FCP Euro - BMW F30 328 si

What is the 328si?

Is this F30 328i what BMW meant when they coined the phrase “The Ultimate Driving Machine”? We think so…

While many identify the silky smooth straight six or the grunty high revving V8-powered M cars as the best of the best, we implore you to remember the cars that put BMW on the map and helped them establish the ultimate driving machine.

Some of these cars are the 2002s of the late sixties and early seventies. A car pushed the limits of a small four-seater - especially the Ti, Tii, and Turbo models. A few year later, we have the first three series-based M car, the almighty e30 M3. The car that rewrote the script of what a small sedan could be and in its racing car form still holds the title for the most winningest touring car in history. Furthermore, the BMW e36 318 and 320 dominated the race tracks throughout the nineties - cementing BMW’s M as the authentic enthusiast brand. Finally, we had the e90 320si, a car built specifically to allow a high-revving, lightweight version of the e90 to be homologated for the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) competition.

So… what do all these cars have in common with our 328i “s”? They all share the same inline four-cylinder type engine that put BMW on the map!

To us, this car celebrates the humble beginnings of BMW and how they valued actual performance over all else. Do you feel this still rings true?

The F30 Platform

One of the best-value chassis BMW offers, the BMW F30 comes in multiple body styles and drive types to fit every buyer, no matter what they need. Overall, these BMWs are fairly reliable and only require basic maintenance or minor updates to bring back to like-new operation. Instead of spending your money fixing these cars, you can instead spend it on modifications to bolster the performance or simply make it your own.

The F30 is the sixth generation 3-series produced from 2012-2018 and was available as a sedan, wagon, or lift-back GT model. The 3-series coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe all became the 4-series but shared most of the F30 powertrains and options. The F30 was available in the U.S. with 4 and 6-cylinder gasoline engines and 4-cylinder diesel engines in both AWD and RWD. As for transmissions, the F30 used either a ZF 8-speed auto or 6-speed manual. The F30 was updated in 2016 with new models, engines, options, interior/exterior trims, and more. Since the M3 was so vastly different from the non-M model, it got the internal code F80 and featured a twin-turbocharged straight-six mated to either a 7-speed DCT or 6-speed manual.

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The Build, At a Glance:

Body

M Sport bumper conversion, RW Carbon front splitters, RW Carbon side skirt extensions, RW Carbon M Performance style spoiler, RW Carbon M Performance style diffuser

Engine

MHI TD04L6R-04H*20TKS3-6T turbocharger, GFB turbo cut-off valve upgrade, Wagner high flow catted downpipe, MMR charge pipe kit (hot and cold side), MMR billet oil filter housing cover, N20 upgraded antislip timing components, Bootmod3 stage 2 tune, Eldor ignition coils, NGK 97506 spark plugs (regapped to 0.56mm/0.022”), 034 Motorsport engine mounts, Aluminum oil pan, FCP Euro bolt-on oil pan baffle (in development), Remus catback exhaust

Drivetrain

BMW M Performance 215mm limited slip differential (3:23:1), 35mm manual trans 335i/340i axles, 034 Motorsport differential mount inserts, 034 Motorsport transmission mounts

Cooling

CSF Racing 2-Row 42mm core performance radiator, CSF Racing matte black stepped intercooler, M Sport cooling system upgrade (two auxiliary radiators w/ factory rock guards), Rein aluminum Mickey Mouse coolant hose flange

Suspension

Bilstein B16 Damptronic suspension kit (retains factory EDC), F8X front control arms with Synco Design Works thrust arm monoball bushing, SPL Parts rear control arms, SPL Parts traction arm bearing, SPL Parts sway bar links, Rear camber arm eccentric lockout (set to max track width), 034 Motorsport front and rear sway bar kit, 034 Motorsport billet subframe mount insert kit, 034 Motorsport billet differential mount insert kit, F8X transmission tunnel cross brace

Brakes

BMW M Performance brake calipers, BMW M Performance brake rotors (370x30mm front, 345x24mm rear), Ferodo DS2500 brake pads, Stoptech stainless steel flex lines

Wheels / Tires

Apex SM10 18x9 ET30, Toyo Proxes R1R 255/35-18

Fluids

Pentosin Pento High Performance 5W30, Pentosin ATF8 transmission fluid, Pentosin Pentofros NF antifreeze, Pentosin DOT 4 LV brake fluid

Special Thanks to our Friends, Partners, & Parts

The 328si wouldn't exist without the assistance of some incredible partners along the way and we extend a special thank you to out friends at Rein, 034 Motorsport, Bilstein, CSF, and Toyo Tires

Can 4 of a Kind Beat a Straight 6? BMW’s N20 Enters the Chat

BMW has had plenty of time in the spotlight; celebrated for its engine offerings and sublime chassis balance. But what if certain models don't get as much credit as what's due? The S54s, S65s, and S85s are beloved by all for their power and sound, but their seldom-seen characteristics overshadow the backbone of the sports sedan: the humble, turbocharged inline-four.

Cue our F30 328i and its N20 engine. You can't talk about BMWs these days without hearing that they're not what they used to be, and the F30 is a driving force behind those sentiments. Those cries are cheap answers to a complex discussion, and FCP Euro's BMW faithful were tired of hearing it.