The 328i sedan is BMW's entry-level ultimate driving machine here in the US. Last redesigned in 2006, the car boasts yet another variation of the long-hood-short-deck shape that's been a 3-series hallmark since the early 90s. For 2007, the 3-series gets a boost in power and new model names: The 325 becomes the 328 as horsepower rises by 15 to 230; the 330 becomes the 335 with a turbocharger that boosts horsepower from 255 to 300.Yes, the 328i is good to drive, but that's hardly the only reason to buy it. The 3-series is exceptionally well thought out, showing the sort of attention to detail that made Japanese automakers famous. Furthermore -- and this is something I never thought I'd write about a BMW -- the 328i delivers surprisingly good value for money.
The 328i including destination charge, with automatic headlights, dual-zone climate control, sunroof, and safety kit galore, including front-seat-mounted torso and side-curtain airbags, four wheel antilock disc brakes, and electronic stability control. My tester added genuine leather seats (heated and power adjustable in front), dynamic cruise control, and other goodies.
Of all this car's attributes, it was the interior that impressed me most. A tilt and telescope steering wheel helps drivers of all shapes get comfortable. Front Seats have a slide-out thigh bolster, giving taller drivers the same thigh support usually reserved for us short people. My car had an airy and bright tan interior, but the dashboard was thoughtfully topped in glare-cutting black.
The back seat is designed with a nice long bottom cushion, favoring the reality of good thigh support over the illusion of more legroom (in truth, there's plenty of both). The LATCH child seat anchors are easy to access, and the center headrest folds down so it won't block the driver's view out the rear window. The trunk is small, but since the 328i comes with run-flat tires (and, ergo, no spare tire), there's extra storage space below the trunk floor.
The 328i's interior has two glaring faults. First, the seat belts aren't height adjustable, so drivers have to rely on the seat-height adjustment to ensure the seat belt lies properly on their shoulder. Virtually every other car on the market has height adjustable belts; why BMW missed this is beyond me. Second, split-folding rear seats don't come standard.
Other complaints are typical German foibles: Some of the secondary controls are labeled ambiguously, and the cupholders won't accommodate the huge cups and bottles of which we Americans are so fond.
I found the 328i's 230 horsepower engine to be very powerful and flexible, and the six-speed manual was an absolute delight to use. My observed fuel economy - 23 MPG - was par for the mid-size six-cylinder course. Frankly, I think the 3-series could do with a smaller and more fuel-efficient engine, but less power wouldn't really fit with BMW's image.
I pushed the 328i hard on my favorite twisty road; the steering was lovely and the tires almost uniformly refused to give up their grip. When I got going too fast, the stability control system would cut in suddenly and decisively. After a while, though, I stopped pushing and slackened my pace. Was the handling good? Definitely. But was it fun? Not as much as I expected. The Bimmer felt bored, as if I wasn't taking advantage of its superior handling abilities. But doing so would require driving at speeds much faster than I consider to be prudent -- and trust me, I drive this particular road pretty darn fast.
