2014 BMW 328i xDrive Gran Turismo Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

2014 BMW 328i xDrive Gran Turismo Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds conducts a long-term test of a 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Gran Turismo and takes issue with the ergonomics of its cruise control system.

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jaguar36

+1 ! The stalk was the best system, this is just another step of BMW toward mass market mediocrity.

dmos

Jay, Thank You! I was thinking the same thing when I read Dan's article and was wondering if anyone else on the staff would mention it. I wish I could identify a reasonable decision point for going away from their previous system. Like you, nothing in controlled cruising irritates me more than having to turn on the system to... turn it on. Why can't we have both a smart feedback system that accurately controls speed AND is a pleasure to arm?

vvk

When I got my E46 years ago, I was very pleased with the way the cruise control worked, similar to this 328GT. I really enjoyed using it. When I later got my E91 (and even later, E60) I was very disappointed with the new stalk cruise control. It was hard to reach on purpose and easy to bump by accident. I am glad to see they are back to using buttons on the steering wheel. To each his own, I guess.

Not having to turn on cruise control is dangerous. More than once I turned in on accidentally in my SLK350 while turning, which was always a nasty surprise with its 300 hp.

stevej2001_

yes, you're being nitpicky. My '11 5 series has this same control setup and my previous BMW had ghe one you admired so much.

This is a great example of the limitations of these long term tests. You all keep trading cars. I can remember having to look at the steeringwheel when I'd set the cruise control on my new car-- for maybe a week. After 3 years, I do it without any thought let alone confusion.

Likewise-- needing to turn it on each time-- that's really nitpicky. Turing it on is trivial. One's thumb is right next to the button, so what's the big deal.

01peter10

I used to own a 2013 335i with the new system and now own a 2011 M3 with the stalk system you talked about. The new system on the 2013 was much better. Ok, yeah, you have to turn it on every time, but it's much easier to adjust speed than a stalk system. Increasing your speed, in particular, is annoying on the stalk system as you have to hold it forward until exactly the right moment in order to get the speed you want.

rjg96

I'm with you. Had an e92 with the stalk, and now have a 2014 5 series with the same wheel as your 328xi. I miss the stalk- was much more natural to use and made more sense. The on/off button is silly.

I will say that the setup on newer BMWs is similar to how they did it on the e46/e39/e38 so I guess they're just reverting back to "form" (albeit bad form).