[11] Bmw 328i Sport At Today Highlight

2013 BMW 328i M Sport.(Photo: Photo by JOE Media HighlightsBMW now offers its M Sport package on the 3 SeriesWe drove the 328i with M Sport optionsIt's sweetCONNECTTWEETLINKEDINEMAILMORE

It always has seemed peculiar that BMW offers "sport" packages and accessories for cars that arguably are the sportiest sedans you can buy.

But offer them it does, and somewhat successfully. The M Sport array of goodies is shot throughout the BMW line — but wasn't available on the recently overhauled 3 Series sedans until the 2013 models last fall.

You can get M Sport on the 328i for $3,850 (tested), the 335i for $3,200 (not tested), but not the 320i.

The idea of M Sport is to give buyers a bit of the look and handling feel of the fierce M cars, but not the higher-power engines or the higher prices that come with them. BMW won't say when the full-fledged M3 is due.

On the 3, M Sport is a suspension that's lowered about 0.4 of an inch (10 millimeters) and tires that are wider than on the standard 3. Plus, the M Sport tires are different sizes, front and rear. (No more four-tire rotations, and the cost of replacement tires will be higher.)

You also get sport seats and trim that alters the look and the airflow around the front and sides. Not egregious tack-on stuff, but perhaps showier than some might prefer.

M Sport buyers can get unique colors not available on other BMWs, including "Estoril blue." It looks great. Another example of automakers searching for the just-right dazzling blue. Maybe blue will become the new silver.

M Sport is available on xDrive (all-wheel-drive) 3s, too, but you lose the lowered suspension.

So what's the big deal about a few options? Because for a relatively small increase in price, they give you a relatively big change in driving feel, and it's in the right direction.

Here's what Test Drive noticed most about the 328i M Sport, rear-drive, automatic test car:

That blue. Yum.

Interior. Another yum. Sport seats are supportive but not restrictive. A smaller steering wheel gives the car a livelier, more agile feel the instant you grab the first major control.

Handling. Also yum. You wouldn't think that dropping the car's stance a bit less than half an inch, and adding an inch or so of rubber at each corner, would change things for the better in street driving. On the track, sure. Holds the car flatter, keeps the back end from snaking out in corners, boosts top speed by cutting drag.

But in this case, the boulevard and interstate manners feel better than in a standard-issue 328i. Just enough sharper edge to slap a grin on the driver's face and keep it there. Grins are nearly priceless, so the first lasting smile is sufficient payback for the M Sport price.

More joy: no harsh-ride tradeoff. Usually there is, when you modify the suspension and use tires with shorter, stiffer sidewalls. Bam, slap, whack is the typical result. But the 328i M Sport test car simply felt firm and taut.

No doubt you could find roads bad enough to show up the M Sport's less-forgiving nature, but most places you drive shouldn't impose a penalty.

Performance, meaning go-power. Unexpectedly good.

When the 328i was brand new for 2012, its 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder seemed a disappointment. It had — still has — the same 240-horsepower rating as the 3-liter six-cylinder it replaces (for mpg purposes), but was a rougher beast.

Not so in the 2013 M Sport. There must have been some running changes to refine the engine, because M Sport doesn't touch anything under the hood. For whatever reason, the fact it was a small-displacement four-banger trying to do a six-cylinder's work never bubbled into consciousness. Only, "Wow, nice engine."

Part and parcel, the automatic start-stop feature that BMW has messed up so dramatically worked well in the test car. In the short amount of time Test Drive allowed it be turned on, it didn't shut off the engine at absurd times, or restart it unexpectedly. Off at longer stops, back on at launch. Without much shimmy and shake. It behaved so much better than a year ago that it's worth noting. And, again, M Sport would have no effect on that.

Test Drive still would prefer that such start-stop devices — getting more common across many brands because they earn 1 or 2 mpg on the U.S. fuel-economy tests — were cast into the sea never to surface. Well-intentioned as they are, they often are intrusive and ruin otherwise pleasant driving experiences.

Mileage. Surprise.

Cars such as BMWs beg to be flogged, which uses more fuel. Pay to play. But the 328i M Sport got commendable mid-20s mpg in highway blasting and suburban burbling.

Probably too busy enjoying steering, cornering and braking to pay proper attention to the throttle.

For about 10% more than the price of a base 328i, you can have one with M Sport's spiffier looks, nicer interior, better handling, greater traction — and a whole heap of extra fun.

What? M Sport is a $3,850 suspension, tire and trim package that gives already sporty 328i sedan a finer feel for frisky folk. (Also on the 2013 335i for $3,200; not available on the 320i).

M Sport, offered on most BMW cars, gives some look and handling feel of the ferocious M cars without the higher power and price. Full-fledged M3 is under development; BMW won't give introduction date.

3 Series was overhauled for 2012, but didn't get the M Sport package until 2013 models.

When? M Sport option was available to order last October and began showing up on U.S. cars in November.

How much? 328i with M Sport starts at $41,595, including $895 shipping.

What makes it go? No changes in powertrain. 2013 328i has 2-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder rated 240 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, 255 pounds-feet of torque at 1,250 rpm. Six-speed manual standard, eight-speed automatic optional. Rear-drive standard, all-wheel drive (xDrive in BMW-speak) optional.

How thirsty?

Rated 23 mpg city, 33 highway, 26 city/highway mix (automatic), 22/34/26 (manual). Automatic transmission test car trip computer showed 24 mpg (4.17 gallons per 100 miles) in mix of suburban and highway driving.

Overall: Small changes, big difference.

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