2013
BMW 328i Sedan Review: Enterprise Rent-a-Car:
INTRODUCTION:
The
BMW 3 Series has been a best-seller ever since it was first introduced. In
fact, it’s also made Car and Driver’s 10Best List countless times. And just
when you thought the outgoing 3 Series E90, which had been on sale in the
United States since 2006, couldn’t get any better, BMW redesigned its
best-seller for 2012, under the codename F30. The all-new 3 Series featured an
all-new design with BMW’s new design language that debuted on the then-all-new
2009 7 Series F01. It also offered new technological innovations that provided
more driving enjoyment and better fuel economy. It comes to no surprise that
the current generation BMW 3 Series remains a best seller. Let’s take a look at
the 2013 BMW 328i Sedan, as rented from Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
FEATURES:
While
all BMW 3 Series cars are offered in four distinct designs: the Sport, the M
Sport, and the Luxury, this particular 328i Sedan came with the Base (ES/SE, in
Europe) design. And it’s not to say that the Base design comes standard with
many great features (in fact, this 3 Series did not feature very many options).
Power is delivered by BMW’s 2.0L “Twin Power” inline four-cylinder with
twin-scroll turbochargers. The 2012 328i was the first BMW product to debut the
240-horsepower engine, up 20 horsepower from the outgoing 2011 328i. The engine
is mated to BMW’s eight-speed “Tip-Tronic” automatic transmission. This 328i Sedan
was finished in the attractive Melbourne Red Metallic, and features a bold black
Dakota leather interior with brushed aluminum trim accents that adorn the
dashboard and door panels. Standard on the 328i comes features like an
eight-speaker, 200-watt premium “Hi-Fi” sound system with an A/M-F/M HD Radio stereo,
single-disc CD/MP3 player, jacks for an iPod or other USB device or other
auxiliary audio device, as well as Bluetooth (this was only for a Bluetooth
phone, and could not stream A2DP Bluetooth Stereo Audio, you’ll have to upgrade
to the optional navigation system to get this feature), the basic,
newest-generation iDrive system, voice command for your Bluetooth telephone,
power front seats with driver’s two-position memory, Comfort Access keyless
entry with security system and remote push-button start, SIRIUS-XM Satellite
Radio (that includes a six-month paid trial subscription from BMW, which wasn’t
active at the time of the rental), attractive “Star Spoke” seventeen-inch alloy
wheels with 225/50R17 BSW all-season touring tires from Continental (no spare
tire or wheel could be found in the trunk of the vehicle), and of course all
the safety features that BMW is known for putting into their cars. Options on
this 328i Sedan were limited to a power, tilt-and-sliding sunroof, HomeLink
with three memory positions for remote-activated, HomeLink-capable devices such
as garage doors, gates, and other security devices, and Dakota leather
upholstery (leatherette upholstery comes as standard equipment on the 3 Series
Base design).
DRIVING
AND BASIC REVIEW:
This
particular BMW 328i Sedan was rented with almost 24,000 miles on its odometer,
and the quality on the exterior and interior was still holding up well (not a
surprising thing for a BMW). The seats weren’t as comfortable as that of other
BMW’s, though the Comfort Seats weren’t equipped on this vehicle. Rear seat leg
room was generous, and felt more than that of a BMW E60 5 Series Sedan. Trunk
space was also generous. The iDrive system was more tedious to use than the
older-generation iDrive systems. The audio system sounded better than BMW’s
previous audio systems, though it just couldn’t stand up to the Harman/Kardon
Dolby Surround-Sound System. Driving the 328i Sedan was a very pleasant
experience. Steering was effortless. The transmission took some getting used
to, and the Auto Start/Stop feature, which shuts off the vehicle during stops,
and starts the vehicle back up when you press on the accelerator pedal, was
annoying. The “Twin Power” engine sounded a bit like an economy car, though the
engine is not meant to be a performance-oriented engine, there’s the 335i and
M3 Sedans for that purpose. A six-speed manual transmission is also available
for those who wish to shift for themselves and get marginally better fuel economy
on the highway. $12.00 was all that was required to put the vehicle back up to
a ½ tank of 89 Octane Premium-Grade gasoline when the vehicle was returned to
Enterprise, and the 328i Sedan hardly even sipped gasoline.
SUMMARY:
In
summary, if you’re going on a business trip, vacation, or just want to drive
something cool while your car is being repaired, look no further than the 2013
BMW 328i Sedan from Enterprise Rent-a-Car.
-Vincent
D., Vincent’s Car Reviews
AT-A-GLANCE:
Base
MSRP: $36,850.00 (Excl. Tax and Tags)
Exterior
Paint Color: Melbourne Red Metallic
Interior
Color and Upholstery Type: Dakota Black Leather
Interior
Trim Type: Premium Brushed Aluminum
Fuel
Type Required: 89 Octane (Premium) Gasoline
Engine:
2.0L “Twin Power” Inline Four-Cylinder (I4), Twin-Scroll Turbocharged, 240
Horsepower
Transmission:
8-Speed “Tip Tronic” Automatic w/ Start-Stop, Manual Shifting Mode, and Sport
Mode, Adaptive Drive Controls
Estimated
MSRP, as Equipped: $45,125.00 (Excl. Tax and Tags)
Mileage
@ Rental: 23,855 Mile(s)
Car
Class (Enterprise Rent-a-Car): GXAR (Full-Sized Luxury)
Main
Competitors: Acura ILX, Buick Verano, Cadillac ATS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Sedan, VW Jetta
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