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Walkaround
3 Series styling is a fresh turn on a classic look. BMW's traditional quad headlamps are enclosed in aerodynamic covers. The roofline is long and gracefully integrated into the rear deck. Though elegant and refined, the 3 Series is striking in appearance.All based on the same chassis, these 3 Series models are slightly larger than the previous generation (pre-1999) models. The wheelbase is 1 inch longer, while overall length has increased 1.5 inches. Track is nearly 3 inches wider. The change is most obvious in the cabin. Interior volume has increased 5 cubic feet, and that extra space translates into more rear leg and shoulder room. The 3 Series Sedans are roomier than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Audi A4, according to the government standard for measuring interior volume. Nearly every part in the 328i has been improved. The suspension components are lighter, yet stronger. There are new vibration dampening devices throughout the car, including hydraulic mounts for the differential and front suspension. The body shell has more high-strength steel and it all works to reduce the noise and vibration in the 328i's cabin.
Interior Features
This is an interior designed for the business of driving. Bucket seats provide fine support without feeling hard and come standard with six adjustments. The seats that come with the optional Sport Package are superb, adding more side bolstering for winding roads. The back seat is roomy enough for two adults during a night on the town, but bear in mind that this sedan is a compact. If rear cabin space is top priority, you can find more for your money elsewhere. An optional leather-covered steering wheel tilts and telescopes for optimum adjustment.Dashboard and door panels are rich in appearance, and appealing to the eye. Different trim packages offer a choice of Myrtle wood inserts or plastic that looks like polished aluminum. The instrument panel features orange backlighting. Overall, it's a big improvement over the last-generation 3 Series, which suffered from a Spartan interior with a dash cluttered by vents and glovebox latches. This new generation 3 Series addresses that complaint. In design, the dashboard is a more open design that feels less like a cockpit. Still, most switches fall intuitively to the driver's fingertips. All 3 Series models feature power windows and locks with remote keyless entry. Like many European vehicles sold in markets that can't agree which side to locate the steering wheel, the 3 Series window controls are on the center console. A glance down is required to operate the windows. Having the controls on the doors would make them much easier to use. Automatic climate control and a microfilter ventilation system are standard. The radio buttons look a bit too similar to the automatic climate controls, demanding a glance down to change radio stations. Optional volume and station controls located on the steering wheel address this. Shallow cupholders in the center console seem like an afterthought. The 328i offers BMW's Park Distance Control; an electronic beep warns the driver of objects behind the car during parking maneuvers. BMW's 3 Series cars are not class leaders when it comes to moving cargo. The trunk is small, the trunk opening is even smaller and the rear seats do not fold down. Also, our 323i did not have a trunk release inside the car, so unlocking the trunk meant turning off the ignition, then using the keyless remote or walking to the back of the car and unlocking the trunk with the key. Front and front side-impact airbags come standard. Also standard are head-protection airbags that deploy from the headliner along the length of both sides of the cabin. Rear side-impact airbags are optional. With all 3 Series models, the purchase price includes scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. Xenon high-intensity discharge low beams offer much better visibility on stormy nights and we recommend them as an option.
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