Got a F30 328d for a couple days...

"Jimmy Tango" (jimcalliu)
09/30/2014 at 02:01 • Filed to: BMW

last 7 vin K156480.

Super bare bone, but I am not complaining. Our Mazda got scrape by a 16yrs old right in front of me when I was getting a movie from RedBox. Fortunately they are responsible people while I offered them to do this out of their own dime without insurance.

Last time when I got an X1 from Zipcar, I briefly talked about how typical rental company chain usually don't stock german, if they do, it'd be hard to find the class to reserve them (since you can never reserve a specific car, caveat applied*.) However I discover Sixt has an office in downtown Seattle, and they offer...

Mecerdez CLA 250.

For daily special $39 plus fee and tax if you prepaid the rental amount.

My immediate response was, what's the catch? Upon looking up Yelp review, people were complaining that they don't get CLA as they "prepaid for." This type of bait and switch is no surprise as most people have experience with "free upgrade" and got a minivan or SUV on a solo business trip, and end up paying more for coverage or gas.

But I was intrigued enough and the car in shop became a perfect excuse for me to get the rental car. I don't expect to get CLA as I knew it 's super popular. So I called to see what I would get if CLA is not present.

The gentleman on the other end of line from Sixt told me "It would be an Audi A3 or Volvo S80." Interesting sector there, especially when S80 is classified as fullsize sedan while CLA and A3 barely make it to mid-size sedan if not compact.

Today when I picked up, being a Monday, I was holding out hope for CLA. Yet I almost can't keep the poker face when I heard it's a 328. "And it's a diesel, please keep that in mind." She said.

Since I had heavily researched and test drove anything in BMW lineup from 328 wagon, 435 Gran Coupe, and even 535. I was very custom to the drive and interface. The diesel engine does have a noticeable hum, that probably won't win my family's heart over.

The torque wasn't put in test in city while the agility of F30 is useful to juke around traffic, barring that numbing wheel at hand. Took my family to a short shopping trip and wife were impressed how the interior felt roomier than 4GC, or even wagon! (I know, is that possible?) We fit the rear-facing infant car seat in the passenger side backseat, and wife claimed to have ample room either riding shotgun or behind me. I will provide my test result for sitting at shotgun or behind my own drive position tomorrow.

Grand total of $94 and some change, what would you suggest me to do with this diesel German Limousine tomorrow?

*if you knew your neighborhood rental fleet has something good and you unfortunately have your car in shop during a insurance claim, you could probably laid it out with the rental company and see if they can accommodate. My experience was that you want to find the low point of their week (Tuesday/Wednesday) to check on their fleet. Actually show up there and look at what they have. Having your bill picked up by insurance means that you and rental car company wants you to drive the most expensive car while within limit. They suddenly become your best friends.

DISCUSSION (10)

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Jimmy Tango
09/30/2014 at 02:12

I didn't even remember that BMW was still offering a diesel since the death of the E90 335d. It's the most intriguing F30 yet IMO.

Jimmy Tango > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
09/30/2014 at 02:30

The 180 horse on paper looks tame. But here is the hope that they fixed the carbon build up issues that haunt the good 335d.

Cé hé sin > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
09/30/2014 at 06:15

Depends where you live! In Europe most of their sales are of diesels, everything from a 116d to a 740d.

Too many M's > Jimmy Tango
09/30/2014 at 07:59

Wow, I hadn't heard about buildup issues on the 335d. Could be the lower quality diesel that is available stateside.

Day to day, would it do well with two car seats? We have one forward and one rear facing at the moment. I'd love an excuse to get a wagon.

And how about suitable filling stations? That's a potential issue I can think of.

gamefreak32 > Jimmy Tango
09/30/2014 at 21:25

Good for 139 mph on the autobahn. Standard rental car for americans on business trip in Germany.

Arben72 > Jimmy Tango
10/01/2014 at 23:47

I always get these as loaners, and always in winter. They're extremely easy to drift, so have fun. Also for some reason I loved putting it in Eco pro to max Mpgs and used the coast feature as much as possible. Idk why, the car just encourages it.

Jimmy Tango > Too many M's
10/02/2014 at 00:12

My opinion is that forward facing car seat isn't really a big issue with cars have back seat. It's the rear facing car seat that don't go well with front passenger. I really want a 4 gran coupe and forward facing car seats reported no problem in 4gc.

I have a loving passion towards 4 seat coupe. In my mind, two long doors actually looks so much better than limit wheelbase with 4 doors. But family happened. By my test, 4 gran coupe has the impressive look outside but almost failed in every space requirement inside. I can't seat at anywhere except driver seat, if we carry a rear facing car seat.

To your question, 328 works pretty good. With rear facing seat installed, I can sit at any seat in the car. We tested 328d wagon before and also really liked it. Just not the price point (at the configuration I want.)

Power-wise, I actually never floor it during my two day seat time. I even took family to see sunset 15 miles away, hoping to get some highway action. But I always chicken out before revs over 3000 (partially because you don't get rev up much due to ZF tranny. Even in Sport mode). The torque really matters more.

To be honest, I can't imagine I would need power beyond what this N47 or typical N20 in 28i family can offer. My requirement for performance has always been "don't let me get to the limit" as I 'd never want to floor a car and realize I wish more from her. Especially in corner, especially when climbing mountains.

Yet I always felt I had to really be careful when I press down on gas in typical apex. Yes, I am the jerk don't slow down much for turning, but I always do so with full attention and safety in mind. In this 328d, that 280lb-ft torque is pushing me out of apex so quickly that I can break as late as possible and violent.

With two girls in the car and on a civilian road, I am not looking for trouble. But knowing that my daughter goes to sleep in minutes once the vehicle in motion, give you the thumbs up that cabin is a good enough place for them.

I might end up with a 328i. Not that there is any wrong with that, but my configuration shows that I may pay more for 328 than 428GC, makes me hesitate a little.

Jimmy Tango > Arben72
10/02/2014 at 00:14

D for Dude Loves Polar Bears.

Arben72 > Jimmy Tango
10/02/2014 at 00:47

Or d for dude saves gas for the ///M ;).

DipodomysDeserti > Too many M's
10/02/2014 at 07:50

Tons of buildup problems with the 335d. Mine had the intake, MAF, swirl flaps, and EGR replaced at 34k miles because of carbon buildup. They also walnut blasted the head. Luckily I have a warranty. There have also been lots of injector and DDE failures reported too. There are fixs, but unless you can wrenh on a diesel BMW I wouldn't own one out of warranty. However, it's a very fun car. I drove a 328d and hated it.