The Coolest BMW America Ignored

Once in a while, BMW builds a automotive that will get every 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 kind of automobiles. It wasn’t loud, flashy, or overpowered. It was simply quietly sensible — environment friendly, well-balanced, and genuinely pleasing to drive. However sadly, it arrived within the U.S. at precisely the flawed time.

BMW’s Massive 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 X5and even ran a Tremendous Bowl business in 2014 to inform People that trendy diesel had modified. The marketing campaign — “Diesel’s Again” — confirmed drivers reacting in disbelief {that a} diesel BMW may very well be clear, fast, and quiet.

They weren’t exaggerating. We examined one of many very first U.S.-spec diesels, the 2014 BMW 328d Sedanon a 1,500-mile street journey from Dallas to Kansas Metropolis and again. That drive instructed us every thing we wanted to know. The two.0-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder made 180 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, and though 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 automated shifted well, the engine pulled laborious by way 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 criticism. Briefly, 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 thing good concerning 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 resolution for anybody who needed a premium every day that might additionally haul gear, pets, or weekend baggage. It had over 50 cubic ft of cargo house with the seats folded, roof rails for bikes or skis, and the intelligent split-opening rear hatch that made loading simple. But, from behind the wheel, it nonetheless felt like a correct 3 Collection — balanced, responsive, and assured on any street.

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 street 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 2015public belief evaporated. Though BMW’s diesels had been totally compliant with U.S. emissions requirements, the injury was finished.

On the identical time, SUVs had been taking up. Patrons who needed house went straight to the X3 or X5, whereas fanatics on the lookout 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 Laborious to Discover

That lack of demand when new makes the 328d Wagon a uncommon sight as we speak. They pop up sometimes on used websites, however clear examples disappear rapidly. Edmunds at present 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 strong. Most have excessive mileage as a result of house owners truly 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 automotive BMW used to excel at constructing — a well-engineered, understated driver’s automotive that didn’t want huge energy to be rewarding. It was environment friendly with out feeling compromised, comfy with out being tender, and dynamic with out being harsh.

Total, the three Collection Wagon by no means grew to become a gross sales success in America no matter its drivetrainhowever that’s a part of what makes it particular now. It’s a kind of automobiles you notice on the street and immediately acknowledge as one thing somewhat completely different — a automotive 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 kind of “ought to’ve purchased it when you could possibly” BMWs. The sort that reminds you the model’s finest automobiles had been usually those no one seen on the time.