BMW 3-Series 2006

corvette

Let me preface this by saying that I haven't driven an E60, but I can not imagine that it is as awful as you guys are implying. Some enthusiasts seem to like the active steering. Yes, it will not handle as well as a 3-series--it can't, due to its weight. Those who want a true mid-size car may be willing to make that trade-off to have the extra room. It's still available with a manual transmission, which adds to the fun factor. I find it hard to believe that it's not at the top of its peer group (STS, RL, GS430, etc.) in road manners. And I do not automatically categorize those who buy a 5-series, X5, or 7-series as snobs.

I would not remove the 5-series from my consideration if I wanted or needed a larger car. I considered a used 5-series (last generation) before ordering my E90, but did not consider the current 5-series because it was out of my price range. I don't foresee that the reduced passenger room in the 3-series (compared to the 5) will be burdensome for me with any regularity. I think that the rear-passenger room in the last-generation 5-series was actually similar to that of the E90 anyway.

moci1972

I have to agree 100%. BMW has done a very bad job with the NAV system, and the iDrive is just.....whats the word.....crap. I'm also not keen on the feeling from the Active Steering - feels too unnatural and heavy. I'm eager to try the M version - I hope with the performance packages and upgrades that they will drop the Active Steering. I think I can live with iDrive - since I'll just use my iPOD for music and skip the half dozen menus on iDrive to change the station.

If anyones looking for video, here is a pretty decent video of the new 3-series:
http://www.cartv.com/content/research/channels/index.cfm/channel/cartv_video/action/showvi- deo/vid/r_0082/vcat/Review

Anna

dhanley

'vette, i have yet to drive the 3, but i did drive a 5 with sport package ( active roll stabilization ) and it was PHENOMENAL! The main knock on it is that the old 3.0L is too weak for it, but the new 3.0L ought to let it win comparisons again.

dave

fedlawman

I must admit that the 3 looks good in the video you linked. Very clean and refined.

I didn't realize the new 3 is so close in size to the E39. My guess is curb weight is close too. The E39 is too big for my tastes/needs.

Again, I'll wait for the 2-series coupe.

jayelleseven

Man, if yall want a coupe, get a Porsche! haha. Anyway, yeah the 5 Series is incredible and the 3s incredible in its own way. BMWs are incredible_

webby1

Dewey,
I believe it not that simple as basic arithmetic....in order to arrive at these suggested prices here are some other factors that impact the price settings for other countries... in this case Canada.
First as we all know the pollution standards are different then USA and other countries.
BMW Canada wanted for whatever cost to keep the 325i under $40,000 Cdn...according to the their marketing gurus that is a pricing barrier for majority BMW purchasers. However, they increased the option packages by approx 20% from 2005 pricing so they get you if you want options. According to BMW Canada they will be going away from low leasing rates i.e.from 3.5 to 7.45% on all 2006 models.
They would rather sell less car rather then saturate the market......do not want to get into same trap as GM.

Also, got a call from my dealer today advising me that the 2006 are in so I can have a look, they were not ready to drive, will drive sometimes this week.
I went to see and was very disappointed.
I do not want to offend anyone who purchased 2006 but I will be keeping my 330i 2004 for a long time.
I really do not like the looks of that car....the inside ( Buick like ) is just as bad.
320i no longer available for 2006 and 1 series will be available next year,,,,according to my sales person
Regards,
Webby

dl7265

And it was Mine . Almost 6 years to the day I picked up my E46 Sport, I took home my E90. So Id like to make a quick comparison. Equipment wise:

E46
hubcaps standard (alloy wheels in packages)
cassette standard (cd extra)
no fog lights (package)
no cruise(again package)
no moonroof( separate or package)
3/36 scheduled maintence
multi function wheel (package)
OBC (extra)
front door airbags
wood trim (extra)
armrest (prem package)

E90
Standard alloys ( no big gaps in fenders as reported)
DSC,DBC,brake drying,and dynamic traction control standard.
3 spoke mutifunction wheel standard
215hp standard
front SEAT airbags
OBC standard
Dual auto climate control standard
ground lighting door handels (Cool)
Wood trim standard
Front and Rear seat head protection
Armrest standard
Rain sensing wipers standard
Rear seats A/C (finally no complaining passengers)
4/50k Full maintence included

Really, I could go on and on but just wanted to relate the incrediable Value in the E90 even in standard form.

As for the drive ? Awsome. Think of getting a E46 330i for 325i money. I am Very happy that I did not (settle) for what ever 330i was left. A few minor things. The vinal sunvisors still have the annoying bag information painted on Grr and 325i has no chrome exhaust tips another small anoyance. As for the size , Honestly I drove a 528i for a month once while waiting on a part, and I don't think theres any comparison in rear sear room regardless of what the number say. If the E46 was too small for you, better think 5 series....

Took several pics, however I still have no clue how to post them.

Webby no offense taken
DL

nab2

When I test drove the E90, one thing that bothered me was that the car starts beeping if you don't put your seatbelt on. It's a real pet peeve when a car tells me what to do. I don't know how long it beeps for because I put the belt on after around 15 seconds. Anyone know if this can be turned off? The manual gives no such option.

psyran

Do not most cars emit an audible if seatbelts are not fastened? (or maybe not). I know all cars at least display some sort of warning light with out the belt being fastened. I always wear seatbelt, so certainly not an issue for me.
psyran

nab2

Well usually if they beep they beep for around 5 seconds right when you start...that is not especially annoying. This one only started beeping when I got to a certain speed and it wouldn't stop.

blueguydotcom

I especially love people who say they won't wear a belt. Well, then you can get out of my car because if we hit anything I don't want your body flying into me like a 180 lbs weight that'll snap my neck in two.

anyone know the one of biggest dangers for a belted person in the front seat? an person in the backseat not wearing a seatbelt.

don't even get me started on people with suvs who keep tools and all manner of heavy objects behind the backseat. nothing like flying metal weapons in an emergency situation...

nab2

blueguy,

In one place I have lived women are not allowed to wear seat belts because it accentuates their chest area. So how's that for silly.

I do not wear my seat belt on short drives around town. I do put it on on the highway. I believe it should be a personal choice and mandatory seatbelt laws are an infringement on our rights. But they are an infringement that people will go along with at this point in time...(just like if you're a smoker, everyone is willing to step on you right now, so I feel bad for you. In both cases insurance industry pressure plays a role).

Anyway, it's not my car manufacturer's business to make me wear my seat belt. So I would like to know if I can make my new E90 shut up about it

shipo

"Anyway, it's not my car manufacturer's business to make me wear my seat belt."

You're right, and neither should it be. Having said that, it SHOULD be the business of the insurance companies. I believe there should be a two-tier fee structure, one for those of us who wear our seat belts (and require all passengers to wear them as well) on each and every drive, and a second (several times more expensive) for those who will not agree to that stipulation.

As a kicker, for those who agree to seat belt usage and are then in an accident without them, their coverage for the personal injury portion of the accident claim is denied.

Why would I take this stance? Well, most folks I know who don't wear their seat belts rationalize not wearing them by telling themselves, "I'm only risking injury to myself, it's not anybody else's business." Bzzzt, I'm sorry, that's incorrect. When someone gets in an accident without belts, the insurance companies will generally be required to pay out WAY more money in medical bills, and that affects ALL of our premiums, not just the owner of the car with the injured beltless occupants. Personally, I'm tired of paying higher premiums because some folks don't want to buckle up. I'm also tired of them getting cheaper rates than they should because I buckle up, and force every passenger in my cars to use seat belts as well.

Please, wear your seat belts, even around town.

Best Regards,
Shipo

dewey

Webby1,

11k is a significant difference. BMW Canada is not passing a fraction of those savings to Canadians! The options game is played not only in Canada but elsewhere. We are not that unique. But if you combine the foreign exchange/option feature on pricing---that is even further proof of how we Canadians get short changed .

Personally I am grateful they are removing some options! There are some options I would pay from my own my money to have removed!

planoml

In one place I have lived women are not allowed to wear seat belts because it accentuates their chest area

that is funny (in a non offensive way). And here we are contemplating the merrits of wearing seat belts. On a lighter note, anyone remember what happened to George's mother in Kramer's car when she wasn't wearing a seat belt.

kyfdx

You can get the chrome exhaust tips.... the 325i in the local showroom has them.... Don't know the price on the E90, but on the E46, they were $17/ea, or $34 total.. figure 0.2 hours of labor, and you could probably get them put on for $60 total, if you didn't want to do it yourself....

Looks good..

joek1

any decent and halfway reliable spy shots (not the one with the front and back ends totally covered)? When do you think it can be ordered? Available for pick-up? :confuse:

kyfdx

'06 3-series coupe will be identical to the '05....

New coupe comes out in '06 as an '07 model..

cicero

nab2: In what place did you live that prohibited women from using a life-saving safety restraint. Sounds like the middle east but that is just a guess.

You are right that it is not the manufactuer's business to make you wear your belt but much effort has gone into to helping people prevent avoidable injury. And the cost has been worth the little annoyance the minority of driver's momentarily experience when being reminded to buckle up. There are of course, the law suits that have moved the industry forward as well. How about safety glass? Don't want that either I suppose! What about freedom to drive against traffic? Don't want to use the turn signals either because it is your personal democratic free choice to turn when and where ever you choose.

Your rationale defies logic and the stats which show that most accidents occur within a 5 mile radius from one's home. A thirty mile an hour collision could have horrible consequences for you if you are not belted in your vehicle. Moreover, if you are not belted in when struck you may also suffer avoidable injury. Personal freedom arguments aside (Do you really equate freedom with not wearing a seat belt? If so, that is just plain silly. Most would equate freedom in greater terms including participatory democracy or at the minimum, the representative form we "practice" in the States). However, you have likely heard all this before and none of the responsive posts are likely to change your mind. Perhaps an accident that results in seatbelt avoidable injury into the steering wheel to you or the child in your car who follows your example or a jettison through the side or front window may change your opinion. I hope it does not come to that.

kyfdx

Feeling don't really matter... In almost every state, wearing a seat-belt is the law.. Along with a lot of other pesky things...

What happens if you are in a minor accident, and lose control of your car, because you aren't belted in? If you get cited, expect your insurance company to drop you, or even attempt to deny your claim.. Not buckling that belt will seem pretty silly then..

regards,
kyfdx

cicero

Yes. Kramer got to use that all too famous move called "Stopping Short!" This allows the driver to run a base or two! The real question is what happened to Kramer when George's father found out that Kramer "used" the move?

dl7265

As an accident investigator , how refreshing to see such a responsible group . I can't say other than a cycle, pedestrian involved where a belt would not have saved the occupants in fatality wrecks Ive worked. At the very least your gonna get a nice black eye from the airbag. If possible we recommend the steering wheel be at least 12" from your nose. With the adjustable column and seats it not a problem for most people.

Back on topic, I noticed this morning after a 14 mile drive home how much brake dust I had :mad: . Can't wait for the axxis pads to become available. Hopefully before I wear myself out cleaning them every day....Also the OBC started out with 465 miles to empty. I checked the tank size(15.9) comes out to 29.3 mpg. Does it allways start out at the highest possible mileage ? and then drop as you drive ?

Regards,
DL

kyfdx

"Does it allways start out at the highest possible mileage ? and then drop as you drive ?"

Well... if you get more than 29.3 MPG, it will go up as you drive...

njmarcy

When will the AWD's be at the dealers? When can they be ordered? and lastly...any knowledge as to the colors NA ..when will they become available?

I am getting one..I want to know what my true choices are from a color standpoint.

thank you all so much!

nj_M

wstevec

The 325xi should be at the dealers by October, it is scheduled for a September production. I have already ordered mine, so you should be able to order yours now by putting down a small deposit ($500) and the colors are the same as the other 2006 3 Series as far as I know. Good Luck!

corvette

***I do not wear my seat belt on short drives around town. I do put it on on the highway. ***

I know a lot of people who say this... Statistically, you are more likely to crash during your short drives around town than on the highway.

njmarcy

Thank you for the time frames.

I know there are new colors this year and would like the opportunity to see them first.

I appreciate your response!

dl7265

Hey, heres hoping My 323i never got close to that kind of mileage. However I can say the 6 speed tranny is huge improvement over the 5 speed I had.

DL

kyfdx

I was just kidding.. We get about 26 MPG on our '03 325i..

But, I notice if I get in the car after my wife has about 100 miles on a tank, the car will show about 290 till empty, or 390 total for the tank.. After I've driven 50-60 miles, the total (miles driven + miles to empty) has risen to 425 or higher...

She drives like a grandma, so I've decided that the car is more efficient when accelerated briskly up to cruising speed... Also, I never use the brakes going around turns.. :surprise:

regards,
kyfdx

bigpapaluke

Wonder if they can make brakes an option on these cars?

No to trail too much off topic, but when I test drove the E90 about 2 weeks ago, I took some corners at about 40 mph without brakes. I also took off the traction control to see if there would be any spin out, and I didn't feel any.

wstevec

Great idea seeing the new colors in person. As I have posted before, I had ordered a Spakling Graphite, but it turned out to be much darker in person, so I changed my order to Arctic.

morrow_rider

You have already ordered yours? Has anybody posted the pricing on the new xi? And what about the confidential wholesale price?
Thanks.

oriente

I purchased a 330i with the European Delivery program, and would like to gain some familiarity with the new car before I pick it up. For some reason, BMW still has not posted the Owner's Manual in their web site. I would appreciate if someone can tell me of a pirated(?) manual that I could download...........Thanks.

buulu

A copy is posted at this link
http://www.e90fanatics.com/pdf/E90_OwnersManual.pdf

shipo

Thanks for the link to the manual. ;-)

I haven't had a chance to study it in depth just yet, however, a few things stand out:

1) iDrive looks fairly easy to master, and offers a lot in return for those who take the time to learn how to use it. I'll probably order it.
2) Contrary to a few things that I've seen written about the E90 (not necessarily here at Edmunds), there IS still a tool kit in the trunk, and there IS also a hood release.
3) There is a misprint regarding the volume of the Windshield Washer reservoir, it says "quarts/liters approx. 1.6/6.0". Errr, I think not.
4) The manual is now 223 pages long. Yikes!

Best Regards,
Shipo

dewey

Congratulations dl7265 for your new E90.

The 29.3mpg on your e90 is almost equivalent to the real world gas mileage of a Hybrid Honda Accord! Not a shabby mpg figure!

In Toronto I have not seen one E90 so far! This Saturday my wife and I are going to a BMW dealership to have our first look at the E90. This will be some kind of Hors d'Oerve party, so there will be no test driving. First day of test driving will be sometime next week!

nyccarguy

My Mom has an E60 530iA (with the dreaded i-Drive). I have only driven the car a few times and have never once had to look in the owner's manual to try and figure out how to use some sort of function that i-Drive controls. I'm not too sure about the E90's interior with i-Drive, but the only thing you absolutely must use i-Drive for is to program the radio station pre-sets and maybe to switch between AM/FM/CD. My Mom is a complete TECHNOPHOBE. She uses the i-Drive just to change back and forth between presets. Climate controls are on the center stack, you can control the radio functions via the steering wheel. I realy don't see what all the magazine editors are bellyaching about. You're very knowledgable whenj it comes to computers and I'm sure you'll have no trouble mastering i-Drive. That said, I really don't see the purpose of it. :P

I believe 49 of our 50 states do have a seat-belt law. New Hampshire with it's "Live Free Or Die" saying does not require adults to wear seat-belts.

Personally I buckle-up before I even start my car up. Click (the seat-belt), Clutch, Turn (the key). It is automatic for me.

To the guy who says he thinks seat-belt laws impede on his personal freedom: When you're lying in a body cast, unconcious, drooling, and peeing through a catheder, because you went flying though your front windshield, please be sure to tell us how annoying the seat-belt chime is.

kdshapiro

It's an unwritten rule that any car journalist has to find a fault with any car. Tag i-drive is it. It's a great thing to be able to program the car the way you like it.

Sure beats bringing it back to the dealer for a $95 charge to change the way the doors lock.

shipo

Yeah, up here in the "Live Free or Die" state of New Hamster, adults can drive sans seat belt, and motorcyclists can ride sans helmet. I guess they weren't kidding about the "...or Die" part of the state slogan. :-/

Me personally, I probably don't always get my seat belt on as quickly as you do, however, I never make it out of my driveway before everybody is buckled up. No belts, no go.

Regarding iDrive, it just seems that there a number of setups and other informational displays that are far more user friendly via iDrive than without. Also, unless I misunderstood, one has far more control over customizing the car for individual drivers with iDrive, and of course none of that takes the Nav portion of the package into account. The fact is that I'm married to someone who is more than a little brilliant when it comes to the business end of the fashion world, however, she has been known to get lost while driving from home to work. For her, I think that Nav is essential.

Best Regards,
Shipo

nab2

I don't want to debate this on an E90 board. Just know that yes, it is a personal freedom issue, even if you think it's trivial. I have a principled stance on what governments should and should not do have the power to do, and seat belt laws are something I'm against. Most of you think that because wearing them is the smart thing to do, it's okay to force others to do it. That's a very slippery slope.

blueguydotcom

Shipo,

I've messed around with my bro-in-law's 7 and his iDrive (the dreaded original version) was cake to figure out. I think that people want a reason to nitpick, so they choose something that's an easy target (and one that's really easy for technophobes to latch onto).

shipo

Sorry babe, I'm thinking that you're going to be the lone voice in the crowd on this one. The fact remains that driving is not a right, it's a privilege, and there are rules surrounding said privilege. If you don't agree with the rules, then maybe you shouldn't be allowed to drive. It is a simple fact of life that people who don't buckle up become a cost burden for those of us who do. Do you feel like reimbursing the rest of us the extra cost for our car insurance that is directly attributable to unbelted drivers and passengers? No, of course you don’t.

Like it or not, the E90, along with probably every other new car sold in North America has a seat belt warning of some sort or another, and personally, I don't think that it's enough. I think that BMW should implement an ignition interlock system that will not allow the car to start unless the driver A) passes a sobriety check, and all vehicle occupants are buckled up. I know that such systems have been developed by BMW and other manufacturers, and I suspect that it is only a matter of time before the cultural climate allows their integration into new cars.

Best Regards,
Shipo

corvette

Are the sobriety checkers ambient, or do they require blowing into a tube, like a brethalyzer? I just ate two garden-fresh green onions, I think my breath would cause either one to go into electronic fits...

shipo

Hehe, we finished dinner a few hours ago. The main course was a Pepperoni, Mushroom and Roasted Garlic (as in dozens of whole cloves scattered all over the place) pizza. Apoplectic shock might well result if I was to blow into the tube of any electronic breathalyzer right about now. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

bmwfan2

I went a local dealership to check on the car. I like leather but they only have the premium package which i don't want to pay for the extra BMW assist. I sat on an X5 with leatherette which actually looks and feels good.

Anyone's experienced with BMW leatherette regarding long-term durability and look? I can't seem to find a discussion link on this.

Thanks.

njmarcy

Good morning........

Does anyone know when the new colors will be (Sonora, Ultramarine Blue, etc)?
thank you!
Marcy

:confuse:

mbojilov

I drove the E90 last week (unfortunately they did not have a manual). I agree with you saunders on the quieteness relative to the previous version (not so much in regards to engine or road noise, but especially in relation to wind noise); however, at least in the car I drove, the steering is definitely not "fantastic" and it does have "play", which is absent in my 2003 car. There is a definitely at least a quarter of an inch (if not a third of an inch) of movement in the steering wheel that causes no reaction or change in direction. The overall fsteering eedback is also inferior to that of my car.

I will share more detailed assessment of my test drive in a later post, but just wanted to disagree with you here on the steering.

sedmund

I had an E36 with leatherette and it was fine except that oddly enough a faint coloration (especially a green tint) started after about a year and kept developing on the driver seat. I used to scrub it with some cleaner and a white cloth periodically - once in 2 months, but it kept coming back. Couldn't figure out what it was, but the next car which I have had for much longer, has leather seats and it never developed any such coloration what so ever (so I guess it wasn't me ;-)

bimmer4me3

The new colors are available starting with the cars going into production in September. FYI, Ultramarine Blue has been dropped and is being replaced with Mystic Blue....at least that's what I've heard/read numerous times.

nab2

The rules should only extend as far as your driving performance and no further. Wearing a seat belt has no more impact on your driving performance than wearing a clown nose, and comparing it to not using turn signals, etc. is complete nonsense. That's one.

Two, if you don't like the way insurance companies categorize their customers, the solution is not to pass laws forcing all customers into one category. If you want lower rates in exchange for signing a contract to always wear your seat belt, go ahead and do that. The solution can be completely voluntary.

In the end, I'm telling you, it's a slippery slope. When cars don't start if you're not wearing seat belts, have cutoffs at 65 mph, don't start without a breathalizer test, and start beeping and buzzing any time you take one of your hands off the steering wheel for longer than it takes to shift, you and your insurance companies will be happy. Everyone else won't. And this goes for any activity where they force you to do things like that. Helmet on my bicycle? Bugger off. Life jacket in my canoe? I can swim and the water's 5 feet deep, bugger off.