If you don’t like BMWs, or think the owners are snobs, you won’t get much ammunition from this review. There is little negative that can be said about a BMW 328i, it's a fantastic vehicle. And this is the 2011 6 cylinder model, not the latest turbo-4.
So, for those seeking edification of their Pontiac GTOs and G8s, this is what is wrong with the 328i: The throttle response from idle lags too much; it’s not progressive with the throttle position. The navigation system can be a little confusing to navigate through, and the trunk pull down effort is too high for the last 12 inches to get it to close without an exaggerated motion. The armrests leather feels like it might pull your arm hair. Slight wind noise was noticed above 80mph near the driver’s A-pillar. That’s it.
Driving the car is where it shines, but one must know the initial environment before setting up the description of how it feels. But a hint: It feels like you can literally race it after 1 mile of first driving it. No kidding.
The 328i has a perfect driving position. Outward visibility is very good; the shifter for the 6-speed automatic feels ideally placed with a solid feel. The steering wheel feel and grip is great and seat comfort is wonderful and supportive. It’s as if BMW designed a cockpit, then built a car around it. The navigation system utilizes the clever wheel to show the cursor position in a circle for selecting a word or number which was fast and rather intuitive. Be sure to get updated seats if given a choice. The standard seats in the 2012s are far too shallow for the hips.
When driving the car, the acceleration is so brisk you realize why so many opt for the 328i vs. the 335i or M3. For those that just need to get around, it has plenty of power. If you’re not addicted to horsepower, there is no need to upgrade at all. Traction seemed uncannily good from a standing start as well as when turning and accelerating. It’s as if the tires are extra sticky, it has a fantastic limited slip differential as well as enough suspension travel to cope with uneven surface changes. It was a real joy to drive quickly.
The steering response has no slop and neither does the chassis for bump absorption and entering turns. Ever rock a car on its spring while pushing it from the side? It’s as if the BMW will lift the wheels before wiggling back in forth. It is that solid. This seems to be the key to it's magic. Turning the wheel means the body doesn't suddenly roll in the opposite direction. It's like one soild piece connected by specific, no-slop hinges.
How does all this translate into driving it? Well if you have a helmet, it means one feels perfectly comfortable entering it in an autocross, a track day or even a race. Even the first time on Ortega Highway in southern California, increasing the pace from a hustle to rock ‘n’ roll was confidence inspiring.
The 230hp inline 6 cylinder engine is still "turbine smooth" but there is no longer the soundtrack that evokes the term "turbine-like". Thankfully there is no need to pump the sound into the passenger compartment from the engine bay which may be considered an unfortunate trend. My guess a little tweaking to the air intake, perhaps from the aftermarket, would bring that missing sound element back.
This is a precision piece of machinery that is designed to make your drive easier, and if wanted, faster. If you're seeking a well engineered car with excellent driver dynamics but don't require 300-plus horsepower, this is a nearly perfect choice, and none of us big horsepower fans can fault you for it.
