just noticed on yahoo front page the new 328i is out, and its only 2k less than a G37? WOW.., a 34K with 240HP.. nice but not my cake.

 

Similar pricing, but 88 less horses?

PASS!

I'm not gonna lie... the new 335i is bad ***. A coworker has one in the dark blue color and it is sweet. The leather interior is nicer than ours. But similarly equipped for 8k+ more. I just couldn't see it.

After he's had his for a few years and I have had mine for a few years... I'll compare notes and see how many issues he's had. If money were no object, I may have gone with that 335i. I'm just too damned practical for my own good, I think.

 

LOL, I have a felling this will turn into another 5-10 page thread on INFINITI vs BMW

 

Guys...I *JUST* test drove a 328i this weekend. It's VERY impressive. Got to go WOT a few times. Mag reviews put it at 0-60 at 5.8 seconds. I believe it. I don't think my G37xS Sedan is much faster. Maybe the RWD G's are 5 second cars, but the turbo 328i 4cly is no joke. Nicely loaded it's 46-47K. That's only a few off a fully loaded G37.

And the gas mileage. Holy jesus! 36mpg highway. On my short drive I was able to average around 30mpg and that included the twice I went WOT 0-60. Steady state 45mph I was in the mid 40's MPG!!!!

So...do I get a 328i lease for a just a bit more than my current car and have ALL maint. included (I got hosed for front and rear brakes/rotors on my G, wiper blades, induction service b/c my car was stalling...somehow my fault)...or stick with the G?

I'm woried the sport brakes on the RWD G will set me back big money. You know they aren't going to last the lease.

Downsides to the 3: Boring. Looks the same year after year, no touch screen nav/Idrive, I guess a little bit slower than the G.

 

I actually like the new 3 design. Although I've never considered a 328 before, the new 328 with the turbo 4cyl looks good on both performance and fuel efficiency. One thing I read from the magazine reviews about the new engine is that it's not quiet and smooth at idle - something that I'd be concerned.

Mike S. - How did you feel the engine at idle?

 

Dang with the gas prices supposed to be going to over $4 a gallon by April, a car like this might not be a bad idea. Normally I am anti 3 series BMW's though. All my Beemer friends tell me to not drive 3 series cars.

 

the new F30 series 328 is MUCH faster than the outgoing E90 328. Before it didn't compare to the G37.... now is seriously does

 

why? im interested to find out

 

Hmm...I don't remember any weired vibrations at idle. Under load....it certainly does NOT feel like a 4cyl. If you told someone it was a 6 cyl, they would have no reason to doubt you.

BTW: The 8sp tranny seems way cool. The salesman dropped it a few gears while I was driving and it shot up to 4-5K and seemlessly engaged. Super smooth.

I drove the "luxury" line model. Pushed it hard and the handling was great. At WOT the car has the same engine sound as a 335i (youtube it)....you hear this kind of sci-fi turbo whine.

I don't mean to harp on the MPG thing. One might ask...if you're buying a 40-50K dollar car, what difference does it make if it sucks gas. For me, it's a personal choice.

I was so ready to get a 2012 G37 Sedan RWD w/nav/prem/sport/aero parts.

Now...I don't know what to do.

 

Just as an FYI... if the 328 fully loaded is 46-47k, like you said... that's over 6-7k more than I spent for my '11 Limited Edition. ($39,301)

 

Thanks for the quick review. If you don't have to get the 2012 G right now, I'd say you wait until next year to see if we can get a peek at the re-design G and at the same time BMW works out most of the bugs for the 1st year model 328. Then you can make the decision

On an unrelated note, I drove by a black 2013 GS350 last night. Dang, it looked hot. The rear looked much better in person. I think I like the new GS better than the M.

 

Great point.
the 5K would makes a segment difference and with that being spent on, we could leveraging to a higher point

the value is on the G37 side.

 

that 328 also comes with free maint for first 50K miles.... Not worth $6K, but something to think about

 

New shorter gears from the ZF8 + a DI turbo engine

 

That's good for 4 oil changes. Major works come after warranty is expired.