|
BMW tweaks performance to create 328 series with an attitude
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
|
The back route into Death Valley, California's bleak desert carved far below sea level in a trough just west of the Nevada border, zigzags over Jubilee Pass before descending on a sand-swept strip of worn pavement into awesome wilderness defined by a flat salt plane stretched between raw peaks like Funeral and Telescope.
Steering the latest 3-series compact coupe from Germany's BMW, tweaked in torque and tuned with lively sport suspension settings plus a malleable new 5-speed gear box lifted from last year's powerful M3, I had combed my map for the roughest, most snaky course possible to take me from the neon gulch of Las Vegas to red and yellow Death Valley boulders at Furnace Creek.
What I sought was a severe road challenge -- hard curves, big bumps, flats for speed and grades to power up.
What I found was a course that exceeded every expectation -- but so did the new BMW 328is sports coupe.
Until this experience, to be candid, the former versions of BMW's 3-series compact rigged with 6-cylinder power had never really dazzled me like some of the larger cars in the German automaker's stable.
Sure, the 325 was nice, refined and exacting, although perhaps too tame to my taste, even faddish or boring.
What a difference a model-year can make, however, because with 1996 editions BMW has enlarged the 3-series engine from 2.5 to 2.8 liters. This 12 percent increase in displacement shows up not in horsepower, which grows by only one digit to 190, but in more usable engine torque -- up by 14 percent -- peaking now at only 5300 rpm.
Other changes to the car include extending the exterior body color to rocker panels, adding new alloy wheels plus more standard leather appointments inside, the M3's ZF manual gearbox and a one-touch standard sunroof.
Tack on the sports package for supreme driver control.
That's what I discovered in my romp through Death Valley: Uncanny control by driver for such important tasks as steering, accelerating, braking and all other linear actions of the automotive kind.
Of course, BMW has built its solid reputation on delivering cars that appeal to a hands-on aggressive driver. With the new 328 -- offered in coupe, sedan and sensuous convertible variations -- the appeal stretches further.
I tell you: My two days in the desert driving 328, including coupe and sedan versions, with stick and automatic transmissions, regular and sport suspension packages, amounted to two of my best days for fun driving this year.
Challenging mountain switchback curves?
Can do, says the 328 as rear-wheel power pushes the mass through each apex in cat-claw tightness. A fully independent suspension system and power-assisted rack and pinion steering mechanism combine for quick action that requires very little wrist movement from an alert driver at the wheel.
Pesky bumps of a roller coaster washboard roadway?
Have no fear: This thing remains rooted to pavement, despite high speed and steeply canted road dips. The suspension -- struts up front and center link in back with twin-tube gas shocks at all four corners and an anti-roll stabilizer bar fore and aft -- works like magic when zipping across a desert's irregularities, and implies that any lesser course, like city freeways and boulevards, become so many hors d'oeuvres for pleasure driving.
Pick that optional sport suspension package, listing for an extra $2,025 for coupe or sedan but only $1,275 on the ragtop, and you get bonuses beyond stiffer shock tuning, 16-inch alloy wheels and Z-rated 225 tires, such as a dash-mounted computer, snug sport bucket seats and full leather upholstery spread across the interior.
What about snappy throttle response?
Brace your neck because this thing can fly.
Pumping up the engine with more usable torque pulls down performance times and puts new zip in the foot pedal. Official figure for moving from 0 to 60 mph drops to 7 seconds flat, yet fuel economy rises by 1 mpg in town.
On the road, a governor limits the BMW at 128 mph.
Even at excessive speed over 120 mph, that flat-six engine purred quietly, rpms running up to 4500.
Everything felt rock-solid too, always controlled.
For reins, BMW installed big ventilated discs at the rear this year to match those up front, then linked all via vacuum power to a multi-channel anti-lock system that's standard for all models.
Bimmer's optional All Season Traction system ties rear brakes to rear-wheel power flow through sophisticated electronic controls to stem wheel spin on slippery roads.
Although a sport-tuned driver may prefer rear-wheel traction on dry pavement, it often fails when snow or rain turns pavement glassy. The AST control, an add-on priced at $1,100, delivers the best traction with strong control regardless of road condition.
Pricing in the revised 6-cylinder 328 series begins at $32,900 for coupe or sedan before rising to $41,400 for convertible, which provides a nifty power-operated top and heated glass rear window.
Installing the traction control system and firm sport suspension elements obviously stir up the bottom line for coupe and sedan, but you end up with an unmatched sporty performer for size and class.
All 1996 versions make 328 virtually a luxury car too.
The interior, seating two in front buckets divided by a wide console, puts up to three more in back. Driver's seat features 8-way power controls, and all equipment in the cockpit flows from power sources, such as mirrors and windows and central locking.
Instruments, analog of course and highly legible, combine with an array of controls positioned for easy reach by the driver.
New 1-touch down feature comes with power window toggles set on the console to the left of the shift lever.
A revised locking system installs an interior lock-out button on the center console, plus freewheeling door and trunk lock mechanisms. Turn the key once in any lock to deactivate all locks; turn twice to lower or raise windows and sunroof.
1996 BMW 328 SERIES
|
| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1996 BMW 328 SERIES Specs |
| Description: |
Compact coupe/ sedan/convertible |
| Model Options: |
Compact coupe/ sedan/convertible |
| Wheelbase: |
106.3 inches |
| Overall Length: |
174.5 inches
|
| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.8-L I6 24v
|
| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
V6/M5: 20/29 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 33,000 to $ 42,000 |
|
|
