CTC Review: 2009 BMW 328i xDrive Sedan

[ovr50]

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.

Right, didn't realize the tester did not have iDrive. 

[wing]

I c, well that's good to know.  Typically I don't bother playing with those things unless they are in a nav system and obvious otherwise the next guy that gets the car is lost at why the car does these weird things.

[Giant Dwarf]

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

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.
 

I agree.  Particularly with the sport pkg wheel/tire set up ...  with 255 width tires in the back, you've really got to try to break the back end loose.  I used to love to have a little slip-n-slide action in the Miata, but the Bimmer's limits are so high, you've got to be doing something silly on public roads to get it to really squirm. 

Having said that... I need to go run some errands.  Maybe I'll try again.   

[nsmyhte]

Hey Wing,

How much quicker is the 335 compared to the 328? Is the 328 still pretty quick or are you sacrificing a lot of performance with the 328?

[wing]

Well not really fair as I'm driving an auto instead of a manual, but the 328 feels like a slug compared to the 335

[ovr50]

Wing's day 3 notes:

Electrics issues? Can't really comment myself other than to say some cars seem to have these types of problems, others none of them. My car is fine. Is it possible the radio is resetting to earlier programming in default station? Just a thought.

Tranny - I don't think the auto tranny in the 328i is the Steptronic tranny I have in my 535. There is no lagging problem, or having to push the accelerator hard with my Step. And in DS mode, it's a rocket. I think the 328 auto tranny is made by (get this) GM ........ !!!!! 

[ovr50]

Further to the above comments, Mike Miller did a review in the Dec07 issue of Bimmer mag on the 328xi (it was a '08MY car, but no matter) and he found the AWD combined with the 230hp of the engine robbed the car of it's "BMW feel". Further, the tranny in that car is a GM sourced tranny and it shifts slowly and is "mushy". He did not like it at all, and it is it no where near as good as the Step tranny. In fact, the 328xi is not a great BMW, in his opinion (and he is a well known authority on them).

BMWs xDrive works well, but it does need an engine with some grunt behind it.

[The truth hurts]

Well ovr50, it sounds like if you want the safety blanket of the xDrive, not willing to drive manual, and want the 'BMW feel', need to step up to 335xi.

However, I'm almost certain by the # of 328xi I see on the streets these days (ie. becoming as common-place as honda civics), the 328xi is quite a popular model in Canada, and must still drive well enough to win such a following.  Unless they are all image-brand whores and would buy anything with a blue-and-white Roundel.

[Jaeger]

People get awfully defensive awfully fast whenever I mention "reliability" in the context of a German car.  But blog entries like this are why.  Yes, I know - demonic possession of a car radio isn't the end of the world - you can still drive the thing.  But anything that requires an unscheduled trip to the dealer is a PITA I would rather avoid.

Jaeger

[airbalancer]

Did he have the tranny in the sport mode?

[The truth hurts]

Screw Chrysler / Opel merger.  Best merger would be Audi / BMW / Toyota.

Audi designs the interiors / exterior, BMW would be responsible for the engine / chassis / suspension, and Toyota for the electrical components (which the Germans still can't seem to get rid of the gremlins).  You'd get best of all 3 worlds.

[Shnak]

However, I'm almost certain by the # of 328xi I see on the streets these days (ie. becoming as common-place as honda civics), the 328xi is quite a popular model in Canada, and must still drive well enough to win such a following.  Unless they are all image-brand whores and would buy anything with a blue-and-white Roundel.

Ding ding ding! And we have a winner!!!!! 

[samej]

In the case of the BMW 3 series, I don't think the problem is the car. I test drove a BMW 328i (man.,sport package) and loved the car. However, the price premium to own a BMW is very difficult for many to swallow, me included. Especially in today's economic times.

Have you considered a low-km certified pre-owned?  I recently bought a 2006 330i 6spd with sport and preimium packages (33000km) for $31k before tax (list new for the 330i was $53k).  I spent less than what I would have spent on a new Accord or Passat, and far less than a new 328i with sport package.  Here is Ontario, I've seen low-km 2006 325i (MT and sport package) for $27-28k.
Right now, there are a lot of 2006 3-series coming off-lease.  Of course, there are downsides with used cars (like warranty) but BMW extends the CPO cars have a 6 years/160,000km warranty.

(First post, lengthy, expectant owner of a BMW 3, related in a round about way to CPO BMWs) I went to test drive a new 328 sedan yesterday after doing a lot of couch comparisons - I'd short listed strictly on paper and emotion the 328 vs a G37. I wanted the premium package and auto, the latter mostly because I have a 17 yr old learning to drive. BMW's got over $4000 in incentives right now for cash purchases and my 6 yr old Accord is feeling tired. The dealer had no auto sedans available for a test drive so I took the 328 coupe with sports package and manual for a drive. I loved the manual, sigh, even though it's been over 6 years since I've owned one and the whole heel and toe double clutch rev-matching downshift thing was pretty rusty . The sports suspension (17 in on the 328) was wonderful - it was less harsh than my sedate 03 Accord sedan, hard to believe, but I am very familiar with the back roads we test drove on - I take them regularly to and from the airport.

So back in the showroom, having not driven the Infiniti yet, the sales advisor ran the numbers while I wondered around the showroom. There was a 2007 335i, metallic red over beige dakota, premium and auto, with less than 4k on it, spotless except maybe a the smallest paint chip on the front bumper, in service date Apr-08, Asking price $45k. Even with the $4k in incentives on a new 328 the negotiations came in $3-4 north of my expectations. After several back and forths I told the advisor he may as well put my in the '07 335 for that price... and he did just for an additional thou.

Call it spring fever, swine flu, whatever - I go looking for a 2009 328 sedan with auto, drive a coupe with sports package and manual, and end up lightly used 335 sedan, auto and premium, and spend 5k more than I hoped to. The clincher for the 335 was the CPO and the very low miles (claims it was a demo car). For the extra thou I one less year on the original warranty but I get another 3 CPO on top of that.
I get a 17in wheels instead 16's, a huge upgrade in power and bragging rights I'm going to miss the heated steering wheel form the 2009s come winter though...

Delivery on Wednesday - I haven't been this excited about a new (slightly used) car since BK (Before Kids).

[ovr50]

Samej - regarding your above post, I think you made the correct choice with the 335i - lots more car for the money, and the engine is sweet.....

Welcome to the forum.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Congrats samej!!!

Red over beige 335i oughtta look dang great. Cheers to anticipation

[Flinter]

Congratulations samej!!

I think you made a great choice. I would have also went for the CPO 2007 335i rather instead of a new 2009 328i.

I can imagine it must be pretty exciting waiting for it. I'd be just like a kid on Xmas eve!

[tpl]

green with envy.   Congratulations.   

[bobby]

congrats, red is a great choice 

[normancw]

I get a 17in wheels instead 16's, a huge upgrade in power and bragging rights I'm going to miss the heated steering wheel form the 2009s come winter though...

Very nice - I've never driven a 335i.  Since I got my 330i, I've been taking the long way to and from work   It is so much faster than the 2004 325i I had before and more than fast enough for me.  At least that's what I keep telling myself - I just need to avoid test driving a 335  

Post some pictures in the Show 'n Shine forum when you get it.

[JSCC]

Anyone know if there are any cash incentives for the 2009 328i xDrive?
My buddy is interested in paying cash instead of going for BMWs 2.9% financing.