With or without the top down, the BMW 328i's 3-liter V6 delivers a healthy 230-horsepower with 200 pounds of torque -- giving it a lot of get up and go if you get tired of being gawked at.
Yes, this is another car that elicits admiration from the crowd, thanks to its elegant 2-door profile that is relatively close to the ground for a bigger car.
Inside the 328i, we luxuriated in the rich saddle brown "Dakota" leather seating, which in our opinion is among the finest in traditional 'civilian' vehicles [read: under $100K]. A neat and necessary seating feature is a big lever on the side of both front seats that flips them forward to gain backseat access. And there's also a second electronic slide button mounted up top to further enhance your ability to get in and out of the back seat.
Our 328i came equipped with a 6-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, with manual override optional. This upgrade costs, $1,275 over the standard 6-speed manual.
The 328i starts at $43,200, our tester finaled out at $49,150, after the automatic transmission, a $2,650 premium package*, $750 for the cold weather package, $500 for [keyless] comfort access and destination charge of $750.
The 328i features a push-button start, and with the comfort access option, you can keep the key in your pocket to start the vehicle. Comfort access also unlocks your door automatically if you keep it in your pocket, and it's just darn fun to see the door lock pop up when you stand next to the door -- it's like magic!
The cold weather package includes 3-stage heated front seats, through-loading rear seats with cargo bag and retractable and high-intensity headlight washers.
Speaking of headlights, the 328i comes equipped with adaptive xenon headlights, that essentially move left to right with the motion of the car, and on dark nights it's amazing how much peripheral lighting you actually get.
Plus, the 328i also comes standard with active cruise control. According to BMW, active cruise control is an advanced version of conventional cruise control systems. After setting the chosen speed and pre-set distance, radar measurements allow you to maintain a pre-set distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead in highway driving. As soon as sensors determine you are closing in on a vehicle ahead, the system automatically slows down to retain your pre-set distance. Once the distance has increased back to the chosen limit the system automatically accelerates to return your vehicle to its pre-set speed.
And while we're on this topic, BMW has one of the most precise cruise systems we've tested. By following a little marker on the side of the speedometer, you can see in a glance where you've set the speed, and the front-back stalk motion for speeding and decelerating, is pin-point accurate.
The BMW also comes standard with DSC, or Dynamic Stability Control, that the company describes as an innovative technology that combines the functions of traction control, braking enhancement, and cornering stabilization. DSC sensors continually monitor cornering-steering angle, transverse acceleration, yaw, wheel speed and brake pressure to instantly detect and correct loss of wheel traction due to slick spots, nasty weather, or emergency maneuvers. DSC helps you stay in control under all conditions, in any situation.
*The Premium Package includes the following:
-- 4-way adjustable power lumbar support for front seats
-- Dakota Leather upholstery
-- Interior and power-adjustable folding exterior mirrors with automatic-dimming function; digital interior mirror compass
-- Integrated 3-button Universal garage door opener
-- BMW Assist is a Global Positioning System and wireless communication system for Automatic Collision Notification, Emergency Request, enhanced Roadside Assistance and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services. Bluetooth wireless technology is standard with the BMW Assist option. For more information on BMW Assist, click here
-- Bluetooth Wireless Technology -- a wireless communications technology that connects mobile phones enabled with Bluetooth to a vehicle for hands-free calling.