I would say this car with the sports suspension and the optional 3.6 DI (Direct Injection) 306bhp engine mated to a 6MT would be a lot more entertaining. This is the base model for people that don’t like driving. I’ve driven a base model new BMW 328i with an automatic, and I have to say it was pretty dreadful as well – squishy suspension, tiny tires with huge sidewalls, dim-witted transmission. Great motor though, but completely unexciting. Now the 335i M Sport sedan I drove… completely different story. WOT in that car is liable to set your hair on fire.
Same thing with the dichotomy between the IS250 and IS350, A4 3.2 and S4 3.0T, etc. These base model entry-lux midsizers are more for people concerned with the badge and the looks. They have good basic chassis (except the IS, which despite having good weight distribution and RWD, likes to understeer like a rental car!) but in these weak-engine soft-suspension base models, there’s not going to be a lot of enthusiast appeal.
]]>