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Monday, July 18, 2016
BMW 328i Sedan is nearly perfect
7/3/2016 BMW 328i Sedan is nearly perfect | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/review/bmw328isedanisnearlyperfect
1/3
LEISURE / AUTOS & MOTORCYCLES / CAR & TRUCK ENTHUSIASTS
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.
See also: bmw 328i
BMW 328i Sedan is nearly perfect
April 15, 2012
10:23 PM MST
2011 BMW 328i Sedan
Rating:
7/3/2016 BMW 328i Sedan is nearly perfect | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/review/bmw328isedanisnearlyperfect
2/3
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.
BMW USA
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BMW USA
7/3/2016 BMW 328i Sedan is nearly perfect | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/review/bmw328isedanisnearlyperfect
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Robert Eckaus
San Jose Cars Examiner
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