NEWS photo Mike Wateftetd THE 1996 BMW 328i has a bigger 2.8-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and a 14% increasa in torque. Test drive the new Bimmer at Park Shore Motors, 1500 Fell Ave., North Vancouver (985-9344). - WITH apologies to the Audi A4, the BMW 3- series is generally rec- ognized as tie best com- pact sports, sedan in the world. 2. * "A combination of.a superb : chassis, fully independent suspension, a balanced front to rear weight. distribution made possible by rear-wheel-. drive, an “easy-like-butter” five-speed manual traasmis- sion, and a couple of wicked-. _ ly smooth four- and six-cylin- der powerplants ail add up to a superb driving experience. » ‘Though the current 3- "series is due to be.replaced’ next year, it remains a stylish, well-built, end well-equipped automobile with a high desir- ability factor. °°... ‘The four-cylinder 31 8ti, 318i, 318is, and 318ic (con- vertible) all received a slight- _ ly farger 1.9-fitre fouz-cylin- “ der engine for 1996 resulting in a modest increase in per- formance. But it’s the’ six-cylinder - 328i that has received the Greg Wiison drive most significant performance upgrade. Formerly the 325i, the new 328i offers a dis- placement increase from 2494 cc to 2793 ec and a small increase in horsepower from 189 to 190. The signifi- cant part is the increase in torque, from 181 ft.-lbs. at 4,200 rp.m. to 207 ft.-Ibs. at 3,950. In everyday language, this: means much improved throt- tle response — the 328i will accelerate from zero to 100 km-h (62 m.p.h.) in seven seconds, one second quicker _ ‘than the 325%. Off the line ~... performance is noticeably quicker, and more important- ly, mid-range passing perfor- mance is much better. This engine has so much snap. | often thought there was a small V8 under the hood. New engine aside. the enjoyable part about owning a 328i is the way it drives. The precise, variable power assisted, rack and pinion steering is not affected by front-wheel-drive hardware — there’s no conflict between where you want to go and where the engine wants to go. The independent suspen- sion offers.an amazingly smooth, controlled, stable ride, even at high speeds on bumpy roads, and adds a dimension of safety which is not often talked about or appreciated by safety experts. The interior is roomy enough for four, and 1 would recommend the four-door 328i rather than the two-door 318is if you have a family. Standard interior features include cloth upholstery, dual airbags, climate control with r 50 BRAND NEW IN-STOCK separate driver and passenger temperature settings. steel sunroof, tilt steering wheel, eight-way power driver's seat and six-way passenger's scat, power windows, and central door iocking with an emer- gency feature (hat unlocks all ” the doors in the event of a crash. A couple of beefs: the premium sound system with 10 speakers is great, but a CD player is optional. There's a ski-bag in the centre rear armrest, but fold-down rear seats are not available. The worst thing about the 328i is its price (mainly because I cant afford it.). Base price is $43,900, but a fully loaded 328i can easily top $50,000 — a fair chunk ef cash for a compact sparts sedan, and pretty close to the new 528i which starts at $54,900. But if you like to drive and you want the best small sports sedan or coupe there is, the 328) or 328is will pro- vide you with years of quali- ty entertainment. * Torque: Base price: $43,900 Type: four-door. five-pussen- ger Compact sedan Layout: longitudinal front engine/rear-wheel-drive Engine: 2.8-Jitre inline six- cylinder, DOHC, 16 valves Horsepower: 190 @ 5,300 np.m 206 f.-Ibs,.@ 3,950 ‘AND 50 ON THE W, Ss: 205/60R-15 ght: 1.393 mm (54.8 in.) Truuk capacity: 435 litres ~ (15.4 cu, ft) a Fuel consumption: City ~ 118 7100 km (24 m.p.g.): liwy — 7.5 100 km 8 m.p.g.) Warr anty: four yenrsi80, voi)