The most frequent complaints about the old 328i centered on its Spartan interior, which, for the money, looked just a little too cheap. A new two-tone finish addresses that complaint. The dashboard and door panels are richer in appearance, and much more appealing to the eye. Different trim packages offer a choice of Myrtle wood inserts or plastic that looks like polished aluminum. The instrument panel still features the orange backlighting BMW enthusiasts swear by.In design, the dashboard is less directly focused on the driver, and opened more toward the front passenger. Still, all the switches fall intuitively to the driver's fingertips. In short order, the audio and cruise control buttons on the steering-wheel hub become second nature to operate. The only real source of gripes is the shallow cupholders in the center console; they seem more like an afterthought for the North American market than a thoughtfully designed tool.
All '99 3 Series models feature most of the conveniences, including power windows and locks with remote keyless entry. Automatic climate control and a microfilter ventilation system are standard, and the 328i offers BMW's Park Distance Control for the first time. With an electronic beep, this system warns the driver of low objects that might be invisible from the cabin during parking maneuvers.