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Albuquerque Journal, N.M., Ken Walston column: BMW 328i distills sport-sedan essence
(Albuquerque Journal (NM) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 31--The 3-series, BMW's best-selling range, is now in its fifth generation.
Over the years, this compact has earned a reputation as one of the world's premier enthusiast cars, thanks to the company's single-minded pursuit of well-balanced performance.
From its powerful, economical and smooth engines to its crisp handling, potent brakes and driver-oriented cockpit, the 3-series exemplifies the sport-sedan genre. It's the one all other manufacturers attempt to emulate, with varying degrees of success.
If there is one word that defines the sensation of driving a 3-series, it would be confidence. There is a certain heft to the controls -- steering, clutch and shifter, even the switchgear -- that imparts just the right degree of feedback so the driver knows exactly how the car will respond to inputs. It's a feel that's more often found in European machines than American or Japanese, which often tend to have overly light controls.
And BMW has managed to distill that sensation and engineer it into its entire line, from two-seater sports cars to SUVs and big sedans.
Our 328i tester came well packed with options, including the Premium Package (lots of convenience devices such as power front seats); the Cold Weather Package (folding rear seat and heated front buckets); and most important, the Sport Package (17-inch wheels/tires, paddle shifters for the automatic transmission, sport-tuned suspension).
The latter gives the 3 phenomenal grip in corners but also delivers a somewhat stiff ride. If maximum handling isn't a requirement, the standard suspension might be a better bet for more sedate drivers. Inside, the sport seats are just about perfect, with firm support and an adjustable underthigh cushion. The front offers plenty of room; the rear seat, not so much. The trunk too is fairly small. The latest 3-series builds on a long tradition of designing cars for people who love to drive. It continues to set the standard by raising the bar, generation by generation, leaving BMW wannabes struggling to catch up. That hasn't happened yet.
2008 BMW 328i
BASE PRICE: $32,400
PRICE AS TESTED: $42,925 (incl. delivery fees)
VEHICLE TYPE: Four-door, four-passenger compact sports sedan
POWERTRAIN: 3.0-liter, DOHC inline six-cylinder; 230 horsepower; 200 lb.-ft. torque; all-wheel drive; sixspeed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive
WHEELBASE/LENGTH:
108.7"/178.2"
CURB WEIGHT: 3,406
EPA FUEL RATING: 19 mpg city/28 highway
To see more of the Albuquerque Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.abqjournal.com.
Copyright (c) 2008, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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