Observations From the Driver’s Seat: 2014 BMW 328d

Anyone who hasn’t driven a diesel lately – or ever, for that matter – is in for a surprise.  The new generation of diesels are quiet, smoke-free and powerful in a way that makes driving them in traffic a pure pleasure.

And when that diesel is a BMW 328d, it’s also stylish and surprisingly fast.  More than half of BMW’s European buyers already choose diesels, and the 328d will be offered in both sedan and wagon body styles. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, with all-wheel drive offered as an option. The 328d wagon will be available only with all-wheel drive.

Both versions will be powered by a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbodiesel producing 180 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque… which is really the important number.  That’s the ‘blow everyone’s doors off at the stoplight’ number.

However, with a little lighter foot, you can get 35 mpg driving around town and more than 40 mpg on the highway, which means you can drive past nearly six hundred miles worth of gas stations before you have to stop.

A diesel typically gets 20% to 40% better fuel economy than a gasoline engine, and a recent study shows that on fuel costs alone, diesels typically cost their owners about $3,000 to $6,000 less over three years and from $4,000 to $16,000 less over five years.

Money aside, the 328d is a really nice-driving car with a stylish European interior that features all the usual technology, including navigation system and satellite radio.  It also has the clever new touchpad on top of the iDrive controller that lets you ‘write’ numbers and letters rather than having to scroll through lists.  Much more convenient.

On the road, the handling is remarkably precise… and the ride is smooth enough that even my wife approved, which is a rare thing.  And yet, when you put your boot in it, that little engine puts on a big engine performance.  And that’s even before you hit the ‘Sport’ button.  Odd thing to see that in a diesel, but it’s there… and it produces an immediately-noticeable jump in performance.

Add it all together and you have a thoroughly satisfying way to get from point A to point B economically… but without taking away the fun.  Which is, after all, ultimately at the heart of why you buy a BMW in the first place.

Summary

Anyone who hasn’t driven a diesel lately – or ever, for that matter – is in for a surprise.  Particularly if it’s a 2014 BMW 328d.  Not only is it amazingly-fuel efficient (35 mpg around town and 40 mpg on the highway), it’s also stylish and surprisingly fast… 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.  Under the hood is a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbodiesel producing 180 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque… which is really the important number.  That’s the ‘blow everyone’s doors off at the stoplight’ number.  The 328d is offered in both sedan and wagon body styles. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, with all-wheel drive offered as an option. The 328d wagon will be available only with all-wheel drive.

Visit the Braman BMW Jupiter website, or come in and see us in person, to find out more about the 2014 BMW 328d!