For driving enthusiasts, the M Sport package, such as on the car I drove, features aggressive exterior and interior trim. In the Cabin Speaking of getting away with things, how do cars like the 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class get away with imitation-leather seats in their base trim levels? Base 335i models add a few more features, including larger 18-inch alloys, power front seats, and xenon headlamps with adaptive light control. In the turns, it made the car feel slightly floaty, a little looser on its feet than would have been optimal. But it does not stop there. And not only does this engine get fuel sprayed directly into its cylinders, mixed with air forced in from a twin-scroll turbocharger, but its valves use computer-driven logic to vary timing and lift. Our decision was unanimous: We liked the old car better, if only by a slight margin. Mine is loaded with just about every option available, and has been reliable so far currently have 43.
It's obvious that these are similar cars. The exterior styling is evolutionary, but with slimmer looks and cleaner lines. This one is the newer N55 single turbo. The 328i sounds respectable when accelerating, but at idle it has a faint diesel sound. With many other cars, if I plug in the iPhone before starting the car, that wired connection will not transmit audio after the automatic Bluetooth pairing kicks in. The 328i's four makes 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the six in the 335i makes 300 hp and 300 lb-ft.
All 3-Series models now get an electric power steering system that loads and unloads nicely, and gives youâwhen you finally reach the 3's impressive limits of gripâa little feedback from the road. This step might seem unnecessary, but it is actually a good thing, as the iPhone cannot stream music through Bluetooth and its cabled connection at the same time. Continental ContiSport Contact and Pirelli Cinturato tires were also fitted to test cars; multiple brands are supplying original-equipment rubber. For instance, Sport cars have blacked-out detailing and red accents; Luxury-line cars come with chromed grille slats and more chrome on the outside, and glossy wood trim on the inside; Modern-line cars include satin-aluminum for the grille and brightwork, with dark oyster or black leather inside, combined with pearl trim and wood inlays. Dealerships are likely to be well stocked with dressed-up Luxury, Modern, and Sport versions saddled with thousands of dollars of options, but the equipment on base 328i and 335i models is impressiveâand they feel like good values relative to other sport sedans in its class.
The model I have is the Msport with staggered wheels. Perhaps a light stain would be a better approach. There's no disputing that the net effect is great gas mileage. It is a sharp, good-looking display with adjustable height on the windshield. On California's Laguna Seca, I consistently found myself braking too late in the 328i, trying desperately to hold onto the speed I'd worked to build. Drivetrain Revolution The biggest news for the 2012 sedan is its improved drivetrains, including the 328i model's new engine, whose power and efficiency is better than that of the 2011 328i. This display shows the vehicle speed and route guidance, using multiple colors to distinguish information.
Three appearance packages are available, each lending a distinctive look to the 3 Series sedan. Ride quality is superb in the 3-Series models; while the base 328i setup is definitely the most isolated, thanks mainly to its slightly higher-profile tires, you don't sacrifice all that much in going with one of the sportier tire and wheel combinations. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Our old 328i's base seat and steering wheel aren't as comfortable as this new car's sport-package setup, but all of its interior materials feel a full class more expensive than the new car's. Navigation shows rich maps and integrates Google local search. And because the manual has taller gears, you can hit 60 mph after just one gear change. About chassis details responsible for road holding, handling behaviour and ride confort, the F30 3 Series Sedan has McPherson struts.
Right off, I noticed the exhaust note was lacking from previous version. That means a 0-to-60-mph run of about 5. The navigation system's maps respond quickly and look good, while integrating traffic data and Google local search results. Regardless, I still think the 2012 sedan improves on it, though plenty of observers deemed it too plain. And so it has always been. Since the 3-Series, in sedan form, is an all-new model for 2012, it hasn't yet been rated by either of the major U. The 335i sedan gets the turbocharged 3.
A new Eco Pro mode makes the accelerator resistant to accelerating unless you floor it and the transmission quick to upshift to more efficient gears. The Sport Line has sport front seats with more prominent side bolsters. It hits 60 in 5. The car is almost 4 inches longer. As such, it seemed the suspension had been tuned for some level of comfort to make it more palatable to the typical status buyer. As you might guess, the 3-Series comes with some of the best stoppers in the business; the brakes proved strong on both the highway and the track.
The best thing I can say about auto stop-start is that it couldn't be simpler to turn off: The defeat button is adjacent to the engine-start button. This system uses cameras on the mirrors to create a composite birds-eye view of the car, which aids in parking. Its platform, designated F30, debuted for 2012. The 3-Series sedans have a completely new structure with more aluminum than ever before, along with ultra-high tensile steels, to help make it light yet protective. Engine Alignment : Longitudinal Engine Position : Front Engine size - Displacement - Engine capacity : 1997 cm3 or 121. The wheelbase is extended by nearly 2 in.
The front seats have nice, long travel for plenty of legroom. For stopping power, the F30 3 Series Sedan 328i braking system includes Vented Discs at the front and Vented Discs at the rear. The new 3 Series has a cleaner and more open dashboard, with a less cumbersome 6. In addition to that base equipment, 3-Series models can be dressed up in Luxury Line, Modern Line, and Sport Line guise. In back, the difference is more pronounced, where the new car feels rental-car grade.
App integration is only available for the iPhone. There are Sport, Luxury and Modern packages, each with their own interior and exterior trim details. While the decklid itself is rather smallâas it the opening, for large itemsâtrunk space is impressive. What's different about this engine? The F30 might be bigger and prettier, but to us, it's not necessarily better. In the past, the balanced good looks, excellent handling, luxurious features, and usable interior space. Sometimes dramatic mileage improvements come with tradeoffs, but the 3 Series' are few.