CTC Review: 2009 BMW 328i xDrive Sedan

[vdk]

. The Audi you're pricing is more in line with the 323 and C230

Yes, a 323xi (oops, there's none) and a C230 4Matic. 

The 2.0TQ runs head to head with the 328xi. And it's actually 1/2 a second quicker to 60, and has 60+ more usable torques everywhere.

[Jaeger]

Wow - they sure tease you with a (relatively) low sticker then absolutely murder you with options packages that are both pricey and bundled.  No alarm for $42k?

I've driven the RWD 328i and loved it.  Thought it was damned near perfect.  Increased ride height (however small), increased weight, increased fuel consumption and decreased driving feel are not consequences I would be willing to trade for increased traction of AWD on the few winter days I'd actually need it.

Jaeger

[Flinter]

. Sunroof is standard on the 328
. BMW is including the automatic transmission at no charge - So no real $ difference between the C and the 3

My apologies, I stand corrected. The sunroof was an option on the 2008 model but it is now standard on the 2009 328i/328i xDrive.  It’s optional on the 323i for $1500.

However, the no charge automatic transmission is a limited time special offer so I would argue that my original point still applies. That would make the BMW 328i xdrive (automatic) $1400 more than the C300 4MATIC.

. The Audi you're pricing is more in line with the 323 and C230

I must respectfully disagree with you on this one. I think many people would cross shop the Audi A4 2.0T Quattro against the 328i xdrive and Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic. The Audi makes ~20 less peak hp than the 328 or C300. However, it delivers 58 more lbs.ft.  of torque than the 328 and 37 more lbs.ft. of torque than the C300. In terms of features and performance these 3 cars are very comparable.

. Value is a relative and personal thing. Handling and driving dynamics should factor in the equation and may have a price (I don't believe it to be the case in your comparison)

I certainly agree that value is a relative and personal thing, and handling and driving dynamics definitely factor into the equation.  I have driven/compared the previous gen. A4 2.0T Quattro against the 328i. I thought the BMW was definitely the better drivers car. However, IMHO it just wasn’t $5,700 better. If my wallet was a little heavier, perhaps I would feel differently. 

. Most people who buy a BMW are not buying it strictly based on an item-to-item comparison.
. If people wanted most features/$, then Acura has plenty to offer. Better yet, a fully loaded Hyundai Sonata.
. BMW is still selling more cars than Audi, Acura, Lexus and Infiniti and they have all been benchmarking the 3 series for the past two decades.

I certainly agree that Audi, Acura, Lexus and Infiniti have been using the 3 series as the benchmark. I think some of these brands are doing an excellent job in closing the gap that exists in the area of handling and driving dynamics. In my opinion this makes it even more difficult to justify the price premium that BMW is asking for.

[normancw]

Normancw,

Could you please let me know which dealer you get you 06 330i in 33000km for 31K from?

THanks

I'm in Ottawa and I bought it from Kanata Ford.  They have about 5 very clean 2006 3-series (much nicer than the 2 BMW dealers here in Ottawa and the 1 dealer in Montreal that I checked).  I really wanted to buy a CPO car for the extended warranty, but I didn't find one that I wanted (I was in a rush and only had a week to shop).  However, in GTA, there is a lot more selection.  BTW, the BMW dealers around here are asking about $33k for a CPO 330i (which is fair considering the added warranty).

We get a lot of snow here in Ottawa and the 3-series with real winter tires is very good in the snow (before this, I had a 2004 325i with sport package and Blizzak winters).  The 325i, with stability/traction control, was better than all the front wheel drive cars I've had (Mazda 323, Honda Accord, Mazda MX-3, and Mazda 3 GT).  I felt safer in the 325i that our 1998 Izusu Rodeo 4WD.  Just my 2 cents (RWD 3-series are quite good in the snow).

Norm

[Schmengie]

 I've noticed that a few BMW drivers don't have a clue what the words 'driving dynamics' mean and probably couldn't care less. A blonde in a brand-new black 3-Series tailgated me in West Kelowna today even though the inside lane was clear. I guess she was too busy putting on her lipstick to notice. What a waste of a beautiful car....

[The truth hurts]

I'm tired of these 'luxury' makers not making Navi standard, yet charging such a high premium on something that probably only costs a couple of hundred tops.

It just feels wrong to step into a BMW/Audi/Mercedes and find out there is no Navi.  It makes the owner seem cheap, and not really able to afford a luxury vehicle.

Now I hear Lexus is even offers cloth seats in some of their cars, and leather is a luxury option.

Jeez, pretty soon the steering wheel will be a luxury item.

[sharpC]

I've noticed that a few BMW drivers don't have a clue what the words 'driving dynamics' mean and probably couldn't care less. A blonde in a brand-new black 3-Series tailgated me in West Kelowna today even though the inside lane was clear. I guess she was too busy putting on her lipstick to notice. What a waste of a beautiful car....

I'm with you. The world isn't fair...

[sharpC]

Wow - they sure tease you with a (relatively) low sticker then absolutely murder you with options packages that are both pricey and bundled.  No alarm for $42k?

I've driven the RWD 328i and loved it.  Thought it was damned near perfect.  Increased ride height (however small), increased weight, increased fuel consumption and decreased driving feel are not consequences I would be willing to trade for increased traction of AWD on the few winter days I'd actually need it.

Jaeger

BMW builds RWD cars.
Although well executed, X-Drive was just to keep some sales from going to Audi and others.
I'll take RWD, winters will suddenly become a lot more fun 

[Mitlov]

Unless you are going to "track" the car, the ride height tiny difference, and the AWD vs RWD argument is virtually meaningless. The AWD more than offsets it's dissadvantages with much superior winter handling IMO.

I agree that actual handling differences would not be noticeable in daily driving.

I'm more curious, though, about steering feel.  At least with the CTS, the RWD and AWD models differ in whether the steering rack is mounted forward of the front axle (RWD) or rearward of it (AWD).

http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/03/2008-cadillac-cts-rwd-vs-awd-differences-revealed.html

Apparently the forward-mounted steering rack results in better steering.  Does BMW have the same mechanical distinction with xDrive, so the RWD model would steer more precisely and have better feel?  Because that's something you'd notice even at the 6/10ths pace of daily driving.

[HealThoid]

Interesting... But what sign on novelties of the news?

[Shnak]

I'm not sure if that's the case anymore, but I remember reading comparisons not too long ago that were saying that BMW's AWD system felt 'tacked-on' compared to Audi's Quattro system...

That said, I'm sure BMW'S AWD system is just fine for daily driving duties... afterall, 99.9999% of these cars are used as commuters and grocery-getters...

[bobby]

Feature wise, an A4 premium quattro compares with this.  Not the 'base' A4 quattro with sport pkg.  Prem+Adaptive Xenons+Rear Side Airbags+Paint+ ... and you get up to the same $47K range as the BMW and the Merc.  Even then you're still missing things like 'comfort access' and a heated steering wheel

[greengs]

I've noticed that a few BMW drivers don't have a clue what the words 'driving dynamics' mean and probably couldn't care less. A blonde in a brand-new black 3-Series tailgated me in West Kelowna today even though the inside lane was clear. I guess she was too busy putting on her lipstick to notice. What a waste of a beautiful car....

Was this on a hiway?  Isnt there a law in BC that states you can't pass on the right?

[ovr50]

From wing's report -  "it seems BMWs are not for those who wish to be lazy."

No, if you wish to be lazy and drive with one arm out the window, and the other wrist hung over the steering wheel, you'd be better off to get a Buick.

As to all the comments about RWD vs AWD, I would bet serious money that if you took 100 ppl and masked over all the markings that identify whether the 3 is an "i" RWD car or a "xi" AWD car; that 98% of the drivers could not tell the difference in a driving test. Some on here, such as wing as he tracks his S2K, probably could, but most could not.

BMW turn indicators require a bit more "push" to activate, it's unusual for about one day and then it seems totally normal. If you just push lightly, you get the 3 flashes; if you push harder, it moves past a resistance point which you feel, then indicator stays on until turn is complete. I like the way it works, and when I drive the Highlander, I wish it had the same feel.

 

[Schmengie]

I've noticed that a few BMW drivers don't have a clue what the words 'driving dynamics' mean and probably couldn't care less. A blonde in a brand-new black 3-Series tailgated me in West Kelowna today even though the inside lane was clear. I guess she was too busy putting on her lipstick to notice. What a waste of a beautiful car....

Was this on a hiway?  Isnt there a law in BC that states you can't pass on the right?

Yes. on highway 97. The inside (left) lane was clear, we were driving in the outside (right) lane at the posted limit of 90kph. She could have easily passed me - on the LEFT - but didn't.

[wing]

ovr, what is odd about my tester is it doesn't do the 3 flash for some reason.  I know the 335i did and I know pretty much all other german cars do, maybe it's broken I don't know, it only seems to flash when held like Japanese / Koreans and american cars.

[bobby]

the 3 flashes is a user-customizable feature.  done through the computer.  think the engine needs to be off (but car on) in order to set this preference.

[ovr50]

ovr, what is odd about my tester is it doesn't do the 3 flash for some reason.  I know the 335i did and I know pretty much all other german cars do, maybe it's broken I don't know, it only seems to flash when held like Japanese / Koreans and american cars.

Wing, you have to set it for the "3 flashes" via the iDrive controller. The Manual will explain exactly the steps needed to do that. It's quite simple, actually.

[bobby]

it doesn't look like this model is equipped with iDrive.  so you have to use the BC button at the tip of the turn stalk.  turn the car on (start button without foot on brake) and press the up/down toggle (also on the turn stalk) to cycle through options (BC to select).  you'll have a much larger list.  you can modify auto door locking, follow me home functions, turn indicator, mph/kph, L/100km, km/L, etc etc.  that's another great thing about the BMW, you don't have to visit a dealer to set all these things like you do with other makes.

[bobby]

and of course, if you get bored, you can access coutless hidden options too...

http://e90.wetpaint.com/page/BC+hidden+menus