Like other BMWs, the 328s provide a driver command center that conjures up images of
light aircraft--businesslike analog dials placed for optimum visibility, key controls
placed within easy reach, everything illuminated in a reddish glow by night, to reduce
driver eyestrain.
Audio and climate controls are mounted well up in the center of the dash, and in a car
this size nothing is hard to reach.
The seats are typical BMW, which is to say sporty, supportive and long-haul
comfortable. The snug feeling augments the sporty character of the car, and 8-way
power adjustability makes the car tailorable for virtually any body type.
The basic upholstery material is a high-grade leatherette. Our test car's leather
seating was part of a $2625 Sports Package that also included an on-board computer,
16-in. aluminum alloy wheels with ZR-rated tires, plus a sportier seat configuration,
with more pronounced thigh and torso bolstering.
Front seat leg and headroom is ample, which is typical of most small sedans and
coupes. Rear seat legroom is a bit tight, but there's more of it than you might expect
in a car this size--almost as much as a Honda Accord, a pleasant surprise.
Standard equipment is consistent with what you'd expect in a car with pricing that
starts north of the $30,000 luxury frontier. In fact, it's more than consistent. Major
comfort/convenience features like automatic climate control, an AM/FM/cassette sound
system, power windows and mirrors, keyless remote entry, cruise control and even a
power sunroof.
Passive safety features are current with the automotive mainstream--dual airbags, side
impact protection and height-adjustable upper seatbelt anchors. BMW has begun
introducing side airbags in its more expensive models, but that technology hasn't
trickled down to this level yet. Traction control is available as an $1100 option.
Active safety is a stronger suit at BMW. The 328's combination of prompt handling
response and oustanding brakes give you a better chance of avoiding the crash to begin
with, which, of course, is infinitely preferable.
BMW's focus on superb handling makes driving a treat, whether you're commuting,
running errands, cruising the interstate or unwinding a set of curves on a country
road. The power rack and pinion steering, which varies the level of assist according
to engine--rather than vehicle--speed is on the light side in terms of across-the-board
effort, but it's BMW-precise and enhances the car's excellent sense of control.
BMW has been making ride-quality improvements in all its recent cars, and that applies
to the new 328i. The basic 328i sedan has enough suspension compliance to sop up small
bumps and potholes without transmitting the shocks to the occupants. This comes at the
expense--a small expense--of absolute handling limits, and there's a bit of up and down
motion over larger bumps that might not please drivers who expect BMW sedans to behave
like sports cars with an extra set of doors.
If you fall into that category, we recommend the Sports Package, which features firmer
suspension tuning and wider low-profile high-performance tires (P225/50ZR vs.
P205/60R) mounted on 16-in. wheels vs. 15-in. wheels on the basic sedan. This
combination, which was part of our test car's package, limits the car's body roll in
hard cornering and provides extra grip. Ride quality is firmer, and it's easier to
feel those small bumps, but we prefer the enhanced crisper handling response.
The new 2.8-liter engine is a joy to live with. BMW has been building inline 6-cyl.
engines for a long time, a corporate powertrain priority based on the inherently low
vibration traits of this configuration. This latest update is as smooth as any that
BMW has produced, and as we noted earlier it's got plenty of grunt in the lower rpm
ranges, something that's not true of all small-displacement multi-valve powerplants.
In addition to the near-absence of vibration and impressive power, the 2.8-liter six
is also exceptionally quiet at most operating speeds. Allied with good aerodynamic
traits and extra sound insulation, this adds up to a quieter passenger cabin.
The 328's braking performance is world-class. All models have large brake rotors at
both ends of the car--11.3-in. front, 11.0-in. rear--and all the rotors are ventilated
for improved cooling. Stops are quick, sure and repeatable. Provoking brake-fade in
this system would require a race track and lots of laps.