CAR WARRIORS: 2014 BMW 328d xDRIVE DIESEL SEDAN

Saturday, April 19, 2014

2014 BMW 328d xDRIVE DIESEL SEDAN

The last time BMW tried mixing oil and rubber in a U.S.-market car was the E90 335d of 2009. That Bimmer’s 425 lb-ft of tire-smoking thrust tickled our collective fancy by enabling a fleet 5.7-second run to 60, but its 3.0-liter six didn’t turn heads with its EPA mileage (23 mpg city, 36 highway), and its near-$50,000 base price placed it awfully close to 5-series territory.

Enter the 328d. Bumper to bumper, it stretches about as long as a VW Jetta TDI but weighs roughly 400 more pounds with the xDrive all-wheel drive of our test car. (The gap shrinks to 205 pounds with the rear-drive version.) In place of the burly but thirstier six of the 335d, the 328d employs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, and it tips the fuel-economy/performance ratio in favor of the former. The new diesel has EPA estimates of 31/43 for the xDrive model (or 32/45 with rear drive) actually exceed the Jetta TDI’s 30/42 numbers. We saw 35 mpg over the course of 874 miles. Our most recent Jetta TDI test netted 40 mpg observed, but the Bimmer’s miles were mostly suburban, whereas the last Jetta racked up many of its mile markers on an interstate slog to Iowa and back.

The flip side is that the 328d’s 181 horsepower just barely exceeds that of the 180-hp gas-fed turbo four-cylinder in the entry-level 320i. At 7.2 seconds to 60 mph, the 328d xDrive is about as quick to 60 as is a rear-drive Cadillac ATS with its base 2.5-liter four (7.4 seconds), but it’s still 0.7 second slower than the rear-drive 320i. That makes the 328d the slowest new 3-series BMW one can buy.But the 328d doesn’t feel slow. The 328d’s ample low-rpm torque (280 lb-ft at 1750 rpm) and strong part-throttle response are suited to the way most people drive, well, 99.99999 percent of the time. The diesel’s twin-scroll turbo delivers fairly seamless response, the only discernible lag being a half-second interlude occurring if you hammer the accelerator from rest. Other than that, be prepared to let Old Man Torque and his many pound-feet kick you down the road. Diesels love highway miles, and once freeway velocity is attained, this turbo oil burner maintains momentum with dogged determination and minimal effort.

The 328d holds up the Ultimate Driving Machine end of the bargain, too. Despite the added diesel plumbing and urea after-treatment system, the 328d adheres to BMW’s vaunted front-to-rear weight balance, with 50.7 percent of its 3660 pounds assigned to the front axle. The 328d’s steering is as obedient (if also as overboosted), its damping as nuanced, and its brakes as confidence inspiring as those of any gas-fired 3-series. And its 225/45-18 run-flats deliver about as much lateral grip (0.88 g) as we recorded from the ATS. There is a low-frequency thrum from the bowels of the engine room that can be heard and felt in the steering wheel, floor, and seat whenever the diesel is lit, especially when accelerating or climbing a grade.

That’s nothing we haven’t experienced or felt in every other diesel we’ve driven, but it’s not the sweet baritone of BMW’s legendary inline-six, now limited to the 335i. Our 328d test subject arrived with a full complement of standard gear, plus the $3500 M Sport package (18-inch aluminum wheels, sport seats, M steering wheel, aero body kit, black headliner, aluminum interior trim, and Shadowline exterior trim), Melbourne Red Metallic paint ($550), Dakota leather seats ($1450), sport programming for the eight-speed automatic ($500), and the $1000 Dynamic Handling package consisting of adaptive M suspension and variable sport steering.

The big question: With almost everything else being equal with the gas turbo 328i, will buyers part with an additional $1300 to trade a second and a half of 0-to-60 performance for 9 to 10 more mpg? Although those votes have yet to be tallied, it won’t help matters that diesel-powered drivers’ cars have been rare on these shores, limiting customer awareness. But that should change, as the genre has been fleshed out some by Audi’s latest diesels, and the upcoming VW GTD and diesel Mazda 6 will serve in lower price classes. BMW went a step too far with the previous-gen 335d—its burly engine was shared with the diesel X5 SUV for cost reasons—but this time the automaker seems to have gotten the formula just right.

No comments:

KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Saturday, April 19, 2014

2014 BMW 328d xDRIVE DIESEL SEDAN

No comments:

Post a Comment

Previous Posts