I'll admit it: I didn't like the idea of a turbo-four in a BMW 3 Series. I know it has precedence and all that, but as someone who used to have a poster of an E46 M3 on my wall, to me the inline-six has always been synonymous with the 3 Series. And having driven the X1 with both the four and the six, I didn't think the four-cylinder engine was right for the 3 Series.
I was wrong.
BMW's inline-six is a fantastic engine, and part of what makes it fantastic is its ability -- nay, desire -- to rev to the moon. Wring one out and it will sing to redline and keep right on pulling until you hit the fuel cutoff and have no choice but to shift, even if it seems like the engine could just keep going. The new N20 four-cylinder doesn't do that. In fact, it pretty much falls flat around 6000 rpm, neither gaining or losing power on the rest of the climb to its 7000 rpm redline. To a purist, that's heresy.
Except that it's not. It doesn't ruin the 3 Series. In fact, the new 328i is a blast to drive in any trim, not just Sport. Lest you think that loping off two cylinders has neutered the 3, consider the numbers. Our eight-speed automatic-equipped tester blew through 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and ran down the quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds at 97.8 mph. BMW claims the turbo-four-powered 328i is actually quicker to 60 mph than the infallible E36 M3, which BMW pegs at a slow-by-today's-standards 6 seconds flat. For the record, the last E36 M3 we tested actually hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, but that doesn't make the new 328i any less impressive. What's more, the 328i actually pulls slightly higher g's around the skidpad than the E36 M3 at 0.90 g and 0.89 g, respectively. Not bad for the new entry-level car.
The 328i does other things the E36 M3 can't. For example, the 328i is rated at a seriously impressive 24 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. Cruising on the highway at 75-80 mph for 300 miles, our tester returned 30.6 mpg. On a hard-driving, canyon-carving, 150-mile test loop, it managed 16.8 mpg. Now take a look at the E36's numbers: 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway per the EPA, which you know would be out of reach for us lead-footed journalists. Check out the 2011 328i and you'll see it's only rated for 18 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. And it makes less power. Any way you cut it, this new 328i is some car.
What the numbers don't tell you is just how good it is to drive. There are more than a few cars out there that put down big numbers but aren't all that great to drive. The 328i achieves both. The new electro-hydraulic power steering system reduces vibrations in the wheel and with it some feedback, but still transmits more road information than most cars on the road today. Turn in, and the 328i leans on its optional electronically variable dampers and independent suspension just as you would expect it to. It doesn't flop over or roll in -- it just leans smoothly and quickly, planting its tires on the ground and delivering almost perfectly neutral handling. Really, you'd have to be either the world's worst driver or intentionally trying to upset the chassis to get this car out of sorts. Even with all the nannies fully off, it gives up just a bit of progressive understeer or oversteer, but nothing wild or unexpected. That certainly isn't due to a lack of power, because as we've established, this car has plenty of it and will happily roast the rear tires if you want.
Want to know the real kicker? Don't tell BMW, but the 328i is better than the 335i. I lapped both at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during BMW's launch event. We brought both home to test (you'll be seeing the 335i First Test soon), and we all agree. Yes, the 335i is a lot faster thanks to that turbo-six, but the 328i is the better car to drive. The four-cylinder car is 50 pounds lighter in the nose and the engine sits behind the front axle, making for a superb weight balance that the big-engine car just can't match. On the track and on the road, the 335i feels a bit more nose-heavy and a bit looser out back, with the rear end wanting to step out in turns, whereas the 328i is perfectly planted throughout. Sure, the 328i doesn't have the top end speed of the 335i, but it's more rewarding to drive fast. What's more, BMW's own driving instructors at the track confided that the lap times were nearly identical, with the 335i faster on the straights and the 328i faster through the corners.
Then there's the little stuff. The seats are a wonderful combination of comfort and sport. The extra space in both rows, courtesy of the wheelbase stretch, is noticeable and appreciated. The new dash is a fair sight better-looking, and even the base iDrive system sans nav looks like a little flatscreen TV on your dash. The iDrive system continues to improve and now has the ability to read your Facebook and Twitter feeds aloud and even send pre-written tweets and posts while driving. The steering wheel has gone on a bit of a diet and is a more pleasing size, not as chunky and oversized. The full-color head-up display is handy and appreciably hi-res. The car even has a proper hand brake.
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz1mkctd0SV
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February 16, 2012, 1:37 pm
I think it may get potential 35i buyers to cross shop the 28i.
From personal experience the N20/8spd is a great combo and the saved money could go to some extra 'bells and whistles'.
And once the car is out of warranty there will be plenty of tuning options to bring hp close to the 35i.
February 16, 2012, 4:25 pm
I don't like turbos. They work fine for a while but once they fail, it's $$$$$$ to fix or you need to replace them.
February 16, 2012, 4:59 pm
What make of car did you have with a failed turbo?
I trust bmw can engineer a long lasting reliable engine.
February 16, 2012, 8:06 pm
i am not that sure, my 2011 550 xi M sport engine was replaced @ 4000 miles!!!!!!!
read this forum and you will realize that long-term reliability is an issue for BMW
February 16, 2012, 8:19 pm
February 16, 2012, 9:13 pm
I donno...
A fully loaded 28i (every option) costs the same as a 35i with M-sport, dynamic comfort package and Nav. here.
I've driven the x1/n20 combo and it's got plenty of power.
Here in Ontario the cops can take your car if you spin the tires so 60hp and 40lb/ft will just get ya in trouble quicker.
@ at 6.7sec to sixty the n20 will stay ahead of traffic.
February 16, 2012, 9:14 pm
If BMW will make the 6-speed manual available with the N20 engine, that is a combination I would buy.
February 16, 2012, 9:28 pm
I trust bmw can engineer a long lasting reliable engine.
February 16, 2012, 9:38 pm
February 17, 2012, 8:15 am
February 17, 2012, 11:38 am
Oh, they make it alright, but won't sell it here.
February 18, 2012, 12:53 am
@ at 6.7sec to sixty the n20 will stay ahead of traffic.
February 18, 2012, 10:20 am
Can we order the N20 X3 now?
February 18, 2012, 10:53 am
Don't know about the Swiss...
Here is a list of stuff that the Cops can take your car in Ontario at their curb-side discretion:
Racing well OK
Appearing to chase another vehicle in who's opinion? oh ya the cop
Driving fast (a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate) normally called speeding
Changing lanes in close proximity to other vehicles OK but generally drivers in Ontario don't give way to faster traffic creating conga-lines
Front or rear wheelies on a bike OK
Donuts OK
Spinning the tires OK, but really? Fun police!
Driving with a person in the trunk note to self when kidnapping!
Driving when not sitting in the driver's seat donno how one does this but OK
Speeding 50km/h over limit
Preventing another driver from passing I actually like this one
Slowing down to impede others I like this one too but the cops will never enforce
Tailgating really .... the cops can take your car for this?
There are some exceptions basically to do with officially sanctioned events but my favorite is:
motor vehicle owners engaged in a tour, scenic drive, treasure hunt or other similar motoring event in which the participants drive responsibly and in a manner that indicates an overall intention to comply with the provisions of the Act; or. Honest officer I was on a scenic drive I swear!
February 18, 2012, 11:20 am
I'd talk to your dealer... it appears some markets get earlier production runs.
I was wrong.
BMW's inline-six is a fantastic engine, and part of what makes it fantastic is its ability -- nay, desire -- to rev to the moon. Wring one out and it will sing to redline and keep right on pulling until you hit the fuel cutoff and have no choice but to shift, even if it seems like the engine could just keep going. The new N20 four-cylinder doesn't do that. In fact, it pretty much falls flat around 6000 rpm, neither gaining or losing power on the rest of the climb to its 7000 rpm redline. To a purist, that's heresy.
Except that it's not. It doesn't ruin the 3 Series. In fact, the new 328i is a blast to drive in any trim, not just Sport. Lest you think that loping off two cylinders has neutered the 3, consider the numbers. Our eight-speed automatic-equipped tester blew through 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and ran down the quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds at 97.8 mph. BMW claims the turbo-four-powered 328i is actually quicker to 60 mph than the infallible E36 M3, which BMW pegs at a slow-by-today's-standards 6 seconds flat. For the record, the last E36 M3 we tested actually hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, but that doesn't make the new 328i any less impressive. What's more, the 328i actually pulls slightly higher g's around the skidpad than the E36 M3 at 0.90 g and 0.89 g, respectively. Not bad for the new entry-level car.
The 328i does other things the E36 M3 can't. For example, the 328i is rated at a seriously impressive 24 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. Cruising on the highway at 75-80 mph for 300 miles, our tester returned 30.6 mpg. On a hard-driving, canyon-carving, 150-mile test loop, it managed 16.8 mpg. Now take a look at the E36's numbers: 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway per the EPA, which you know would be out of reach for us lead-footed journalists. Check out the 2011 328i and you'll see it's only rated for 18 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. And it makes less power. Any way you cut it, this new 328i is some car.
What the numbers don't tell you is just how good it is to drive. There are more than a few cars out there that put down big numbers but aren't all that great to drive. The 328i achieves both. The new electro-hydraulic power steering system reduces vibrations in the wheel and with it some feedback, but still transmits more road information than most cars on the road today. Turn in, and the 328i leans on its optional electronically variable dampers and independent suspension just as you would expect it to. It doesn't flop over or roll in -- it just leans smoothly and quickly, planting its tires on the ground and delivering almost perfectly neutral handling. Really, you'd have to be either the world's worst driver or intentionally trying to upset the chassis to get this car out of sorts. Even with all the nannies fully off, it gives up just a bit of progressive understeer or oversteer, but nothing wild or unexpected. That certainly isn't due to a lack of power, because as we've established, this car has plenty of it and will happily roast the rear tires if you want.
Want to know the real kicker? Don't tell BMW, but the 328i is better than the 335i. I lapped both at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during BMW's launch event. We brought both home to test (you'll be seeing the 335i First Test soon), and we all agree. Yes, the 335i is a lot faster thanks to that turbo-six, but the 328i is the better car to drive. The four-cylinder car is 50 pounds lighter in the nose and the engine sits behind the front axle, making for a superb weight balance that the big-engine car just can't match. On the track and on the road, the 335i feels a bit more nose-heavy and a bit looser out back, with the rear end wanting to step out in turns, whereas the 328i is perfectly planted throughout. Sure, the 328i doesn't have the top end speed of the 335i, but it's more rewarding to drive fast. What's more, BMW's own driving instructors at the track confided that the lap times were nearly identical, with the 335i faster on the straights and the 328i faster through the corners.
Then there's the little stuff. The seats are a wonderful combination of comfort and sport. The extra space in both rows, courtesy of the wheelbase stretch, is noticeable and appreciated. The new dash is a fair sight better-looking, and even the base iDrive system sans nav looks like a little flatscreen TV on your dash. The iDrive system continues to improve and now has the ability to read your Facebook and Twitter feeds aloud and even send pre-written tweets and posts while driving. The steering wheel has gone on a bit of a diet and is a more pleasing size, not as chunky and oversized. The full-color head-up display is handy and appreciably hi-res. The car even has a proper hand brake.
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz1mkctd0SV
February 26, 2012, 1:58 am
i have a 2006 x3 and I enjoy it alot! But the looks of the 2012 are a thing of beauty. Must have some day hopefully in the not so far future.
February 26, 2012, 11:16 am
That gas mileage and performance in the MT article on the 328 is exceptional! If they even come close to that in the 28i X3 than I am certainly going to take a long look at one -- even though I had absolutely no intention of getting an X3 again. Getting close to 35 mpg on the highway and in the high 20's in town is a game changer for me. Now that BMW has finally fixed the horrible ride over rough road problem -- and retained the superb handling -- this is a car that comes close to the hybrid (Highlander and RX450H) SUV mpg numbers as we approach and pass the $5.00 a gallon mark!
February 26, 2012, 12:32 pm
It will be interesting to see the final drive ratio. In the 28i (6 cyl.) the rear axle ratio is jacked up to get adequate power. That causes the EPA ratings to fall short of the 35i
February 26, 2012, 12:44 pm
Good point! To get adequate performance a higher number is used, with the new turbo 4 we will see what BMW does to keep adequate performance and exceptional fuel economy. Personally I would love to see a RWD version of the X3 with the new engine, since I have no use for 4WD where I live and drive.
February 27, 2012, 9:54 am
Would have NEVER bought the 2.8 if was 4-cyl powered. I cannot stand the noise.
As I have posted countless times, they are just noisy.
Even my dealer reports the new 528 is "nice, but you still know there is a 4-cyl up there, it is noisy"..his words, not mine.
I chose the Hemi in my car for the smoothness, not the power.
Regardless of power, that 4 popper is working ALOT harder to keep up with the smooth, fine six it is trying to replace.
February 27, 2012, 11:29 am
Yeah, more torques!
February 27, 2012, 1:39 pm
I loved the little 4-banger in my '68 2002! If the new one is as sweet it will be great!
February 27, 2012, 9:39 pm
As I have posted countless times, they are just noisy.
Even my dealer reports the new 528 is "nice, but you still know there is a 4-cyl up there, it is noisy"..his words, not mine.
I chose the Hemi in my car for the smoothness, not the power.
Regardless of power, that 4 popper is working ALOT harder to keep up with the smooth, fine six it is trying to replace.
February 27, 2012, 9:49 pm
February 27, 2012, 9:59 pm
February 28, 2012, 6:36 am
Yes, the 8 speed auto trans in my wife's 2012 X3 28i is very sweet; but I want three pedals in my cars.
February 28, 2012, 8:49 am
March 1, 2012, 8:20 pm
Here is a list of stuff that the Cops can take your car in Ontario at their curb-side discretion:
Racing well OK
Appearing to chase another vehicle in who's opinion? oh ya the cop
Driving fast (a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate) normally called speeding
Changing lanes in close proximity to other vehicles OK but generally drivers in Ontario don't give way to faster traffic creating conga-lines
Front or rear wheelies on a bike OK
Donuts OK
Spinning the tires OK, but really? Fun police!
Driving with a person in the trunk note to self when kidnapping!
Driving when not sitting in the driver's seat donno how one does this but OK
Speeding 50km/h over limit
Preventing another driver from passing I actually like this one
Slowing down to impede others I like this one too but the cops will never enforce
Tailgating really .... the cops can take your car for this?
There are some exceptions basically to do with officially sanctioned events but my favorite is:
motor vehicle owners engaged in a tour, scenic drive, treasure hunt or other similar motoring event in which the participants drive responsibly and in a manner that indicates an overall intention to comply with the provisions of the Act; or. Honest officer I was on a scenic drive I swear!
March 2, 2012, 11:27 am
It's time to put my '03 E39 out to pasture, & I've been waiting for this for a while now. We're even thinking of is a pick-up at Spartanburg & break-in drive back home to Portland, OR.
What REALLY bothers me is those dman run-flat tires. I want a spare for cross-country trips, AND tires that are a bit more economical. - sigh - guess I can't have it ALL.
March 7, 2012, 8:50 am
Does this make me lucky to get the last 6-cyl with my 2.8 or unlucky because it's now obsolete?
The extra torque excites me but I'm tired of 4-cyl turbos and want a quiet ride that is unaffected by turning on the air conditioner...
March 7, 2012, 9:31 am
TN_SUP, the new 4cyl actually works less than the previous six to turn the A/C since the four has more torque than the six. I wouldn't sweat it though the N52 is a sweat engine.
Another change I noted while reviewing the MY2013 specs is that the 28i now has the same rear differential gearing of the 35i. Previously the 28i had a higher ratio final drive.
March 8, 2012, 9:31 pm
^ when on boost... while idling and cruising the 4 will be weaker
And where did you get that ridiculous information about police performing a roadside seizure of your vehicle for anything else other than street/stunt racing and >50/h over?
March 8, 2012, 10:49 pm
The law is ridiculous not the facts.
Highway Traffic Act, O.Reg. 455/07
Many don't appreciate how unconstitutional the law is. One of the people killed in a street racing incident (which helped initiate the law) was loaded and turned left in front in to oncoming traffic. Any other time the drunk would be at fault... not this time... the drunk was a 'tool' for the law.
And where did you get that ridiculous information about police performing a roadside seizure of your vehicle for anything else other than street/stunt racing and >50/h over?
March 9, 2012, 1:28 pm
Off-topic again but the HTA is very large... please quote me the exact sections
March 9, 2012, 4:13 pm
All ya had to do is google the O.Reg... no need to read the entire act.
see attached.
Again, without any proof other than the officer's word the police can take your car at the side of the road and leave you standing there.