2012 BMW 328i Sedan - Drive Time Review with Steve Hammes | TestDriveNow

[@domingo4949]

Got to drive a 2013 BMW 328 for a week when my 335 was in the shop. The highlight was the amazing 8 speed transmission. Incredibly smooth and efficient and coupled with beastly 4 banger it was just a blast to drive. BMW has a reputation for under stating HP and I would not be surprised if the 328's actual came in higher than the 240 they claim. I love the BMW 328.

[@Oliver23120]

This is the only Video of this car i can find with a manual transmission

[@76carmel]

Steve, I've also heard complaints about the 3-Series are the stop-start function and the fact that turbo-4 sounds like a diesel at idle. You felt that while testing this Beamer?

[@stevehammes]

There're a couple of mild, rear slide shots in there for you.

[@aninstrumentalvision]

Why is the announcer yelling?

[@caseycastaway7850]

I've got the 2012 coup 328i but it's got the fuel pump error now and quits randomly.

[@stevehammes]

Not sure. No plans as of now.

[@rdwhite83]

Another Great review from the best reviewer out there, Thanks Steve!

[@jamc204]

Regarding the styling and interior design, I think he must be completely high. This car is beautiful and contemporary!

[@eXGaming4u]

Reviewing "Base model" but you got the COLD Package, premium package and tech package with moonroof.. and LED lights and it's the Sport Line. LOL

[@BG-mw5pt]

the a4 has 3 pros compared to 328 or the c350: 1) its interior is top notch and the look and feel inside is unmatched; 2) it is bigger and more spacious; 3) it has the distinguished LED lights. however, its features are simple and totally outclassed by the bmw and the mercedes. the only assist you get in the a4 is the blind spot assist and both bmw and mercedes have plenty more on top of this. you need to go to a higher class to get those...

[@hadrian576]

Great review, thanks!

[@ThousanWhite]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that the 3-Series interior still has a lot of work to do.

[@7Famark]

It starts in the high 30's, they're clearing testing a fully optioned model.

[@jtg2525]

I think this depends a lot on your priorities and cost of living. If you lived in San Francisco, on $100k a year you could probably afford an Accord. In Texas, you could afford a Porsche. Get what I'm saying? Also how much do you value a nice car vs savings? How much have you been able to save? Are you on track, behind, or ahead? etc etc.

[@danh4435]

Hi dad

[@bdbda851]

Mustang is 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

[@undergroundlegend198]

Very good review, short and precise,keep it up

[@stevehammes]

Thanks!

[@stevehammes]

The ATS will run on regular.

[@stevehammes]

And that group also named a Tesla as their Car of the Year. I'd take the ATS interior any day of the week over the 70's-inspired BMW look.

[@TJC450]

i dont get the black mirrors why not body colored?

[@PedeKid]

I notice your New Jersey plates and was wondering based on the atmosphere. Are you doing these reviews in Hunterdon County, NJ ?

[@badzo9488]

What is fuel consumation of this car in normal drive?

[@vwmatt33]

I drove a sport model a few months back with the stick. It was a tick over $42K, not the $51K, which just isn't worth that. I agree with you Steve on the interior, it feels a generation to old and for some reason the speedo and tach cluster feels like it's right in your face instead of recessed. Over all at $42K it's great car, at $51k it isn't.

[@seinsmeld13]

Nice review Steve

[@andylie7699]

3:32 See the gearshifter shake?? Its ready to rock!

[@Philipp.H0210]

Its always like this. :)

[@andylie7699]

Oh yeah!!

[@tomhuu2]

startup the car in 1st gear right?

[@urafudgehead]

The interior looks similar to the 2006 E90 that came before it. That's more than six years ago! Even the 325i's interior looked similar to the its E46 predecessor's.

[@knack0125]

When do you get to drive the new ATS Stever..?

[@asajjad4542]

This car is awesome and I love it, but its just a bit too pricey when it comes to all the options

[@veganwaffle]

Cheaper now

[@moonlight_-.975]

Very cheap now

[@aameeral]

Did you watch the red stiching along the seats

[@Philipp.H0210]

Nice, I like manual cars much more than automatics.

[@richie2nice]

Must be personal taste, because the ats interior is more of the same while the bmw has many innovative design cues.

[@subvet3668]

just wait one more year and you will be able to pick up very low mileage 2012 for about 25,000 which is much more reasonable and it should still have one year on the warranty or even get a CPO for that extra kick. You can get 2011 now for about 23-29K. Worried a bit about first year reliability. The 335 has had many issues so their history with turbos is not encouraging.

[@richieasian]

I have the 2013 f30 335i (same body style as the one shown in this video) and so far, I've had it hit limp mode more than 8 times because of faulty coding or something, a faulty gas gauge that let me run empty even though I was supposedly at 1/4 tank, and rough idle problems. It only has 27,000 miles on it and I follow BMW's maintenance plans. So, yeah, reliability is definitely an issue. Those who do tons of short trips in cold weather and rarely rev the car above 4,000 RPM like me are also in for a surprise when they see how much carbon buildup is in the intake valves. I'm in the process of finding a third party to clean out my intake valves at the moment because the dealer charges $800 for that...

[@richieasian]

It annoys me even more because I just drive my car normally and I'm met with so many problems... It's barely 2 years old and it's acting up already

[@vlad1889]

If you wanted a reliable luxury/sport you should of went with lexus is350. BMW are fun, but with lexus it's 8/10 chances you get a reliable car, on the contrary with BMW It's 8/10 chance you get a faulty car. That said, I still like 328i and would pay for the extended warranty.

[@subvet3668]

Yeah I've never understood why they couldn't make their cars more reliable. There is simply no excuse for all the electrical failures even in the first couple of years of ownership. BMW is really made for the first owner and lease because the upkeep costs due to these failures is just too high. It's why their depreciation is so drastic compared with Japanese brands.

[@norimeshau7638]

@@subvet3668 in germany they are about 9k euro , so cheap it makes people think they are trash cars

[@Hikayuhuy]

good luck maintaining it lol . i agree that 51K is a really reaching price point , but you can get less optional equipment for a much reasonable price .

[@sage11x]

@76carmel It's the direct injection-- it clicks and makes the car sound like a diesel. Give it a year or two, as more DI engines make it onto the road people will become more accustom to the noise.

[@knack0125]

Awesome, can't wait to see your take on it compared to this updated 3 series.

[@brandonfriesen5389]

Steve, have you reviewed the VW Touareg?

[@NismoCA]

How much should one make yearly to afford a $50k car?

[@xcelpast]

Depends on your spending habits and amount of dedication to buying this car. I'd say in the upper $90k range to be comfortable.

[@minaabdelmasih5067]

how about driving this car at snow time !?

[@andy993]

Jetta is front engine front wheel drive... Comes standard with rear DRUM brakes... not a true sports sedan by any means. But you are right, 50k is WAY too much for this car. I'd expect to pay 40 tops.

[@S5Dic09]

Its a matter of taste, for me call it dated or modern, I LiKe IT

[@jreale62]

328i or audi a4?

[@JETZcorp]

This BMW does NOT handle as well as a Charger SRT8. Check the reviews on each car, most reviewers are disappointed with the BMW being less of a driver's car than its forbear, for the fourth generation in a row. The Charger, while heavy (about the size of an M5), is much more taut and controlled in its body motions. The alignment is much more aggressive too now that they've added the negative static camber on the 2011+ SRT8s. You can't judge a car's handling by its badge; not anymore.

[@pater429]

i am still in love with e36, i want no other car

[@Fred25052]

Hey Steve can you review the Volkswagen GTI

[@bcrogsnc]

I prefer the looks of the Cadillac ATS. Especially the interior!

[@harlemkiid149]

38k is what a 328i starts at with 0 options,Mustang Gt fully loaded goes for 36k

[@salgee123ababay]

I had one and absolutely hated the sound of the engine, sounds like a diesel. I don’t want a luxury car that makes that much noise, going through a drive through it was literally hard to order cause of the noise coming from the engine. I understand it’s because it’s a high compression engine but still they need to do something about that noise.

[@aquateen77723]

Man, I want this exact car so bad, but I know it's a foolish purchase and should save my money and what not. Blah. Great video, Steve!

[@ZayCold]

aquateen77723 get it now 🤷🏽‍♀️ way cheaper

[@EauRouge]

Check out the volvo S60 T6 mate...

[@wupperbal999]

BMW just doesn't spend too much timing designing interiors. I think it's sufficient, and I rather have them designing suspension and engine technology, than fancy dashboards. They have done that for decades, and they will continue to do that. I actually think other dashboards (other brands) to be overdesigned, spacy, ugly, while BMW just has what you need, and nothing more.

[@stevehammes]

Due in September

[@2Kriss2Kross]

Isn't running on premium common for this class? Anyways, BMW is full of themselves. Good car but $51k for their smallest sedan is too much. This car should max out in the early $40k's!

[@stevehammes]

Probably September

[@Stiggy37]

Think about prices in Europe...

[@onoff314]

328i costs 75K in Australia :( starts at 55 for a 318i lol

[@bmwmsport11]

I wouldn't spend that much for 328. The C250 sport doesn't have a price tag like this. Don't forget the Audi A4.

[@drdj69]

Most reviewers are disappointed with BMW being less of a drivers car??? Thats a joke mate..

[@wupperbal999]

Still, the midrange BMW has better handling than the Charger, but given you are American, you don't know what handling is. It's not driving 55 MPH on a strait, that's a clue.

[@jamoflys]

Getting ready to pick one up with 60k miles for $16k. Hoping it is better than my '09 335i, too scared to keep it with all the issues I've had in he last few years.

[@KidNoah2012]

These are all over the 'net for no more than $11k with only slightly more miles, although not stick shifts.

[@ElGringo.7]

@@KidNoah2012 I found a 74k miles stickshit for 11k

[@jtg2525]

That just isn't true. If you can get attractive financing rates (i.e 2-4%) you can often make more in other investments. Keep the 50k earning 6% in real estate or 8% in the stock market (average, and yes subject to risk) but low interest rate debt, whether or not the underlying asset depreciates, is always a no-brainer, but especially if you hope to earn any reasonable return on the money you would have spent in its place.

[@craijona]

Only buy it if you can buy it outright, No sense going in debt for a depreciating asset

[@markjwil]

For that money I'd take a fully optioned Volvo S60 T6 R-Design. Better value with all-wheel-drive.

[@ishagrey981]

Paddle shifters are for people who can't drive sports cars. Paddle shifters should only be used on racing cars.

[@wupperbal999]

Quality isn't measured by the amount of cylinders ... actually, most US designed egines have way too much cylinders and are crappy engines, so just go figure. You don't have to believe BMW itself, I guess you know more about engine internal behaviour than BMW-engine-designers do. I guess you are American, right ? There's engines developed and used in Europe that you will discover in 30 years only, when you run out of premium gas.

[@JETZcorp]

Yes. The overriding story of the 3-series is that it's becoming bigger, more comfortable, and less interesting to drive. Steering feel is down from the previous generation, and that was down from the one before that. The chassis is losing its light feel on the road compared to, say, an E36. Seriously, check the reviews. Cadillac now makes a car that handles better AND has a better-looking interior (as long as you don't have to use the navigation, lol).

[@wsijtsma]

BMW's are nice, the only problem is that they are about $10.000 more expensive than they are worth. And yes, the interior is dated.

[@palm0607]

@ename17 yes !!! Steve and rose are my top 2 car reviewers ! @Steve I hope you get the Cadillac ats really soon and make a review because it is going to blow the doors off this BMW........in looks, power, and price ! Let us know when !!! :D

[@MyStuff774]

Wonderful car

[@chris850t]

I'd only drive in Sport+

[@harlemkiid149]

wise words

[@professerzaii]

Dream car :)

[@jamescoool2816]

Yeoh chin kit ii

[@The.Cycling.Therapist]

What's with the understeer throughout the review

[@sphynx5602]

hi i am ameer i want pls how much

[@JhonnyBoi]

Who else was too poor to watch this video in 2012?

[@hhgoreish1]

Nice review , but BMW is not reliable . My 540i died after water went to the engine, the dealer told me they had 3 BMW s with similar problem, insurance try to fix it but finally decided to total the car. Therefore I can NOT waste my money in a BMW . I will stay with Japanese cars especially Honda, which is ahead of BMW on the tacetrack.

[@radudeATL]

That price is way too dear for this car...

[@MrTouztouz]

why tf he driving a lender car like that lmao

[@bayharborbutcher8132]

Why tf you commenting on a 7 years old video

[@Veyronp87]

i dont think the 3 series is as clear cut segement leading as it used to be. the styling is bland and its really expensive. even by bmw standards.

[@TheseSmithers007]

If there are quality problems in a 50,000 dollar car; it isn't worth $50,000.

[@pater429]

i might be wrong but i think the mother of 3 series cheated with volvo, the design looks off...what where they thinking at bmw, i hope it is like the e36, we get stuff to play with in the future, like cosmetics and such

[@lexusfan100]

hes soo professional..it not real

[@sadboyz1286]

You sound like a news reporter

[@stevehammes]

That’s because I am

[@yelp1000]

damn steve you really romp the sh** out of your press cars lol.

[@mattnguyen3751]

I'm sorry, but 50 thousand dollars for a 3 series is a bit too much

[@76carmel]

@miami428 No matter what, Beamers will always need Premium fuel even in a turbo 4-banger.

[@EauRouge]

Well...I'd go for the Volvo S60 T6....

[@snip3z4life]

you can always get this car for under 40K

[@voodazz]

Cute car. Bet it costs over a thousand bucks for routine maintenance.

[@richieasian]

BMW has no cost maintenance plans while under warranty! The only thing I pay for are oil changes that are out of BMW's 15,000 intervals. I just can't bring myself to run a car for 15,000 miles no matter how high tech the synthetic oil is. Everything else is free.

[@richieasian]

Bruno TaTa that really is nothing. I'm sure a lot of people pay that much on Starbucks in a year

[@voodazz]

Well I stand corrected. I thought it would be a lot more than that.

[@iamshevanel]

+voodazz more like $600-800 range. Oil changes are about $80-100 at an indy shop. Gaskets frequently go out on BMW's and run from 250-$800 to replace. These numbers are for a car out of warranty, of course

[@marco1234ami]

Like the interior wtf he sayin

[@pittapitta501]

bmw 3 series manual super)))

[@makemebad747]

328i

[@JETZcorp]

Let's see, do I want a 328i, or a Charger SRT8? Imported from Stuttgart, or imported from Canada? Good gas mileage, or balls? Small back seats, or big back seats? Four-cylinder or... Yeah, I'll take the Charger.

[@DevPack]

great car...im sure it drives great, but I love my audi a4 :)

[@FejjNagaf]

Woof. No doubt BMW is going to have trouble selling many $50k 328....

[@kdelg001]

it'll depreciate regardless. These are econoboxes not collector's items. And it depends, if you have 50K sitting in an account your an idiot. That should be WORKING to make you more. So it'll depend on your rate of return on whatever investment and your finance charges.

[@Texan972]

$51k for that?! Seriously? That's outrageous

[@aconfusedazn]

51k wow... time to pick up a used M3.

[@willpearce051897]

Porsche isn't German...

[@NuVega5]

Seriously overpriced...2012 Audi A4 starts at $33K, really BMW??

[@kalargyi]

Steve, now you can delete the ATS review, jk, ATS has nothing on the 3series, I am now hating myself being an American, why Grandma?