The 328d diesel powered wagon is something of a conundrum. It enjoys the
trappings of a sport focused offering, yet doesn’t ultimately live up
to the flamboyant promise of its appearance. With a base price of
$42,950, it carries a reasonable premium of just $1,500 over that of the
$41,450 petrol powered all-wheel-drive wagon. A quick gander at our
diesel’s specification sheet would lead you to think that this wagon has
everything it needs for quick travel, M Style. Start with the attention
grabbing azure paint. Of the 13 wagon colors available this year, our
test vehicle’s Estoril Blue Metallic finish ($550 extra) is the only one
of the baker’s dozen limited solely to use on M Sport equipped wagons.
A $3,580 M Sport group adds 18 inch model specific wheels, sport
seats, aluminum hexagon interior trim, anthracite headliner, M steering
wheel, aerodynamic exterior refinements and shadowline trim. The
SensaTec seat material feels enough like leather to make you forego the
$1,450 up-charge for Dakota Leather. Another $1,000 brings adaptive M
suspension and variable sport steering. For a comparatively modest
outlay of $49,275, this is the sportiest diesel wagon you can buy from
BMW.
The wagon’s handling is faultless. The all-wheel-drive (xDrive)
system allows the all weather Pirelli P7 tires (225/45R18) to secure
such a tenacious pavement purchase that you hardly ever need resort to
BMW’s standard Dynamic Stability Control or Dynamic Traction Control.
The balance and poise of this 3 Series platform encourages you to
explore its handling attributes by switching the M Sport’s Driving
Dynamics Control into the “Sport+” setting. Sport+ eliminates Dynamic
Stability Control from the handling equation, thus allowing you to
experiment with adhesion limits. You never entirely forget that with its
weight distribution split of 48.7% f/51.3% r, this all-wheel-drive
wagon has slightly more tail to wag than any other 3 Series offering.
But xDrive’s full time all-wheel-drive traction helps overcome that
rear weight bias. This BMW accelerates through switchbacks effortlessly.
Never so much as a chirp of protest is heard from the scrabbling
Pirellis. Instead of losing speed through chicanes, the wagon maintains
its footing and composure better than you do. With its comparatively low
center of gravity, the 328d upholds the concept of sports driving
better than any jacked up BMW Sports Activity Vehicle. And best of all,
you pay only a 10 pound weight penalty for selecting xDrive over
rear-drive (3,790 pounds vs. 3,780 pounds).
The performance conundrum’s negative facet reveals itself when you
toe into the diesel, expecting acceleration to match the explicit
handling. Most of the time, you don’t get it. One of the most
disconcerting drawbacks of the diesel is its reluctance to respond to
your toe the instant you floor the throttle from a standing start.
Although BMW’s lists a 0-60mph time of 7.6 seconds for the 328d xDrive,
you’d be well advised to avoid maneuvers that require instant engine
response. On the other hand, one of the main attractions of diesel
motivation is stellar fuel consumption. In this regard, the 328d posts
gratifying EPA numbers: 31 MPG, city, 43 MPG versus highway. The
combined city/highway figure is 35 MPG, and cruising range is 645 miles
with a 15 gallon tank.
Another enticement is the aft cargo area, which offers multiple
storage options. This wagon will allow you to slip a fully assembled
bicycle into the cargo hold. All you have to do is drop both rear seats
flat, remove the net partition and cargo cover struts, and you have
unimpeded access to 53 cubic feet of storage space. The standard power
operated hatchback door eases loading chores, as does the tailgate’s
separate flip open rear window.
Normally overlooked back seat passengers will rejoice in the comfort
of conveyance here. The rear seats are well contoured for long journeys.
A drop down central armrest serves as a double drink caddy, while both
front seat backs contain storage pockets with netting. Floor mounted
rear ventilation ducts allow for individual climate tailoring, separate
reading lights illuminate each outboard position, center seat belt
receptacles store out of the way when unneeded, and rear windows retract
fully into the doors.
The diesel sports wagon provides a fully inhabitable environment for
four, with more than enough luggage storage (13 cubic feet with rear
seats up) for a comfortable overnight trip. For families, this car is an
ideal transit solution. For speed merchants, it has its own galaxy of
challenges to offer and conquer. There’s very little you can throw at it
– or in it – that the 2014 328d xDrive can’t handle. And done up in
Estoril Blue, this slinky beauty is sublimely easy on the eyes.
2014 BMW 328d xDrive Sports Wagon
- Engine: 2.0 Liter inline 4 Diesel, turbocharged
- Horsepower: 180hp
- Torque: 280lb.-ft.
- Fuel Consumption: 31 MPG City/43 MPG Highway
- Price as Tested: $49,275
- Star Rating: 8 out of 10 Stars
