A Gadget-Biased Review of the Base BMW 428i

There have been many reviews of the now-top spec 435i, but very few, if none, of the smaller 428i, which makes up the bottom of the range for BMW’s US customers. However, don't think that it’s not worth considering, because with 240 hp and zero to sixty in 5.7 seconds, it’s far from being a slouch.

You will miss the creamy sound and power delivery of the bigger six-cylinder engine, but as CNET’s Brian Cooley finds out, there’s still a lot to like, though you do still need to tick a lot of options boxes to get the full experience.

I wonder if anybody will actually buy one of these with no options, have it a stripped out as possible and with a manual gearbox, with the only extra needing to be added being the excellent M steering wheel? Probably very few.

The appeal for a car equipped in that way is further dulled by multiple reports that newer BMWs have lost the sharp sporty edge to a degree, and while they are still satisfying to drive briskly, the driver satisfaction factor has gone down.

Check out the full review, in video form, after the virtual jump.