BMW 3-Series 2006

anthonym

"Actually you can turn the engine on now without the FOB in the dash. You just cannot unlock and lock the vehicle. I test drove an E90 330 and placed the FOB on the center armrest while I checked out the stereo. I pushed the engine start/stop button and the 330 started without the FOB in the slot. A lot of sales people do not know this."

According to many others this is just not true. Anyone else validate this?

nab2

At least 4 people now on this and other boards tried it and it didnt' work. I am test driving today and will report back.

bimmer4me3

Tried it today on my test drive. FOB OUT of the slot and the car did NOT start. FOB IN the slot and the car DID start. I'm waiting until October for my Comfort Access 330i to be delivered.

chasscplatz

Well, I own the car and tried it today...NOTHING. Fobby has to be in the dash.

kyfdx

Residual is 5% lower through leasecompare... That is $1750 on a $35K car.. That kind of kills the savings on the money factor...

However, if your intention is to buy the car after the lease is up, it would be a better deal..

regards,
kyfdx

webby1

Not sure I follow you logic....what does the US dollar has to do with German currency for cars to Canada....3 series to Canada do not come from USA and is not manufactured in US.
How much did the price jump in US ?
Regards,
Webby

hpowders

A wise move. My 325 lease is over in early August. If I decide on the new330i(I have yet to drive one), I will extend my lease by 2 months to get the comfort access.

dewey

When the foreign exchange changes between two countries the relative purchasing power of both countries change:

Since you asked, here is some foreign exchange mathematics:

1998
When the e46 was introduced during fall 1998, the Cdn $ was 1.587 to $1 US.

That means if a Canadian bought a 99 328 for 33kUS$ in USA it would have costed him:
33k x 1.587 =52300CDN $

2005
Now in 2005 the Cdn$ is 1.25 to 1 US$

If the 2006 325 costs $33kUS(the same price as a 99 328) then a Canadian would spend the following amount today

US$33 x 1.25 = $41,250 CDN$

Price differential = 52,300 - 41,250 = CDN$11,050

Now do you see how foreign exchange effects us??

dewey

Webby,

another thing is that BMW Canada purchases their BMWs in US$ not Euros. So the above calculations definitely applies to us!

Sorry for all you Americans who finds this Canadian topic tedious!

But for Canadians it makes a lot of cents!!!

rjorge3

My friend keeps telling me that the new 3 only has a trunk mounted 6 cd changer (which is an option). Is this true?? I thought that the new 3 has a front loaded 6 disc radio.

branco327

I agree too that this sedan has lots to improve on in terms of looks to even come close to the timeless and beautiful lines of this car:

http://img196.echo.cx/img196/5314/004700120kw.jpg

I just hope the coupe gets some exterior refinement over this E90 sedan.

tksung

bmw has most of the 4ex locked with future. that's how they can maintain the price despite 30% drop of $. (apparently they have some exposure this year so they took some loss.) if they hedged cdn for canadian sales,which would make sense, it wont matter whether canadians use $ or cdn. it wouln't effect canadian price/profit in cdn.

dewey

Cdn$ hedging would create certainty for BMW by locking in forward rates, but if those forward rates are favorable/unfavorable compared to current rates---that would still have a positive/negative affect on Cdn$ pricing/margins.

dl7265

We don't mind. But you mean looneys and toonies right ?

Off topic Poll: Who had a bigger blow out today, Bellamy Road or the Houston Rockets ?

DL

kyfdx

I think it is only the 5-series that can be had with a glove box CD changer... The 3-series is still in the trunk...

jayelleseven

First off, the 5 Series is off the hook! Baller status man, I want one! Second, TMac is a baller! Im sure he drives a 5!

dl7265

do you mean hes at home balling now ?

jayelleseven

Man, you're lost. Laugh Out Loud but jus do the 'haha' thing, looks better. lol is for teen girls. Anyway, try LMAO, guess that_

jayelleseven

YES! Poor Rockets but least he can have a 5 Series to console him you know. I feel the love, will want the compassion of a 5, haha. 3's nice tho, 330i isnt worth the extra money tho_ Man TMac! you prollie got a 330 now!

blueguydotcom

I've already sat in and driven the e90 but today I saw one on a test drive and from a long way off i recognized it. As did my sister (she also owns an e46). She thought it was just as plain as the e46. It does, in my eyes, still stick out some and there''s no mistaking it for anything but a bimmer when it comes up on you head-on.

It's not as striking as the 5 series but I can't grasp why you guys are so negative about it.

fedlawman

I finally checked out the E90 at my local dealership. The sales staff was very stand-offish (they made eye contact with me, and watched me, but didn't offer to help me?!?!), which was odd since I was wearing business attire that day and drove up in my company car (a '99 Mercedes S-Class). Anyways, I spent about 20 minutes sitting in and examining a silver 330i with premium, sport, and 6-speed and a black 325i with premium and AT - the only cars on the lot.

The exterior is clean and handsome enough, but not as immmediately desireable to me as the E46. It looks rather "Japanese generic" to me now, in a 2000 Maxima sort of way (not saying it looks like the Maxima, just that it's about as uninspired to my eye). It looks good, but doesn't move me.

The 330i with 18" wheels looked better, in a hunkered down sort of way, and the 325i looked just OK.

I like the new interior. It's clean and simple, again in a "japanese efficient" kind of way. I noted that plastics and switchgear seem improved over the E46, although the flimsy headliner material is the same (just my little pet peeve about the E46), and exudes econo car quality.

Overall, I think the BMW name and superior driving dynamics will make the car a sales success, but I don't think it's as appealing a package overall as the E46. I'll reserve final judgement until I drive them, but I'm definitely leaning away from this heavier, more ungainly 3-series. Here's hoping a 2 series coupe makes it here.

Little anecdote - 5 minutes after I got there and was sitting in the 325i (in the showroom), two elderly women came in and were immediately tackled by a salesperson. He brought them over to the 325i and I was amused to overhear the women asking him about wood trim kits, heated rear seats, etc. Looks like some things about BMW's in the US will never change.

m4d_cow

youre not the only one, sales people at the bmw dealership here are rather cold, they barely offer help at all, except for one guy, and thats only because ive been buying my bmws from him all the time

dewey

That is not only a US thing.

Cool/arrogant BMW sales reps are quite common up here in the Land of Loonies and Toonies

The worst ones I met are a Mercedes Benz dealerships!

tksung

>but if those forward rates are favorable/unfavorable compared to current rates---
>
forward rates are determined only by the current ex and interest rates in the prospective countries as far as know. so bmw is essentially paying a fixed `insurance premium' for certainty in the future. but i'm sure its a bt more complicated than that in practice.

corvette

I hear the dealership situation is much more customer-oriented in Germany, supposedly due to the abundance of laws we have in the US that (over)protect franchises. Another rumor I heard is that, about the time BMW introduced the X5, they tried to get the dealerships to sign new dealer agreements, specifically addressing the customer service issues, but several dealerships sued, effectively stopping that idea in its tracks.

dl7265

Hm, to me I like low pressure sales. I can't stand being hovered over. My SA simply waves when he see's me and knows when im ready to drive something ill flag him down. I think the US market is so used to the "dodge" way of selling cars they misinterperiate low pressure for arrogant/stand offish.

DL

jayelleseven

BMW salesmen expect the cars to sell themselves. Theres a lot of competition tho'. And they expect everyone to pay full price, for the car thats fully loaded. No, ppl buying a 3 are doing so more than likely cuz they cant afford a 5 or a Benz!

307web

Anyone can afford a Benz C230 coupe if they really want a Benz that desperately.

derfo

Disagree, my wife could afford the 7 Series and pay cash, but liked the 3 Series better !
Big enough for her, but small enough to dash around town in heavy traffic !!!

corvette

Some people "dash around in heavy traffic" in Expeditions and Suburbans, but to me that's about as fun as driving a Prevost bus...

fedlawman

I also prefer low pressure sales - but I do expect at least a nod or greeting to let me know help is there if I ask.

anthonym

"BMW salesmen expect the cars to sell themselves. Theres a lot of competition tho'. And they expect everyone to pay full price, for the car thats fully loaded. No, ppl buying a 3 are doing so more than likely cuz they cant afford a 5 or a Benz! "

I also completely disagree! I have test driven the new 3 series, 2006 GS300, and 2006 5 series. I could have and was planning to buy one of the vehicles in cash. I opted for the new 3 series because of the overall handling and feel of the road. I really wanted to like the 5 series but I just didn't get the same "hug the road" feel as the e90. I also do not have a very large family (just my wife and newborn daughter) so the size of the e90 was fine. The Lexus GS300 had the best interior but the steering and acceleration were lacking too much for me to seriously consider buying one.

blueguydotcom

That they leave me alone. Don't wanna be bothered. Don't want a wave or any communication. shrug...

blueguydotcom

BMW salesmen expect the cars to sell themselves. Theres a lot of competition tho'. And they expect everyone to pay full price, for the car thats fully loiaded. No, ppl buying a 3 are doing so more than likely cuz they cant afford a 5 or a Benz!

1. Good BMW salesmen expect that. No need to hassle people. Let them drive it and they will want it.

2. Nobody but the overly eager pays full price for a 3.

3. C class is just as cheap as a 3. as if MB is now pricey in this segment?

4. The 5 is worthless to many people who want smaller cars.

dewey

"buying a 3 are doing so more than likely cuz they cant afford a 5 or a Benz! "

Unlike the early 1970s, BMWs were bought by individuals who thumbed their noses at conventional luxury and yearned for performance for the sake of performance.

Today a majority of BMW owners bought their car mainly as a status symbol. What a shame!!!

Here and now in 2005 there is a minority who can afford a 5 or a MB350 but prefer a 3 !

Why ?

Because a minority understand that smallness is an advantage for agility and handling. In fact this minority considers the e90 as too large! I am among this minority!

Next year the BMW 1 series will come to the resuce!

div2

Agreed; today most BMW owners think that "trailing throttle oversteer" is a band that used to open for REO Speedwagon... Over on the 5er board I asked if any E60 owners had taken their car to a driving event. The response? 0

arizonajoe

The E90 is the last driver's car left in BMW's lineup - the only car you can get without iDrive and Active Steering. And they even try to offer those on the E90 as options. If current trends continue, BMW will abandon its enthusiast customers and you won't be able to buy one without the worst electronic nuisances in the industry. My jaw still drops at how badly they implement electronics, how badly they understand basic ergonomics, and how incredibly far behind they are from Lexus and Infiniti in those areas. It wouldn't matter but for the fact that they try to force these "aids" on their customers. Their navigation system is just a crime against drivers everywhere.

The E60 owners might be the future - buyers who want a status symbol, and will buy a car with iDrive and live with it just for the the status of owning a BMW.

dl7265

Well in my area there are enough (fil in the blank) that thats true. Unfortunatly. I can say other than M5 I can't say Ive ever seen them try to sell for (over sticker). The same cannot be said for yota, honda, I mean common (adjust to market value) +$2000.00 for a honda ? give me a break. Now thats unscrupulas.

DL

dl7265

I saw a Very Very clean E36 today. The headlight covers were not even fogged....

DL

jayelleseven

You guys ripped me up on the post I had about ppl wanting a 5 or a Benz instead of a 3, where I also included that BMW sales expect the cars to sell themselves. I SHOULD HAVE made myself more clear: SOME ppl wanting a 3 just want 'status' if not they would get the HIGHER series or a Benz. SOME ppl prefer a smaller car but then why does BMW make the 5 or 7, because bigger is better at times! Anyway...

Yes, a C-230 or 320 are affordable if you want a Benz but the AMGs are killer!And yeah, some ppl do prefer a smaller car, (Instead of the 5, but who wouldn't want a 545i ?!) And as for wanting a 3 instead of a 7, MAN, if you can afford a 7 Series, you can have whatever you want, so yeah, why not go with the 3, THEN a 5?? This new 3 is an excellent car, STILL salesman should give better service cuz they expect all the eager buyers to jus be lining up. (Least in my experience) And yeah, if I was to get this car, Id have to get it WELL under MSRP...

saunders

I recently drove the 2006 E90 at the launch in Munich. It took a while for me to apreciate the new body style but it has now grown on me.

The drive is fantastic however, its a lot quieter than the previous model. The steering is fantastic and has no "play", and there is virtualy no roll on the car when hammering it around the sharp German back roads.

Overall I was very impressed, plus the 325i engine has been replaced with the 3.0 at 215hp, sunroof is standard and all this for an mere $1000 price increase. What more could you ask for.

chasscplatz

I agree with you. I just got rid of my 5 and bought a 2006 330 because I thought the 3's were more fun to drive.

ChasSCPlatz

shipo

Speaking strictly for myself, I'm moving from a 5-Series back to the 3-Series. Why? Well, two main reasons really, the first is that I simply cannot get used to the looks of the 5-Series, which I think is significantly uglier than the 7-Series (which I don't really like either), and in another "looks" league entirely from the 3-Series, which I really like. The second reason is that the 5-Series has grown just too large for my tastes, my E39 5-Series was nearly perfect for me in every size category, and while the E90 is a tad shorter, it is otherwise a pretty good match for the E39 size wise.

As a point of reference, other than the 9.8" difference in overall length and the 2.7" difference in wheelbase, the E39 and the E90 vary by less than an inch either way in almost every other published measurement.

Given the current leasing scenarios available, it kind of looks like a 530i is less than $100 per month more expensive for a like equipped E90 330i, with a 545i being only $50 or so per month more than the 530i. All in all, those differences are fairly insignificant, and while I'd love the extra power of a 545i, its and its size just ain't doin' it fer me.

Best Regards,
Shipo

peakpro

FYI,

the sunroof was standard on all 3 series 2005 models as well.

planoml

Have fun

planoml

I second that. If I were to base my purchase on customer service, I would not have bought a BMW in Dallas. I can't speak for other areas. BMW & MB could learn a few things about customer service from other mfg/dealers.

planoml

Where? What color?

jayelleseven

Wow, I guess Im surprised. Bigger isn't always better. In my world, bigger is better, well I like power too. Guess you can't have your cake and eat it too. Yeah some people don't like the 5's looks, or the 7's, I think they look fantastic. The 3 is different but in a good way. Maybe I should lease a 545i, haha. I'll jus wait to test drive a new 3 with manual_

dhanley

I find all the bad experiences weird. I'm a computer guy, and i dress the role: tee-shirt, ratty jeans, gym shoes. But i have never had a problem at a BMW dealer. I went to look at the new 3 at a dealer ( too soon, it was upstairs ) and the saleslady tasked me if i needed any help, i mentioned i was considering euro delivery, she mentioned the savings thereof, and extra price flexibility thereof, and we discussed the logistics of picking up a BMW during oktoberfest in relation to drinking & driving. As i was leaving, the enthusiastic front desk person kept talking to be about how great the new 3 is. But i've always been very well treated at dealers in general. More than once i've been tossed the keys for a test drive, no photo of my id or salesman accompanying me or anything.

I was just driving back from a weekend in wisconsin yesterday, playing a little on hilly back roads, blasting my ipod through my sterio via casette adapter, thinking how bad the sound quality is, and how much better the e90 would handle, and how much better the logic7 would be.

dave

shipo

"...we discussed the logistics of picking up a BMW during oktoberfest in relation to drinking & driving."

I have my own little "Volksfest" story about drinking and driving in Germany.

shipo, "BMW 3-Series Sedans" #2355, 3 May 2001 8:24 pm

Enjoy. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo