2014 BMW 328i GT - An Interesting Proposition (Part 2)

On the road, the 3GT drives about as you would expect - like a bigger, heavier 3 Series. The steering has a bit of a dead spot on-center, giving more of a wandering sensation on the highway. Our tester was equipped with the Dynamic Handling package, which includes variable steering and adaptive suspension. Even in Sport mode, the steering didn't have quite the accuracy of a regular 3 Series. The adaptive suspension does a great job of providing a firm but comfortable ride while keeping body movements in check during cornering.

At our test track, the 3GT slots in right between a 328 sedan and the X3. With a 0-60mph time of 5.9 seconds, it's 0.4 second slower than the sedan and 0.8 second faster than the X3. The GT needs 14.5 seconds to get through the quarter mile at 95.1mph, compared with 14.2 at 97.9mph for sedan and 15.0 at 91.9mph for the X3. Braking from 60-0mph is more of the same, with the sedan requiring 110 feet, the GT 122 feet, and the X3 125 feet. You can probably guess the results of figure-eight testing, with the sedan turning in a 26.0-second lap, the GT 26.6, and the X3 27.8.

On the road, the 3GT drives about as you would expect - like a bigger, heavier 3 Series

The figure eight tells the real story of how the GT feels. For the first time, we wished the eight-speed automatic transmission would be a bit more aggressive. On the streets, it's smooth as butter, but at the track we wanted slightly faster shifts. Braking is strong, but carry the car into the corner, and it causes instant understeer. Back out of the brakes just before turn-in and you get good bite and even a little bit of rotation from the back end. By playing with the throttle all the way around the half-circle, it's possible to keep the car neutral, but it scrubs off speed pretty quickly. Although the turbo four-banger is plenty torquey, the all-wheel drive just won't rotate on power. Exiting the turn takes patience, as too much throttle too early results in a big push on the way out. This is where a torque-vectoring rear differential could work its magic. In the end, it handles at least as well as we expect a German family-hauler should in normal driving, and we would be surprised if any of these ever see track time anyway.

The adaptive suspension does a great job of providing a firm but comfortable ride while keeping body movements in check during cornering

Overall, the 3 Series GT is an interesting proposition. You get BMW big-sedan space at small-sedan pricing, the utility of a hatchback, the all-wheel drive of the X3, and the styling to set you apart from the hordes everyone, but I have a feeling this might be the next cult hit for BMW.

Overall, the 3 Series GT is an interesting proposition.