Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
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Despite the redesigned 3 Series for 2013, a lot of things stay the same inside the 328i, and as well they should as BMW has certainly not been hurting and it’s not like their interiors needed a complete overhaul.
It is interesting to note that when mainstream manufacturers redesign a model, changes seem to be drastic with completely new driver interfaces, while in the luxury segment, changes seem to be evolutionary and minor — a tweak here and a tweak there. If you currently are a BMW owner you will be right at home in this new vehicle.
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One of the biggest changes is the extra interior volume that gives passengers more legroom, especially in the rear. But this is still a small car and I find that getting in and out of the rear seats to be a little difficult as they are low and the roofline tight.
Another noticeable change is the infotainment system (iDrive) — at the centre of the system is a large 6.5-inch display that is situated just about the HVAC and radio controls. This is not a touchscreen, but is controlled by the joystick type dial situated in the centre console. The system works well; it is very quick to respond, and although the navigation system is a little slow to boot, once it is up and running it is quick to find addresses and provide route guidance.
The optional 40/20/40 rear folding seats in my tester are also a welcome addition — the 335i models offer this as standard, and i think it should be standard on all models. This configuration certainly makes carrying longer cargo a breeze and offers options if you have four occupants.