BMW 3-Series 2006

dhanley

"What is the logic of having a 3.0l that with identical specs of a 2.5l?

  

kyfdx recently posted that it may be due to CARB emission regulations. I cant think of any other reason!"

 

Well--think of this: the 2.5L, at least in the outgoing model, didn't get any better fuel economy, and probably wasn't really any cheaper to build than the 3.0L. The reason for the 2.5L was largely for tax reasons in europe.

 

The question would then be: why have a 2.5L at all? Marketing is probably the answer. I'd hope they'd just dump the 2.5L label entirely and try to compete more with acura/infinity/etc.

dewey

The BMW 130 is introduced!

 

What are the performance specs for the 258hp engine: 0-60 in 6.2 seconds.

 

Doesnt that figure sound identical to the e90 330?

 

Now I would think that a lighter and smaller vehicle like the 1 series with the same engine as an e90 would have better performance than a e90? What happened? Or are these stats bogus!

 

http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=11767

kyfdx

0-100 kilometers.. So, a little quicker.. They say it weighs almost 3100 lbs..

dewey

0-62mph = 100 km per hour

 

2/62 = about 3 % speed pick up

 

I would expect more from a smaller/lighter car with the same engine!

dewey

I cannot find a weight comparison between the 330 and 130. I would think that the difference would be a bit more than marginal---but then again I have beenwrong before.

nyccarguy

YUMMY!

sunilb

is that the 3.0L in the 330i will get dumped 1-2 years from now for a 3.5L engine [335i], at the same time the 325i will get rebadged as a 330i.

Not the same, but similar to what BMW did with the 323i (when it had a 2.5L engine) and only rebadged it after the 328 became the 330.

Disclaimer: this is pure speculation, based on no factual info [well, except for that comment about "no one is going to out-BMW BMW" by the CEO, in reference to Infiniti].

 

The 1-series should definitely get to 60 [62] faster than 6.1... I'm guessing BMW is just understating it.

ivan_99

I’m not certain about the development time with modern engines, but if they were to change the engine in 1 to 2 years…even if it were just the displacement, I would expect it to be well in the testing phase; as such, they would be able to give a definitive answer (if they were so inclined to do so).

 

The more I see the new 3 the more I’m taking a liking to it.

Artic Metalic

162 – wheels

Terra leather

Aluminum trim

Sport Package

 

If the theoretical 3.5L were to produce the same hp/liter as the 3.0L it would be around 300hp.

 

If the cost were inline with the 3.0L, that may make it an attractive purchase for the spring of 2007.

dewey

sunilb,

 

I agree that a 1 series should go much faster than 6.2 seconds.

 

My theory is that BMW is afraid of the 1 series cannbibalizing too much of the the 3 series. So what better way to prevent cannibalization than understating figures on the 1 series.

 

I know the overall N. American view is that bigger is better. But I will tell you I am not alone in this continent in prefering the 3 series as a small vehicle . A 1 series that is cheaper with an emphasis on perfomance/handling would steal sales from a more expensive, bigger and luxurious BMW e90.

 

I think the key threat to the e90 is not a product from Audi/Infiniti but the BMW 130 itself! I know BMW intends to introduce the 1 series to N. AMerica.

 

Ofcourse another remedy to solve the problem of cannibalization would be a e90 with 3.5l (as you have mentioned in your post above). That seems almost logical and as predictable as 20/20 vision(assuming the folks at BMW know what they are doing).

kyfdx

Of course.... there is also the price..

 

I'd guess that if the 130i were available this fall as an '06 model, a typically equipped example might be $35K..

 

While this is $5K-$7K less than a comparably equipped 330i, that will be a tough sell.. Car enthusiasts would like it, but how many can they sell? Of course, since it is already being made for the rest of the world, the cost to bring it over is not that great..

 

I just wouldn't expect a "bargain", or an "entry-level" price..

 

regards,

kyfdx

tdlegacy1

From the Detroit Auto News...

 

http://info.detnews.com/autosconsumer/autoreviews/index.cfm?myrec- =67

 

It seems they think the 325 will use the 3.0L engine as well for North America.

 

"To confuse things, BMW will offer a revised 325i for 2006, although the 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine in the current version will be replaced by a 3.0-liter six in the '06 model."

sunilb

Of course, remember that they did sell the M Coupe for a while, which had the 3.2L engine from the E36 M3. I believe the price of that was "up-there".

 

I can't envision BMW selling the same model vehicle with the same engine, but with different designations, for too long. Couldn't some inexpensive adjustments bring the lower-end 3.0 into some additional power?

Okay, so you may not be able to get some of the other equipment (thanks, but I don't need all of it-- e.g., swiveling headlights, active steering).

 

I love the size of the current 3-series, but every mfr is increasing the sizes of their vehicles over time (perhaps to go along with our super-size culture).

So, a tight 1-series with even the low-end 3.0L engine would be on my list next time.

 

By the way, just talking about these two engines is confusing (low-end 3.0L and high-end 3.0L)... I can't imagine how the sales pitch on the dealer lots is going to work...?

burry

Does BMW offer Direct Purchase from Manufacturer ? If so, how does it work ? How does one go about initiating ?

shipo

Are you asking about European Delivery? If so, see this topic:

 

BMW Owners: European Delivery

 

You can also go to the BMW web site for more information:

 

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

 

Best Regards,

Shipo

mjday1972

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId- =104670

webby1

The more I look at it the more I like what I see !

Webby

http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/specials/driversedge/- story.html?id=43ccb22f-b175-4e67-b752-c16c0ebee654

dewey

Did anyone hear any news on what versions of the e90 touring will be sold. I am hoping a 330 version will exist. It miffs me that only a 325 Touring is currently available.

 

Just because you are a family man with the family needs of a wagon does not mean that BMW should pigeon hole you as sedate. I do not want to settle for a 325, I want a 330!!

kyfdx

Gee... it makes me want one....

cartalk

Yeah, i'd like one too. But I don't like eating Chalupas!

kyfdx

I wonder if I can substitute the Zesty Chicken Bowl? If so, I'm in!!

tdlegacy1

I agree with dewey! My current wagon will hold me over for awhile, but I would like to see a 330 touring as well.

argelius

Does anyone know when the AWD/xi version of the 2006 330 will be available?

planoml

I heard xi was next year-2006.

mjday1972

Top 'o Ramen for me! I'm saving now!

dewey

"I heard xi was next year-2006."

 

I wanted my xi Touring before the 05/06 winter. I hope you are wrong!

kyfdx

'06 model.. but, should be here by this fall..

 

But, not sure about Touring...

wstevec

I ordered and put down a deposit on a '06 325xi and was told by the dealer that it would be ready by the end of the summer. It better be, otherwise I will go back to Audi.

gonzo1184

talked to a dealer today who said that the xi's will be available come end of august/beg. of september

gordonwd

Autoweek's article this week had a picture of the instrument panel from a more revealing angle than the "standard" ones that I have seen. What I am wondering is what it looks like on cars that don't have the nav system optioned. What do they put in that center binnacle that would look like it belongs there? Maybe they move the radio up there? I'm having a hard time picturing it.

shipo

According to the pictures that I have seen, the Nav binnacle is simply removed for non-Nav cars and the dash top is lowered to just above the same two middle vents that you can see on the Nav equipped car.

 

Best Regards,

Shipo

 

P.S.

 

I have a jpeg of a strippo E90 without the Nav binnacle which I could post on my Yahoo! pictures if you want to see it.

wstevec

Thanks gonzo1184, thats what my dealer told me too, which makes sense since almost 1/2 of the 325 sold in my area (N.E) are xi.

dewey

"'06 model.. but, should be here by this fall..

  

But, not sure about Touring..."

 

The xi info above posted by a few members is consistent with what two sales reps told me a few months ago. Touring I was told should be available a few months after the 330i/325i sedans.

 

So based on this info I hope to see it by late summer.(I dont want to drive my rwd 98 323 for another winter--and snow tires is not a worthy investment if I intend to keep my car for only a year).

kyfdx

You could make it through October in Toronto, couldn't you?

 

They didn't have a 330 Touring in the E46, did they? At least, not in the U.S.

 

regards,

kyfdx

dewey

330 Touring in North America----sounds too good to be true! Another N. American deprivation is the 330d: Combined mpg around the mid 40 range with acceletation in the low 7 range (there is not a hybrid vehicle with those kind of specs)

kyfdx

I keep saying that about diesel... Mercedes sells all the E320CDI that they can import.. I bet BMW could sell a lot of 330d as well..

dl7265

Hopefully that will start changing after we get the low sulfer Diesel fuel. I had heard 06 ? now im reading 07 ?

 

DL

dhanley

From what i've read the diesel is being considered most for the X-class vehicles.

 

I like to keep vehicles for a long time, and my 328 is just fine, but i'd trade for 40mpg and 272hp.

 

dave

jlbl

"…Another N. American deprivation is the 330d"

 

I couldn't agree more. You may read some 530d features in my Forums profile and translate them to the 330d. And the 535/335d is even better!

Regards,

Jose

dewey

Fuel efficient performance is the hottest niche in our continent(i.e. MB E320CDI, Lexus 400h and Accord hybrid). Most the upcoming hybrids appear to be performance vehicles.

 

BMW, please take notice! 330d by 2006 please!

dewey

I am now in despair! It appears that the BMW Touring(e91) will not be available until late 2006. That is too late for me! I survived 6.5 winters without snow tires on my rwd BMW323. Now I may have to live through another one. Unless I know that a 330 Touring will be avaible next year, I may lose patience!

 

Similar to wstevec, the Audi A4 Avant 3.2 is beginning to look like a possibility for me.

 

http://www.germancarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/spyphotoid/6050214.001

venture

A dealer nearby mailed me a brochure about the 2006 3 series. I got it in the mail today. It dispels some of the speculation about what will be offered, and what a some things will look like.

 

There are a few things that are listed as delayed availablity - meaning September 2005 probably. A few colors and, of course, the Comfort Access are a few of them.

bmwccc

Dude

 

You have a brochure and basically are not going to share in detail with us what is offered or not?

 

Thanks for the informative post!

venture

Well...I thought you all might like to know that they are out and you can go to your local dealer and get one. Sorry if I ruined your dinner.

 

What would you like to know?

venture

OK, here goes:

 

The brochure covers only the 325i and the 330i

 

Colors not available until later:

Sonora (a dark beige), Ultramarine blue, Barrique Red (looks like a plum), and Deep Green.

 

Both have the 3.0 liter DOHC 6. The 325i is 215 HP, and the 330i is 255HP. The 330i has the 3-step air intake manifold, the 325 does not.

 

Performance:

325i: 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. The 330i 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. (Preliminary data w/ manual transmission)

 

16” wheels with 205/55R tires standard on 325, 17” 225/45R on 330. Both come with all-season run-flat tires standard.

 

The 330 has the chrome detail trim, including the grill vertical slats, the exhaust tips, and door trim.

 

The 325 has halogen headlights with xenon optional. Xenon adaptive headlights are standard on the 330.

 

Adaptive Brake Lights are standard on both.

 

Power seats are standard on the 330 and optional on the 325.

 

They both have AM/FM CD/MP3 player audio systems, but the 330 has the Logic7 surround Sound System, upgraded speakers, etc. If you get the navigation system you have to also get the 6 disc changer to be able to play MP3s.

 

They both have the Start button, but the Comfort Access is “delayed availability”.

 

The dashboard has a “hump” right below the rear-view mirror to house the navigation system. If there is no navigation system, the dashboard is level except where it is humped in front of the steering wheel, of course, to hold the gauges.

 

The Premium, Sports, and Cold Weather packages remain.

 

BMW full maintenance has remained for 4 years/50,000 miles.

carman123

Were fuel economy estimates listed for the 2 engines?

mjday1972

Did your dealer have any information on pricing?

kyfdx

Thanks.. good info..

 

Sounds like most of the options, packages, etc.. that we are used to with the E46 are carrying over...

venture

There are no estimates of fuel economy in the brochure that I can find, but they are saying what they have been saying all along: bigger, more powerful, and better fuel efficiency.

venture

I called the dealer and the girl said they do not have any information on pricing at this time. She also went on to say that BMW will not give them any information that thay don't want the dealers to share.

 

When she goes to the site where they can see what cars they are going to get (they will get 3 of them) the pricing information is blacked out.

 

She also said their demos are scheduled to be delivered on May 6.

kyfdx

That is what other dealers are saying, also.. They have no pricing info for any of the '06 models...