BMW 3-Series 2006

argelius

Speaking from experience, as someone who traded in a 330xi for a 2004 Acura TL (with manual transmission), I hate the TL. I am patiently awaiting the go-ahead to order a BMW 530xi. While I am in the financial position to get a 5-series, I am also seriously considering getting a new 330.

The Acura, while a good car with a beautiful interior, simply does not drive like a BMW. I used to think that "torque steer" was something only snobby car reviewers in magazines talked about. But having experienced it for over a year now, I know it's all-too-real.

There is ultimately nothing wrong with the TL, but for those who live for cars and appreciate subtle differences, nothing beats a BMW.

(I am a bit of a car fanatic and have owned MB, Lexus,BMW, Acura, and Audi...and am now returning to BMW)...

dewey

A raving rave review of the new BMW e90 in Businessweek:

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_10/b3923144_mz070- - - .htm

After reading some of the posts I have developed a profile that describes avid BMW drivers:

Obsessed with performance/handling
Loves manual trannys
Passionately hates Acura TLs as much as they passionately love BMW M5s

I myself am not a fan of the Infiniti G35 or Acura TL, but the new Lexus IS does look somewhat interesting. In a few days the specs of this vehicle will be revealed.

webby1

I could not agree more..it will take something catastrophic for me stay away from BMW.. I like the dealer, how they handle the warranty issues, always have a car for me or my son and I get an honest ( so far ) report what has been done and how they did it. Free car wash once a week and the free maintenance for 3 yrs does not hurt either. Acura used to be good ( had 3 Legends) but since 1999 it has never been the same. Acura corporate lies to their customers and keeps their dealers in the dark.
Love the RWD, perfect balance and the mini turbine like engine.
It is going to be a tough call whether to keep the 2004 330i ( love the timeless design ) or go for the E90 probably 2007.
Regards,
Webby

giovanni1

I don't necessarily hate it (TL) and think it's a great car for the dollar however I don't feel that it has the handling or feeback of the BMW. To sum it up, it just doesn't have a soul which the beemer has.

grantchstr

I think that the "new look" is camp and not good looking. Its a "Guido" look that I dont care for it at all. Are these designers all going to Gucci School or what?

grantchstr

"With the new numbers looking good on the 325's I was hoping to get a feel if current 325 owners regret saving the money and not getting the 330i?"

No way....

webby1

Is the link working for you ?
Anyway...here is some info from the article...some "pricing" for our friends iin US.

"The fifth-generation 3 Series, which starts at $31,700 and arrives in showrooms in March, looks great. It has a sleek silhouette that looks more like a coupe than a sedan. The shoulder line slopes upward toward the rear, and the back fenders bulge out, giving the car a dynamic stance. The first two models, the 325i and 330i, will sport new six-cylinder engines (ranging in horsepower from 215 to 255). The 330i goes from zero to 60 in 6.1 seconds; the 325, in 6.7. The interior is roomier -- higher (0.8 inches), longer (2.2 inches), and wider (3 inches) than its predecessor. You have to applaud BMW's detailed attention to creature comforts. For instance, the car's sensors detect when sun is shining on half the driver's body and regulate the air-conditioning to bring the temperature on the warm side in harmony with the setting on the control panel."

Regards,
Webby

giovanni1

They haven't made the IROC for years. ;-)

bmwdoug

Hey, I love BMW's too. For the record, my car of choice is a BMW. But, the value of an Acura cannot be denied. And, in regards to torque steer; well, the automatic version displays negligible torque steer if at all. So, I think a lot of BMW people just like to put down the TL, because it is not a BMW and it is FWD. ( I am NOT saying that you do that) Now, I prefer RWD to FWD, but I would be perfectly happy with a TL, it is classy, drives well, has a top notch interior, turns heads, is safe, and the Navigation and voice command recognition are the best on the market. If I was driving a TL, I would consider myself to be driving a top notch near luxury sedan with some sport.

psyran1

I wonder the same thing. I have not owned a three (ye), but plan on buying an e-90 in a couple of months. When I drove a 325 a couple of years ago (manual), I was very impressed with the handling and overall feel of the ride. The performance was more than adequate. So, although I would like a 330, I would like certain options and in order to keep the cost down am considering the 325. If it has even more engine performance than the e-46, I can't imagine it being a dissapointment. Will probably wait to order until I can test dtive both at the dealership in May.

wco81

How is that free car wash?

It's not some fancy detailing job right?

Is the low-wage workers they hire to clean the dealership cars worth entrusting your expensive car repeatedly?

Do they wash it for you right away or do you have to wait or leave the car with them?

ivan_99

“Low wage”…who do you think changes the oil and replaces the drain plug on your expensive car?

Either you trust the dealership or you don’t (with your baby)

The free wash is only good if your car is dirty. A few years ago I had a beautiful black Audi. When I went in for service they would always wash it…which I would tell them not to. I always kept the car clean and always dried with a shammy…when I would get it back from the dealer…it would have spots.

dl7265

$1700 increase Ack! Then again being closely powered (less the torque) of the outgoing E46 330i,not so bad. Was there a mention of standard options?

DL

djocks

It will be interesting to see what BMW does in the interior design of the new 3's. I think they have a little catching up to do with infiniti and acura but that should be expected since the current 3's are a 7 year old design. I am also hopeful that the interior gets bigger... kind'of needed in my world as well.

djocks

"Comparably equipped, there is only a $4K difference between the two.. "

did you see pricing anywhere that says this? presently the difference is 6k nd 5k on the 5's.

djocks

"The 330i goes from zero to 60 in 6.1 seconds; the 325, in 6.7"

Anyone know the current advertized 0-60 times for 330i's and 325i's (man) and current models?

hpowders

From what I read, the front legroom in the new 3 is about the same as the "old" 3 which for me is a major disappointment.

webby1

It is washed by hand inside and outside...perfect.
It is an additional perk from the dealer..smart marketing and keeps people employed.
They do it while you wait and it is great for our area during winter months....you can observe it from the waiting area
I wash it myself in the summer since I enjoy doing it myself.
Regards,
Webby

cartalk

From MSN Autos:

0 - 60 Time
(seconds) 1/4 Mile Time
(seconds) 1/4 Mile Speed
(mph) Braking 60 - 0 mph (ft.)

BMW 330Ci coupe + Performance Package - I6 3.0L (235 hp) 6M + ABS
6.04 14.67 97.70 116

BMW 330Ci coupe - I6 3.0L (225 hp) 6M + ABS
6.10 14.71 98.70 121

BMW 330i + Performance Package - I6 3.0L (235 hp) 6M + ABS
6.26 14.88 96.30 No data

From Consumer Guide:

"Lively in any form, especially with manual transmission. BMW pegs rear-drive 330s at 7.0 sec 0-60 mph with automatic, 6.4 with the conventional manual. In our tests, a manual 330xi sedan did 6.8 sec 0-60, an automatic 325i sedan 8.1, and an M3 5.4 sec with conventional 6-speed manual. SMT delivers lightning-quick high-rpm shifts, but does not shift smoothly in less-aggressive driving."

From BMW brochure:

325i M: 7.1
325i A: 8.1

325xi M: 7.6
325xi A: 8.8

330i M: 6.4
330i A: 7.0
330i ZHP: 5.9

330xi M: 6.9
330xi A: 7.5

kyfdx

The key term is "comparably equipped".. The 330i has a lot of things that are optional or only included in packages on the 325i...

Once you put those options on the 325i, where the only difference is the power.. then, the spread is about $4K...

shipo

Not to be forgotten are the things that are on a 330i that cannot be had on a 325i in any form from the factory. Things like upgraded/stronger transmission and drive train, larger/beefier brakes and the nicer wheels and rubber (which of course can be easily had after-market). Simply adding up the cost of the engine goodies necessary to make a 3.0 liter 325i accelerate as fast as a 3.0 liter 330i is a false economy as you still will not have a car as capable and robust as a 330i from the factory.

Best Regards,
Shipo

dewey

"Is the link working for you ?"

Yes it works. I did not think Businessweek auto reviews were premium content. I am a Businessweek subscriber so that is why I have access.

dewey

I have a 99 323 and have no regrets not buying the 99 328. Despite this I know I will have no regrets buying a 330 xdrive Touring(if it exists). Otherwise I guess I will settle for the more humble 325 Touring(not such a shabby compromise)

bluedevil2723

Hello Everyone,

I'm also seriously considering purchasing an '06 3-series this summer.

I'll be a graduating college student, so I'll also have a limited budget.

That being said,

Does anyone know what the base price will be for a new 325i/330i?

And what additional standard features will be incorporated into these cars over the current model.

dajanik1

Here is a PDF Ordering Guide link to the 2006 BMW 3 series.

http://www.e90forums.net/html/videos/2006.pdf

bavmw

If everything I read is correct, they're holding prices close to '05.

That being the case, I'm going with 325. Almost same 0-60 time as my 330, no sense spending 4k more.

bavmw

Speaking of 0-60, don't get too caught up with it. If you want a fast car off the line, get a Pontiac GTO but who the hell wants one, it's a piece of junk.

dhanley

Have you driven a GTO?

I thought the GTO i drove was actually pretty nice.

dave

grantchstr

The 325 has more "classic" lines and looks like a thoroughbred, unlike the the new Americano/Italiano BMW shapes IMHO.

bmwdoug

"The first two models, the 325i and 330i, will sport new six-cylinder engines (ranging in horsepower from 215 to 255). The 330i goes from zero to 60 in 6.1 seconds; the 325, in 6.7. The interior is roomier -- higher (0.8 inches), longer (2.2 inches), and wider (3 inches) than its predecessor."

Business Week is not factual, since leg room did not increase in the new 3. I wish Business Week was correct, and the new 3 did pick up an extra 2.2 inches of interior leg room, but that is not the case from the specs that have been listed. I really feel the NON increase in leg room is a MAJOR disappointment.

hpowders

Yup. Shoulda had 2 inches more front legroom.

webby1

From Auto 123...Canada
http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/previews,view,BMW.spy?artid=3- 1196&pg=1

"Did you hear me say the new 3 was larger? Well it is, quite a bit. For those obsessed with dimensional specifications, the new
Not only is the new 3.0-liter engine 30 horsepower more engaging than the outgoing iteration, but it is also 30 percent lighter due to extensive use of magnesium. (Photo: BMW Canada)
3 is 4,520 mm (178.0 inches) long, increasing over the current model by a hardly insignificant 49 mm (1.9 inches), 1,817 mm (71.5 inches) in width, wider by a substantial 78 mm (3.1 inches), and 1,421 mm (55.9 inches) high, taller by a nominal 6 mm (0.2 inches). The wheelbase has grown too, by 35 mm (1.4 inches) to 1,421 mm (55.9 inches), which should make for improved rear seat roominess as well as better tracking at high speed. "

nyccarguy

I'm totally diggin' the new E90. Sign me up for ED in July '06. We're planning to go to Europe next summer anyway. I think an E90 325iA with Sport Package will be quite a suitable replacement for my wife's '00 Protege.

bmwdoug

"Did you hear me say the new 3 was larger? Well it is, quite a bit. For those obsessed with dimensional specifications, the new
Not only is the new 3.0-liter engine 30 horsepower more engaging than the outgoing iteration, but it is also 30 percent lighter due to extensive use of magnesium. (Photo: BMW Canada) 3 is 4,520 mm (178.0 inches) long, increasing over the current model by a hardly insignificant 49 mm (1.9 inches), 1,817 mm (71.5 inches) in width, wider by a substantial 78 mm (3.1 inches), and 1,421 mm (55.9 inches) high, taller by a nominal 6 mm (0.2 inches). The wheelbase has grown too, by 35 mm (1.4 inches) to 1,421 mm (55.9 inches), which should make for improved rear seat roominess as well as better tracking at high speed. "

Unfortunately, NONE of those specs make for increased leg room in the new 3, which is a MAJOR Disappointment, especially to those of us who are over 6'0 tall. I think increasing the length of the car and not increasing leg room is a major BLUNDER.

dhanley

Why don't ya wait until you sit in it?

Legroom feel doesn't always correlate to the measurements.

shipo

After looking at the ordering guide I noticed an interesting reference. In more than one place it indicates that the Top Speed is governed to 155 with the optional Sport Package, implying that the Top Speed is governed to a lower peak without the Sport Package (it is listed as TBD).

I know that this is kind of irrelevant for most folks, however, I did the ED thing for my 530i, and I intend on doing it again for a new E90 330i next spring. When I did the 530i, I found that there were many miles where I was relegated to the middle lane, tooling along at a relatively sedate 128 while VW Golfs and such blew past me at well over 150. Assuming that I opt for the SP again (and I intend to), then I'll finally get to really uncork my car once the 1250 mile break-in limit has been reached. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

shipo

"Legroom feel doesn't always correlate to the measurements."

Quite true, the total legroom in my 2002 530i is officially only 0.1" greater than my 1999 328i, however, it feels significantly greater than that.

Best Regards,
Shipo

dajanik1

"Although the 2006 BMW 3 Series rides on a 1.4-inch-longer wheelbase and has a 1.2-inch-wider track than the 2005 model, the weight gain is less than 100 pounds. There's fractionally more shoulder room and headroom in the new model. The passenger compartment is 2.2 cubic feet larger; the trunk is 1.3 cubic feet bigger. There's plenty of room up front and a surprising amount of rear-seat room"

planoml

We should know in a few weeks what the price change is. I've heard anything from $200 to $2,000, so I've given up on speculation.

The 325 appears to be close in performance to the '05 330. I don't know if it makes sense to keep chasing that ever increasing goal. I will probably regret not getting a 330, & if I did that I will regret not getting the turbo when that comes out, and so on. I might just get a 325 now, and wait for the dust to settle and try for an M3 later.

planoml

Is the time difference that big, on a stick vs. auto? Take the 330 for example-6.4 vs. 7.0. The 325 gets even worse with an auto time of 8.1!! Are these E46 or E90? Thanks for the post.

fishtook

Comparison time is on E46

giovanni1

When they do these comparisons I assume they are using the Auto and SMG, I guess it would state this. Anyone know the current numbers manual vs SMG?

bmwccc

SHIPO and others:

I have a question for you ( and everyone else that has an educated guess )

I got on the configurator on the BMW site to compare to current 2005 330i Sedan to the 2005 330Ci. Both have exact same options, cash price came out to be 43k and change for the 330i and 44k and change for the 330Ci. No surprise here! Surprise came when I estimated leasing for both cars, exact miles, same term and cash down etc. $530 per month for the 330Ci and $670 per month for the 330i sedan. OMG, if they both have the same cash price relatively, how are they justifying the $140 variance for virtually the same car?

The only answer I could come up with is the 2005 330i sedan is being priced that high so when the 2006 330i sedan comes out and has same the lease price to this, no one has a heart attack and keels over.

So are they drastically over inflated the leases to compensate for what is yet to come? What do you guys think?

Thanks

bmwccc

kyfdx

The 330i has a $4200 incentive that the 330Ci doesn't have... Throw $4200 in as a downpayment, and see what happens to the lease price...

shipo

Hmmm, odd. I tried it myself and came up with the same thing. I configured two 330s with SP, PP and Xenon and the "Ci" came out to $42,070 and the "i" came out to $40,970. The $2,500 down (dumb), 36 mo, 12K/year monthly lease price came out to be $503 and $632 respectively.

Theory 1) There is a bug in the BMW site.
Theory 2) The residuals for the E46 sedans has dropped so much because of the switch to the E90 that the price is getting bumped as a result.
Theory 3) There will be BIG TIME incentives on the remaining E46 sedans in the pipe-line (as there were on the E39 in its last few months), and you need to talk to your dealer to find out what the REAL price is.

Best Regards,
Shipo

vsaxena

The residuals are all shot up for the sedan (57% vs 52%), plus the money factor is much higher(0.0025 vs 0.0008). This is because there is a cash incentive for the sedan. I think the BMW site is not factoring in the cash incentive on the sedan.

330i Sedan

24 mo/15k mi – 61% Residual Value – Money Factor .00225 Base Rate
36 mo/15k mi – 52% Residual Value – Money Factor .00225 Base Rate
48 mo/15k mi – 43% Residual Value – Money Factor .00255 Base Rate
60 mo/15k mi – 35% Residual Value – Money Factor .00255 Base Rate

330i Coupe

24 mo/15k mi – 62% Residual Value – Money Factor .00080 Base Rate
36 mo/15k mi – 57% Residual Value – Money Factor .00080 Base Rate
48 mo/15k mi – 42% Residual Value – Money Factor .00255 Base Rate
60 mo/15k mi – 34% Residual Value – Money Factor .00250 Base Rate

kyfdx

The answer is: theory 3)

Big incentives on the sedan.. BMW's website takes into account the different residual and money factor, but doesn't take into account the dealer cash...

Those lease calculators on the car makers' websites are generally useless, anyway..

regards,
kyfdx

bartalk3

The new 3 series may be three inches wider than the current 3, but shoulder room increases by only an inch. A larger exterior is not reflected in comparably more interior space, unfortunately.

bluedevil2723

I'm anxiously anticipating the release of pricing info on the new 330i.

Can knowledgeable bmw people estimate what an
'06 330i with leather, metalic paint & keyless entry will go for.

I like the car but am concerned that this car wil be 5-6 K more expensive than a comparably equipped G35 coupe or a TL.

Thanx,
Bluedevil.

peakpro

No one can really provide even an accurate estimate.

Prices increaes have been metioned but they vary by a wide range from $200-$4000 from the 05 models.