2007 BMW 328xi Mini-Review

Once in a while a car comes along that changes your perceptions on just what an automobile should be. For myself that car was a 2000 BMW 328i that I had the opportunity to own and enjoy for several years. The car impressed me so much I have been a BMW owner ever since. So when the opportunity came up to take the keys to a brand new 2007 328xi (the all-wheel-drive version) for a few days I simply could not resist. So after spending the weekend with BMW’s latest rendition of the legendary 3-series do I still think of the 328i as the best sport sedan I have ever driven? You bet, not only does this new BMW drive like a wet dream on wheels but it combines just the right amount of creature comfort with sporty goodness to please even the die hard enthusiasts while still pampering the Sunday driver.

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I know it is hard to imagine but BMW actually made the 3-series even better than the previous generation. It’s faster, handles better, and comes with more standard goodies than the previous version. Although the new 3-series also comes in coupe and wagon versions it was the sedan that will interest most readers. Featuring a not-to-much different look that the previous generation, a look that I personally found to be interesting and edgy but not as sophisticated as the older body style. Thankfully, where the new look lacks in classic appeal the driving experience more than makes up for it.

Simply put, this car drives better than most sports cars. Yes, you heard that right. Better than a typical sports car. Even featuring the base engine, a 3.0 liter inline six there is plenty of power to spare. This BMW puts it’s rated 230hp to the pavement with such a silky smooth power band that you find yourself looking for every opportunity to dip into the accelerator for a quick fix. Switch the 6-speed automatic into sport mode and hang on as the revs go right up to the redline pushing you back into the seat way more than the HP rating would lead you to expect.

Putting this power to the pavement is BMW’s much talked about X-Drive system, which can transfer power to both front and back wheels on a as-needed basis. Most of the time power is pushed out to the rear wheels making the 328xi handle almost the same as the non-all-wheel-drive model. Its only when something goes wrong that you can feel the car adjust power to compensate. Having also owned a 2002 BMW 325xi I can definitely vouch for the 2007 version of X-drive as being significantly improved. Power transfer is almost imperceptible and results in a flawless driving experience in even some of the poorest driving conditions.

Perhaps the most noteworthy change with the new 3 is the handling, which has almost reached god-like quality. Where the older versions bounded over rough pavement and back roads with almost child-like abandon, sometimes tossing the driver and any passengers around with every tiny bump, this car stayed composed over just about anything that was thrown at it. Bumpy Boston roads are notorious for eating suspensions and making short work on most “sport” sedans but the 328xi simply stayed planted to the road no matter how many pot holes passed under the tires. Cornering was spot-on and about as close to flawless as one can expect from a 4-door sedan.

One aspect of the BMW 3-series that I have always liked was the no-nonsense ergonomic interior. BMW has thankfully continued this tradition with the 2007 328i and has even made some noteworthy additions. One obvious change is they way you start the car, not by turning a key in a classic ignition but by inserting a key fob into a slot in the dash and pushing a start/stop button. Although I am not entirely sure why they bothered with the button, after a few hours of driving you quickly forget about it anyway. Interior space has been increased and folks who ride in the back will notice this right away. Several passengers reported that leg room was plentiful and overall rear-seat comfort level was very good. As you might expect, fit and finish was BMW quality with little to no gaps between seams and interior noise being very low even at highway speeds.
Overall I was unable to find any significant faults with this 2007 328xi with regards to the car itself. My only real complaint might be with the rather significant base-price (no options) of $34,000 and a as-tested price north of $38,000 which puts this car well into the more expensive range when compared to other sedans with the same specifications. So is the BMW worth it? That depends on your own personal tastes and budget but my recommendation is that if you have the means then I highly recommend you pick one up.

Special thanks to BMW of Peabody for providing the test vehicle for this review.