I Quite Like the 328I xDrive Wagon

"Andrew T. Maness" (theroadlessdriven)
12/08/2014 at 12:15 • Filed to: Test Drive, BMW, Fast Wagons, First Drive, The Road Less Driven, Andrew Maness, Oppo, Oppo Review

I've spent the past couple days with a 2015 BMW 328i xDrive wagon and I have to say, it has far exceeded my expectations.

I'm really looking forward to making this edit and writing a piece about this car because it's just been one welcome surprise after another. Honestly, I'm thinking about dropping by my local BMW dealer to see how much they'd give me for the S4 Avant and just pulling the trigger on one of these because it's just that good.

To be fair, it has its faults but they're mostly visual and lets face it, nobody's perfect. Even Giselle has a skin tag or two...probably...maybe.

Andrew Maness writes about cars because he has one and also has a computer. He's been known to drunkenly Tweet as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and upload photos to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . He also has a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and thinks talking about himself in the 3rd person is really weird but knows it's necessary if he wants to be taken seriously as an automotive journalist.

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DISCUSSION (26)

TDogg > Andrew T. Maness
12/07/2014 at 10:06

Kinja'd!!!

This shadow looks awesome

Nibby > Andrew T. Maness
12/07/2014 at 10:12

Kinja'd!!!

Did you insert anything in here?

Kat Callahan > Andrew T. Maness
12/07/2014 at 10:14

AWESOME PHOTO.

Andrew T. Maness > Nibby
12/07/2014 at 10:58

I've only know 'er a couple days, I'm old fashioned, like to take things slow.

Andrew T. Maness > Kat Callahan
12/07/2014 at 10:59

Thanks Kat! Just lucky the shadows were good enough at that time of day.

Andrew T. Maness > TDogg
12/07/2014 at 11:01

yeah I'm psyched it came out. Clearly I'm a Star Wars fan.

heliochrome85 > Andrew T. Maness
12/07/2014 at 11:45

Any visual faults can be corrected with the correct trim line.

Kinja'd!!!

also, Xdrive buys you the softest suspension unless you go with the active suspension.

coqui70 > Andrew T. Maness
12/07/2014 at 13:48

Be prepared for sticker shock - a nicely optioned new one is ~$50K! I've been lusting after these, but CPO is the only affordable way to do it. Also sad that there's no 5-series wagon in the states, the European model looks yummy. I think the mavens from Munich need to make a 320i Oppo wagon model: bronze or brown metallic, 6-speed manual no X-drive and tan leatherette. Lose the expensive options and bring it in for $34K new. Then ditch the X1 nobody likes that POC.

Kevin Rhodes > Andrew T. Maness
12/07/2014 at 15:55

I like the F31, but until they decide to sell me one with RWD and a stickshift I am keeping my e91. But I will console myself with a 228i to keep it company in the garage. I just spent 4 days with a rental 228i courtesy of Sixt at ATL, and I am in love with that little coupe.

You can ease the sticker shock a little by doing European delivery. Between that and negotiating with the dealer I got my '11 wagon down to ~$39K from $45.5K.

Andrew T. Maness > coqui70
12/07/2014 at 21:39

Yeah they're certainly not cheap but I've seen some pretty aggressive lease rates so far this month for those that are into that kind of thing.

An Oppo wagon would be amazing but that is the pipe dream to end all pipe dreams.

There are sadly a bunch of people that are into the X11, I see em everywhere.

Andrew T. Maness > heliochrome85
12/07/2014 at 21:40

Agreed, I'd get the M-Sport no question.

Andrew T. Maness > Kevin Rhodes
12/08/2014 at 12:08

Indeed, the 228i is fantastic, the most fun I've had on an auto-x course hands down.

I did just drive the M235i on the street and wow, just...wow. Such music it makes!

My friend is looking into one and he'll be doing Euro delivery so yeah, that does ease the shock a little.

Rico > Andrew T. Maness
12/08/2014 at 12:52

Kinja'd!!!

Wow this picture is fucking great seriously, I need a picture of my car like this.

Dan F > Andrew T. Maness
12/08/2014 at 13:26

I absolutely love my '14 328i wagon (xdrive automagic because that's the only option). M sport package, Estoril blue. Tech, winter, stereo, etc (no radar cruise, sign reader or automatic high beams) ... Put 12K miles on it since May of this year. It's really such a huge step up from the B8 A4 I had prior they don't really feel comparable. If it can prove its reliability I think I found a 10 year + family car. Unfortunately, even though it's the best car for my particular set of compromises, the sticker price is well north of 50K. I vacillate between thinking it's worth every penny and thinking I overpaid. So far it's proving itself to largely be the former.

Andrew T. Maness > Rico
12/08/2014 at 17:46

Well if ya got a big 'ol moonroof and a GoPro you can get it done real easy.

Andrew T. Maness > Dan F
12/08/2014 at 18:01

Save for the exterior color that's the exact buildout I've done again and again and again.

Two things drive me fucking crazy though.

1.) You can't get the dakota brown leather interior in the Sport line or M-Sport line.

2.) You can't get the M-Sport steering wheel unless you do M-Sport line.

That shit kills me because the normal steering wheel sucks, can't stand the way it looks and I don't like the way it feels at all. If they just made the M-Sport wheel an individual option that would be satisfactory but they should really make all the leathers available as well.

On the B8 A4 point, yes, agreed, not even close. I'm so glad I got a B7 S4 over a B8 A4 S-Line which honestly was in the cards. That being said, I'm ready to part with the S4 and move on to an ultimate driving machine.

Plus these fucking new Audi club people...don't even get me started.

Rico > Andrew T. Maness
12/09/2014 at 09:31

I've got a normal moon roof not panoramic like the one pictured (I believe it's panoramic) but I definitely want to try this! Is it just a suction cup mount for the GoPro? I don't have a GoPro but I can use a suction cup mount for my phone. I just don't think I've ever seen a picture taken like this before it blew me away.

Andrew T. Maness > Rico
12/09/2014 at 11:33

Yes this one was the panoramic moonroof on the wagon, allowed for more space to get the shot.

With a normal moonroof you'll want to position the camera at a much lower angle and you should be able to get a pretty solid view of the cabin.

Yes, just using the suction cup mount.

Dan F > Andrew T. Maness
12/09/2014 at 15:37

The M-sport steering wheel and seats (sport seats too) make the car go from ok to really damn good. It's a shame that the base level steering wheel feels like it belongs on a tonka truck, and the seats have slightly more bolstering than a bench seat. The pedal box is wonderful in any model and the two other tactile features you need to use to drive the car are so bad in the base trim I hate driving the loaner (first world problem, I know). BMW is habitually annoying about getting options a la carte, and I really wish they'd step up the base trims just a bit.

The variable rate steering is Great, fwiw. Just a hair over two turns lock to lock is right, and it does it without being twitchy or having a dead spot on center.

That being said, love the wagon.

Andrew T. Maness > Dan F
12/09/2014 at 16:08

Agreed across the board.

That variable steering rate...so good.

Jimmy Tango > Andrew T. Maness
12/27/2014 at 03:02

I think I have some contacts you may like....for buying Bimmers. Don't just drop your S4 and get one from your local dealers (with all due respect of your local dealer.) Unless you live in a ultra competitive area, most dealers are just equating Enthusiast to "Will pay watever".

And echo to most of the comments, M-Sport and DHP. It's a bit sorry that F31 doesn't come RWD, so it's default on the softest/worst suspension setup. Hence DHP.

I dreamt about F31 for 3 months this summer.

Andrew T. Maness > Jimmy Tango
12/27/2014 at 19:17

Thanks man, I'd appreciate any contacts or BMW advice you might have.

Personally I'm looking at used ones, my friend is looking at brand new ones though.

Jimmy Tango > Andrew T. Maness
12/28/2014 at 02:38

Not a bad idea, although you may want to be aware of BMW's maintenance program change. Not a big deal, but haggle a bit if the used car is within 4yrs but after July 1st 2014.

Andrew T. Maness > Jimmy Tango
12/28/2014 at 16:33

Appriciate the heads up, I remember reading an article about that after it was announced.

I'm looking at 02-04 540i M-Sport/M5's and E46 M3's.

Jimmy Tango > Andrew T. Maness
12/28/2014 at 16:35

those are great cars! good luck and let us know what you eventually sourced.

Andrew T. Maness > Jimmy Tango
12/28/2014 at 22:19

It'll be a big decision that I will involve the Oppo community in. Have to sell the S4 first!