Game Changer? BMW's 2012 328i Beats Last Year's Diesel In Mileage And Performance

The final EPA fuel economy numbers are in for the new 2012 F30-chassis BMW 328i, and they’re mighty impressive: 24 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, when equipped with an automatic transmission. The 240-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder isn’t just a miser, it’s powerful enough to catapult the sport sedan to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Not bad for the base 3-series! In fact, that’s a full second faster than the old normally aspirated six-cylinder.

What’s far more interesting, however, is to look at last year’s diesel-powered 335d sedan.

LexSucks - 2/1/2012 4:37:29 PM

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NoMoreObama2012,

That's the most ignorant thing I've read all day. Typical American that thinks that physical size trumps all. Fail!!!

JRobUSC - 2/1/2012 5:54:29 PM

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Lex, then you haven't read any of his other posts. They're even more ignorant.

Willis - 2/1/2012 8:39:11 PM

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This is a great engine. Amazing gas mileage, low emissions and the performance aspect it offers is impressive. I would suspect the 328i handles even better than the 335i because the engine weighs less: more balance.

This is indeed a great engine that has gotten glowing reviews in the new 528i as well. NomoreObama is simply a dumbass who has no clue that there are many great luxury cars offered in other markets with modern 4-cylinder engines which are refined, powerful, agile and deliver great gas mileage.

knowitall1985 - 2/1/2012 4:59:12 PM

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If it was a Lexus you would be saying what a piece of crap the 4-cyl was. No 4-cyl for me if I was buying a sports sedan.......

enthusiastx11 - 2/1/2012 5:02:44 PM

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if it was a lexus it would do what it does. lexus gets less power, less torque and 2 seconds slower to sixty out of their 6 cylinder IS250. and it's a smaller car. lol

knowitall1985 - 2/1/2012 6:13:23 PM

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Maybe when the 7yr old IS is redone it won't be so different......

enthusiastx11 - 2/1/2012 5:00:52 PM

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more horsepower, more torque, better mileage, faster zero to sixty. all wins. all around.

thetruth01 - 2/1/2012 5:11:55 PM

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i think this 4 cylinder is fine, at least in the 3 series. dropping 50K on a 5 series with a 4 banger, notsomuch.

Now about that diesel......slower and less efficient than a gasoline engine huh. Whodathunk? <sarcasm>

atc98092 - 2/1/2012 7:46:46 PM

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The perfomance is great, but no fair comparing mileage. The car is lighter, and a four cyl BMW diesel would surpass this one easily. Don't forget, the way the EPA test procedure works is that gas cars get a little less and diesels get better than the published numbers.

chewy - 2/2/2012 5:37:56 PM

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Exactly, no reason to compare two different generations of vehicles with different transmissions. The next 3 series diesel will come with 30+ city and 40+ highway. For reference the 535d with 313 horsepower has better fuel economy than the 328i with 245 horsepower according to BMW.de.

quizz - 2/2/2012 1:29:53 AM

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Perfect engine for a lighter Z4 - ditch the hard roof, make a super-light "spyder" version with manual cloth top a la Boxster

irishmike - 2/2/2012 8:19:58 AM

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The number of cylinders makes no difference to the "educated" buyer.

Remember the E30 M3? $40K(1988) One of the greatest BMW's, ever, with one wonderful 2.3 4cyl !!

investor27 - 2/2/2012 8:33:29 AM

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Loved the E30 M3. But the greatest BMW ever? The M1 is the better car, and even that one is not the greatest BMW ever.

2ndbimmer - 2/3/2012 10:20:55 AM

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I cant wait to drive the vehicle and put it through its paces. I am most concerned about the steering. I really hope they havent forced a skinny steering wheel and a softer steering setup.