US magazine Jalopnik says that $35,000 can buy the best sports sedan in North America. And that sports sedan is the new 2013 BMW 320i. Matt Hardigree of Jalopnik specced out a 320i with the ZSP and ZMT packages that give the ultimate sedan.
“What if I told you there’s a new, RWD, German sedan with a manual transmission, sport-tuned suspension, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, and 18-inch wheels that you could get for $34,745 with the destination?,” says Hardigree.
In bimmer geeky terms, ZSP stands out for the Sport Package while ZMT means that manuals are not yet dead in the United States.
The cool part about the ZSP package for the 3 Series is that it adds high performance summer tires with 18-inch wheels, M sport suspension, increased speed limiter and Anthracite headliner.
Our own Hugo Becker said back in February that “the entry into the BMW brand in the US has always been the 3 series, and as the 3 series has grown in size, power and features, it’s affordability has declined. BMW has recognized this and has introduced the 320i (let’s think of it as the successor to the 318i). This is the car that a younger buyer can stretch the budget to get. It will deliver the essence of the Ultimate Driving Machine at a price that makes sense.”
Sporting a TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine, the new BMW 320i Sedan went on sale this Spring. The 2.0 liter TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine produces 180 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 200 lb-ft of torque from 1,250 rpm – 4,500 rpm. 0-60 mph acceleration for the 320i Sedan is estimated to require only 7.1 seconds with either transmission choice. Top speed is an electronically-limited 130 mph.
And now the best part. Preliminary fuel consumption estimates for the 320i with 6-speed manual transmission are 22 City / 34 Highway, while 23 City / 33 Highway are estimated for the 320i equipped with 8-speed automatic.
So, if you’re looking for a great bimmer and you’re on a budget, look no further. Especially since that four-cylinder banger can be tuned up, at a minimal cost.
If you had $35,000, what BMW would you buy today?
