BMW 3-Series 2006

0audilicious0

You might find the wagon to be a little small with two kids... that's been our personal experience. One stroller eats up most of the space and we've ended up with a roof rack and thule box on top.

The x3 definitely has more space in back, but the wagon is so much more satisfying to drive... to us anyways.

Good luck.

imran62781

Have any 2006 3 series owners had trouble with their low engine oil sensors? The other day mine went off, I went to BMW and the guy put in a quart of of oil. The problem did not go away for a few days, but today I checked and the sensor was not giving me a problem (the oil was close to max). Not sure if I should bug BMW to change it or just wait for the problem to come back. Thank you for any advice.

circlew

imran62781,

'06 330xi - I had the same problem after 5 months. The warning light went on and stayed on after I had started the car. I drove 1 mile, shut the car off and started it again to see if it would reset. The light stayed on so I shut the car off.

I left the car for about 10 minutes and went out again after reading the manual and followed the check oil procedure. It showed low. Since the car had only 5K miles, I was bout to buy a quart to add in but the next time I started the car, the light went out and the level showed full!

It has never happened since. I never added the oil.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
OW

lcdrkev

Perhaps someone can answer this. At what point during a calendar year will used car values decrease because they become one year older? Hypothetically, does KBB or Edmunds publish new values on Jan 1 which reflects the new prices (i.e. 1 year older) car values?

davidd3

Depreciation is a gradual process throughout the year. The 1-year mark is nothing special and would vary anyway as different models are introduced at different times of the year.

sunilb

I'd definitely go check out the 328xit [wagon]... maybe better for your situation than either of the two you have mentioned, in that it provides the best of both worlds.

lcdrkev

Thanks. Assume then they are able to do this with electronic valuations (i.e. use of the internet) instead of looking up prices in the snapshot time frames of printed material. I assumed that Kelly BB was/is produced once per year but not sure if even that is a true statement.

minivandriver

I am very interested in getting an '07 328 with premium and sports package. Love the sports seats. I am worried about scraping the front air dam on my driveway and around town in little drainage dips. Anyone have experience with this? If I can't drive the car around my town, there's no sense in getting it.

minivandriver

Is this car useful as a daily driver around town or is the ground clearance too low?

badnews

I just bought a 2007 328xi. I love the car. It's drives like the car I always wished I owned. However, with a 6 year old son, when it comes to family trips, we will be taking my wife's 2004 MDX. It just makes the trip so much more enjoyable However if we get divorced, there is no question that I am taking the 328xi.

div2

I am worried about scraping the front air dam on my driveway and around town in little drainage dips. Anyone have experience with this?

You really shouldn't have any problem. You need to use a little care pulling up to curbs and parking blocks.

thepdmm

that is weird that you guys say that headroom isn't changed between sport and non sport package equipped cars. Since I wrote my original question I sat in a 335i sport equipped and noticed less headroom the sales person and I theorized that it was due to the harder seats and maybe I don't sink down as much in the sport seat.

BUT maybe it was because I was just sitting different in the sport seat.

I will say I technically fit in both.. however I like to have as much headroom as I can get, because the first ten minutes in the morning in the car in are my tallest.. (or my back is just stiffer )

has anybody had a chance to drive both? how much does the sport package add? how much would the sport package add if I just bought one not sport equipped and added the upgraded wheel/tire package?

circlew

bn,

Let me know what your perceptions are regarding handling performance vs. other cars you have driven. I lease a 330xi and feel it is an outstanding package even thought sport suspension is not available in the xi's.

Regards,
OW

chrism124

I am on the verge on signing a deal for a 2007 335i. The car will be ordered in February for late March/early April delivery. While I have compared the 3-series against TL (front driven, I didn’t like the feel), I have not had a chance to compare it against the IS350 from Lexus. I know the Lexus only comes with an automatic transmission; unfortunately I must have an auto as my spouse can not drive a manual (I have already tried with my last BMW). Otherwise the IS350 appears to be very similar to the 3-series (compact, 6-cyclinder, RWD and available sport pkg). I am looking for any feedback for those that have given the IS350 an honest evaluation. What do you like or not like about it?

While the reliability of the Lexus might be better than the BMW, I would not buy into this argument. My last two BMW’s, both E39 based 530i’s, were very reliable for me.

Regards,
Chris

davidd3

I was in your shoes in mid-2005, sort of, deciding between the new 3-Series which had just come out and the new IS which was on the verge of being introduced. I was actually on a waiting list for the IS. I ended up making my decision without ever driving the IS. Long story short, the timing was close but not quite for me. I could not wait for October 2006 or beyond. My lease was up and I had to get into a new car by Labor Day. I ended up with the 2006 330i and have been VERY happy with it.

As time went by, I read articles about the IS and comparisons to the 3 Series. The 3 always comes out on top. Most reviews criticize the handling of the IS. I don't see many ISs on the road, whatever the reason for that may be. But you should absolutely try it for yourself and you be the judge.

sanman2

Hi all,
I'm currently driving a 2004 325xi,and my lease is up in March. I love this car! I recently test drove the new 3er twice, desperately wanting to like it. I just don't care for it at all! I dislike the dash immensely compared to the old one, and the driving dynamics just don't feel that great. I also can't adjust the seat height, to sit up as high as I can in the older one. I don't know, is it just me, or are there others who feel the same as I do.
I'm considering the Audi A4,and the Saab 93. I only like to drive manuals, so I'm not sure what else I should try.

Thanks,
Sandy

circlew

Sandy,

Try the new G35X also. You might like the new style and the driving feel is similar to your old 325xi.



Regards,
OW

cdnpinhead

The conventional wisdom appears to be that the I is severely lacking in interior space, particularly in the back seat, and that the handling isn't up to BMW standards.

Then there's that manual transmission thing. It's not an issue for you, but it certainly is for me.

FWIW, one of my big deal breakers is whether I can put my bicycle inside the car. The BMW can be had with folding rear seats (or a sports wagon). No such luck with the I.

Buying a new car is a fun thing. Enjoy!

nyccarguy

I haven't driven the 335i yet, but have driven an E90 330iA SP & an IS350 back to back. Before I get into that though, how many times does your wife REALLY drive your car? Just think about that long and hard before you go and purchase a BMW with a slushbox.

I was given the oppurtunity to drive both an E90 330iA and Lexus IS350 at the Taste Of Lexus driving event last year. I drove each of the cars back to back on the same "road course." The BMW was better balanced, carried more speed through the corners, & transmitted much better road feel. The brakes were progressive and linear and the pedal was easy to modulate.

The Lexus IS350 I drove was MUCH faster (I'm sure the twin Turbos under the 335i's hood have eliminated that gap). the suspension was soft and wallowed. The car pitched and rolled. The brakes felt artificial with an "instant on" feel.

Even if the IS350 was offered with a stick (it isn;t, so it is automatically whacked from the list), I'd take a less powerful 330i, 325i, or 328i (of course the 335i) any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

EDIT: Don't forget, BMWs come standard with Scheduled Maintenance for 4 years/50K miles

Drive them back to back and tell me what you think.

blueguydotcom

Actually, the twin turbo 335i is so fast the IS350 is literally left in the dust. We're talking a half second 0-60 time gap (all pubs are getting sub 5 seconds from the 335i with an automatic).

BMW pretty much has the IS350 for interior space, power, handling, roadfeel, maintenance costs, etc.

mathew1

Hi,

This might be a novice question but I have a blue 2006 xi. The color easily looks dirty with New England weather. But I see some cars out there which look spotless out on the road. Are they just washing it daily (hope not for our environment sake) or are they doing something special like waxing. I try to take my car through cloth or touchfree car wash once every two weeks but still not looking clean. Any advise will be appreciated on how folks maintain their exterior paint looking like a new car which it should be since it is less than 6 months old especially for sensitive colors like blue, black which highlight dirt.

Thanks.

Mathewian

circlew

Washing and waxing more often is the key. I usually wax the car every 3 months but washing is the key.

mathew1

Thanks for the response.

What is the best way to wash (cloth, touch free) and wax (through carwash or separate). otherwise the regular exterior waxing solutions are pretty expensive.

--Mathewian

tayl0rd

And washing your car only twice per month is definitely not the key. And stay away from those cloth car washes. If you have to use a car wash, go touchless. The absolute best bet is a bucket, wash mit, and elbow grease.

andys120

There's no way that you could keep any car clean in New England winters (notwithstanding this mild one) with a wash every other week. Plan on a weekly wash and a wax once or twice yearly.

There's a trend to commercial hand car washes, they are great.
A touchless spray wash will not get a really dirty car clean so it's DIY (impractical in winter) or go to somewhere that advertises hand washing (and drying).

txbmwfan

I live in Houston, Texas and keep my car garaged at home and work. I get my car washed once a week at a great handwash called Bubbles. In between washes, I use Meguiars Quick Detailer to remove dirt and droppings from the paint. And I get a Zymol hand wax from Bubbles every 3 months. The Bubbles guys have told me I have one of the best-kept exteriors they've seen. Hope that helps!

lcdrkev

I have seen both on door manufacturing label. Anyone know the difference.

abfisch

minivandriver:

My answer is semi related to your post. I own a slightly used 04 325ci SP, almost the same set up you desire. The previous owners wife did seem to ding up one of the wheels and scrape, the underneath fascia a bit but not noticeable unless you are working underneath the car.

Since I have owned it, I have not had a problem with the ground clearance but I use this vehicle only the the spring and summer months and pay attention to protruding objects. Curbs or bumps don't worry me so much as a racoon or animal in the middle of the lane at night. That would be not a good thing. It is "engaging" to drive though, missing a deer in the midddle of the road last time I drove it on a trip. Not good for the blood pressure though.

It can be a daily driver, but not really a good 4 season driver, IMO. That is when the Toyota Avalon comes into its own. 4 snows and a bench seat. This one I just take care of and not baby as much.

I hope that helps.

abfisch

abfisch

I have a Black Metallic 04 325ci SP. Bought it from a soldier in late 05. Not trying to be funny. Gets dirty too, but usually use the Toyota Avalon in the winter salt and late fall so not really a big deal. I live in Northern NY state near the Canadian border so we get the same or more snow that you do. To use this BMW during the winter months would be hurtful. Enjoy your car. Nice color. Get a beater for the wintertime.

abfisch

32512006

I have the same exact problem and it is typically off the start for me. The 1-3+ second delay is dangerous. My son brought our car in for us the other day and the dealer said the same thing. They say that thre is no error code. I am deciding what to do about it.

ivan_99

Have you tried tapping the gas quickly? I find that Audi's exhibit similar “tip lags”. I owned an A6 previously and if I squeezed the throttle slowly...nothing would happen. I learned that I needed to press the accelerator quickly for it to “kick” down a gear.

So if I tapped the throttle an inch or so quickly it would down-shift...or start in 1st (as opposed to a higher gear) and accelerate briskly.

Just something to try...

circlew

I had a Lincoln LS that had the lag but of course this was an A/T. The lag felt like forever and I learned to live with it. I think there might be a fix for it which a competent dealer can do by reflshing the ECU for your car.

Regards,
OW

mathew1

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

While browsing I came across this article which purports to do a more scientific analysis of hand wash (DIY) vs professional car washes. I guess at some level it might be true but not sure it is a sponsored study.

http://www.autobell.com/comparison.htm

From the feedback, I presume a weekly touch free hand wash with a periodic was detailing might be a regimen to keep the exterior looking new.

Mathewian

kyfdx

I had an '07 328Xi loaner yesterday... The throttle response from a dead stop was terrible... Unless you pressed at least 2/3 of the way to the floor, it just crawled off the line...

I guess it would be something you would adjust to.... or, maybe if it was my car, the transmission would adapt to my style of driving... but, as it was.... I hated it..

regards,
kyfdx

davidd3

I can relate. I felt the same way about my 2006 330i, when it was new Didn't feel at all like the 330i demo car I based my purchasing decision on. I used to say that they must have given me a 325 with 330 badging. It went away before long (a few weeks tops). Not sure if the car adjusted to me or if I subconciously started to press down farther on the accelerator. I think it may have been the latter at first and then the former - the first few hard thrusts seemed to loosen things up.

imran62781

I did not get it when I got the car and I want one. Is my best best to get a garmin, tomcat or whatever or can i get something installed so it looks like it came with the car? will bmw do anything and install one for me?

frisconick

BMW will probably do something, but it's likely to cost you about 2k.

blueguydotcom

Argh. My AC has been odd from the getgo. Well this weekend it powered up and down over and over. Eventually it began to blow decent amounts of air. Then the clunking started. Every bump, every jostle, every change in momentum and something within the AC near the control panel makes a clunking sound like a tethered golf ball swinging around.

Turn off the AC, noise disappears. Turn it on at any level - auto or manual, lo, hi, max - and the blasted thing clunks.

Argh!!!

owner6

Wednesday I accidently washed my 2006 3 series Key Control Fob in my pants pocket. It went through the hot wash with soap and softener and came out of the dryer. I tried to open the doors and trunk which it did. Than I put it in the hole and hit the start button and drove off. just wanted to document my bad experience which turned out with favorable results. BMW does manufacture a durable Key Fob/Remote.
Owner6.

carnaught

Wow, good to know. The same thing happened to me with my '03 Mercedes E Class fob. After it was totally dry, it worked!

jtla

This is off topic, but I wish Motorola razr cell phones were like that. I had two razrs dropped into water for 5 seconds -- total losses.

kyfdx

Yeah... the toilet grabbed one my Motorola phones.. about 2 seconds, and it was history.. Fortunately, it was post flush..

dhanley

One of my cells took a dunk in the pacific once. Not just water, saltwater! Obviously, it was hosed...

I never washed my bmw remote, but i did soak my saturn remote in the jemez river--it was fine after it dried out.

tcn2k

I just got my new 335i sedan over the weekend; it finally got here. Wow, the drive is fantastic. I can't wait till the breakin period is over to see what this new twin turbo engine can really do....

shipo

Congratulations on your new ride! :shades:

Remember to let that poor thing cool down every now and again so that you can bring us up to date with your impressions. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

owner6

WHAT BRAND OF RUN FLAT TIRES WERE ON THE CAR?
OWNER6

tcn2k

Continental Conti sports. What is on yours?

circlew

I have used the Conti sports for 3K miles now. Very nice results, no noise(yet) and wear is very even.

2006 330xi

Regards,
OW

tcn2k

When hitting the auto button on the car, does everyones AC button turns on as well? Is there away to turn this feature off?

blueguydotcom

Why turn it off? Ideally, your AC is on even when the heater is going.