Most irksome for me was the lack of visibility in my left-hand blind spot. While I do realize I represent only a small percentage of below-5'3" BMW drivers, I shouldn't have to pay for my vertical disabilities with blindness. Because the driver's seat was moved forward so much--for optimal shifting and steering ability--the rear window became completely covered by the seat and the main window was only half-visible.
The experience...
Driving a BMW can be likened to a first date, first kiss, first time, all-out love affair turned life-time partner... but even that might not explain the sensation. From the moment first gear is engaged, the 328xi's 3.0-litre DOHC I-6 engine begs the driver to accelerate, accelerate, accelerate. And with 230 bhp and 200 lb-ft of torque, accelerate you will.
Unfortunately, as is the way with most modern cars, the 328xi has a great deal of electronic gadgetry that seems to take over the drive from the get-go. Most noticeable is the electronic throttle that flops beneath an exuberant right foot and doesn't deliver the response one would hope from a spirited drive.
Equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, the gear ratios are tuned to perfection with a third gear that seems to last forever and will give you all the performance and power you could hope to get from this coupe. And that's not to say that the other gears don't perform to utter perfection--power can be gained at any speed from any gear with the appropriate downshift and desire to go.
A BMW first
Perhaps most interesting with these 3-series coupes is the fact that this is the first time BMW has offered its xDrive system in a coupe model. The xDrive all-wheel drive system is BMW's answer to generic AWDs and keeps their cars firmly planted on the road, no matter what--trust me.
The xDrive was noticeable immediately. The 328xi took on any road condition, any speed and any corner with grace and confidence. Even in our summer heat, not once did the rubber protest. Equipped with DTS and DTC (both of which can be manually deactivated at the drivers discretion and bravery) the electronic controls were noticeable at times--during heavy cornering or sharp maneuvers--but was never intrusive or overbearing.
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| The harder the shifter is manipulated, the better the driving experience gets. |
The experience...
Driving a BMW can be likened to a first date, first kiss, first time, all-out love affair turned life-time partner... but even that might not explain the sensation. From the moment first gear is engaged, the 328xi's 3.0-litre DOHC I-6 engine begs the driver to accelerate, accelerate, accelerate. And with 230 bhp and 200 lb-ft of torque, accelerate you will.
Unfortunately, as is the way with most modern cars, the 328xi has a great deal of electronic gadgetry that seems to take over the drive from the get-go. Most noticeable is the electronic throttle that flops beneath an exuberant right foot and doesn't deliver the response one would hope from a spirited drive.
Equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, the gear ratios are tuned to perfection with a third gear that seems to last forever and will give you all the performance and power you could hope to get from this coupe. And that's not to say that the other gears don't perform to utter perfection--power can be gained at any speed from any gear with the appropriate downshift and desire to go.
A BMW first
Perhaps most interesting with these 3-series coupes is the fact that this is the first time BMW has offered its xDrive system in a coupe model. The xDrive all-wheel drive system is BMW's answer to generic AWDs and keeps their cars firmly planted on the road, no matter what--trust me.
The xDrive was noticeable immediately. The 328xi took on any road condition, any speed and any corner with grace and confidence. Even in our summer heat, not once did the rubber protest. Equipped with DTS and DTC (both of which can be manually deactivated at the drivers discretion and bravery) the electronic controls were noticeable at times--during heavy cornering or sharp maneuvers--but was never intrusive or overbearing.
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| The new-generation Coupe is the first to offer BMW's xDrive AWD system. |