BMW 3-Series 2006

derfo

What is the company name??
Also I do not buy French products!!!

kyfdx

ZF is the company... They also make transmissions in conjunction with GM, Ford, and just about everyone else..

And, I'm sure many products you buy have French components.. You just don't know about it...

blueguydotcom

What is the company name??
Also I do not buy French products!!!

It's a global economy. You're doing it whether you realize it or not. Parts from your washing machine or code in your software may have been written in France or China or the UK. My God, you can't possibly say you don't buy Chinese products and China's record on human rights is scary awful.

Get over it.

virtualbmw

there is a huge amount of space in the rear of an X3. It's very deep and will easily accomodate even the biggest stroller.

derfo

Thanks host!!!

planoml

What I saw was the silver (same as the current E46), & the Monaco blue (very similar to current Orient blue). If it means anything to you, I changed my MB to a combo similar to yours' (SG/Black/Alu). Although I have not seen the SG in person, I have seen enough pictures of it, to know it will be great.

kyfdx

You guys are killing me... Speaking of french toast..

On vacation, we ate breakfast at Lynn's Paradise Cafe in Louisville.. My wife had the ultimate french toast.. Raisin bread, stuffed with cream cheese with a glaze of apricot preserves... It was unreal..

Then, we got back into my CR-V.... and wished we had a new 2006 BMW 3-series instead.

regards,
kyfdx
(neatly back on topic)

blueguydotcom

Maybe those looking to spread their xenophobic feelings can go to a different forum? A non-car related one...

psyran

Hope this doesn't confuse you, but saw the SG on an e46 (2005 has the color on 330ci) at the dealer today. Boy, much darker than I had imagined. I wanted a lighter color (like the silver gray which e90 does not have). I am now thinking of changing to Titanium Silver or white.

sachsi

I got my Z4 almost a year and a half ago and at the time I got it for $7500 under MSRP. It's been a joy to drive and to own and I would strongly recommend it.
By the way, I was rear-ended by a small chevy truck yesterday (low speed though) and I have nothing but minor bumper damage - it looks that it's a pretty strongly built puppy.
If you don't need the convenience/space of a normal sedan, a Z is an alternative with a good fun/dollar ratio (do get the premium package though).

blueguydotcom

Sachsi,

Thanks for the advice. I'd probably opt only for the sport package and xenons though.

sachsi

I decided against the sport package because of the crappy roads here (San Francisco area) but the power top and heated seats that came with the premium package have been worth the money. The ride is stiff enough for me without the sport package (IMHO, you get much better handling than a 3 sedan even without the SP). Xenons are geat though (I don't have them) but I believe they tend to be rarely available on cars that are not fully loaded.

Whether Z4 or 3 series you'll have a fun vehicle. I'm considering ED for a 325 later this year myself. After having owned this BMW for a while (my first one) it will be very hard for other manufacturers to get my dollar ... Audi who?

Good luck with your purchase either way!

S.

blueguydotcom

i love my current 3 but I have yet to own a convertible (a sin in san diego, imho) while the rest of my family owns several (last count my parents have 3 convertibles). It's very tempting and I figure if I buy one, it's gotta be RWD and purposely built to be a convertible (unlike say a 3 series convertible). The new miata is getting my eye too.

So many decisions...lol as if they're important.

robertbindc

The transmissions in the new e90s are made by ZF, not Getrag. The only "French" transmission used in BMWs were automatics made in Strasbourg, France by that oh so French company...General Motors.

mitchflorida

The first four years are covered by BMW. How much should I budget for the following four years/ 50, 000 miles? I have heard a BMW oil change alone costs $150.

Are BMWs reliable enough not to purchase an extended warranty?

Kirstie_H

Many messages about French vs. other products have been removed, as we went well off-topic. Any post that's not specifically about the 2006 3-Series is highly likely to be zapped!

dewey

"Are BMWs reliable enough not to purchase an extended warranty?"

I had my 99 BMW323i for 6.5 years. Maintenance after warranty has so far been a non-issue.

Would I buy an extended warranty? Not If you have a good independant who specializes in BMWs near you. I have a great inexpensive mechanic who has only serviced BMWs for the last 20 years. If there are no good BMW specialists nearby you, then probably and extended warranty would be worthwhile.

I had quite a few problems getting my car serviced at BMW. If I had to pay to have my car serviced after warranty at a BMW dealer, I dont think I would be as keen about owning a future E90 as I am right now.

blueguydotcom

You can get an oil change anywhere, no need to go to a dealer and get your pocket picked.

kyfdx

And.. just for reference, my dealer charges $94.

giovanni1

"but I have yet to own a convertible (a sin in san diego, imho)"

You really would get great use out of a convertible down there. How about an M3 vert?
The miata is fun but you need to add an FM turbo to it and really increase that fun factor. I think if I can find the time this weekend I'll take a test drive in a new 3.0 Z4, however I'm not sure I want to go back to something that small (unless it's a vette). I have a TT now and that is small enough.

Oh these decisions are killing me, there are a lot of great cars out there these days and cruising the PCH in a vert would be a blast.

planoml

I almost wrote about this in my reply, that you should look at the E46 SG. At the end of the day it's what you like. My current car is a very dark green. I wax it almost every weekend, and get a lot of comments despite the fact that it's 10 years old. I like darker cars, as they look really good when you worship them.

You can't go wrong with the Titanimum. It is beautiful, and will look that way without weekly wax jobs. IMHO I would get the [non-permissible content removed] over the white. Best of luck.

blueguydotcom

You really would get great use out of a convertible down there. How about an M3 vert?

No way, that car is one chubby pig. It weighs something unseemly like 3600 lbs and it's built from a coupe, so the chassis is all flex and bend.

The miata is fun but you need to add an FM turbo to it and really increase that fun factor. I think if I can find the time this weekend I'll take a test drive in a new 3.0 Z4, however I'm not sure I want to go back to something that small (unless it's a vette). I have a TT now and that is small enough.

If I were to go turbo, then I should just buy the Mazdaspeed one out now. Regarding the Gen 3 Miata, I like the upscale look and supposedly the interior is lightyears beyond the current model. It may not be lightning quick but it's light and crazy nimble.

Plus if I drop 25k on a Miata next year, it'll be easier to fool myself into buying an M3 4 door if they come out in 2008/09.

Oh these decisions are killing me, there are a lot of great cars out there these days and cruising the PCH in a vert would be a blast.

Too true. Actually the Z4 is attractive because I could still get a bimmer feel.

ajayme

According to the BMW person I spoke with, this is a new transmission (6 Spd.) and not made in France if that means anything-personally I don't care as my E46 has that transmission with no problems.

ajayme

Our E46 ('99 328) has very comfortable seats with good lumbar support. Our 2003 E39 does not and it's a killer on long trips. The new 3 feels like our E46 so you should be fine. I would suggest a good long test drive when the time comes.

shipo

Hmmm, I find your comments very interesting. I too had a 1999 328i, and mine came with the powered lumbar support. I then graduated up to a 2002 530i with the Sport Package, which couldn't be had with powered lumbar support. Unlike you, I found the 530i to be perfectly perfect. Never once did I find myself wishing for the seats in my 328i. Go figure.

Best Regards,
Shipo

bimmer4me3

Does ANYONE KNOW if the e90 xi will have a sports suspension?!? The X3, which uses the same xDrive system, is available with the sports suspension. I WANT the sports suspension and I WANT the AWD for the 15 days a year we get snow/ice and noone snow plows anything around here. If it were just me I would get the 330i, but I like having the extra safety with my three year old in the back seat. Decisions, decisions!

kyfdx

I see leftover '04 Mazdaspeed Miatas advertised for under $20K.. $7K off MSRP.. Brand new..

kyfdx

I don't think anyone knows yet.. They don't go on sale for about 5 months, do they?

I know you've heard this before... AWD is for extra traction going straight ahead.. You'll be just as safe in a 330i with winter tires.. I have a child in the back seat, also... So, I'm not being flip...

regards,
kyfdx

blueguydotcom

I know. I've seen them listed for 17k in the paper. That's VERY tempting. It's tempting right now even with the BMW payment.

bimmer4me3

Okay, I'm convinced. I'll go with the 330i with the sports package and set of good snow tires/wheels and punt on the AWD. Now, which tires and wheels to get........

ajayme

Shipo, if I had sport seat in the 5 series I wouldn't have complained. Stock seats suck!

mep1

Is there a handeling difference between the xi and rear wheel drive models? I am thinking the rear wheel drive will handle noticeably better --- any experiance out there on this?

If this is true ---- if you go snow tires in the winter ---- you will have the best of both worlds --- make sense?

bmwfan2

Anyone has a chance to try out navigation on the new E90? is it improved over 05 models which I was not impressed at all. I'm debating getting it vs. installing aftermarket part.

Thanks.

merc1

I'll get to see the new 3-Series up close and personal at a BMW preview event Tuesday April 19th at Soldier Field in Chicago. Whoopie....!

M

bartalk3

merc1: Is that BMW preview event in Chicago just for dealers?

dhanley

It's the 3 across america event.

I have an invite, but i don't think i can go.

tksung

That's too simplistic. Bad road conditions are not homogenous. Navigating trecherous patches with four paws is way superior to two paws, no boubt. Just imagine yourself on all four on a floor with oil patches all over. Then imagine moving around only using your knees. You'd be helpless when your knees hit oil patch. If you have hands to grab clean spots, you'd have no problem continuing to move normally.

dhanley

But all cars have four paws on the ground.

bartalk3

Cars don't have paws and neither do people. Host, intervene here and delete these outrageous metaphors.

bimmer4me3

You exactly right --- err, that's at least how I see it. Less expensive and better handeling. Can't wait for that beauty. Now, do I special order the Silver Grey or the Steel Blue...?? The decisions get harder and harder. :-)

kyfdx

While Silver Grey is a fine color... everyone knows that Steel Blue is faster...

gunner05

I got a question: What is the benefit of a Sports Package? I am not a race car driver - I want a smooth ride.

I just ordered a 2006 325 in Germany (just got back from Iraq) and the seller kept telling me it would be a good idea. Am I wrong to think a smoother ride would be so bad?

Also, I just got off a plane after 13 months in the sandbox. I didn't shop around Is $26,900 a good base price (through military sales)? I got leather, auto, and heated seat to round it up to $30k. Would it have been cheaper to get it in the states?

I did drive it though - very nice - hung well on the autobahn - thats what sealed the deal.

wco81

Does the military subsidize car purchases? That sounds about $10k lower. Do they do it for all brands?

Do they also provide financing?

I've seen a lot of nice cars in a naval base around here. I knew these weren't all officers and they were getting subsidized housing on the base.

cozmyk

Around what month do you guys see the money factors etc. on the new e90 to begin dropping

planoml

Welcome home! That's a great price. IMHO if you need something that sporty you need to get the M3, otherwise the regular car is sporty enough.

spfotey

psyran

If your ordering an e90, no steel blue or silver gray (unfortunately), unless your not in U.S. and you can get it elsewhere (or special order at $2,000).
psyran

webby1

Received the "The new BMW 3 Series Sedan" brochure today...colors available ( at least in Canada ) are in Metallic :

1 Black Sapphire,
2.Titanium Silver,
3. Sparkling Graphite, ( I wish they had this color last year ! ) ,
4. Monaco Blue,
5. Arctic

and in Non Metallic :

1. Black,
2. Alpine White
3. Electric Red.

The brochure lists 330i and 325i only...no 320i ?

Regards,
Webby

nyccarguy

Thank-you

bimmer4me3

Yep, special order. I just don't like the early-favorite Sparkiling Graphite after seeing it in person and the Arctic doesn't wow me either. It's just ashame such a wonderful car isn't offered with past popular colors. Oh well, at least I'll have the only Steel Blue e90 330i Sports/Premium/Cold/Nav on the block. :-) Some people might say 2 grand is steep for a color, including me, but my family is "giving me the color" as a gift. I can't wait (if you can't tell already)!!