 gears.

Then again...

I'm by no means a lead foot. I tend to ease into the accelerator during a start rather than stab into it.

[300hp]

Those sport displays can be revealing. My old 13 had problems with the engine. One time when the check engine light was on I went wot and of course the power was more like a Corrolla except In this case the car weighed 3700 lbs. sure enough the sport displays never exceeded 150/150. To the extent that you have no aftermarket performance mods I believe those displays give you a good sense of what's going on with the engine

[mike@x-ph.com]

As mentioned about the 328 should be faster that the 320 .
Get the dealership to take a look at it

[BMWFanatic2008]

Originally Posted by capt_slow

[*]Using the M lap timer app, 0-60 in Sport w/ tranny in M/S is around 9.7s.

M Laptimer isn't super accurate but 9.7s is crazy slow (4-cyl Altima is faster than that). There is certainly something wrong with your car.

[tallshortguy]

Originally Posted by capt_slow

I'm dropping off the car at the dealer tomorrow. So I thought I add some data points for the record

1. I've been observing the Sport Displays and noticed that measured torque is anywhere between 80-200 ft-lb on a normal red light start. Comfort stays on the low end of 80-160 ft-lb, while Sport can hit up to 200 ft-lb. Both are in full auto mode. Not sure how reliable are the displays, but just throwing it up there for info.
2. I driven in Sport w/o M/S a few times on local roads and found the transmission to be jerky during shifts.
3. Using the M lap timer app, 0-60 in Sport w/ tranny in M/S is around 9.7s.
4. For the noise that the engine was making (2000-2500rpm), I was expecting to pull more Gs when moving through the first 3 gears.

Then again...

I'm by no means a lead foot. I tend to ease into the accelerator during a start rather than stab into it.

328xi should be like 5.4s 0 to 60, easily under 6s without launch control. Yeah something's wrong with the car like others have said.

[capt_slow]

Thanks for all the feedback!

Turned the car over to the dealer and they are going to have a look at it. SA asked if they could put 100-ish miles on it for troubleshooting and diagnostics, I was OK with it. Despite the fact I'm on a 10k/year lease.

I got a 328xi loaner and honestly havent driven it enough to give any feedback. Going to put a full tank of 92 in it after work. It's non-nav though, so no sport displays.

[capt_slow]

According to them, my unrelated issue could be causing this.

According to the SA, a bad DHP acceleration sensor and wiring harness threw the "Chassis: Drive Moderately" message (and codes), which could also put the car in a reduced power mode. Not exactly reduced enough to indicate a problem, but probably enough to notice what I'm seeing. Other than that idea, the SA hasnt heard back from the techs on power concern. Thoughts?

On a different note, the loaner feels a tad quicker than my car. However, that small perceived difference could easily be the different throttle learning between the two cars.