Power and frugality
The 3-Series wagon has only one engine choice, the mid-level 3.0-litre inline-6 that develops 230 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, and our test car is equipped with the former.
Zero to 100 km/h takes 7.6 seconds, and in general, the car is quick in any situation. The engine is silky smooth and rarely feels strained, except maybe when the car is fully loaded. But the clutch pedal is unnecessarily stiff, and when you're stuck in traffic, you feel as though your femur will snap.
Our fuel consumption average of 11.3 L/100 km is alright considering that we're in the dead of winter.
Despite being a wagon, the Touring drives like a sports car, which is a good reason why people choose a wagon over an SUV. But this car's stiff ride isn't always pleasant, especially on ride home after a hard day's work.
Competition
The 328i xDrive Touring carries a base price of $44,100, but our test car is loaded with just about every option available, including the Premium Package ($2,800), the Executive Package ($2,500), the Sport Package ($1,900), the Premium Sound Package ($1,500) and metallic paint ($800). The total climbs rapidly to $53,600.
In comparison, here's what the competition offers in regards to all-wheel drive wagons, before options:
Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro, 211 hp, $47,750
Saab 9-3 SportCombi XWD, 210 hp, $40,330
Subaru Outback 3.0R Premier, 245 hp, $43,595
Volkswagen Passat Wagon 3.6L 4MOTION Comfortline, 280 hp, $44,675
Volvo V50 T5 AWD, 227 hp, $41,695
Cadillac will enter this category next year with the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon, and Mercedes-Benz's C-Class wagon is only available in Europe. As for the BMW X3, it costs about the same, but can reach $60,000 with options.
Conclusion
BMWs are never cheap, but in the case of the 328i Touring, you get a car that's solidly built, quiet, quick and very capable during the winter months.
However, we assume that if you're looking for a wagon, you're also looking for extra cargo space and practicality, and it that regard, the 3-Series wagon falls a little short. That's why BMW sells 10 times as many X3s.
Wagons are fashionable in Europe, but not in North America. But for SUVs, it's the other way around. If you want something different, this 328i is an interesting choice, and if I were buying a 3-Series, this would be the one.
photo:Philippe Champoux, Matthieu Lambert
The 3-Series wagon has only one engine choice, the mid-level 3.0-litre inline-6 that develops 230 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, and our test car is equipped with the former.
Zero to 100 km/h takes 7.6 seconds, and in general, the car is quick in any situation. The engine is silky smooth and rarely feels strained, except maybe when the car is fully loaded. But the clutch pedal is unnecessarily stiff, and when you're stuck in traffic, you feel as though your femur will snap.
Our fuel consumption average of 11.3 L/100 km is alright considering that we're in the dead of winter.
Despite being a wagon, the Touring drives like a sports car, which is a good reason why people choose a wagon over an SUV. But this car's stiff ride isn't always pleasant, especially on ride home after a hard day's work.
Competition
The 328i xDrive Touring carries a base price of $44,100, but our test car is loaded with just about every option available, including the Premium Package ($2,800), the Executive Package ($2,500), the Sport Package ($1,900), the Premium Sound Package ($1,500) and metallic paint ($800). The total climbs rapidly to $53,600.
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| The 3-Series wagon has only one engine choice, the 3.0-litre inline-6 that develops 230 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. |
In comparison, here's what the competition offers in regards to all-wheel drive wagons, before options:
Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro, 211 hp, $47,750
Saab 9-3 SportCombi XWD, 210 hp, $40,330
Subaru Outback 3.0R Premier, 245 hp, $43,595
Volkswagen Passat Wagon 3.6L 4MOTION Comfortline, 280 hp, $44,675
Volvo V50 T5 AWD, 227 hp, $41,695
Cadillac will enter this category next year with the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon, and Mercedes-Benz's C-Class wagon is only available in Europe. As for the BMW X3, it costs about the same, but can reach $60,000 with options.
Conclusion
BMWs are never cheap, but in the case of the 328i Touring, you get a car that's solidly built, quiet, quick and very capable during the winter months.
However, we assume that if you're looking for a wagon, you're also looking for extra cargo space and practicality, and it that regard, the 3-Series wagon falls a little short. That's why BMW sells 10 times as many X3s.
Wagons are fashionable in Europe, but not in North America. But for SUVs, it's the other way around. If you want something different, this 328i is an interesting choice, and if I were buying a 3-Series, this would be the one.
photo:Philippe Champoux, Matthieu Lambert
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