SUCH DEST TRIVE. M SSSSport WAGON 328i

"RightFootDown" (rightfootdown)
03/13/2015 at 17:45 • Filed to: None

I peaked in the boss's office this morning (yeah, I have a real job too) and uttered, "How's the Bimmer?" He had dropped it off yesterday because of some error codes being thrown and was curious to hear if the dealership had diagnosed the problem. "It's at the dealer. But hey, I got this sweet loaner car. You should drive it.", and tosses me the key.

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Damn right, I should. BMW's are no stranger to me. I've owned quite a few and if interested you can see them all on my !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! account. And now I'm wondering what this loaner could be.

At noon we decide to order pizza for lunch. No need for delivery today – we're picking it up ourselves. Walking out to the parking garage I'm wondering what exactly it could be. Loaner cars usually aren't cream of the crop so I was expecting something like a base 320i. What I saw brought a huge smile. Today I'm making a 2015 BMW 328i Sport Wagon review.

This 328i Sport Wagon had the M Sport appearance package, Technology package, Cold Weather package and probably every other check box that could have been ticked, including the 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.

With the Technology package, the key fob can remain in your pocket the entire time. You never have to pull it out (giggity) to unlock the doors or start the car. This is nothing new, but I never owned a vehicle with this level of technology so it was quite awesome to experience.

Jumping falling in to the car I immediately noticed how low the driver's seat was positioned. I'm nearly 6 foot tall and I could stretch my entire legs out nearly horizontal. This was totally contrary to my WRX which feels like a Captain's chair on a yacht. I really liked how low the seats were able to go and the telescopic steering wheel gave plenty of adjustment to achieve the perfect seating position for an HPDE Champion.

Then I felt something a bit peculiar. The steering wheel wasn't quite right. It was soft like leather, but it didn't feel quite like leather. This must be Sensatec! Sensatec is essentially BMW's name for vinyl. They used to call it Leatherette. Now it's Sensatec. Sensatec is supposed to have better wear properties than leather, is supposed to be easier to to clean and for you PETA members, is animal-free. Most people would instantly assume this was leather and never think differently. The Sensatec was nice though it makes me think that if I'm spending nearly $55k for a car, I'm probably gonna go ahead and tick the box for the $1,500 leather option.

Being that this is a keyless system, I press the round Start button to the right of the steering column. The 2.0 turbo engine roars comes to life with a light rumble and resonance similar to the naturally aspirated inline six of yesteryear. The windows were up and we were in a parking garage but it sounded pretty good from inside the cabin. Now to head up to the top deck for some quick photos… if only I could figure out how to get this thing in to Reverse. This 8-speed automatic has a shifter with buttons and illuminated lights that look something out of a NASA project. Operating is way simple but could quickly intimidate.

I found a clearing on the top deck of the parking lot to position the 328i Sport Wagon for photos. Unfortunately I didn't have my DSLR on me so I had to make due with my iPhone 6 replacement, the LG G3. Capturing the beauty of BMW's Estoril Blue would surely be a task. This, I was pleasantly surprised.

This 328i Sport Wagon had the M Sport appearance package which replaces includes the aggressive front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper covers. It really adds that missing something to the exterior styling of the 3 Series. This wagon looks so good and there are so many details you really have to spend some time to take it all in.

The side view mirrors are two tone and have integrated turn signals along with lane departure warning lights to let you know when it is safe or unsafe to make a move. The housing contours the body shape of the car like only an artist could design. The headlights are as intricate as anything else on the road. There are sharp silver and chrome lines running horizontally that give the illusion of both depth additional front width.

The way the belt line flows down the car and just above the tail lights reminds me of the BMW M Coupe. The Z3 variant also known as the "clown shoe". The rear hatch opens with a push of a button and reveals the expected levels of storage that comes in wagon territory.

Oh, yeah, the pizza…

Driving the 328i Sport Wagon is just like driving a "regular" 328i sedan. My boss had no idea this was a four cylinder until I told him. The 2.0 liter turbo engine was surprisingly torquey with not so much as a hint of turbo lag. The ZF transmission does a great job of keeping this engine in the sweet spot for city driving.

Full Story with ALL PHOTOS can be seen on RightFootDown.com

A quick on-ramp sprint to a hun-uhm-uhm MPH took just seconds. BMW claims the 328i's 2.0 turbo engine produces 240 horsepower and 255 pounds feet of torque. It isn't slow, that's for sure, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if this wagon ran even with my WRX.

BMW's along with Porsches have always been known for great feedback through the steering wheel. Electronic steering has been a discussed topic as of late since both manufacturers have moved away from hydraulic units. This 328i Sport Wagon has the Dynamic Handling package that adds adjustable steering but even in full sport mode it falls short in the feel and feedback department compared to the electronic steering in my 2015 WRX and that's a far cry from my E46 M3.

But this isn't a race car. It's a sporty people moving wagon with fantastic looks that's loaded with creature comforts and technology. One of my favorite options on this car is the navigation and parking assist.

When we arrive at the pizza shop I wanted to back in to a parking spot like I normally do. I stopped and moved the transmission selector in to reverse. As expected, the navigation screen switched to an overhead view of the car with what appeared to be my surroundings.

THEY WERE MY SURROUNDINGS! HOLY SHIT! Beeping sensors are fine. A rear view camera is nice. But this… THIS is crazy cool!

I tested the back up cameras again when we got back to the office parking garage and I found that while I was able to back in to a spot without ever twisting my neck, you still need to use your mirrors to get a true sense of your surroundings. I found that I either parked too close to the car next to me or too close to a garage column twice. Being able to see the ground on the display would be nice to have when I'm parallel parking on the street.

And my time behind the wheel of this 328i Sport Wagon was over. It left me with the desire to one day own another BMW. With exception of steering feel, everything was a notch or two better than my new Subaru WRX. With a manual transmission, one might make the argument that the 3-Series is equally fun, more economic and every bit as capable. But this isn't a comparison of $30k cars. This loaner BMW 328i Sport Wagon as equipped would run nearly $60,000. And it feels every bit of it.

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DISCUSSION (21)

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > RightFootDown
03/13/2015 at 18:28

I see one of these in my work parking lot - such a great looking car, I'd love to own one if it wasn't so expensive. However, issues I have with the car -

- X Drive only, I believe? Many people don't need AWD, and RWD is more fun - it's a huge part of BMW ownership I think

- No manual option. I know, not enough demand - but it's the same drivetrain as the sedan, why can't we special order one at least?

- I get that the 2.0 turbo 4 is plenty great - but I love BMWs old I6 N/A engines...I wish there was still a way to get one. For this very reason I think I'd still pick an old 128i over the new 228i even though the latter is a much sexier car.

Also, from your text: " The side view mirrors are two tone and have integrated turn signals along with lane departure warning lights to let you know when it is safe or unsafe to make a move. " - I think you're referring to the blind spot monitoring system? Lane departure warning is when the car beeps or buzzes at you when you inadvertently drift out of your own lane, isn't it? Have they integrated some weird system in to the mirrors for that too now?

jkm7680 > RightFootDown
03/13/2015 at 18:37

I'm not a huge fan of the interior, especially the steering wheel.

E92M3 > RightFootDown
03/13/2015 at 18:41

A friend of mine has THAT exact car. It's a 2014 but otherwise the same.

Too many M's > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
03/13/2015 at 18:57

I live in the land of real wagons....RWD with manuals. I wish everyday that I could bring one back to the states with me. The M-sport wagon with a manual is just sublime.

Too many M's > RightFootDown
03/13/2015 at 19:01

I do love me some wagons. A couple bummers for me....M-sport brakes aren't available with the diesel, no manual option for the NA market at all, and AWD only just isn't my bag. BMW says there's no market for such a thing and I tend to agree that the amount of Jalops that would buy one just isn't that many. But dammit, just do it anyway!!!

Manuél Ferrari > jkm7680
03/13/2015 at 19:22

WAT

The interior is beautiful

Manuél Ferrari > Too many M's
03/13/2015 at 19:23

I've grown so bored of paddles

All future bimmers must have 3 pedals

So I can't buy a new BMW wagon because in US

jkm7680 > Manuél Ferrari
03/13/2015 at 19:28

I just don't like the steering wheel and how bubbly it looks.

Manuél Ferrari > jkm7680
03/13/2015 at 19:29

;(

But it's nice in person

Way nicer than the fat ass steering wheel in my E90 M3

jkm7680 > Manuél Ferrari
03/13/2015 at 20:16

Mehhhh, but I cannot into leatherette!

Manuél Ferrari > jkm7680
03/13/2015 at 20:36

Hmm is that what's used on the steering wheel? Fake leather?

jkm7680 > Manuél Ferrari
03/13/2015 at 20:42

According to the OP it's SensaTec.

I prefer having a dead cow on my steering wheel TBH.

Manuél Ferrari > jkm7680
03/13/2015 at 20:53

ME TOO!

Dead cow is best material for everything

jkm7680 > Manuél Ferrari
03/13/2015 at 20:57

IKNOWRIGHT, there's nothing like saying "Mah house is made 100% made out of dead cow beeeeitch."

Oh, and I am deeply saddened by the lack of Manuel in the new R8. I'll keep harassing Audi about their little S3 design flaw though.

Manuél Ferrari > jkm7680
03/13/2015 at 21:16

yes!

dead cow all the things!!

ME TOO

but i expected audi to fuck us so i wasn't surprised

i already internalized my sad months ago when reading rumors

i don't like the new one's looks either

but it's OK

we shall buy the original R8 one day for cheap!

jkm7680 > Manuél Ferrari
03/13/2015 at 21:21

Same, I had a vague idea that Audi wouldn't give us what we wanted. Manual Audis usually carry ridiculous premiums about the auto models so I don't really see why not.

I'm still waiting for the S3 though, it was a rumor that they might. But that was like some time last years so I don't think it's happening.

But yes! The moment the R8 dips below $50k, I shall be highly tempted.

Manuél Ferrari > jkm7680
03/13/2015 at 21:25

If I have the money one day I will literally buy 4 different R8s

That way I can mix and match colors a bad engines and have at least one spider!

jkm7680 > Manuél Ferrari
03/13/2015 at 21:34

Hahaha, that would be awesome!

I'd have one only for DD purposes. White cars aren't my thing, but I'd love a white R8.