Used 2015 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 328i xDrive SULEV Hatchback Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2015 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 328i xDrive SULEV Hatchback.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Craig List,12/02/2015
328i xDrive SULEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
This is by far the best car I've ever had. For me, it is the kind of car that will make me glad I have to drive somewhere. The Sports seat comfort with thigh-support pull-out is excellent, as are the adjustable bolsters. I have a bad back with L5-S1 herniation history, yet don't have the leather, or lumbar supports, but don't need or want them! I switched over from Buick, primarily … because of seat support and comfort. The firm ride handles everything quite nimbly, for such a heavy absorbent BMW feel. I got the Sport Line trim package, with the optional M-Sport steering wheel, overall a very nice appearance. I get a lot of stares and questions on it; the Silver metallic with Sports Line trim (+ tinted windows and an added rear hatch window spoiler). There is a bit of delay in acceleration on occasion, its almost like you have to time it to get it right; despite the twin-scroll turbo which improves things, but once it goes (you MUST use Sports+ Mode to actually feel it), it rocks! The grandkids always beg me "Opa, put it in Sport Mode!".
Braking is solid. There is a tad bit of sway for significant cornering, expected but not bad for a heavier car (I was told that this is actually a 5-series platform/chassis, but I haven't been able to confirm that; if you are cross-shopping w/the 4 series Gran Coupe/GC, one dealer actually said the 3GT is actually a 5-series, and the 4GC is actually a 3-series!). There is a bit of engine noise during hard acceleration, but it is not bad. There is a bit of sunroof wind noise, probably my primary complaint overall as the ride experience goes (made much worse by the base rack which I now only use when transporting bikes/kayaks), but yet I am still able to chair tele-conferences with no problems while speaking or hearing on other end via Bluetooth, which is consistent and without problems despite previous reviewers comments. Road noise is minimal, enough to know your in a motor vehicle, but kept to a minimum.
I love the back liftgate, as it is easier to load and unload than a typical trunk. It is by intent a coupe design, meaning a lowered-in cockpit feel, so getting in and out is not as easier as you might think for a car that sits higher than a traditional 3-series sedan.
The infotainment system works great; you can look at the large monitor screen while scrolling and tapping, without even looking at the iDrive you are manipulating with your right hand...and the base stereo which is Harmon-Kardon is actually pretty good, but I am going to upgrade the front dash & door speakers because I am an audiophile. I agree with a friend who used to work in an upscale audio center that the low end preforms very well (as there are 2 subwoofers, located underneath the front seats), the midrange and high end/tweeter are fine/good but not great. The Nav works very well and is worth it. The internal HD for music storage is a great feature, but I HATE how it only plays back the songs on a CD that you recorded in alphabetical order --- word to BMW: album rock and live music CDs are meant to be played in the track order recorded, stop being so organized you Germans!:). Playing off a thumbdrive is also very easy, and the steering wheel mounted controls help, although I believe in terms of human ergonomics, that the volume and media controls should be on the Left side of the steering wheel, NOT the Right [if you look at the actual dash stereo controls and the steering wheel stereo controls, they are literally only about 6 inches apart from each other, so the point of saving a reach or having multiple ways to do the same thing is minimized; why not place those stereo controls on the Left, now you can control the stereo functions with either your Left or your Right hand?]!
I have averaged in the high 20s for MPG in mixed driving; I do not gun it a lot, but I certainly drive it in a more spirited manner a couple times a week! I have averaged 36-38 MPG on long trips in ECO mode, one trick to doing this well (I once got 39 MPG on a long trip!) is increasing the tire pressures to 33 PSI-front & 36 PSI-back (32 & 35 recommended, but there is always an acceptable range). Check & adjust your PSI twice a month, so many people don't do this and it is extremely important, especially the way the vehicle dynamics in this vehicle work, and the fact that front & rear are 3 PSI difference! The handling, agility, and MPG are significantly affected by PSI.
KreneRoss,06/01/2018
328i xDrive SULEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I hear SO many complaints on here about the price of this car for what you get. We have four kids with only one left in a forward facing seat. I coach lacrosse and need trunk space, LOTS of it. But, I was so tired of the MOM car. Tired of feeling like I have to drive around such a huge vehicle all the time. I have had my Armada for 10 years and love it. We will keep it, but my first car … ever was a BMW and I love the sporty drive of them. I missed that. However, I wanted space and safety going from a big SUV. People miss that BMWs are the ONLY cars that offer front and rear roll over bars and all the air bags they have! For my family that is huge! The complaints of spending $58k on this we don’t have. We made the new buy mistake on the Armada and that initial depreciation is HUGE! So we bought certified used and ours is loaded/luxury with almost every option out the door with GREAT miles for $28500. Still have two years unlimited miles of the original warranty and because it’s a SULEV we have 15 years 150,000 miles on all emissions related items here in California. My husband is 6’4” and fits fantastic in this car! It is, in fact, the first car he has ever felt comfortable sitting in, and can even sit comfortably in the back WITH the seat at the position he needs it to drive! It offers that much room! We can sit two kids and a booster in back comfortably, and another sits up front. They are 12, 11, 10, and 4 and fit fine. My husband has comfortably had four grown Marines in this many days out to lunch! It’s a phenomenal car with lots of spunk. Easy to drive. Corners are best to accelerate through like all bimmers! Some may take them too slow and miss the agility. It hugs the ground fine for me coming from an Armada. We also bought an X1 silver with a blacked out Sport package and red interior. It looks amazing and love it! They ride completely different, offer is the same abilities, same huge sunroofs, lots of cargo, one is a tighter steering and I like that. This car is a bit looser for a BMW drive, but it’s great! We get amazing gas mileage in it. There is some hard plastic down low on the dash. I love our black and dark tan interior and Alpine white exterior! Our car is beautiful and we get asked about it everywhere we go. The cargo is abundant, and we can drive two cars and get better mileage than my armada when parking is plenty, or we can all load up in the Armada! Buy used, or lease, I can’t understand the complaints on this car. Buy a BMW for the sportier drive. It is a drivers car! If you want lush and plush and super luxurious vehicles go somewhere else. BMWs are exactly what they always have been; a vehicle made to feel the road for those seeking that! I certainly don’t understand the gripes on visibility either.
Manjoni Cruizle,09/24/2020
328i xDrive SULEV 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
The standard 3-series starts to feel cramped for most adults > 5’10”, so the extra legroom in both the front & back is an unmistakeable win— but the extra width is an unsung hero that makes this car beg to be taken on a road trip. The interior is significantly softer both in comfort & style, with a more luxurious experience that feels designed specifically to heighten comfort rather than … just seem fancier. Two child seats in the back leave no room for an adult to sit in between, but it is also shockingly designed so thoughtfully that kids can’t reach their legs to kick the back of the front seats. The computer/display feels particularly clunky next to comparable luxury brands, which is classically BMW, but the deliberately analog design also feels sturdier as is typical to BMW’s relatively utilitarian approach to bells & whistles in order to focus on an unparalleled driving experience.
The feel of the car is unmistakeable BMW, but the brawnier AWD power along with multiple clever driving profile options (eco pro, comfort, sport & sport+) allow simple trips to the grocery store feel exhilarating. Where the larger chassis results in slightly less zippy steering accuracy to the standard 3-series, it’s tight, responsive handling is still in another league than those same comparable luxury brands. This is especially impressive given a realistic minimum 27mpg’s in SF city driving.
The body is love or hate for Beamer enthusiasts, but everyone else is as impressed with its elegant lines, understated muscularity and unbelievable cargo room for such a graceful-but-secret hatchback. This is my 5th BMW, including an X5, X3, 5 & 3 series, and I would be thrilled to drive only this car for the rest of my life.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2015 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo 328i xDrive SULEV Hatchback
Pros & Cons
- Distinctive hatchback body style makes it easy to load bulky items
- upscale interior with straightforward controls and plenty of rear seat legroom
- strong and fuel-efficient engines
- standard all-wheel drive.
- Less versatile cargo area than 3 Series wagon
- lacks the handling precision of other 3 Series models
- engine auto stop-start can be an annoyance.
Full Edmunds Review: 2015 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Hatchback
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2015 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo in Virginia is:
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