Press "Enter" to skip to content

This site contains Ebay partner affiliate links, which may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.

Wagon Week: 2012 BMW 328i xDrive Touring

I’ll be the first to admit that I was very late to the E91 touring party. When it debuted, I was still far more interested in the Audi S4 and Subaru Legacy Turbo. In fact, up until I began to take a healthier interest in the world of BMWs, I didn’t associate the brand with AWD long roofs at all even though they have a storied history within the segment. When I thought of BMW wagons I thought of a ’91 525i that belonged to some friends of my parents. At the time that car seemed like nothing special but oh if I could turn back the clock and get my hands on it now I’d be a happy man. Dark green with a brown leather interior, M Parallel wheels, let me tell you, that thing was gorgeous. The idea that BMW made a nice wagon began to percolate and it wasn’t long before I found myself adding the E91 to my regular internet searches.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2012 BMW 328i xDrive Estate On AutoTrader


Year: 2012
Model: 328i xDrive Touring
Engine: 3.0 liter inline-6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 37,185 mi
Price: $31,495

RARE MANUAL TRANSMISSION! Premium Package, Value Package, BMW Certified, AWD, Auto-Dimming Interior & Exterior Mirrors, Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror, Dakota Leather Upholstery, Heated Front Seats, Interior Mirror w/Compass, Lumbar Support, Power moonroof, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and Universal Garage-Door Opener. BMW Certified and One owner. You are looking at a positively stunning 2012 BMW 3 Series that is ready and waiting to pamper your every need. BMW Certified Pre-Owned means you not only get the reassurance of up to a 6yr/100,000 mile limited warranty, but also a multipoint inspection/reconditioning, 24/7 roadside assistance, trip-interruption services, and a vehicle history report. This plush 3 Series, with grippy AWD, will handle anything mother nature decides to throw at you during one of her bad days at work. Visit www.realdeal.com/llyqp to view a Free Price Check! Stop down today to view our BMW Showroom at 4th and 94th in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. This vehicle won’t last long! Take advantage NOW

The pre-facelift 2005 through 2008 models were never my thing. I couldn’t stand the chrome mustaches above the kidney grilles. If you’re in the market for a E91 Estate, I highly suggest setting the year range to 2009 and up because the updated vehicle has a number of minor bits added that make it much more appealing. This 2012 example really caught my eye because of the unusual and very handsome color scheme. Those of you that are regular GCFSB readers will know that I’m not a fan of black exteriors, but in this case I think it really works because of the warm Saddle Brown interior with Dark Burl trim. The grey headliner lightens up the cabin even more, giving it a sanctuary like vibe on harsh winter days, especially should you choose to expose the panoramic moonroof. If you’ve ever lived anywhere cold, you understand that a sunroof/moonroof is far more useful as a means of adding warmth to a cold car than it is a way of cooling one off.

Of course, the car is well suited for warm weather adventures, too. I can imagine rowing through the gears with all the windows down on a nice New England summer afternoon. The seller mentions manual transmission many times and rightly so. The manual makes the 230hp 3.0 liter motor more fun to work with and gives the vehicle a rare bird status. Even rarer is “the one you really want” E91 328i xDrive Touring M-Sport with the 6-speed manual. That car is harder to find than an honest politician. However, I have found one or two when scraping the depths of the internet and they usually run about what this seller is asking for a marginally less special version. The $30,000 question is a tough one to answer these days. There are any number of performance cars you can get into at that price point but few that offer this level of versatility. With the current BMW wagon starting at around $47,000 with no manual option, I’d say that makes this vehicle a pretty attractive bargain. It might not have the stats to match the current wagon but with that 3rd pedal, I bet it’ll feel like it does. If this thing was Deep Green Metallic I think I’d be seriously contemplating a flight to Brooklyn because you can’t start an E91 Touring to M3 conversion project without an E91 Touring.

Cheers,

-Andrew

3 Comments

  1. Poorhouse
    Poorhouse May 7, 2015

    Nice colors, low miles, no nav, but where is the sport package?!?!

  2. Another Bob
    Another Bob May 7, 2015

    This is the end of the line for six cylinder naturally aspirated BMWs with hydraulic steering and a manual tranny. In Canada you cannot get the Touring with a manual after 2012 and I’d estimate only one in 20 is a manual . I looked for this car for a few months (Although Black is a deal killer) and was prepared to pay close to this asking before deciding to go practical and build up a 2007 Forester XT.

  3. jeff
    jeff May 8, 2015

    ” Certified ” is nice, love the fact that it’s a manual, but $31,000 seems high.

Comments are closed.