[DJ Vitamin Zee]

I currently drive a Celica for my 45-mile commute each way: 32mpg highway, reliable, and good handling though not much giddy-up. I've always preferred handling over raw power anyway so it's been fine. Now I'm ready for an upgrade in luxury, and I also miss driving manual, so I was really hoping a manual 328i would hit the sweet spot in terms of luxury, sportiness, and fuel efficiency. I love BMWs though I am not really an aficionado.

I give that background because I don't mean for this to become another 328i vs. 335i (or F30 vs. E9x vs. E46) thread -- I see plenty of those around. I was just surprised that I found the 328i manual a little under-powered especially at low RPMs, especially given that I'm not someone who normally craves power. I mean, I know it's an efficient turbo-4 so I didn't expect too much, and it was still a great test-drive. But I see so many folks on this board saying that the 328i has all the power you will need, so I was expecting a bit more considering that most of the folks here are probably pickier about their cars than I am.

I'm still leaning towards buying one (or perhaps waiting for the 2-series) because it may be the best all-around car for my needs, but at the end of the test drive I felt like it was the type of car I didn't *need* to have in manual, because it didn't quite have the sportiness that a manual would take advantage of. I've been driving my lighter, smaller, lower Celica for a long time so that may have something to do with it. It's definitely more car than I'm used to driving on a daily basis. Maybe I babied it too much during the test drive and didn't give it enough gas. I don't have lots of experience with BMWs, but I've driven my wife's '87 325, my friend's 2004 manual 330ci, and a 2010 automatic 328xi wagon. All of them seemed to have better giddy-up.

I didn't have enough time to test drive the automatic, and will go do this sometime soon, but I was curious if others had considered the manual first and then opted for the auto after test driving? Or for those who are manual lovers and got the 328i in manual, do you have any reservations or feel compromised in any way? Should I expect the power curve to feel differently in the auto? If so, perhaps I will wait for the 328d which could be a great commuter car if I can convince myself that I don't need a manual.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts...

 

[Jamesonsviggen]

What modes did you drive it in? Only Sport mode gives you can accurate indication of getup for all throttle inputs aside from wot.
Secondly, how fresh was the car, the n20 loosens up a fair bit after 1000-1500 miles.

Also, it might not feel fast due to a power delivery that lacks a lump. My Saabs hit hard with torque and felt fast even though they were slower than the 328. 0-60 in the mid 5's, it is what it is. In reality it is far faster than the xdrive wagon you drove, its just about perceived speed.

I also find I can bore myself in the car by driving it like a grandma. Then I drive it in anger and even get wheels chirping on the 2-3 shift, and nit reminds me what its made of.

 

[Geekenstein]

I test drove an automatic and loved it, but I thought a manual might be even better, so I was kind of sitting on the fence for a while. But I'm glad I went with the manual.

It was surprising to me too how the acceleration wasn't very impressive until you grab 2nd gear. But it does seem to get better with time. Not sure if it's just a matter of practice and getting accustomed to the clutch, or if the engine loosens up and actually gets more powerful. There's also the mysterious "adaptive throttle" which may or may not cause some lag until it adapts to your driving style. It's a topic of much debate.

So yeah, I would recommend a manual. If you turn off the stability control, the 328 can be plenty scary on public roads. Power through some curves in 2nd gear and the rear will step out on you in a surprisingly twitchy way for such a big car. If the pavement is just slightly damp it can happen in 3rd gear. Even with the stability control on, it's still fun. The confidence it gives you just lets you take curves even faster and still feel safe, particularly on unfamiliar roads or in city driving.

 

[DJ Vitamin Zee]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm an idiot because I totally forgot about the different driving modes. And the salesman is an idiot for not bringing it to my attention during the test drive. So I must have been driving in comfort mode. Guess I'm going back for another test drive.

Tried to search for how sport mode affects fuel consumption, but couldn't find any hard numbers. I'm happy to take an mpg hit around town but hopefully it doesn't affect freeway numbers much.

The car only had 300 miles on it. It also had the sport package but not the m-adaptive suspension, which I would probably get. It was the only manual my local dealer had on the lot.

One other question: With the upcoming 228i also getting the N20, how would folks guess the driving dynamics will compare to the 328i? Will a few inches shorter and a few hundred pounds lighter make much of a difference? The 328 is a bit bigger than I really need for a commuter car, though I do prefer sedans over coupes and I can justify it because of the fuel efficiency. In reality, the rumored 2-seres Gran Coupe might be the perfect size for me, but I don't think I can wait that long.

 

[BmwFlooner]

I picked up my 328i MT as my family wagon a few weeks ago and I'm still breaking it in. Before that I was driving an Eclipse MT. I love manuals - the connection to the car, the skill test, the smooth ride. For me it's not about performance or being sporty, I just love the mechanics of it. But I really debated getting the 328i auto, thinking the paddle shifters could be a "manual light" for when I found myself missing it. Ultimately after test driving the auto I knew I'd just be happier with the manual.

I initially had the same feeling as you that first gear felt a little flat. But as the weeks pass I've lost that feeling, and there are probably several reasons for that.
- I'm continuing to learn the car and getting familiar with the clutch and I'm better at making the car 'go' now.
- The parts are breaking in.
- I'm no longer comparing it to my beloved Eclipse. The Eclipse didn't exactly explode out of the gate, but it was much more vocal about speed. The Eclipse screamed "WE'RE GOING 70 RIGHT NOW!" where the 328i casually mentions "By the way, we passed 70 a few seconds ago...." I'm probably faster off the green light with my 328i, but it doesn't feel that way.

I'm only driving in Comfort right now while I break it in and learn the car. I'm saving Sport for when break in is complete and it's time to open it up, so I'm looking forward to that. But Comfort is where I'll spend most of my time anyway because I can't be bothered to hit "Sport" every time I hop in the car. I don't feel Comfort wants for power at all. Sport will be fun.

I had reservations about getting the manual - bigger car, quieter engine, wife driving it, ....wife driving it. But I'm glad I went with it anyway. I'm having a lot of fun with it.

 

[DJ Vitamin Zee]

wife driving it, ....wife driving it.

LOL, thanks for the informative and entertaining post. The first BMW I drove was the '87 325 that my wife had when we met. The odometer eventually broke at 220k and she kept driving it until '07 when our daughter was born and she was forced (by me) into something newer and safer. We still kept it around as a third car though until last year when it needed too much work to justify. The rest of the car was falling apart, but the engine was still rock solid and that manual was still quite fun to drive. My wife cried as they took it away.

 

[Jamesonsviggen]

Well, there is your answer, drive the car in Sport!

You can get the same MPG in sport if you pay attention to it. The modes largely dampen the throttle, so if your foot is being clever it can do the same thing.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm an idiot because I totally forgot about the different driving modes. And the salesman is an idiot for not bringing it to my attention during the test drive. So I must have been driving in comfort mode. Guess I'm going back for another test drive.

Tried to search for how sport mode affects fuel consumption, but couldn't find any hard numbers. I'm happy to take an mpg hit around town but hopefully it doesn't affect freeway numbers much.

The car only had 300 miles on it. It also had the sport package but not the m-adaptive suspension, which I would probably get. It was the only manual my local dealer had on the lot.

One other question: With the upcoming 228i also getting the N20, how would folks guess the driving dynamics will compare to the 328i? Will a few inches shorter and a few hundred pounds lighter make much of a difference? The 328 is a bit bigger than I really need for a commuter car, though I do prefer sedans over coupes and I can justify it because of the fuel efficiency. In reality, the rumored 2-seres Gran Coupe might be the perfect size for me, but I don't think I can wait that long.

 

[BmwFlooner]

LOL, thanks for the informative and entertaining post. The first BMW I drove was the '87 325 that my wife had when we met. The odometer eventually broke at 220k and she kept driving it until '07 when our daughter was born and she was forced (by me) into something newer and safer. We still kept it around as a third car though until last year when it needed too much work to justify. The rest of the car was falling apart, but the engine was still rock solid and that manual was still quite fun to drive. My wife cried as they took it away.

I'd still be driving my '01 Eclipse if it could fit a child seat and didn't get rear ended every 2 months. My wife *can* drive a manual, but she doesn't do it often enough that I don't fear for my clutch when she heads out.

One thing I forgot to mention re: manual vs auto -- you're probably more likely to use the Auto Start System if you pick the manual (if you care to use it that is), you'll have more control over when it Starts/Stops.

 

[SergioK]

Or for those who are manual lovers and got the 328i in manual, do you have any reservations or feel compromised in any way?

Absolutely not.

Should I expect the power curve to feel differently in the auto?

Yes, the car will most definitely feel different with an automatic, not only are the gears different ratios (8 speed vs 6), but the torque converter acts as a buffer between the engine and drivetrain, something that does NOT happen with a manual transmission.

I've driven an N20 powered car with the 8 speed automatic transmission and it's fine, if my wife were to drive it. She wouldn't mind the automagic trans. Me, no thank you. I'll stick with my stick.

 

[woodswatchco]

I think you got some good feedback already but here is my take. I too feel that the manual is a little flat in 1st gear. I have a 328i M Sport line with 1000 miles on it now. It has seemed to loosen up a lot since new. 2nd through 5th gear are amazing. If you weren't impressed with your test drive, you definitely didn't have it in sport or sport plus mode. It is truly a 4 cylinder with the power and smoothness of a 6 cylinder. I really feel like from 20-100 mph it can keep up with any car under that has under 400hp and costs under $60k. Maybe it can't beat everything but it will not be embarrassed! If you are a performance guy, definitely plan on getting the Burger Motor Sport tuner box. It adds 45hp for $379 and plugs in in minutes and can be removed just as easily. I'm only waiting to get my car past the break in period to get one.

I currently drive a Celica for my 45-mile commute each way: 32mpg highway, reliable, and good handling though not much giddy-up. I've always preferred handling over raw power anyway so it's been fine. Now I'm ready for an upgrade in luxury, and I also miss driving manual, so I was really hoping a manual 328i would hit the sweet spot in terms of luxury, sportiness, and fuel efficiency. I love BMWs though I am not really an aficionado.

I give that background because I don't mean for this to become another 328i vs. 335i (or F30 vs. E9x vs. E46) thread -- I see plenty of those around. I was just surprised that I found the 328i manual a little under-powered especially at low RPMs, especially given that I'm not someone who normally craves power. I mean, I know it's an efficient turbo-4 so I didn't expect too much, and it was still a great test-drive. But I see so many folks on this board saying that the 328i has all the power you will need, so I was expecting a bit more considering that most of the folks here are probably pickier about their cars than I am.

I'm still leaning towards buying one (or perhaps waiting for the 2-series) because it may be the best all-around car for my needs, but at the end of the test drive I felt like it was the type of car I didn't *need* to have in manual, because it didn't quite have the sportiness that a manual would take advantage of. I've been driving my lighter, smaller, lower Celica for a long time so that may have something to do with it. It's definitely more car than I'm used to driving on a daily basis. Maybe I babied it too much during the test drive and didn't give it enough gas. I don't have lots of experience with BMWs, but I've driven my wife's '87 325, my friend's 2004 manual 330ci, and a 2010 automatic 328xi wagon. All of them seemed to have better giddy-up.

I didn't have enough time to test drive the automatic, and will go do this sometime soon, but I was curious if others had considered the manual first and then opted for the auto after test driving? Or for those who are manual lovers and got the 328i in manual, do you have any reservations or feel compromised in any way? Should I expect the power curve to feel differently in the auto? If so, perhaps I will wait for the 328d which could be a great commuter car if I can convince myself that I don't need a manual.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts...

 

[knockbang]

1,300 miles done_your experiences valued please

A couple of years later but I'm hoping your experiences might help put my mind at rest if you would be so kind?

I'm new to Bimmerfest community but am grateful for the wealth of knowledge provided through posts for previously owned BMWs (E61 and E81). They've helped me through all sorts of electrical and mechanical work that I've undertaken.

This thread is very relevant in relation to 328i (F30) pre-LCI N20 and issues with delivery of power through the MT because you guys have experienced similar. I took delivery of the vehicle a little over a month ago and it's back with the dealer currently as I'm not satisfied with first gear pull away or acceleration through 20mph to 40mph in 1st and 2nd.

The dealer is unable to locate any fault and wants to 'restore my confidence' in the vehicle. I would very much value your input also please as those with experience of the running in and familiarisation with the 328i MT.

1st gives a 'wobble' with initial acceleration almost like a stall is imminent (no jokes please, it's not just me!). When accelerating reasonably hard up through 1st and 2nd I hear an uncomfortable 'whine' and get a sensation of 'resistance' (is the best I can describe it). This is between 20mph and 40mph and 2,500rpm to 3,500rpm. Neither I am particularly impressed with! My perception is that the acceleration power isn't all there either, even with 350nm (258lb-ft) torque and 242bhp.

I have seen in this thread about the N20 loosening up after 1,000 to 1,500 miles and have also read about CDV (Clutch Delay Valve) and vibration absorber on the Fly Wheel(?). The dealer did say about the latter also when I mentioned uncomfortable vibration through the stick and clutch but they have confirmed they are unable to find any faults with the vehicle.

I did also research the electronic LSD (Limited Slip Differential) as a possible cause as the whine and resistance are more pronounced when the vehicle is driven from 'cold' and possibly in cornering.

The vehicle is an SE to cater to competing demands as a commuter/family/shared vehicle and has lots of extras for comfort/safety. I have now driven it in Sport mode also after the initial running in period. I reckon maybe if I'm more aggressive on pulling away I can get past the 'wobble' by utilising the CDV but surely a smooth comfortable pull away should be an option too?

The 'whine' and 'resistance' issue I'm not sure I can get around or tolerate.

What are your experiences two years on further to your posts please? All experiences very much appreciated - thank you.

 

[Geekenstein]

You're getting this wobble when the clutch is fully engaged? That sounds strange. IMO 1st and 2nd gear are too long on the 328i. I think they did it to optimize 0-60mph times. But I've never experienced anything I would call a "wobble" or vibration. Just plenty of turbo lag at low RPM's. It also seems to have a very heavy clutch and flywheel. Lots of rotational inertia, even compared to much less sporty cars that I've driven.

After driving the car for 2 1/2 years now, I've still never noticed the effects of the clutch delay valve. Maybe mine has been broken from day one.

 

[Nordique]

I came to my 2013 F30 from an E46, both with the sport package and MT. And I got the 320i, with less power than the 328i, but have been very happy with the F30 (which I factory-ordered). I waited to push the car until after all the various breaking-in periods. Even now, I don't go over 3000 rpm until the engine is warmed up. The gearing is very different from my E46. First gear seems lower and third seems higher, but the car is great fun to drive. I only drive in sport mode and I always turn off ASS. It's been a wonderful 37,000+ miles so far!

Mind you, when I first test drove a 328i (before the 320i became available at dealers), I was disappointed with the loaner, which was an AT and without the sport package. I had to trust that BMW would make me a car which fit me and the way I drive--which it does!

 

[kleros]

Juice


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Azrckcrawler]

For the record I am a diehard manual transmission fanatic. Except for a few Ford Lightning pickup trucks I have owned thru the years I have always picked a manual trans in my cars. That changed last week when I picked up a 2015 328 w/ Automatic and Msport package. This is my 5th BMW, first brand new one. My wife and I have owned the following used BMWs thru the years:

1999 E46 328i 5 Speed w/ Sport Package
2006 E90 330i 6 Speed w/ Sport Package
2002 E46 325i 5 Speed w/ Sport Package
2010 E92 328i 6 Speed w/ Sport Package

We almost didn't buy the first 1999 after driving an automatic 323 at a dealer (no one had a manual on the lot). The thing felt gutless so we gave up looking at BMW's. A week or so later the 5speed 99 popped up on Autotrader. It was the largest engine (in a 3) at the time and the inline 6 torque curve combined with the 5 speed made for a very responsive ride. We drove that car from 32k to 188k before selling it to get the newer 06.

I almost feel like the new 4 cylinder BMW's have flipped the driving experience. By that I mean they pair better with the 8 speed automatic. With the automatic gearing options you can really scoot in sport mode, so well that I really can't tell there isn't an inline 6 under the hood. As a plus if you are in commute mode you can set the car to eco mode and effortlessly get some pretty incredible gas mileage. I have been commuting to the same place since the first BMW and the 40 mile ride has netted a best 32/27/29/30mpg respectively for the above BMW's I have owned. The new 328 turned in a 42.3mpg yesterday on the same drive cycle with only 115 miles on the clock Anyway, just thought I would share my experience.

For sure when you find the right combo it will be hard to go back to other car brands. My wife and I have tried other cars thru the years but always end up with at least one BMW in the garage.

 

[cpariddler]

I love to drive manual shift sports cars but a 328i is a sports sedan therefore the auto transmission with sports shifter is a better option. I would go for the manual if you are talking about an M3.

 

[knockbang]

Thanks for contributions everybody Geekenstein - the 'wobble' is on engaging 1st gear (around the bite point). 1st and 2nd are way to long also like you say and I am tending to agree with Azrckcrawler that the 328i may be better paired with the AT (this is a shame because my wife an I are definitely in the MT camp).

Yesterday I went back to dealer for a second demonstration drive with a Senior Technician. The dealer is currently holding our vehicle awaiting another 328i MT (non-M Sport) to do a back to back test against, though this is proving difficult to arrange due to availability(!?). The Senior Technician did detect the 'whine' but said these were just 'engine notes' and the Engine Management. I am not convinced as it would appear from web research that some vehicles have this and others do not. The vehicle we test drove (328i M Sport) did not have this issue and was a pleasure to drive (other than ride comfort).

The 'wobble' was immediately evident to the Senior Technician and he nearly made us sick demonstrating it. He explained it initially as the Engine Management and then said it was common to all 3 series petrol MT versions. He also talked about the engine mounts. Personally I find this to be unacceptable in a prestige vehicle. We have the SE trim level with lots of extras (the Luxury didn't appeal to us and M Sport was to hard for us).

It is unfortunate but I think the Diesel MT may be the way forward, or the new 340i (previously a 335i in the F30) 3.0 litre straight six. We have had a 5 series AT (3.0 diesel) previously and don't get me wrong I'm not anti AT but for this vehicle we desperately wanted a petrol MT. We had a 1 series (118d) MT and that was fun. The loan vehicle (318d) MT we have is fun also (though underpowered I would say).

There is so much we love about our 328i MT but the engine and MT are not working well for us. Also during the most recent demonstration drive the door locks kept opening and closing whilst driving! I'm sure we'll get it all sorted and I will update on this forum.