The EFTM Garage – BMW 328i Sport Line

It’s been a busy time for the EFTM garage, we’ve just seen off BMW’s little hatch, the 116i. Now sits probably the German’s most popular variant, the 3 series. On offer this week is the 328i Sport Line. With surprising power and that familiar BMW drive, here is a quick overview of this executive compact sedan.

Make: BMW Model: 328i

Variant: Sport Line

Engine / Transmission: TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine / 8-speed automatic.

Vital Stats: Power 180 kW @ 5,000 – 6,500 rpm / Torque: 350Nm @ 1,250 – 4,000 rpm

Fuel Economy: 6.3 l/ 100km

MRRP Price: $68,900 (plus on-roads)

BMW Efficient Dynamics Features:

• Auto Start/Stop function
• Brake Energy Regeneration
• Driving Experience Control incl. ECO PRO Mode
• Electric Power Steering with Servotronic

Technical features:

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Cornering Brake Control (CBC)
• Cruise control with brake function.
• Driver and front passenger airbags incl. occupant detector
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
• Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)
• Park Distance Control (PDC) front and rear
• Side airbags for driver and front passenger

Exterior features

• Automatic tailgate opening via remote control
• Central locking with remote control
• Fog lights
• HalogenHeadlights
• LED rear lights.
• Lights package

Options fitted to this vehicle

• Metallic paint – $1,415
• Interior trim, Fine Brushed Aluminium with high-gloss Black
• accent lines – $400
• Glass sunroof – $2,245
• Bi-Xenon headlights incl. headlight washer system – $1577
• Convenience telephony with extended Smartphone connectivity – $385

Sport Line Features

• 18” light-alloy wheels
• Ambience light switchable between orange and white
• BMW Sport seats
• Chrome pearl grey surrounds for centre console
• Exclusive high gloss black exterior trim
• Red stitch for leather steering wheel.
• Red detailed key ring
• Speedometer and rev counter with Red chronoscales
• Welcome lights with switchable colour
• “Sport”designation badge on exterior.
• “BMW Sport” door sill finishers in Aluminium
• Dakota leather upholstery
• Electric seat adjustment for front seats incl. memory function for driver’s seat
• Retractable front arm rest
• Lumbar support for driver and front passenger – electric

Interior features

• Automatic air conditioning 2-zone
• AUX-IN connection
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 8.8”colour monitor
• Floor mats
• HiFi loud speaker system
• Interior and exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle function
• Internet functionality
• Navigation System Professional
• On-board computer
• Sport leather steering wheel multifunction with
• gearshift paddles
• 40:20:40 split folding seats

Wow Factor: Striking, sophisticated design. Brilliant engineering that can be felt, the chassis control / balance is second to none.

Most Impressive: 328i TwinPower turbo four-cylinder is a cracker. Very swift acceleration. 0 – 100km/h in just under six seconds. Sounds nice too.

Not so impressive: Ride quality over the rough stuff degenerates badly. A Mazda 6 leaves it for dead in this department. Not sure the benefits of run flats outweigh this significant downside.