With BMW's new 3-Series winning our recent Near-Luxury Sedan Shootout you probably think that we're going to spend the next two years repeatedly gushing over our 328i long-term car. Hmm, well, if that is what you think, you should probably stop reading this car's update right now.
It's not that the car is perfect. We've actually found a few things to complain about regarding the new 3.
Rear-seat access is probably the Bimmer's single-biggest flaw. While the shape of the rear doors makes for an attractive profile, it seriously degrades rear-seat entry and egress. The problem is compounded if you have to install a deluxe baby seat in the 328's rear quarters. The seat itself has to be twisted and tilted just to get through the door opening, and the limited space in the rear-seat area makes strapping down the baby seat a real challenge.
This level of inconvenience would be acceptable if, once the baby seat was installed, the rear-seat issue subsided. But the same lack of space that makes installing the seat a nightmare also contributes to difficulties when moving a child in or out of the seat. Particular care must be taken to avoid "clunking" junior's head on the low roof when sliding him in and out of the seat. Our resident "dad" has deemed the car functional despite these difficulties, but doubts his non-enthusiast wife would be so forgiving. If you're looking for a family car that can transport young children effortlessly, look elsewhere.
This same driver (who had his mind warped by torque-monster muscle cars during his teenage years) wishes the 328i had just a little more "off-the-line" torque. He admits that the double-VANOS valve timing works magnificently to give the BMW plenty of midrange and high-end pull. He even went as far as describing the 328's highway passing power and overall responsiveness as "turbo-like."
Feedback on the Bimmer's GPS navigation system has been generally positive, with a few exceptions. Occasionally, the updates on the car's position don't come fast enough to provide adequate verbal instructions. This means that when the pleasant female voice announces "turn left in one-quarter mile" the turn might actually be only a few hundred feet ahead. This is not a consistent problem and appears to stem from a lack of communication between the car and the GPS satellites. We're not sure what could be causing this communication slow down, but since the GPS satellites were initially military devices, the possibilities are endless. Still, the system did get our managing editor from Pasadena to West Los Angeles in less than an hour on a Friday afternoon. It suggested a route not previously used, or even known, by our editor and deserves credit for ferreting out the most efficient pathway from the morass of L.A. streets. We acknowledge that this is an expensive option, but if you can pop for the extra $1,800, it's well worth it.
Another option worth considering is the $1,350 Sport Package, with its 17-inch wheels, 50-series performance tires, sport suspension and sport seats. This setup transmits the expansion joints of L.A.'s freeways more readily than the stock 16-inch rolling stock, but the payback in performance handling is well worth it if you've got even a smidgen of driving passion. "Moves the spirit while moving the body," commented one staffer.
The brakes also get universal praise for stopping the 328i with authority and confidence. Only the stiff clutch and occasional radio static marred the BMW's otherwise stellar driving experience. The sound system's bass also gets muddy if pushed. Still, these are all minor annoyances that can't diminish the overall joy one feels when behind the wheel.
From the exquisite interior design and layout to the tactile sensations delivered through the steering wheel, our long-term 328i is an amazing automobile. Uh oh, we've started gushing again.
Total Odometer Reading: 3,860
Best Fuel Economy: 28.6 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 14.5 mpg
Body Repair Costs: $0
Maintenance Costs: $0
Problems: Spotty radio reception and occasional late GPS navigation updates.
