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.

BMW 328i

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.

Chris Bowen

Chris was EFTM’s Motoring Editor for many years, driving everything from your entry level hatch to the latest Luxury cars through to the Rolls Royce.

He has been in the media for 20 years, produced three Olympic games broadcasts, attending Beijing 2008 & London 2012.

Strangely he owns a Toyota Camry Hybrid, he defiantly rejects the knockers.

Chris is married to Gillian and resides in Sydney’s North West. They have Sam the English Springer Spaniel and Felix the Burmese cat to keep them company, and recently welcomed baby Henry to the family.

He has now left EFTM, and writes freelance and runs his own Facebook Page “Bowen’s Garage”