Every now and then, BMW builds a automobile that will get every little thing proper — the proportions, the powertrain, the on a regular basis usability — and but, the market simply shrugs. The BMW 328d Sports activities Wagon was a type of automobiles. It wasn’t loud, flashy, or overpowered. It was simply quietly good — environment friendly, well-balanced, and genuinely pleasing to drive. However sadly, it arrived within the U.S. at precisely the incorrect time.
BMW’s Huge Diesel Push
When the 328d launched in North America (each in sedan and wagon configurations), BMW was decided to make diesel mainstream. The corporate introduced over diesel variations of the three Collection, 5 Collection, and X5, and even ran a Tremendous Bowl business in 2014 to inform Individuals that trendy diesel had modified. The marketing campaign — “Diesel’s Again” — confirmed drivers reacting in disbelief {that a} diesel BMW could possibly be clear, fast, and quiet.
They weren’t exaggerating. We examined one of many very first U.S.-spec diesels, the 2014 BMW 328d Sedan, on a 1,500-mile highway journey from Dallas to Kansas Metropolis and again. That drive advised us every little thing we wanted to know. The two.0-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder made 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, and regardless that 0–60 mph took round 7.4 seconds, it felt a lot faster due to that thick torque band from 1,750 rpm. The eight-speed computerized shifted well, the engine pulled laborious by means of midrange, and freeway passing was easy.
The sedan returned 40-plus mpg even after we weren’t attempting — and the vary approached 700 miles per tank. It began immediately in 3°F climate, warmed up quick, and dealt with a winter storm with out grievance. In brief, it felt like a BMW ought to: planted, refined, and surprisingly enjoyable.
The Wagon That Made Even Extra Sense
The 328d xDrive Sports activities Wagon took every little thing good in regards to the sedan and made it extra helpful. With its lengthy roof, customary all-wheel drive, and beneficiant cargo space, it was the right one-car answer for anybody who wished a premium day by day that might additionally haul gear, pets, or weekend baggage. It had over 50 cubic ft of cargo area with the seats folded, roof rails for bikes or skis, and the intelligent split-opening rear hatch that made loading straightforward. But, from behind the wheel, it nonetheless felt like a correct 3 Collection — balanced, responsive, and assured on any highway.
The suspension tuning was spot-on: agency sufficient to really feel exact, supple sufficient for tough pavement. The steering had actual suggestions, one thing that’s changing into uncommon in trendy automobiles. On a mountain highway or lengthy freeway stretch, it was laborious to not be impressed by how cohesive the entire bundle felt.
Mistaken Place, Mistaken Time
Sadly, the timing couldn’t have been worse. Diesel was already a tricky promote in America, and when Volkswagen’s Dieselgate scandal hit in 2015, public belief evaporated. Despite the fact that BMW’s diesels had been absolutely compliant with U.S. emissions requirements, the harm was accomplished.
On the similar time, SUVs had been taking up. Consumers who wished area went straight to the X3 or X5, whereas fanatics searching for efficiency gravitated towards the 328i or M automobiles. That left the 328d Wagon interesting to a small group of drivers who appreciated its mixture of effectivity and dealing with — and never many others.
Now They’re Arduous to Discover
That lack of demand when new makes the 328d Wagon a uncommon sight at present. They pop up sometimes on used websites, however clear examples disappear rapidly. Edmunds at the moment lists a 2015 mannequin with 111,000 miles for round $17,000, and CarGurus exhibits a 2018 with 71,000 miles for about $21,500. For a luxurious AWD wagon able to 40 mpg, these costs are stable. Most have excessive mileage as a result of homeowners really drive them — and that’s the purpose. They had been constructed for distance, not for sitting in garages.
A Automobile That Deserved Higher
The 328d Sports activities Wagon was precisely the form of automobile BMW used to excel at constructing — a well-engineered, understated driver’s automobile that didn’t want massive energy to be rewarding. It was environment friendly with out feeling compromised, snug with out being comfortable, and dynamic with out being harsh.
General, the three Collection Wagon by no means turned a gross sales success in America no matter its drivetrain, however that’s a part of what makes it particular now. It’s a type of automobiles you notice on the highway and immediately acknowledge as one thing slightly totally different — a automobile that was constructed for individuals who cared about the way it drove.
For individuals who nonetheless have one, it’s a keeper. For everybody else, it’s a type of “ought to’ve purchased it when you might” BMWs. The type that reminds you the model’s finest automobiles had been usually those no person seen on the time.
