BMW 3-Series 2006

designman

"...any idea what the ride height is on the 330 ZHP?"

 

Ride height is .6” lower.

 

http://motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_0311_first_bmw/

kyfdx

Actually.. I think that Motor Trend is wrong..

 

The Performance Package has the same suspension as the Sport Package.. The 0.6" difference is from the standard suspension (matching the sport suspension's numbers).

 

I do think that the bumper on the performance package is lower than the one on the sport package.. but, since this isn't the lowest part of the car, that isn't reflected in the ground clearance numbers.

 

http://www.bmwusa.com/NR/rdonlyres/3CD8054C-CD40-4CCE-A792-100307- - 648E2D/0/bmi11680_90pp.pdf

 

regards,

kyfdx

bigpapaluke

I've been meaning to go back and test drive the 5 series just to understand the i-drive system itself.

 

Did you compare the 3 series with the MB 320? I thought the steering was very stiff on the mercedes and definitely didn't have the WOW factor I was looking for.

kyfdx

it does say that the sport suspension is "tuned more aggressively" for the ZHP.. but, I think it is still the same suspension with the same ground clearance...

 

regards,

kyfdx

 

http://www.bmwusa.com/NR/rdonlyres/097B7B35-560D-4453-A986-E4FBE7- AA1D23/0/20053SedanBrochure.pdf

 

Pages 8 and 9 refer to the ZHP suspension.. You may have to print them out, in order to read them.

dewey

No,

 

I have not driven the MB320. The MB line especially the c and e class caters more to the luxury seeking folks. I dont care much for luxury(unlike the rest of North America) and care more for performance/handling. Drove my mother's c24o and am not impressed! Currently drive my wife' 83 MB300d and am very impressed(a family heirloom that stubbornly refuses to self-destruct--hope to pass it on to future generations of our family)

designman

"I do think that the bumper on the performance package is lower than the one on the sport package.."

 

Yes, I recall reading something like this somewhere. Seem to recall the front suspension being lower not just the bumper. Wish they would elaborate more with specs. The brochure is vague.

bigpapaluke

So do you have another car you are considering? Or are your eyes set on bmw?

dewey

BMW 325 Touring(With my family I need a wagon)! I am crossing my finger a 330 Touring version will be available. Unlikely!

 

 

Sounds like you are shopping around! If you can wait till fall you can go and test drive both the Lexus IS350 and the BMW e90! I made up my mind because I am very happy with the 99 BMW323 I own !

bigpapaluke

Oh yes - been doing a lot of shopping. Trying to make this purchase my last for several years.

 

What's been out on the IS350? Is it a redesign or just a more powerful engine?

dewey

Check out the Edmunds Forum for the new IS!

lgtt

i have to agree with a recent review i read stating it is "a shame that such a superlative engine is fitted to such a disappointing looking car". it went on to describe the new model as "too conservative", "bland on the outside", "drab on the inside", "a poor shadow of its sleek looking predecessor" and "it looks like a committee car".

andys120

I feel sorry for BMW Styling, they're damned if they do and damned if they don't.

lgtt

http://www.hadel.net/autos/html/d_pkw_bmw_320i.html

planoml

I agree. Looks are very subjective. I wonder if the same observations were made for the E36, in 1998.

kyfdx

That was the E46, but point taken...

 

I don't think so, though... I remember it as pretty much a home run from the start..

 

Especially, since the sedan came out first.. The E36 model (92-99) sedan had something about it that was just off a little.. Kind of like when they take a two-seater and make it a 2+2..

 

While the E36 coupe was great looking, the sedan was less so... The E46 sedan had much more flowing lines and looks nearly as good as the coupe..

 

Of course, this is all just my opinion.. but, if you had to find a consensus, I think this is pretty close..

 

regards,

kyfdx

bpraxis

The current 3 series coupe is so right in its styling with timeless handsome lines that it is a difficult task indeed to surpass this milestone.

 

  After looking at the pics of the new sedan and coupe in the Euro Car Mags I have to say that the new styling is dissappointing.

 

  I will reserve judgement until I see them in the metal, until then the competition must be celebrating BMWs new styling direction with the 3.

 

  I do like the Z4 and the 6 though.

argelius

dhanley

Style is subjective. I wanted a new BMW, but the e46 always made me say "blech" so i got an e36. I still think that's one of the prettiest cars around.

 

Now wild about the e90, but at least it has some character ( to me ) unlike the e46.

paule

I believe the E46 is a beautifully executed design. The E90 just isn't doing it for me. I want to like it; I just can't get over the nose and the taillights.

 

The front end looks like it came off an Audi with the way it cuts through the bumper. It just looks out of place.

 

The taillights are terrible. They should look to the Acura concept cars for a better execution of styling.

 

The side is ok. The aggressive body line is growing on me.

 

The headlights are fine and I like the new grille other than the fact that it cuts down through the bumper.

 

It would be a boring world if everyone liked the exact same thing...........

dewey

Seems that most people find styling as one of the most important features of BMW.

 

I never found the syling of most BMWs either attractive or unattractive. It the way a BMW drives that defines it a BMW not its pretty face.

 

You may argue about the appearances of the Bangled 5/7 series! But the styling of the e90 sedan or coupe? I dont see the controversy!

dhanley

I hated the new 5 until i got a chance to drive a 530 with the sport package.

kyfdx

If it drives anything like the current model, with increased horsepower, looks are really secondary for me.. I probably won't be in the market until summer of '06, but that gives them a year to get the kinks out...

planoml

Good catch-meant to say e36 to 46. If we take a step back, they all look and drive great. From the 2002 to the E46, and hopefuly the E90. You can disect anything to the nth degree and the differences will come out, but from a healthy distance, they all look great. My nth degree gripe with the E90 is that it has too many gadgets. I would like a CSL version.

ru777

I was very disappointed they did away with the driver oriented cockpit -and made it similar to the 5-series.

 

It makes the 3-series less appealing -and has distinction of its own -rather than being a 5-series runner-up.

dewey

I sat in a 5 series at a dealership and could not help but feel disappointed about the lack of a driver oriented cockpit.

 

There should be a Thou Shalt Not Code among BMW designers that would consist of the following:

 

1) Do not eliminate the Kidney Grill

2) Do not eliminate the driver oriented cockpit

 

If the designers abide by these two rules, I could easily live with those Bangle curves.

selm

I have never owned a BMW before and am very excited about driving and potentially purchasing the E90 when it finally arrives. I wanted to get the advice of this forum on a couple of questions:

 

1. How long should one wait so that they have time to work out the bugs?

2. How long, in general, does it take dealerships to start discounted from the MSRP? I don't like the fact of giving the dealer that much profit out of principle.

 

Thanks.

dewey

Answers:

 

1. I bought my 99 323 at the first month of intro. What bugs have I experienced. None! My mechanic at a independent BMW specialty shop told me that if all BMWs were like mine he would be a Maytag repairman! Sometimes you can wait 6 years until they attempt to iron out bugs---the Jetta continues having reliability issues after 6 years of intro!!

 

2. Getting discounts! How long you have to wait after intro all depends on how hot or cool the reception is for the e90. There is no certain answer, the only way you will find out is if you go yourself to various dealers and try to strike a price your comfortable with.

ivan_99

1. It’s a crap shoot. Initial bugs are usually the small things that don’t really matter in the long run, such as squeaks. Big items such as cam shafts and trannies usually appear later on…though that isn’t always the case either – go as Acura TL owners.

 

2. I’d say if you want anything off of MSRP you’d be better off doing the OSD and getting a nice trip out of it.

ru777

If you want a trouble free ownership experience –where you enjoy driving –rather than visiting dealerships. Give it 2 yrs to iron out bugs.

 

The dealers and technicians themselves would need a year to understand the technology before fixing it.

my 2 cents.

planoml

1. Buy the first one you can

2. Hit as many dealers you can, until you get what you want so that you can get #1.

 

I think bugs are not limited to any particular year. That's what they have the 4/50 warranty for. I'm buying the first one I can get a fair deal on.

pearl

My experience with an E39 (5 series) first introduced as a 97 model was that I bought one of the very first ones made (5/96 - delivered 6/96) and the car was almost perfect through 115K miles when I had to replace the head gasket. Otherwise, mostly normal maintenance items. My sense on all of this is that there is NO WAY to predict what will happen with a new model car. True, if there are serious mechanical flaws you don't want one until year two; however, in all seriousness, how often does that really happen anymore? Yes, there are some examples, but for the most part, the serious manufacturers of upscale brands simply cannot afford major technical disasters and test them ahead of time accordingly. In the end, no one can tell you the right answer to your question. For some of the "minor" flaws (squeaks, etc) they may figure those out and fix them for the second model year, but for a major brand like BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc, if they come out with a major mechanical flaw for starters, they will pay a significant price in sales (see BMW I-drive). My advice would be that if you like the E90 and can afford it, buy it as soon as you can.

bmwccc

OSD?

kyfdx

I'm guessing overseas delivery...

 

Or ED, as we know it..

selm

Thank you all for your input. I think I will go out and get the first one I can. I think my family would appreciate that as they are sick of hearing about a car that isn't even being made yet!

rjorge3

planoml I have to agree with you. I am kind of getting used to the outside of the car, but I can not for the life of me get used to the look of the interior. What were they thinking of??? I bought the 2005 Audi A4 for my wife, and although I am a bimmer guy, I truly love the interior of the Audi. It just hugs you and its just beautifully designed, inviting!

 

I was praying that the boringness of the interior in the 5 series did not make it into the 3 Series...gosh, how wrong I was. I just hope that BMW designers read these forums and learn that most of us, love to feel the "airplane" cockpit" experience. I know that it will handle beautifully, I know that it will drive like a dream, but why, why, why did they have to make it so freaking boring. Those of us diehard bimmermites will end up expending $40 plus grands, at least BMW designers should listen to us. REDESIGN THE INTERIOR PLEASE!!!

 

I will wait until the end of the year to put my order in....maybe then, if I get drunk enough I would not mind that boring interior.

planoml

I am "middle of the road" on the interior and exterior look. I love the engine concept & performance. My only complaint with the E90, is the overuse of technology-too many gadgets. I could do without the i-don't-drive, dynamic cruise, and the like. I bet there is a significant market for the "back to the basics" 3 series.

 

By the way, don't discount the car's appearance, until you have seen it. It may look totally different in the flesh.

shipo

The good news is that on the E90 at least, the "Over Used" high tech goodies are optional. As such, I'm likely to order mine with the juicy 255 hp version of the motor, a manual transmission, the Sport Package, the upgraded Audio System, no GPS, no Active Steering, no iDrive, no Dynamic Cruise. ;-)

 

Best Regards,

Shipo

ivan_99

correct...European Delivery

 

http://www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/EuropeanDelivery/

dl7265

Dale, another Black Sapphire ?

 

on another note dealer is claiming that they have 20 buyers allready put down checks for a E90.Assuming they were being honest ,is there a limit to a Dealers allocation ? And if not why give them a check 4 months in advance ?I prefer a better price that keeping up with Jones..

 

DL

shipo

"Dale, another Black Sapphire ? "

 

But of course! ;-)

 

Best Regards,

Shipo

planoml

I'm with you-not in any particular hurry. I got a call from a local dealer wanting $1,000 down for an April delivery. The catch is that they don't have pricing. I also don't believe the April delivery, it will probably be more like May.

 

20 sounds a bit high. I'm in Dallas, and it appears that most of the high-volume dealers are getting a few (about 5) initial allocations.

gordonwd

Or ED, as we know it..

 

Geez, kyfdx, if you have ED I'm surprised that you'd brag about it :-). They sell pills for that these days, you know. And I thought there was an article a while ago that said that BMW drivers got more action than Porsche drivers...

kyfdx

shipo....

 

Check out Sparkling Graphite..

kyfdx

lol... whatever works, you know.

ivan_99

heh...lol...

 

just got it...had to read about 5 times.

 

planoml

I love that colour. My second choice is Monaco blue. I have a few shots of each, but don't know how to post/paste.

webby1

I wish Sparkling Graphite was available last year.

My next one will be this colour !

 

Here is couple write ups from todays National Post on the old and new series:

 

 http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/specials/driversedge/- story.html?id=618ebac7-1631-48eb-ba1f-a25371ddfd17

 

http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/specials/driversedge/- story.html?id=fb0d17a5-389c-42a2-bd4c-6cd8aaa22f2a

dl7265

Is that Classic in Richardson you were referring too ?

 

Shipo , do you find the metallic does not show the swirl marks ect.. that the jet black does ?

 

Thanks,

DL

shipo

That's the beauty of the Black Sapphire Metallic, no swirl marks. After three years of car washes and weather, one cannot make out a single swirl mark even in direct sunlight. ;-)

 

As a veteran of several black cars I can tell you that the metallic paint (with its requisite extra layers of clear coat when compared to Jet Black (or other non-metallic paints, hence the extra cost for metallic)) is far more capable of standing up to car washes and the "elements" that mother nature throws our way, and living in New Hamster we get plenty of elements thrown at our cars in the winter time, so I speak from some experience. ;-) The flip side of that is that our summers are quite mild and as such, I don’t suffer from the negative aspects of having a black car with a black interior, unlike the Black-Black Camaro that I drove while living in SoCal during the mid to late 1970s. Ouch!

 

Best Regards,

Shipo

wco81

I've heard that the metal flakes in the metallic paint reflect the UV rays back on the clear coat and actually breaks it down faster than non-metallic paint.