BMW 3-Series 2006

kyfdx

Probably due to arson.. from being frustrated with all of the time in the shop...

shipo

"If the sport package tires are not the Pirelli Eufori's, then what tire do you think is on the Sp package?"

Well, it beats the stuffin' outta me. I have been unable to find even a single manufacturer that publishes a sizing spec for their run flat tires that match up with BMW's size specs for the 330i SP or the 325i SP.

Best Regards,
Shipo

blueguydotcom

roundel's review of the 3 mentions the 330i before adding anything weighs nearly 3400 lbs!

Man, why the blazes do they keep making it heavier and heavier? When did it become okay to bust 3000 lbs when making a compact sedan?!

ivan_99

When did it become okay to bust 3000 lbs when making a compact sedan?!

When everyone started shoveling Big Macs into their mouths…and they want to be able to survive a collision with a MAC truck from every angle.

Maybe a 1 series…or A3…

merckx

I ,for one,am quite exicited about the new 3. The last time I bought a car,2001,I considered the 3 Series,and really wanted to like it. But at 6',200 lbs.,I found it just a bit too cramped. I ended up going with a Passat and a Catera for my wife. Both are much roomier than the little Bimmer. This new one appears to offer just enough extra room to be viable(I know it's just fractions in most deminsions). I'm very eager to drive one. And for once,the styling of a new BMW looks good!

markcincinnati

The new 3 series interior also looks like an improvement over the current one. I think the new 2006 BMW interior rivals Audi, for once.

As to the size, I say it's about time -- the car needed an inch or two here and there. This is a welcome upgrade IMHO.

And the car is still small enough to be fun.

I heard that a pretty well maxed out 330xi will be awfully close in $$$ (MSRP is not the full story, however) to the new Audi S4.

But then again $3.00 a gallon gasoline may inhibit my lust for the extra cylinders -- the new BMW in pictures is a good looking car, IMHO.

I have put it on my list -- first time ever!

arizonajoe

I once came close to ordering an X3 and I wanted the Navigation system. None of the dealer X3 inventory had the Nav, so they demonstrated the Nav in a Z4, which they said was identical to the system in the X3.

It was the worst navigation system I have ever seen. The salesperson couldn't even use it. It affirmed every horribly negative review I've read of BMW navigation systems. No touch screen, a bizarre array of menus, selecting each letter of an address, one at a time, by means of a convoluted knob interface. The salesman kept saying it was difficult because we hadn't consulted the owner's manual. He missed the point, which is that a navigation system should not require a manual to use. I was amazed by the gaping chasm between what Acura gives you, which I've used (no manual required), and what BMW gives you. It's a major act of neglect on BMW's part, and they certainly aren't shopping the world for the best electronics, as another poster implied.

I hear the Lexus system is as good as Acura's, perhaps better. Hopefully, the new 3-series will have a new generation nav system. They really need to get with the program where user-friendly electronics are concerned.

bigpapaluke

I agree about adding the inches. I'm 6'0 and 230 pounds so the extra space makes a huge difference.

As far as styling goes, I think this is the most attractive 3 series. I was tempted to buy an E46 with the ZHP, but I felt I would have buyer's remorse when the new E90 hits the streets. I find the new styling to be more aggressive, while still coming across as refined.

For me, I'll most likely get the 330i, with the sports package and premium package. Too much negative feedback on the iDrive to even consider it. Ohh, and how can I forget . . . it will be a manual. No way will I get the auto.

bmwccc

Markcincinnati

Welcome to the dark side. Kidding, but welcome over here as well.

peakpro

From the photos I have seen I think the E90 is the least attractive 3 series yet. And I am very disappointed.

I don't find it agressive. I find it bloated and boring.

However I am on my way to the NY show to see it in person. Maybe my thoughts willchange once I see it.

blueguydotcom

330i - $36,995
325 - $30,995

Just saw a word doc from BMW about it. The 330i has xenon standard so it's really only a $500-600 bump. And lots of new, dumb technology in the car.

I'd post my link to the doc but it's on another forum.

bartalk3

Don't be misled by the bigger exterior dimensions of the E90. The interior, especially the front, is not that much bigger. For example, though overall width is up 3 inches, as C&D noted fully 1/2 of that is taken up by the protruding door handles! So the actual increase in shoulder room is a whopping one inch. Not nothing, but not huge. Rear seat leg room is increased by a decent amount, however.

bmwfrevr

Any word of how much each option costs especially sport pkg.!

blueguydotcom

Option pricing usually doesn't change much.

dom1

I am looking into purchasing the E90 330xi with premium and cold weather packages (New England weather requires it). One of the features of the E90 is compatibility with bluetooth phones. I looked into the North America BMW website and they list some phones that are compatible with the cars. Unfortunately, this list is pretty old and it only shows one phone that works with the Sprint network.

Is there an updated list from BMW on compatible phones? If not, could the members in this forum give any suggestions on which phones work with BMWs and Sprint? I do not understand why not all Bluetooth phones are compatible since all phones should follow the same standards.

Thanks,

dom1

shipo

"I am looking into purchasing the E90 330xi with premium and cold weather packages (New England weather requires it)."

It does? Why? I live in New Hamster, and don't have either AWD or CWP and certainly don't miss them. I'm having a difficult time figuring out why folks would spend money on them.

Best Regards,
Shipo

kyfdx

You don't have heated seats??

EDIT: I mean.. "had"

shipo

Nope. I moved back "Up North" so I could stay cool. The last thing that I need/want are butt warmers. I've had them on exactly one car simply because it was on the lot and had exactly the features I wanted (excepting the heat seaters), so I took it. In the end, I tried them out to see if they worked, (yup), and then never used them again. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

P.S.

Mrs. Shipo has them on her Caravan and while she likes them, what she REALLY wants is a heated steering wheel.

kyfdx

I love the heated seats in the 325i.. Just like sitting down in a hot bath... Those of you that have had back surgery will know how good that feels...

My wife also lusts after the heated steering wheel.... I could see that, after the car has sat outside all day at work..

bimmerhunter

I saw 30995 last night on a "build your 2006 325i" page at bmwusa.com. It might have been there for a while for all I know (the link itself is hard to get to). Premium package went up $600 (!!) MSRP. I didnt check sport pkg.

kyfdx

Yeah.. they were trying out the new 5-series prices off an on earlier this month... Now, they are in there permanently.. We'll probably see the same thing with the new 3-series for awhile...

I'd guess the premium package now includes something that the old one didn't...

selm

Maybe the premium comes with leather only now. I could only hope as that would be a net savings.

shipo

The Premium Package for the E90 consists of:

- 4-way power lumber support for front seats
- Leather upholstery
- Interior and exterior mirrors with automatic dimming funciton & compass
- Integrated 3-Button Universal Garage Door Opener
- BMW Assist with BLUETOOTH wireless technology

And additionally, for the 325i only (standard equipment on the 330i):

- 8-way power front seats with 2-way manual head rests and driver memory for exterior mirror and seat positions.

Best Regards,
Shipo

blueguydotcom

No reason to get the premium package. LOL. I think I may go aftermarket leather this time too. Get higher quality stuff for a lower price.

bmwfrevr

Check this one out:
"these comparisons show the value added to the 3 series, as well as our effort to reduce the engine surcharge between the two models, by adding more standard equipment on the 330i. This reduction in cost to upgrade to the bigger engine will undoubtly entice car enthusiasts and...."
darn I should have ordered a 330i instead of my 325i hmmm I guess it is worth trying to modify now!

giovanni1

no memory for the steering wheel? I hope that means mirrors and not just the drivers side mirror.

shipo

It probably means both exterior mirrors, I doubt it would be reasonable to put a servo in the interior mirror when it is easy enough to manually adjust it. The steering wheel adjustment is probably still manual like it was on the E46. I had the power memory steering wheel in my 530i, and while it was cool, I never saw the point.

Best Regards,
Shipo

wstevec

It looks like the increase off the base model went up about $1700 which was expected. Not too big of a dissapointment, since they bumped up the engine by 31 hp while making the car bigger too, not to mention the falling dollar overseas. I just wish they would hurry up and get them to the dealers so that we can buy them!

giovanni1

Thanks. I assumed it would be both mirrors but you never know. The steering wheel feature would be nice especiall if it moved up and out of the way when exiting. Now the tough choice for me is do I want to go 3 series sedan or stick with a sports car and get the C6 vette. I drove the vette last Friday at a GM show and man that car was fun.

shipo

The powered wheel on my 530i moved up and out of the way when you pulled the key out of the ignition. My sister-in-law LOVED it. ;-)

Regarding deciding between a Vette and a 3er, hmmm, I don't know. How about both? ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

giovanni1

LOL, I wish but then I'd have to live in one of them. It's a tough choice but being single, no kids nor pets the vette would be fine as a daily driver and is quite comfortable but there is something about the 3er that is intriguing. I was suprised to learn there is no gas guzzler tax on the vette unlike the M3, SRT-8.

amt7565

Any word on any incentives/rebates that might be offered for the new models?

I guess, initial buyers might have to pay full MSRP due to limited supplies to start?

Thank you!

blueguydotcom

Only american car companies have to tack on incentives to lure people into new cars. This is the first new 3 series sedan in 7 years. BMW enthusiasts are chomping at the bit.

kyfdx

New Lexus IS....

NO clutch pedal....

shipo

I can see it now. I go for a test drive in the IS, and as gear change time approaches, my left foot instinctually goes for the clutch. Given that this is a test drive, I'm going for a fast shift, so I slam my left foot down. SCREEEEECH, smash, UFFFFFF, thump, boing, splat. Apparently my left foot found the brake pedal and the salesman (who wasn't wearing his seat belt) got launched through the wind screen, bounced off the hood of the car and landed in the street.

Best Regards,
Shipo

blueguydotcom

Build your own 2006 330i and 325i - now you know the cost of options.

http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/3/2006330isedan/

BTW, my simple 330i with metallic and sport package (xenon, moon is standard) was only 39k! Dang, do euro delivery, get it for 36k or so. come back home, slap in some leather and I've got something that'll run with my zhp for 2k less.

Sweet.

blueguydotcom

I did the brake pedal thing on a test drive once. I didn't mean to but I'm so used to manuals I went for the clutch and whoops!

dhanley

I've done something like that shipo.

Fortunately, it was a moving van, so it didn't stop that fast. The only thing to hit the windshield was my ex wife.

bimmerhunter

I am sold on the bluetooth bit but I dont need the BMW assist crapola... but looks like there's no way to get just bluetooth. BTW does BMW assist mean a subscription or something?

ivan_99

heh...

I read your sentaces too fast and didn't catch the period.

I came away with "Fortunately...the only thing to hit the windshield was my ex wife".

I thought wow...that's harsh (I presume everyone was fine)

amt7565

What is the significance of this Euro purchase? Is it more cost effective?
Thanks.

blueguydotcom

Yes you save thousands off the cost of the car doing euro delivery. of course you must fly there and pick up the car in person (one major bummer as I'm not a big fan of europe).

shipo

Most likely the answer to all of your questions (and many that you have not yet thought to ask) can be found in one (or both) of the following links:

http://www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/EuropeanDelivery/
BMW Owners: European Delivery

Best Regards,
Shipo

shipo

"...as I'm not a big fan of europe."

Then again, there are the Autobahns... ;-O

Best Regards,
Shipo

dewey

What is the biggest hoot?

The IS250 will have a cluth, but the IS350 will not.

It is a joke because the IS350 caters to the performance/hp addicts, not the IS250.

kyfdx

Okay... the IS250 won't have a clutch pedal...

I don't think that when everyone said they wanted a manual transmission in the IS, that they were talking about one with an automatic clutch...

blueguydotcom

Just been forced to spend time there for work and I really prefer asia and the us. shrug.

dewey

No clutch pedal for the IS250 and IS350. That sounds more fair but equally awful.

shipo

Funny thing, I've worked both in Europe and in Asia, and I like each for certain unique attributes. Europe for Cars, Driving and Mountain Biking in the Alps (oh, and Women and Food). Asia for the Food (I gained over 10 pounds in my first week in Taiwan), Sights and Women.

Best Regards,
Shipo

amt7565

The new 325 has an option to purchase a LOGIC stereo. I don't see a HK. Also nothing on the homepage to see even if the new 330 will have an HK or Logic.

I am not familiar with the LOGIC stereo at all.
Anyone know if the new 330i will have Logic or HK?
Thanks.