2008 BMW 3 Series Coupe: User Reviews

2008 BMW 3 Series Coupe 328i Picture
MSRP:
$35,600 - $43,000
Invoice:
$32,750 - $39,560
User Reviews:
28 reviews
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if you don't already have a 335i, buy one

by scott from dallas,tx (7/05/08)
Pros:Outstanding performance, handling, brakes, steering feel, shifter, factory audio, fit and finish...
Cons:a/c could be better, needs limited slip differential

This car is so easy to go fast in; 100 feels like 60. I wish BMW still offered limited slip diff as an option, because with this car's power, it needs it. I have modified my car with the full range of Dinan performance products (which do not void the BMW warranty) - these parts include Stage 3 software, oil cooler upgrade, upgraded intercooler, Stage 3 suspension, and high flow mufflers. I have also installed 3 piece forged aluminum 19 inch wheels and a BMW factory performance short-throw shifter. It's insane how good the basic 335i platform is, because even with the dramatically increased levels of power my car develops, the car still feels like it could handle a lot more.

The car is drop dead gorgeous; I have sapphire black over saddle.

This car is so much better than its competition; I can't imagine why anyone would buy an Infiniti G coupe even considering that it's $10K less - the BMW is worth the extra money.

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Outstanding Car...A Blast to Drive

by Jeff from Evansville, Indiana (6/16/08)
Pros:Handling, stereo, bluetooth, interior and exterior lighting (especially adaptive headlights)
Cons:Paint is good, but could be less chip resistant, price is higher than the competition

I owned a 2001 325i and then purchased a 2005 Audi A4 Cabriolet. The Audi had an excellent ride, the interior fit and finish was top notch, and it was very reliable. While the Audi A4 was a nice car, it never provided the driving pleasure offered by a BMW.

I drove the new Audi A5 and then a BMW 328 Coupe. The BMW 328 was a much better car than the A5. However, I would give the A5 points over the 3 Series Coupe for interior and exterior styling. Also, considering that I live in Indiana where the winters are frequently moderate to severe, AWD was an important factor in my purchasing decision.

Then I made the mistake of driving the 335xi Coupe. Warning...don't drive this car unless you can't afford it! It's the most solid, well-handling and high performance car in the market segment. The car is silky smooth, extremely powerful and drives flawlessly. Driving is now fun again...expensive, but fun.

After 1,000 miles and a month of ownership, no mechanical problems or rattles have surfaced. Overall per tank fuel economy has averaged between 18-22 miles per gallon for mostly city driving. The main factor in the fuel ecomony equation is directly related to the pressure applied to the accelerator. Even what appears to be a smooth start from a traffic light will leave other cars in your rear view mirror.

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Love BMW

by cat. from Los Angeles, CA (6/16/08)
Pros:Good gas mileage, handling, performance
Cons:Haven't found ....

I got this car fully loaded. Can't put in words how much I love this car. The gas mileage I get from the car is better than my 328CI which I owned previously. Lots of power and excellent handling, smooth ride..... I made the right decision in buying this 335i instead of G37s.

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Buy One - You Won't Be Sorry!

by Steve from Redwood City, CA (6/12/08)
Pros:Power, handling, looks, luxury, decent mileage, cat like reflexes
Cons:Um... that I didn't get one sooner

I never owned a BMW before my 08 Coupe so I just didn't understand what all the hype was about BMW's. Having owned it for 3 months I now get it. This car does what you ask right when you ask it, and it never complains. The handling on the twisties can only be described as telepathic. It knows what you want to do before you do. On top of this it is very comfortable on the daily commute. The ride is firm but comfortable. And it's got all the features you could ever want - full on luxury. The coupe styling is awesome, to me it looks better every day and it stands out from the 4 door sedans. The back seats are surprisingly roomy and very comfortable, it just take a little work getting back there without rear doors but for me that works. And yes I always look back at it after I park it. Mine is jet black with tan leather interior. The I-drive interface is not the best but you get used to its quirks. And yeah it's pricey (fully loaded it's close to $50K) but you get what you pay for, in this case you get much more than you pay for. Ignore the market price Yahoo states, if you want any options it's going to be higher. As far as mileage, I average about 22mpg combined city/highway.

Would I buy this car again? Yes

Any regrets? None

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Not yet a fan

by Carnut from Massachusetts (6/06/08)
Pros:Fun to drive, tight body, crisp handling
Cons:Expensive run-flat tires, auto xmission not nearly as good as Audi DSG, harsh ride

Several minor annoyances. If you squeeze the owners manual into the glove compartment, there isn't room for anything else. Mine is now in the trunk; not very convenient when becoming aclimated to a new car. The center console doesn't have notches to allow my laptop cord to reach the laptop. Power outlet in center console doesn't leave room to close lid when laptop PS is plugged in. Rear seats are pretty useless although I knew that when I bought the car.

Run flat tires are not readily available unless you happen to live in a large metro area or near a BMW dealer. As a result, it is not a car to travel cross country in. (I had a sidewall failure on a Sunday, and had to drive 150 miles at 50MPH to get home on the run-flat. The tire was coming apart by the time I got home. BAH!) I'd much rather have a donut.

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Hot

by Jamie from New York, NY (4/17/08)
Pros:Luxury meets sporty, my baby
Cons:The hardtop convertible doesn't have a moon roof - I would have gotten that instead if availavle.

My second BMW lease. I upgraded from my 2003 325i sedan to the new 2007 328 coupe. I love them both, but the coupe was a major step up. I opted for the leather/heated/power seats, hd radio (the only option I will never get again, iPod control (essential since its what I use most), and rear window shade. The car is amazing. I have a 6 speed manual, and te 3.0 liter is all I need. I put other cars to shame when I wan to be first out of the line.

I have had this car for one full year and have never had a single problem. Gas milage is good - when I behave, it guzzles when I want it to. Other great details, the auto brakes hold the car on hills when I am shifting into first gear. The front to back brake system has a smooth-out feature when you come to a complete halt. The run flats are great. If you get a slight hole, just get it plugged like a standard tire (and don't tell the dealership!) Seats are super comfortable. I'm a fan of simplified dashboards, so no nav system for me. I have friends that like lots of buttons so I understand if that is an issue for some.

Notes on other reviews:
(1) Stalling engines - I suspect they don't know how to drive a performance car, even though they're trying.
(2) Haywire nav system - possibly true, my friend has a 6 series and they have had to bring it into the shop several times to be reset.
(3) Rear wheel steering - some one's review on this forum is a flat out lie, no such a thing.
(4) Poor tires - so untrue. I only drive Rear-wheel-drive as well, and do just fine here in NY City winters.
(5) No dipstick - so what, I don't want to even look under the hood. The dealership's problem!

Love it, love it, love it!

BMW, please make the 2009 Hard Top Convetible have a moon roof!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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BMW-- What a HEADACHE!

by b thomas from san francisco, ca (4/13/08)
Pros:Looks Great- Handles Great
Cons:where do I begin? Too many problems.

let's see-- had the car less than a year and here are all the problems I've had so far.....

1. had to get passenger seat replaced because the stitching came undone.

2. had to get the windsheild replaced due to a stress fracture-- basically they told me that the rain sensor had caused it? whatever.

3. brake lights are always having to be replaced (at least one a month) --- I've never had to do this with any other car I owned. My old vintage christmas lights are built better than those on this BMW!

4. tire pressure monitor light keeps coming on even though the pressure is correct.

Today--- the "Steering Lock" malfunction light came on. The manual says when it shines red, the engine won't start. Well, the engine did start, but that malfunction light shines ever so bright.

I'm taking it in this week to be fixed.


The service department at my BMW dealership knows me VERY well. It's a running joke now to see how many times I will come in to get my car serviced.

PLEASE-- consider buying a different car. They don't build these cars like they used to. Very disappointed!

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Elegant Small Luxury Vehicle

by Dr. C. from Manchester, New Hampshire (3/27/08)
Pros:Overall quality, fit, interior
Cons:Original tires not meant for winter driving

I would first note that many of the complaints from reviewers are not about this model. It is a new model, and complaining about maintenance costs in a 2000 model would not seem applicable. The 328xi is almost as comfortable as my prior A8. Obviously a smaller vehicle, this car makes sense in the era of $3.50 gas. All maintenance covered, my dealer picks the car up and drops it back after service. The interior is beautiful with the dark wood and the gray leather. Other than a dummy light that went on and stayed on when it should not, I have had not one problem with any aspect of function of the vehicle. Great car for the Northeast. Just buy a set of winter tires for the vehicle, the ones that come with the car are inadequate for snow. My first BMW(owned 5 Mercedes, one Jaguar, one Audi, lots of Toyotas, a few American cars I regretted). Will not be my last.

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328xi Coupe - The Right Car for Me

by David from Upstate New York (3/24/08)
Pros:Build quality, road handling, driver feedback, pure class...
Cons:Hard to find faults, but the bite in the low RPM range (sub 1500) could be a notch stronger.

I have owned several BMW's, including 2 M3's from the mid-late 90's and a 528 sedan. These cars a simply great, no questions asked. I recently traded my 2004 Corvette Z06 for the 328xi. Two very different vehicles and they should not be compared, but what the heck!

The Z06 had absolutely insane acceleration. 0-60 in 3.8 secs. The 328xi will get you there in 6.8. Guess what, I can live with that - in fact, I have more fun running the RPM's up on 328xi knowing that I can do so without the risk of having my license revoked on the spot or endangering the lives of others.

The Z06 was flat out scary to drive aggressively. In the almost 5 years that I owned it, I took it to 160 once, and accelerated hard through the first three gears maybe three times. When driving it hard you hit 60mph in 2nd gear and the feeling is probably similiar to a shuttle launch. Unfortunately, not very practical. The 328xi on the other hand is just as capable at higher speeds and much tamer during local driving. It is civilized, but I would never call it slow. After you break it in you can start driving it harder (safely) and learn how to make the most out of those 230 ponies. This is a car that is meant to be driven.

In terms of accomodation, the 328xi is simply superb. I highly recommend getting both the premium and the sport packages. If you need to save, just get the leather with the sports. This car is all about "feel" and for me, the sports package brings the seating, steering wheel, and wheel/tire combination that simply works. The premium package brings a bunch of conveniences - but the value of BMW Assist service should not be understated.

Finally, I test drove both the 328xi and the 335xi. In the end, I resisted the urge for more power and made what I think to be the smarter/more practical purchase. No doubt, the 335xi twin turbos would be nice to tap into from 1400-5000, but I am not so sure that I need the tickets that inevitably follow. The 328xi handles as well as my older M3's and delivers enough power to challenge even an experienced racer. Just a great, great car from a company that knows how to make cars. You can not go wrong.

PS- I absolutely loved my z06 - maybe a bit too much. It spent most of the year in the garage and when it was on the road, It occupied the right lane - 55mph the whole way.

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Sporty, fun to drive, fantastic!

by Norm from Atlanta, GA (3/18/08)
Pros:Good MPG for a 230hp engine, responsive steering, cornering, quiet interior
Cons:Low first gear torque

I have had my coupe for two months and I've been impressed. Braking is excellent, the design is great, and it has a distinctive look to it. Sound system is pretty good, but if you're into music you might want to consider the Logic7 sound upgrade. I got the sport and premium packages and the leather power seats are a great addition to the car's interior. The car has firm, even acceleration but could use a bit more first-gear acceleration. I was surprised with the ample amount of rear seat space, and the trunk is surprisingly roomy. Be prepared for some costs though; the run-flat tires can run almost $1,500 installed for a set of four. I also recommend the sport package with the alloy wheels. They are easy to clean given BMW's usual brake pad residue that forms on the wheels. Overall, it's a great car and I would definitely recommend it.

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