Alas, with 134 pounds of extra weight and riding 0.2-inch higher on all-season Continental run-flats, the all-wheel-driver performed less heroically at the skidpad, generating only 0.86 g of lateral grip, far short of the rear-drive car’s 0.93 g with its sticky Michelins (a no-cost option). Whether on the track or around town, the 328i always feels ready to pounce.ĭespite tipping the scales at a chunky 3700 pounds, our test car sprinted to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, just 0.1 second behind a rear-wheel-drive 2016 328i automatic we tested with the available Track package and summer tires. Even working through an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, the N20’s 240 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque always felt close at hand (or foot, more accurately), thanks in part to the gearbox’s quick, intuitive shift mapping and the availability of all that torque at only 1250 rpm. Powerplants such as the 328i’s N20 2.0-liter four-cylinder prove that the company’s engines can deliver the expected performance. Now, turbochargers appear on every BMW save the electric i3.
#BMW IDRIVE REVIEW 2016 PLUS#
So when our West Coast bureau picked up this handsome Estoril Blue 2016 BMW 328i xDrive, dolled up with the M Sport package plus most every luxury and tech feature BMW could pack inside-at an eye-watering $58,795 price-it seemed as if this car might be capable of flexing all of BMW’s muscles at once.Ī decade ago, the notion of BMW slapping turbochargers on its sinewy engines was utter heresy.
But recently, BMW has also become good at certain things beyond that core competency.
BMW forged its reputation with fun-to-drive sports sedans, especially compact ones like the 3-series, a regular on our annual 10Best Cars list for much of three decades.