The Euro BMW I'd import is pretty new, and makes 175hp.

"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
11/09/2014 at 20:27 • Filed to: None

It's the 320si: a 175hp homologation special 3 series for the very successful and nearly identical WTCC race car (2,500 were made). Lightweight 2 liter 4 cylinder hand built in the F1 engine shop, weighs 800 pounds less than its 335i brethren. It has a completely revised suspension and all M-sport package features standard and sits on the same wheels as the race car. It ditches extra moving parts for ITBs, and sends the power to a 4.10 LSD. Peak power doesn't come until 7,000 RPM, the engine bay is a display of carbon fiber, and for longevity on the track it uses a heavily beefed up cooling system. More impressively, it's still capable of 140 MPH and 32 MPG in mixed driving. Despite not being incredibly fast, one could argue that this handling machine is as close as BMW ever got to the E30 M3.

DISCUSSION (27)

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/09/2014 at 20:29

I just learned that existed but wow I want it badly because homologation

Conan > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/09/2014 at 20:31

Oh my gosh. It'd be really keen if you could just Euro delivery it.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
11/09/2014 at 20:31

I know! Something else that makes it feel really exotic is that they didn't ship it over here because it runs on 95 octane :(

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/09/2014 at 20:32

UH OH FOUND ONE FOR SALE

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/us…

Kanaric > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/09/2014 at 20:49

If you like this why not find a 318ti club sport?

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Conan
11/09/2014 at 20:50

If only...

There's no chance of something like this happening twice, though! We'll just have to wait until 2030.

Milky > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/09/2014 at 20:55

170hp, 148lb-ft, 0-60 in 8.1 & it still weights 3,000 pounds. Sorry but no.

How does a 2L with ITB's in 2005 only make 170HP?!

AM3R > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/09/2014 at 21:28

suddenly I hate my E90..

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Milky
11/09/2014 at 21:45

It weighs 2,900 pounds, and the ITBs are not in favor of power but engine longevity on the track. This car is made to be many things, but fast isn't one of them. If someone offered me the keys to this and the keys to the M4, I'd be really disappointed if I didn't have a blast driving the 320si.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > AM3R
11/09/2014 at 21:47

Haha well your E90 is a way better daily driver! And I'm not just talking about manual vs auto, this is basically built as a 3 series built on a back-to-basics sports car.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
11/09/2014 at 22:06

I really hope by the time these are 25 years old they aren't too expensive. I really would import one—they're so interesting and they are just so different from what today's BMW would waste money on. (Cough, X6, cough). But, seriously, what happened?

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Kanaric
11/09/2014 at 22:07

I don't know why exactly, but this car appeals to me a lot more. I like the 318ti a lot, but something about the 320si is really special.

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/09/2014 at 22:09

Good fuckin question. If you imported one of these, and it broke, you'd never be able to find that replacement part.

but WORTH IT

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro
11/09/2014 at 22:17

It would be tricky. Granted, it would be anywhere. These engines were hand built next to F1 motors with really low production parts. Porsche has that classic garage where they have every part ever an you can send your car there if you have money coming out of your ass, but what happens when some crappy mechanic cracks the carbon fiber cylinder head cover on your 4 cylinder E90? Either way, I agree that it's worth it. A rare European homologation special that doesn't ooze expensiveness or pretentiousness but is built to be an unassuming driver's car basically describes this car alone.

E92M3 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/09/2014 at 22:19

Never knew it existed. Still I think I'd get M235i over it. Or even a 135i with some tweaks.

AM3R > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/09/2014 at 22:23

I totally wouldn't mind that.

Idk if you've ever seen the 335i track car build by "turb0mik3on E90post, but if it were a N52 it would be perfect. Just too many problems running a heavily modded N54..

Kinja'd!!!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > E92M3
11/09/2014 at 22:25

I'm not so big on the turbocharged BMWs but that's a logical way to go. I'd have to drive this car, but it has more character, a better story, and I'm guessing a much more involving experience behind the wheel. This is a driver's car through and through.

Milky > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/09/2014 at 22:31

But ITBs normally means you spent a lot of money on an engine … and this thing makes the BRZ's engine look like a power house. And 7k rpm isn't that impressive when its V8 rev'd past 8k imo.

Not trying to be a party pooper, but damn 8.1 to 60 means this has to be one of the slowest homologation specials ever.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > AM3R
11/09/2014 at 22:31

Wow, that is gorgeous. I've seen the second picture before but didn't know the car, but throw in an N52, valvetronic full lock, race cam, flowed head, race headers, and tune and I think you'll have a pretty trouble free experience. I'd like to know how he's combating heatsoak, though! A guy in the UK is running that setup in a 130i race car and making 335hp @7200. I'd love to bring a 320si over for track days, though.

AM3R > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/09/2014 at 22:43

I know he had some cooling issues, i'll try to read through some of his threads and find out how he solved it tomorrow, it's actually pretty interesting stuff!

E92M3 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/10/2014 at 07:02

I can see your point. Some people enjoy wringing a car out for all it's got to infinite RPMs. I just imagine it being like a slower S2000 experience. It's heavier and has 20% less HP. Personally I'd rather have torque that can break the rear tires loose exiting a corner with a dab of throttle. High RPM NA cars can be great fun on the track, but will wear you down driving around town. Going up to 8k RPM just to leave a red light at an average pace gets old after a while.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > E92M3
11/10/2014 at 09:12

I definitely agree with you on a lot of points, and as someone who drives with 100 more ft/lb than hp under their right foot I can attest to the fun of torque. And in a lot of BMWs, I think I'd enjoy the extra torque (anything larger than a 3 series for sure) but since this car weighs only 2,900 pounds and has such a race car derived engine, I'm speculating it's a bit more fun than a 335i. In a 1 series, I'd definitely want the 128i or 130i; more than enough torque (although this 20si would probably not) for the weight of the car and a fantastic top-end. In a 3 series, I see both being nice to have, and while I think I'd like the 335i as much as the 330i or LCI N52 328i (255hp), I can keep the running costs and overall weight lower while choosing one of the latter. Also, that gives around $5,000 in room for modification over a similarly optioned, similar condition 335i and a heatsoak free, revvy car for track days and nice drives. Both are good options, though. I'd like to have seen them put the N53 in a 2 series and keep the N52 in the Z4 (both 130i and Z4 weighing around 3,100 lbs in that configuration) but I'll be content with the awesome used choices from here on out

Too many M's > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/10/2014 at 14:41

Definitely a unique choice. I see them at the 'Ring periodically and they are quite understated. Only the wheels make them standout from the rest but they certainly hassle the hot-hatches.

Hopefully when they're eligible for import you can find a decent mechanic to maintain it or do it yourself. That would be the biggest challenge I think for owning it in the states.

Hmmm....doesn't seem to be stopping me from looking on mobile.de :)

Here's a review from Fifth Gear on it:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GT-kru…

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Too many M's
11/10/2014 at 18:56

Yeah, it's funny to think of such a worked over BMW to only hassle hot hatches! Parts would be a major problem, but I guess that comes with the rarity. You should definitely get one... Vicki likes them!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Milky
11/10/2014 at 18:57

It is pretty slow off the line, but otherwise respectable. And I agree; I thought this was really underwhelming when I first saw it a few years ago, but revisiting the car now really makes me think differently of them!

n54 & s38 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
11/11/2014 at 13:12

It does seem like kind of a modern-day E30 M3. Not super fast, but revs for days and tons of fun in the corners.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > n54 & s38
11/11/2014 at 17:18

Yeah, there's something neat about an engineering exercise with racing engineers where BMW says: have a bunch of money, a weak 4 cylinder, and a 3000lb sedan. Now make it engaging to drive and fast on a track. So much can change in 10 years.