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1998
BMW 328

Starts at:
$33,100
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New 1998 BMW 328
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 328IA 4dr Sdn Auto
    Starts at
    $33,100
    18 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas 6-Cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 328I 4dr Sdn Manual
    Starts at
    $33,100
    20 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas 6-Cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 328ISA 2dr Cpe Auto
    Starts at
    $33,200
    18 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas 6-Cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 328IS 2dr Cpe Manual
    Starts at
    $33,200
    20 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas 6-Cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 328IC 2dr Convertible Manual
    Starts at
    $41,500
    20 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas 6-Cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 328ICA 2dr Convertible Auto
    Starts at
    $41,500
    18 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas 6-Cyl
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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Expert 1998 BMW 328 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

BMW plans to roll out a new version of the 3-Series sedan later this summer. Unfortunately, the coupe and convertible will not be replaced until sometime next year.

That’s too bad.

I logged nearly 400 miles in a 1998 328i Convertible recently and came away from it mostly unimpressed. The 328i Convertible is outdated compared with recent models from Saab, Mercedes-Benz and the upcoming Volvo C70.

There’s nothing seriously wrong with 328i technically or with the way it is assembled. But the car lacks the refinement of some of the competitors in its class. And the interior seems particularly dated.

Then there’s the issue of the price. This is an expensive car. Tack on a few options, and you’re looking at a $44,000 price tag. But it really doesn’t end there. Factor in luxury and sales taxes and interest on the loan, and most buyers are going to pay more than $50,000 for this car.

Despite the fact that I enjoyed driving the 328i Convertible, I could not find enough value in it to justify such a large expense.

PERFORMANCE, HANDLING

The 1998 BMW 328i Convertible comes with a silky smooth 190-horsepower, inline, six-cylinder engine. It’s a 2.8-liter engine that has double overhead cams and 24 valves. Our test car came with a five-speed manual transmission.

As you might expect from a BMW, the 328i Convertible has plenty of verve. There are no peaks and valleys as the engine revs. The power comes on strong and just keeps building. If you like mechanical noises, you’ll love the way the 2.8-liter six sounds when you make it work. You hear a smooth whoosh from under the hood.

Driving this car in heavy city traffic is not bothersome. The clutch pedal takes little effort to operate and the five-speed manual transmission is easy to shift. If you want an automatic transmission (most people do), add another grand to the price. I would describe the 328i’s drivetrain as technically excellent. The same can’t be said for the suspension system, however.

Although the 328i is outfitted with a four-wheel independent suspension system, it seems as if BMW made the 328i a bit too luxurious. The ride is softer than you might expect. The 328i still sticks to the road tenaciously when asked to perform gymnastic maneuvers, but it doesn’t feel as lithe and athletic as other BMWs I’ve driven. Perhaps the 250 pounds of additional weight for the convertible top and frame reinforcements have dulled the sharpness of the ride.

However, the four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes are truly awesome. And the power-assisted, engine-speed sensitive, rack-and-pinion steering system is crisp and responsive.

FIT AND FINISH

The 328i is a small mid-size car with a leather and wood-trimmed interior and a full menu of power accessories. It’s a nicely designed and built machine, but it’s overpriced.

I don’t care that the power top rises and lowers at the touch of a button. It makes no difference to me that the seats can be heated or that you can turn off the traction control. I don’t care about the CD player or the alarm system or the cruise control. No matter what is stuffed into this car, it isn’t worth $50,000. I’d buy a Plymouth Prowler, Porsche Boxster or Mercedes-Benz SLK long before I’d drop 50 big ones on this car.

Now let’s talk about how well it is built. The 328i is a top-quality machine that is bolted together tightly. I could find no flaws in the way the car was assembled. But some of the parts, such as the squarish dash and the small buttons on the air conditioner and radio, made the car seem dated.

Getting in and out of the back seat was inconvenient. However, there’s adequate room back there for average-sized adults, and BMW gets credit for keeping the trunk at an acceptable size.

The leather-trimmed seats are firm and comfortable. Numerous power adjustments make it easy to get comfortable quickly. Turn up the powerful radio, and you can make your ear drums bleed.

Nevertheless, if you’d like to drive a BMW convertible, the Z3 roadster represents a far better value. That doesn’t mean I’d like to see the 328i become extinct. Not everyone can make do with a two-seater. Hopefully, BMW will figure out a way to add more value to the next 328i Convertible.

Specifications: Base price: $41,500. Safety: Dual front and side air bags, automatic roll bars, side-impact protection, anti-lock brakes, traction control and front and rear crumple zones. Price as tested: $44,745. EPA rating: 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway. Incentives: None.

Truett’s tip: Though BMW’s 328i Convertible is a fast and fun car, it is starting to show its age. Also, at $44,000 and change, it lacks value.

1998 BMW 328 review: Our expert's take
By

BMW plans to roll out a new version of the 3-Series sedan later this summer. Unfortunately, the coupe and convertible will not be replaced until sometime next year.

That’s too bad.

I logged nearly 400 miles in a 1998 328i Convertible recently and came away from it mostly unimpressed. The 328i Convertible is outdated compared with recent models from Saab, Mercedes-Benz and the upcoming Volvo C70.

There’s nothing seriously wrong with 328i technically or with the way it is assembled. But the car lacks the refinement of some of the competitors in its class. And the interior seems particularly dated.

Then there’s the issue of the price. This is an expensive car. Tack on a few options, and you’re looking at a $44,000 price tag. But it really doesn’t end there. Factor in luxury and sales taxes and interest on the loan, and most buyers are going to pay more than $50,000 for this car.

Despite the fact that I enjoyed driving the 328i Convertible, I could not find enough value in it to justify such a large expense.

PERFORMANCE, HANDLING

The 1998 BMW 328i Convertible comes with a silky smooth 190-horsepower, inline, six-cylinder engine. It’s a 2.8-liter engine that has double overhead cams and 24 valves. Our test car came with a five-speed manual transmission.

As you might expect from a BMW, the 328i Convertible has plenty of verve. There are no peaks and valleys as the engine revs. The power comes on strong and just keeps building. If you like mechanical noises, you’ll love the way the 2.8-liter six sounds when you make it work. You hear a smooth whoosh from under the hood.

Driving this car in heavy city traffic is not bothersome. The clutch pedal takes little effort to operate and the five-speed manual transmission is easy to shift. If you want an automatic transmission (most people do), add another grand to the price. I would describe the 328i’s drivetrain as technically excellent. The same can’t be said for the suspension system, however.

Although the 328i is outfitted with a four-wheel independent suspension system, it seems as if BMW made the 328i a bit too luxurious. The ride is softer than you might expect. The 328i still sticks to the road tenaciously when asked to perform gymnastic maneuvers, but it doesn’t feel as lithe and athletic as other BMWs I’ve driven. Perhaps the 250 pounds of additional weight for the convertible top and frame reinforcements have dulled the sharpness of the ride.

However, the four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes are truly awesome. And the power-assisted, engine-speed sensitive, rack-and-pinion steering system is crisp and responsive.

FIT AND FINISH

The 328i is a small mid-size car with a leather and wood-trimmed interior and a full menu of power accessories. It’s a nicely designed and built machine, but it’s overpriced.

I don’t care that the power top rises and lowers at the touch of a button. It makes no difference to me that the seats can be heated or that you can turn off the traction control. I don’t care about the CD player or the alarm system or the cruise control. No matter what is stuffed into this car, it isn’t worth $50,000. I’d buy a Plymouth Prowler, Porsche Boxster or Mercedes-Benz SLK long before I’d drop 50 big ones on this car.

Now let’s talk about how well it is built. The 328i is a top-quality machine that is bolted together tightly. I could find no flaws in the way the car was assembled. But some of the parts, such as the squarish dash and the small buttons on the air conditioner and radio, made the car seem dated.

Getting in and out of the back seat was inconvenient. However, there’s adequate room back there for average-sized adults, and BMW gets credit for keeping the trunk at an acceptable size.

The leather-trimmed seats are firm and comfortable. Numerous power adjustments make it easy to get comfortable quickly. Turn up the powerful radio, and you can make your ear drums bleed.

Nevertheless, if you’d like to drive a BMW convertible, the Z3 roadster represents a far better value. That doesn’t mean I’d like to see the 328i become extinct. Not everyone can make do with a two-seater. Hopefully, BMW will figure out a way to add more value to the next 328i Convertible.

Specifications: Base price: $41,500. Safety: Dual front and side air bags, automatic roll bars, side-impact protection, anti-lock brakes, traction control and front and rear crumple zones. Price as tested: $44,745. EPA rating: 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway. Incentives: None.

Truett’s tip: Though BMW’s 328i Convertible is a fast and fun car, it is starting to show its age. Also, at $44,000 and change, it lacks value.

Available cars near you

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
6 years
Roadside Assistance
4 years / 50,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Certified Pre-Owned Elite with less than 15,000 miles; Certified Pre-Owned with less than 60,000 miles
Basic
1 year / unlimited miles from expiration of 4-year / 50,000-mile new car warranty
Dealer certification
196-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.9 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.4
Interior 4.1
Performance 4.6
Value 4.8
Exterior 4.5
Reliability 4.6

Most recent

  • My arctic silver E36 328is 197k miles

    1998 328is coupe . A very competent car. Very poised and ready. The cockpit is very good...the IS having upgraded seats and goodies . The engine is the highlight. Buttery seamless power and a refined engine note. My arctic silver paint is also perfect ..parked outside. Amazing car at 197,000 miles.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    3 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • best car iv ever owned

    the inline 6-cylinder engine is the most reliable engine ever built, the mid 90's 3 series were the best bmw ever made (except the 318i). the perfect blend of reliability, style, ease of repair and performance make this one of the best designs in vehicle history.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • The best car I've ever owned

    The best car I have ever owned wasn't equipped with fancy things like navigation or loaded with all the driver assisted features of cars today. It wasn't turbo charged and didn't have a massive V8. Heck, it didn't even have automatic head lights and it didn't need any of that. The best car I ever owned was a 1998 328i sedan. So what made this car so special? This was a true drivers car. It had a perfectly weighted steering wheel and peddles, that delivered accurate and precise feedback. The engine was the great naturally aspirated inline 6 that BMW was famous for. The engine size 2.8 litter hence the name 328i. This car goes back to the days when BMW's naming scheme still meant something and when BMWs didn't have the artificial handling feel that they do today. This car handled like a go cart and I had a transmission engine match made in heaven. Even with an automatic, you couldn't find a gear or speed that this car wouldn't instantly take off from. The car produced 190hp and 206 lb-ft of torque which propelled 3131 lb. car to 60 in 6.8 seconds. The interior of the was intuitively laid out, with every button within arms reach. The center console was tilted towards the driver to create a driver focused cockpit. The seats were comfortable and well bolstered allowing for a perfect driving experience. This car's interior was a testament to the design quality that made BMW so great. It is a reminder of what BMW has lost sight of in recent years with their sterile almost clinical interiors. The exterior of the car is classic BMW. It was a great design when it came out in the 90's and it still looks great now with its signature kidney grills. This car is similar in size to the 1 and 2 series. Yet, it manages to look lean compared to the slightly bloated looking 1 and 2 series whose exterior designs never seem have the correct proportions that made the 3 and now 4 series coupes much better-looking cars. The verdict, in an automotive era, were technology and driver aids are creating a greater disconnect between the driver and car, this car is a way to return to the glory days of BMW and a great way to get to ultimate driving experience. You can pick up one of these future classics for under $5,000.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Bang for your Buck Convertible

    This car is a perfect weekender or a daily driver. This car is absolutely beautiful. Although it does lack power.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Nothing compares to the driving experience

    The e36 especially with the 2.8 m52 motor is a nice smooth inline six motor that comes alive in the high rev range, without a doubt one of the funnest cars to drive, gives you a raw driving experience with luxury amenities like leather sport heated seats, digital climate control, automatic windows, moonroof, power everything.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 98 328

    The E36 3 series is tremendous! The interior can get snug for big people. I made my own cup holders. The rest of the car is pure magic. Extremely relaible - watch for radiators at 100K & water pumps every 60K. Mileage have 22mpg everyday & nearly 30mpg on trips. Tons of aftermarket parts available. It handles beyond what the average driver will ever use, accelerates well and stops short.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • 328i, I should have kept it!

    In 10 years I had it back to the dealership once for service. A radiator, a battery, and brakes (once) in 10 years is what I call reliable. My new Accord is nice, but I really liked the BMW better. It cost me about $3900 per year to drive it. I was looking forward to trading it for a 1-Series, but they jacked up the prices so much for the states that I couldn't justify it.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Best convertable mid size sedan

    328iC BMW is a fun car to drive with or without family. As long as you maintain it properly, it will run with no issues.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1998 BMW 328?

The 1998 BMW 328 is available in 6 trim levels:

  • 328i (1 style)
  • 328iA (1 style)
  • 328ic (1 style)
  • 328icA (1 style)
  • 328is (1 style)
  • 328isA (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 1998 BMW 328?

The 1998 BMW 328 offers up to 20 MPG in city driving and 28 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 1998 BMW 328?

The 1998 BMW 328 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 1998 BMW 328 reliable?

The 1998 BMW 328 has an average reliability rating of 4.6 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1998 BMW 328 owners.

Is the 1998 BMW 328 a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1998 BMW 328. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.9 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.4
  • Interior: 4.1
  • Performance: 4.6
  • Value: 4.8
  • Exterior: 4.5
  • Reliability: 4.6

BMW 328 history

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