What it is: The BMW 3 Series is the premium automaker’s best-selling small car. It’s offered as an M3 performance sedan, a sedan, a wagon, or a Gran Turismo hatchback.
Numerous drivetrains are available, including plug-in hybrids, turbocharged gas four-cylinder engines (320i and 330i versions), turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engines (328d), turbocharged gas six-cylinder engines (340i), and turbocharged gas four-cylinder engines (330e).
The five-seat 3 Series competes against the Audi A4, Cadillac ATS, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class and is available with rear- or all-wheel drive (designated xDrive).
The touchscreen BMW iDrive 6.0 multimedia system is offered, and LED headlights are now a standard feature. 18-inch black-accented alloys, a gloss-black twin-kidney grille, smoked taillights, and a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel are all part of the Shadow Sport Edition Package, which is an option.
In This Article...
Locate Ratings
The BMW 328i has a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine with 240 horsepower, but it nevertheless uses surprisingly little fuel. We found that the 28 mpg overall was among the best in its class. However, BMW replaced the I with a “d” and added a new 180-hp, 2.0-liter turbodiesel for 2014, leaving that gas mileage number in the dust.
Even with all-wheel drive, the 328d’s 35 mpg average is excellent. Only the 40 mpg of the Lexus CT 200h hybrid, which falls far short of the 3 Series in terms of luxury and sportiness, outperforms that in this class. Additionally, the 328d has a 735-mile continuous driving range thanks to its 49 mpg highway mileage.
Trade-offs? The 328d’s acceleration isn’t very quick; it takes more than 2 seconds longer to get from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds than the 328i does. However, the diesel has 280 lb.-ft. of available torque, which gives it a great punch for passing or merging. The 328d is slightly noisier than the 328i due to some diesel clatter, but we didn’t find it to be unpleasant.
The vehicle must be regularly topped off with urea-based diesel exhaust fluid for it to continue to meet pollution regulations, just like other contemporary diesels. For the first four years or 50,000 miles after purchase, BMW provides coverage without charge. Otherwise, auto parts shops have DEF readily available.
The same seamless eight-speed automatic transmission utilized in the 328i is paired with the diesel engine. Stick shifts are not offered, though.
The ride is composed and firm at the same time. The automobile is fun to drive because of its nimble handling. The interior fit and finish is excellent, and the cabin is quiet. Even on lengthy trips, the thickly padded front chairs are cozy and supportive.
Gripes? Over time, there has been a small increase in legroom in the back seat, although it is still constrained. Some controls continue to be overly complex. The iDrive controller, a knob on the center console, allows you to make selections on a sizable, bright central dashboard screen with big, readable fonts for many purposes. But practice is necessary.
The 328d is a great automobile with high quality, attention to detail, and a large list of high-tech features, just like previous 3 Series models. The 3 Series still offers a highly enjoyable and well-balanced driving experience, despite being a little less thrilling to drive than it once was.
best version to purchase. The Premium package is standard on most BMW models. But increasing the number of possibilities leads the cost to rise significantly. Blind-spot monitoring needs options worth at least $5,000. Wow! However, we would also receive the backup camera as part of a pricey $950 Driver Assistance package. You’ll probably want the $2,000 xDrive all-wheel drive and the $950 Cold Weather package if it snows where you live.
Warranty
A bumper-to-bumper four-year, 50,000-mile guarantee from BMW covers the engine and transmission in the 2018 328d. BMWs are also renowned for their dependability and long lifespans when properly maintained and serviced. BMW performed better than average in J.D. Power’s annual Initial Quality Study for 2018. We advise looking into a factory-backed extended warranty from BMW directly if you intend to keep the vehicle for an extended period of time or plan to go across the moon and back.
Strong dosage of diesel in the BMW 328d
BMW’s new diesel not only boasts impressive fuel economy figures (32 mpg city, 45 mpg city, and 37 mpg combined), but does so with vigor. The 0-60 mph sprint occurs in the low-7 second range, which is quicker than the base 320i ($33,675; 24/36/28) and about normal for the sport-sedan class. (BMW)
The EPA estimates that you may travel 678 highway miles in your new BMW 3 Series diesel before needing to refuel.
The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine powering the 2014 BMW 328d ($38,225) makes up for its paltry 181 horsepower with 280 pound-feet of torque.
a little tech refresher: Acceleration is caused by torque, but continuous speed is caused by horsepower. One expert put it this way: “Horsepower is what keeps you there; torque is what gets you to the speed you desire quickly.”
In other words, the new diesel from BMW not only has excellent fuel economy ratings (32 mpg city, 45 mpg city, and 37 mpg combined), but also does so with vigor. The 0-60 mph sprint occurs in the low-7 second range, which is quicker than the base 320i ($33,675; 24/36/28) and about normal for the sport-sedan class.
A gas/electric hybrid, four- and six-cylinder gasoline engines, and the new diesel engine round out the options. Most come with either rear- or all-wheel drive, and some come with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Two new AWD-only body types for the 3 Series this year are a wagon and a Grand Turismo (GT) Hatchback (both starting at $42,375). The 3 Series Coupe and Convertible are eliminated as part of BMW’s new naming scheme and will now be known as 4 Series models going forward.
All 3 Series vehicles—including the X3 crossover—are constructed on the same reliable and responsive basis, and owners can customize their 3s to increase comfort, boost performance, or do both.
In Snoqualmie Falls, I picked up my 328d tester (see story below), and then I drove south toward SeaTac. I spent a few days in the Skagit Valley, which is north of Seattle, after arriving back in the Pacific Northwest. I finished up by driving back to Spokane on Highway 2 and arriving at my house with a quarter tank of gas.
The numerous passing possibilities, tricky turns, and fast sweepers are glossed over in this description (pun intended). Depending on the road conditions and my urgent desire for speed, I could change the gearbox and stability control programs using the optional sport transmission.
In full-on Sport Plus mode, the driver is free to let it all hang out as the engine revs to the redline without shifting and the stability control system turns off. Body lean is reduced by the optional adaptive suspension without making the ride unpleasant.
The spacious, well-appointed cabin is quiet throughout, with only a faint sense of diesel noise at low RPMs.
Everywhere you look in the automobile world, diesels are appearing. In the event that the remaining hybrids are even half as good as BMW’s, they may end up becoming a threatened species.
The BMW 328d belongs to what series?
The 330e iPerformance plug-in hybrid sedan, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 340i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330i and 328d xDrive wagon, and the M3 are all variations of the BMW 3 Series. Other models include the 320i, 320i xDrive all-wheel drive, 328d, 328d xDrive, 330i, 330i xDrive, and 340i, 340i x
The meaning of BMW 335d
The fact that it is a diesel engine, designated by the letter “d,” which was historically notorious for making a loud noise in addition to its pungent smell, makes it more notable. BMW stopped selling diesels in the middle of the 1980s. It has not yet entered the U.S. diesel market because to worries about emissions and high-sulfur fuel.
A BMW 328d: Is it a diesel?
BMW will address this issue by releasing the 328d by the end of this summer. The 328d is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.
Is the BMW 335d trustworthy?
With a reliability rating of 1.5 out of 5, the BMW 335d is ranked 31st among luxury midsize automobiles. The annual average cost of repairs is $1,113, which indicates that the ownership costs are high. You may anticipate more significant repairs for the 335d because both the frequency and severity of repairs are substantially higher than those for the ordinary vehicle.
A BMW 335d’s top speed?
Even though the new petrol 318i has a three-pot engine and most of the 3-series range now has four-cylinder engines, the highest models still have six cylinders.
The inline six in the 335d has a 3.0-liter displacement and breathes through two turbochargers to produce 309 bhp at 4400 rpm and a devastating 465 lb ft of torque starting at 1500 rpm. This diesel estate, which is exclusively offered with xDrive all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph and accelerates to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds. The 335d’s other strong suit is its 49.6 mpg combined economy and reasonably low 151 g/km CO2 emissions.
What kind of engine is in a 335d?
The 3.0-liter, twin turbo, inline six-cylinder advanced diesel engine that powers the rear-wheel-drive 335d car produces 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. There is only a six-speed automatic transmission available.
The 328d is quick.
This BMW can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, 0 to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds, 0 to 160 km/h (100 mph) in 21.6 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 44.7 seconds, and the quarter mile drag time is 15.7 seconds, according to ProfessCarsTM estimates.
Can you turbocharge a 328i?
I would choose a supercharger over a turbocharger if you are looking for performance. Remember that a turbocharger uses exhaust air, thus there is some latency when starting from a standstill. Supercharging translates to instant monster power. It does consume power, but it’s battery power, which has no impact whatsoever on the vehicle’s performance.
A complete kit is necessary for safety (aerodynamics, stability), and it will increase horsepower/power to weight ratio. You’ll need to replace the suspension system. Look into ESS Superchargers, Eisenmann race exhausts, Vorsteiner carbon fiber bumper, splitters, and diffuser. Examine Eibach. In essence, you’re giving your car far more power than it was intended to have. Thus, you must ensure that it is completed safely.
I am aware of persons who made poor decisions after buying plastic aftermarket body kits. only carbon fiber, then!
If you were to visit any BMW forum, they would all advise you to get a 335 instead because they have never been created expressly for that model. I’m not sure why this is the case, but it is.
The 328i has a twin turbo?
The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine used in the 328i generates 240 horsepower between 5,000 and 6,000 rpm and 255 foot-pounds of torque between 1,250 and 4,800 rpm. TwinPower is BMW’s twin-scroll turbocharger system.
Which BMW models come with diesel motors?
Despite the drawbacks, BMW offers a variety of diesel vehicles, introducing the 320d, X5 xDrive 35d, and 540d last year (2018). These cars have substantial benefits, particularly in the area of fuel efficiency. Despite the negative connotations associated with diesel engines, they continue to support them.
Do BMW diesels work well?
You might not be aware of the advantages of this engine type if you have never driven a car with a modern diesel engine. Fuel economy is the primary factor to take into account when choosing a diesel engine for your next BMW. Some calculations place the efficiency of diesel engines at 30% higher than that of gas engines. They are therefore an excellent option for drivers who have a lengthy daily journey.
If you’re sick of making frequent trips to the gas station, you should think about buying a BMW with a diesel engine.