2014 BMW 328D

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Yup. And it's available as a wagon, too, but unfortunately that one includes xDrive. Too bad manual trans is not an option on either one.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Yup. And it's available as a wagon, too, but unfortunately that one includes xDrive. Too bad manual trans is not an option on either one.



My thoughts exactly. Would like either/both to be available - sure they are in Europe.

RWD would eek out a few more MPGs too...

I wonder if anyone has compared this practically speaking to a Jetta wagon. Im not expecting the Jetta to win, but in terms of volume, seating, etc. the BMW may not be $30k better...
 
While I do agree it would be nice to have a manual transmission option, I suspect there would be relatively few takers. I will say that VW TDis seem to be the one version that there are a relatively higher number of manuals percentage wise so it may be that the diesel crowd would choose it... too I agree the wagon in RWD would be nice.

Practically speaking even though I like manual transmissions, I would probably pick the 8 speed auto over a manual even if it were available, and for the VW the DSG would be my choice.

As far as winning I don't think there is much question that what the additional money over a VW would buy you is not of a practical nature. It is all driving experience from materials to performance... IMO. It remains to be seen if the new MK7 Sportwagon closes that gap at all.

The 328d sedan along with the A3 and MK7's will definitely be on my next shopping list when the Acura needs replacement...maybe I can finally use that BMWCCA rebate...
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Yup. And it's available as a wagon, too, but unfortunately that one includes xDrive. Too bad manual trans is not an option on either one.



They barely sell wagons in any brand except Subaru Outback since it somehow is not a "wagon" to us customers. We feel fortunate to be 1 of 1000 owners of Subaru Legacy turbo wagon one year only. They never create manuals with manuals due to lacks luster overall sales anymore except for a select few cars.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Yup. And it's available as a wagon, too, but unfortunately that one includes xDrive. Too bad manual trans is not an option on either one.

Same here. I'd pick one up if a manual was an option.
 
I've had my 328d M Sport for about two months. It's my 19th BMW and it's a really neat and fun car. It just feels really feels good in all dimensions: economy, handling, power, luxury, looks. The actual mpg that 328d drivers are getting over on the f30post is better than the factory figures. Some are reporting highway mpg around 50. I get anywhere from 43-46 mpg driving around town. Richard Hammond of TOP GEAR called it the best car ever made (guess he likes it too). The torquey little four pot coupled with the brilliant ZF 8 speed auto is a great combination: faster and more economical than any manual six. And I've got a VW TDI Jetta Sportwagen that now sits forlornly in the garage (fuel hog!). Use it only when I need to get a big lump of something at Home Depot.

A 320d (what the 328d is called in Europe) won the '98 24 hours of the Nurburgring. Won it overall against Porsche GT 911's, Aston Martins, etc. The car could do a four hour stint on a single tank of gas. You'd think BMW might mention this in its non-existent ads for the 328d.

And best of all, BMW is giving dealers "money in the trunk". You can get these cars at or below invoice. And that's BEFORE the incentives that BMW is giving to customers who have a pulse and can fog a mirror.
 
Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
I would probably pick the 8 speed auto over a manual even if it were available, and for the VW the DSG would be my choice.


After driving a TDi wagon with DSG, Id have to disagree.

And I find manumatic shifting incredibly stupid. Especially since there isnt a practical neutral for coasting without taking it out of the manual shifting gate. It does change gears incredibly fast, but for regular driving, especially in an economy oriented vehicle, this isnt a necessity. If I got an DSG or an 8-speed, Id let it do its thing, personally.

But youll have to drive to decide.

Im just glad more little diesels are coming over.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
I would probably pick the 8 speed auto over a manual even if it were available, and for the VW the DSG would be my choice.


After driving a TDi wagon with DSG, Id have to disagree.


You are of course welcome to disagree...

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
And I find manumatic shifting incredibly stupid. Especially since there isnt a practical neutral for coasting without taking it out of the manual shifting gate. It does change gears incredibly fast, but for regular driving, especially in an economy oriented vehicle, this isnt a necessity. If I got an DSG or an 8-speed, Id let it do its thing, personally.


If you mean that shifting the DSG manually vs letting it do the work is stupid I wholeheartedly agree... There is absolutely no reason to do that, you can't do it as well as the DSG will do it... The DSG actually has a higher EPA rating than the manual in at least one car (I believe it is the Golf TDI).

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
But youll have to drive to decide.


That shouldn't be too difficult since I own one...
wink.gif
(A TDi DSG that is, not a 328d)

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Im just glad more little diesels are coming over.


Agreed...

m6pwr Thanks for the review and on the exact model I would choose (M-Sport) BMW performance center delivery please...
grin.gif
 
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DSG is great for either track use (I find myself able to better gear for turns, having a foot entirely dedicated to braking and another just for the throttle), but also for use as an automatic substitute. The latter is because you are getting rid of almost all the inherent downsides of having an automatic (significant increase in parasitic drivetrain losses, slow icky shifting, etc) by having real clutches, with increases responsiveness, acceleration, and shift speed.

While I don't see myself buying anything but a real manual, I do hope that traditional autos die a swift death, and dual clutch trannies fill the void.
 
Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
BMW performance center delivery please...
grin.gif



Yes!

Wonder if you can "roll coal" (or whatever they call it) with these cars...
 
Originally Posted By: nleksan
DSG is great for either track use (I find myself able to better gear for turns, having a foot entirely dedicated to braking and another just for the throttle), but also for use as an automatic substitute. The latter is because you are getting rid of almost all the inherent downsides of having an automatic (significant increase in parasitic drivetrain losses, slow icky shifting, etc) by having real clutches, with increases responsiveness, acceleration, and shift speed.

While I don't see myself buying anything but a real manual, I do hope that traditional autos die a swift death, and dual clutch trannies fill the void.


The out-of-the-box M235i Racing appears to come only with an 8 speed slush box - http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-m235i-racing.html. What do you want for $80k?
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Wonder if you can "roll coal" (or whatever they call it) with these cars...


I've heard rumors of BMW not being mod friendly during drivetrain/emissions warranty claims for diesel owners over the years. Who here wants to pay out of pocket for a diesel BMW repair due to denied warranty claim in the US market?

BC.
 
How many is that that would strongly consider a RWD manual 3-er diesel wagon?

Quite a few here. Including myself.

Are you listening BMW of North America?

UK can get it:
BMW 320d Sport Touring
135 kW [187 hp]
Combined consumption 58.9 mpg [1]
CO₂ emission 125.0 g/km [1]
Transmission
Manual transmission
 
I built a lightly optioned one online and it came in around $46k. That's within spittin distance of the E250CDI which is a larger car.

How do these things hold up long term? Do the cooling systems explode and the electric water pumps fail like the gas cars?

For me a car like this is kind of pointless if you can't run it for 15 years or at least 300k without doing to much to it.
 
Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Wonder if you can "roll coal" (or whatever they call it) with these cars...


I've heard rumors of BMW not being mod friendly during drivetrain/emissions warranty claims for diesel owners over the years. Who here wants to pay out of pocket for a diesel BMW repair due to denied warranty claim in the US market?

BC.


But at the performance center, when you go, the first rule they tell you is "NYC" (not your car). They emphasize pushing the car (which is identical to the one youre going home in) to the limits. BTDT, lots of fun.
 
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
How many is that that would strongly consider a RWD manual 3-er diesel wagon?

Quite a few here. Including myself.

Are you listening BMW of North America?

UK can get it:
BMW 320d Sport Touring
135 kW [187 hp]
Combined consumption 58.9 mpg [1]
CO₂ emission 125.0 g/km [1]
Transmission
Manual transmission



Shall I go to the bank and make a withdrawl? Large bills? Can I pay in $2 bills? Id do it!
 
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I built a lightly optioned one online and it came in around $46k. That's within spit tin distance of the E250CDI which is a larger car...


E250? Yet another one I missed apparently. I built a lightly optioned one and it came out to about $59,000...

I'm not too sure about the current Mercedes styling trend and I think the diesel in the C-Class would be a more attractive option for me.

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Wonder if you can "roll coal" (or whatever they call it) with these cars...


I've heard rumors of BMW not being mod friendly during drivetrain/emissions warranty claims for diesel owners over the years. ...


I do not think it is BMW exclusively, I think pretty much every manufacturer is tightening up on this. My friends who still work at the dealer tell me GM has successfully denied power train coverage to flashed cars / trucks. I know Dodge had a reputation a few years back on the Ram Diesel too.

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
How many is that that would strongly consider a RWD manual 3-et diesel wagon? ...


Probably not me...

Originally Posted By: artificialist
This makes me think of the 2015 VW GTD that might reach the USA.


Yes, I've not heard too much lately on the GTD, I know the GTI is supposed to be first and arrive in the May time frame (depending on who you believe) It the GTD comes over with a higher horsepower TDI then that could be the one.

Sometime during 2014 the standard TDI gets a 10hp bump to 150 too.
 
What is the fascination or preoccupation with a manual gearbox in the 328d? In BMW's at least every BMW that has both the 8 speed auto and a six speed manual, the ZF 8 speed gives better fuel economy and faster 0-60 times. What's the advantage then in a manual? I've had the 8 speed auto in a '12 535i and now in the 328d. In any of the various modes (comfort, sport, sport+) the 8 speed is perfectly programmed going both up and down (not so much in the VW DSG which holds on to top gear for dear life once you're there). I've always opted for the paddle shifters with the ZF auto, but they are really pretty much useless. Every time I reach for the paddles, the ecu beats me to the shift. It's like a mind reader.
 
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