Lil4X

Back late in the heyday of the muscle car, it was the 2002 tii that put BMW on the map in the us.



In 1972-1974, the 1990 cc, 130 hp, SOHC 4 was sufficient to move the 2002 tii to 60 mph in about 9.8 sec, but it wasn't about speed, but refinement. The Kugelfischer injection system, unique to the tii, gave the little engine amazing mid and high range torque that translated into a pretty impressive shove in the backside when snicking the 4M tranny through the gears. This new to the US Bimmer started the trend to upscale leather-lined sport sedans that could be had on a workingman's paycheck. Even with power front discs and rear drums, the distinctive (not to say odd-looking) little 2-door set the benchmark for handling and high-speed touring on American roads with a level of refinement not previously seen on these shores. Sure, they were pricey for a "small" car at the time, but a better driving car couldn't be had for less.

mrraider

Same engine. Less boost. There may be other differences in intake, exhaust, and turbo size I'm not aware of. But the internals are the same.

It costs BMW virtually nothing to produce this car alongside the 328i. If they can scrounge up a few more customers, they will be happy. Since they are offering it in x drive format, it will sell big in Canada, and probably challenge the low c250 and a4 for the top spot of poseur grocery getter.

Blackraven

Just a second guys:

If a BMW 320i is acceptable (in America), then how come the Infiniti G25 didn't work in Stateside?

ydooby

This may help answer that.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html

mrraider

The review is a joke. They trashed the Regal even though it's faster and handles better than half the cars on the list. The Benz got a pass, with a weak sauce engine. The BMW is loaded to the gills and costs 10K more than the Buick. I do agree that the S60 is an excellent car though.

SteVTEC

The G25 failed in the market because Infiniti didn't even offer navigation as an option on it. Also, Infiniti captured their portion of the market with the G by offering buyers significantly more power than BMW was offering at the time for a lot less money. So power is more of a priority with the brand.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Right, no navigation and honestly for a few thousand more you could get a 100 more horsepower and only get dinged 2mpg across city and highway.

My0gr81

The point being that this model is not new for NA, just new south of the 49th.

Yanz

It's on bmwusa.com now. not as many options available for it. ~38k with premium package and non metallic paint for the 320i with destination charge included.

When I looked at a few dealers, they were >95% 328xi versus 335xi, I wonder what the ratio will be now.

SteVTEC

I just looked at it and I might as well get a 328i based on how the options are setup. The "must have" feature for my wife and I is memory power seats given that I'm 6'3" and she's 5'2". The only way to get that on the 320i is in the Premium Package which throws in a bunch of stuff that I'd just assume go without if the point was to save money. That's a standard feature on the 328i, unbundled from everything else. So the actual price difference between the two cars for me would only be a grand or two based on how I'd order them. Might as well just get the 328.

mrraider

BMW Canada just added a 328i "classic" line with plastic seats, below the luxury/modern lines. Might as well get that, since you can get nav as an option.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

what? lol. I don't follow, what does that look like

GFerg

You stick to it when you try to get out.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Looks like both my grandparents plastic covered living room furniture years back.Yes,I'm 100% Italian.

mrraider

Ahhh... yes. In autospeak, it's called leatherette, Artico, or NuLuxe.