Project: Swagger Wagon
#1
After about four months of research and close to a dozen cars tested, we finally landed on a family hauler to replace the Saab. I originally thought the Saab was gonna be a family car, but I realized there were many safety sacrifices being made in an 11 year old car... that and the infant seat didn't even remote fit in the back seat. Anyway, after looking at pretty much every model of wagon on the market, we landed on the All Road, 328xd, and 328xi. Pricing, power, and warranties eventually put us in the 2014 328xi territory. A few weeks of watching the market later, this popped up a few miles from home. It's probably overkill, but we plan to keep it until it makes us not. #yolo

2014 BMW 328i xDrive --- CPO/Free Service - 37,403 miles - 8-Speed A/T - All Wheel Drive

Current plans call for tint... then... car seat? :lol: We're doing a bunch of car camping this summer, so I'm looking forward to loading this baby up. Can I add a trailer hitch and pull a dirt bike with this thing??

I'll write more after a few weeks with the car., For now, some comments from the 20 miles I've driven it:
>> Foot open and push button close rear hatch - why have I been doing this manually all my life?
>> Key based automatic seat memory (Mikey!!)
>> It's kinda sad when a car that has as much HP as my Legacy feels really fast.
>> Heads Up is weird
>> Mileage is high for model year, but we drive like 4,000/year so we'll catch up in two years
>> Holy crap space
>> We weren't sold on the interior color, but it's much better in person. Some brown leather saddle bullshit color name...
>> All the cameras make it easy to live in a city. I actually had to back up a single lane alley for an entire city block 20 minutes after buying it and didn't really have any problems. The top view is pretty cool, but the back up is much easier to use. I guess the top could be helpful if you're parallel parking. The font side view should be useful for pulling out from blind entrance ways.

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'76 911S | '14 328xi | '17 GTI | In memoriam: '08 848, '85 944

"Here, at last, is the cure for texting while driving. The millions of deaths which occur every year due to the iPhone’s ability to stream the Kim K/Ray-J video in 4G could all be avoided, every last one of them, if the government issued everyone a Seventies 911 and made sure they always left the house five minutes later than they’d wanted to. It would help if it could be made to rain as well. Full attention on the road. Guaranteed." -Jack Baruth
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#2
damn it... i approve of this bmw.

add rimz please.
#99 - 2000 Civic Si (Future H2 Car, Former H1 car)
IPGparts.com, AutoFair Honda, Amsoil, QuikLatch Fasteners
NASA-MA Tech Inspector (Retired)
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#3
Apoc Wrote:[Image: 13083178_10153404891871744_1852857559521...e=57BB0F84]

:O

Other than that. BMW SUX


Nice purchase.
Current:
2011 F150 Platinum | 1995 BMW 325i 1983 BMW 320i  The MMoped | 2008 BMW 128i
Past:
1996 Toyota Tacoma: | 1992 Mazda Miata | 2002 BMW 325i |
2003 Toyota Tacoma | 1995 Miata M Edition | 1997 Subaru Outback |
1992 Mazda Miata | 1990 BMW 325i  | 2007 Toyota 4Runner | 
1995 Ford Windstar 1987 BMW 325i | 1987 BMW 325 | 1990 BMW 325i Vert |
2018 VW GTI | 1990 Mazda Miata | 
1989 BMW 325i Vert 2015 Fiesta ST | 1983 BMW 320i parts car
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#4
Love it, and the color combo is perfect! Get some M-sport rimzz.

Everyone rags on iDrive but I really like it. If you need maps updated, there's a guy on some forums who can do it for about $50, versus $300+ at the dealer.
Now:
'16 Ram 1500 | '97 BMW M3 | Some Press Loan

Then:
87 BMW 325e | 91 BMW 535i | 96 BMW 328i | 95 BMW 325i | 95 Mazda Miata | 13 Focus ST | 09 BMW 128i | 00 Pontiac Firebird | 05 Yukon Denali | 96 BMW 328iC | 11 Ford F-150 | 06 BMW M3 | 10 Range Rover SC | '03 Ford Ranger | '18 Ford F-150 | '01 BMW X5 | '98 Volvo S70 T5M
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#5
Apoc Wrote:[Image: 13083222_10153404891881744_5086885460078...e=57B6A893]

What is this juju? How do you even use this.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
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#6
rherold9 Wrote:
Apoc Wrote:[Image: 13083222_10153404891881744_5086885460078...e=57B6A893]

What is this juju? How do you even use this.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk


You've haven't been initiated into the BMW cult. If we tell you, we have to kill you.
Current:
2011 F150 Platinum | 1995 BMW 325i 1983 BMW 320i  The MMoped | 2008 BMW 128i
Past:
1996 Toyota Tacoma: | 1992 Mazda Miata | 2002 BMW 325i |
2003 Toyota Tacoma | 1995 Miata M Edition | 1997 Subaru Outback |
1992 Mazda Miata | 1990 BMW 325i  | 2007 Toyota 4Runner | 
1995 Ford Windstar 1987 BMW 325i | 1987 BMW 325 | 1990 BMW 325i Vert |
2018 VW GTI | 1990 Mazda Miata | 
1989 BMW 325i Vert 2015 Fiesta ST | 1983 BMW 320i parts car
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#7
Nice pick up dude! I like that color combo actually and I am sure the interior looks even better in person. That's going to be a comfortable family hauler and looks to have decent enough ground clearance to get to most places you will probably be camping in. I am curious to hear your thoughts of ownership after the baby comes and you all do some traveling with it; I've found we've been tight on space in the RDX with just us two traveling to like the beach and we don't really pack a lot of stuff beyond coolers, food, luggage, etc.. I'm sure we can make it work whever we decide to have kids if you guys can make a wagon work.

Edit: Just noticed, no roof rails? Do you guys think you'll be good on cargo space with that trunk?
Posting in the banalist of threads since 2004

2017 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD Premium

Past: 2016 GMC Canyon All Terrain Crew Cab / 2010 Jaguar XFR / 2012 Acura RDX AWD Tech / 2008 Cadillac CTS / 2007 Acura TL-S / 1966 5.0 HO Mustang Coupe
2001 Lexus IS300 / 2004 2.8L big turbo WRX STI / 2004 Subaru WRX / A couple of old trucks
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#8
Those seats look horribly flat and unsupportive
(09-25-2019, 03:18 PM)V1GiLaNtE Wrote: I think you need to see a mental health professional.
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#9
Your sister is horribly flat and unsupportive.

Wheels are gonna stay as-is for now. I'd like black wheels, but nice wheels and parallel parking do not mesh well. Maybe when these get torn up, I'll replace them with something fancy and some sort of purchased protection.

WRXtranceformed Wrote:Nice pick up dude! I like that color combo actually and I am sure the interior looks even better in person. That's going to be a comfortable family hauler and looks to have decent enough ground clearance to get to most places you will probably be camping in. I am curious to hear your thoughts of ownership after the baby comes and you all do some traveling with it; I've found we've been tight on space in the RDX with just us two traveling to like the beach and we don't really pack a lot of stuff beyond coolers, food, luggage, etc.. I'm sure we can make it work whever we decide to have kids if you guys can make a wagon work.

Edit: Just noticed, no roof rails? Do you guys think you'll be good on cargo space with that trunk?

So far we've camped in our Clubman with the seats down, so I'm not too worried about ground clearance or space. Our "off roads" are pretty well maintained... and somehow our city streets are kinda terrible. I actually think the Clubman is too stiff for city driving, so this should work out decently for joint duty.

We took an infant car seat and stroller shopping with us. We found the All Road and 328 were the only non-massive SUVs that could even remotely fit an infant seat with the driver seat in a respectable place. The car dealer, who was probably 6'2", sat behind me with no problems and I sit pretty far back. The dealer for our 328d test drive was 6'0' 300# (he actually said this) and he sat behind me no problem too.

The trunk is bigger than the pictures make it seem - I think the black is misleading. There's plenty of room for a stroller and a few bags. I put a chair in the trunk for relativity. I also added a few others that I think show just how big it really is.

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'76 911S | '14 328xi | '17 GTI | In memoriam: '08 848, '85 944

"Here, at last, is the cure for texting while driving. The millions of deaths which occur every year due to the iPhone’s ability to stream the Kim K/Ray-J video in 4G could all be avoided, every last one of them, if the government issued everyone a Seventies 911 and made sure they always left the house five minutes later than they’d wanted to. It would help if it could be made to rain as well. Full attention on the road. Guaranteed." -Jack Baruth
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#10
.RJ Wrote:Those seats look horribly flat and unsupportive
I came to say this after seeing the pics. What engine did they give the 328xi?

Also Ryan from my memory, you hold the left button, rock the shifter back and forth and it will light up where you are on the RNDL. You have to click the P to put it in Park.
2013 Honda Fit, 1991 Mazda Miata, Princess Blanca, Mystery, 1993 Volvo 940 - sold, 2003 Mazda Protoge5 - carmax'd, 1996 BMW 328is - sold, 1996 Honda Accord - sold
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#11
2.0L turbo that makes 240 hp
'76 911S | '14 328xi | '17 GTI | In memoriam: '08 848, '85 944

"Here, at last, is the cure for texting while driving. The millions of deaths which occur every year due to the iPhone’s ability to stream the Kim K/Ray-J video in 4G could all be avoided, every last one of them, if the government issued everyone a Seventies 911 and made sure they always left the house five minutes later than they’d wanted to. It would help if it could be made to rain as well. Full attention on the road. Guaranteed." -Jack Baruth
  Reply
#12
wait, the 328 has a 2.0 turbo four cyl?
(09-25-2019, 03:18 PM)V1GiLaNtE Wrote: I think you need to see a mental health professional.
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#13
For the last few years. I think they just turn up the boost.
'76 911S | '14 328xi | '17 GTI | In memoriam: '08 848, '85 944

"Here, at last, is the cure for texting while driving. The millions of deaths which occur every year due to the iPhone’s ability to stream the Kim K/Ray-J video in 4G could all be avoided, every last one of them, if the government issued everyone a Seventies 911 and made sure they always left the house five minutes later than they’d wanted to. It would help if it could be made to rain as well. Full attention on the road. Guaranteed." -Jack Baruth
  Reply
#14
you want black wheels? what, are you 17 years old?

nice grab. very sharp. eurowagons are so money, but i can't wait to be rid of mine in the near future. hoping yours treats you better.
I Am Mike
4 wheels:  '01 RAV4 (Formerly '93 Civic CX, '01 S2000, '10 GTI, '09 A4 Avant)
2 wheels: '12 Surly Cross-Check Custom | '14 Trek Madone 2.1 105 | '17 Norco Threshold SL Force 1 | '17 Norco Revolver 9.2 FS | '18 BMC Roadmachine 02 Two | '19 Norco Search XR Steel (Formerly '97 Honda VFR750F, '05 Giant TCR 2, '15 WeThePeople Atlas 24, '10 Scott Scale 29er XT, '11 Cervelo R3 Rival, '12 Ridley X-Fire Red)

No longer onyachin.
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#15
.RJ Wrote:wait, the 328 has a 2.0 turbo four cyl?
It's good 'ol BMW badge engineering at its best!

Nice looking car though. Rear facing car seats blow. :vomit: Just swaddle them tight and use the latch anchors with a tie down. :dunno:
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a van is a good guy with a van
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#16
.RJ Wrote:Those seats look horribly flat and unsupportive
The bottom of the seat does look almost flat with no side bolster at all.
2019 Accord Sport 2.0 A/T
2012 Civic Si - Sold
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#17
BLINGMW Wrote:
.RJ Wrote:wait, the 328 has a 2.0 turbo four cyl?
It's good 'ol BMW badge engineering at its best!

$40k for a fuckin' 4-cylinder :vomit:
(09-25-2019, 03:18 PM)V1GiLaNtE Wrote: I think you need to see a mental health professional.
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#18
JPolen01 Wrote:
.RJ Wrote:Those seats look horribly flat and unsupportive
The bottom of the seat does look almost flat with no side bolster at all.

If they made the "comfort" seats comfortable then who would actually pony up for the sport package? Pretty sure 90% of people who do spring for ZSP do it solely for the adjustable thigh bolster.

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Now: 07 Porsche Cayman S | 18 VW Tiguan

Then: 18 VW GTI Autobahn | 95 BMW M3 | 15 VW GTI SE | 12 Kia Optima SX | 2009 VW GTI | 00 BMW 540i Sport | 90 Mazda Miata | 94 Yamaha FZR600R | 1993 Suzuki GS500E | 2003 BMW 325i | 95 Saab 900S




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#19
If space ever becomes a concern....

Best purchase I have ever made that is car related.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.rei.com/product/826357/yakima-rocketbox-pro-11-roof-box?cm_mmc=cse_PLA_GOOG-_-8263570001&CAWELAID=120217890000797175&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA_GOOG">https://www.rei.com/product/826357/yaki ... e_PLA_GOOG</a><!-- m -->

7 day Beach trips with cooler, pack n play, all the baby shit, our shit, umbrellas, bike trailer, 2 bikes, etc all in or attached to the Fozzy with one rear seat still open.

Lost space with the purchase of the Prius, but at the kids age now, the amount of shit needed has reduced drastically.
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#20
JustinG Wrote:Best purchase I have ever made that is car related.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.rei.com/product/826357/yakima-rocketbox-pro-11-roof-box?cm_mmc=cse_PLA_GOOG-_-8263570001&CAWELAID=120217890000797175&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA_GOOG">https://www.rei.com/product/826357/yaki ... e_PLA_GOOG</a><!-- m -->

2nd that. we've got a Thule Sonic and its phenomenally useful and easy to install provided you've got a place to store it when you're not using it
2010 Civic Si
2019 4Runner TRD Off-Road
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Past:  03 Xterra SE 4x4  |  05 Impreza 2.5RS  |  99.5 A4 Quattro 1.8T  |  01 Accord EX  |  90 Maxima GXE  |  96 Explorer XLT
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