BMW 3-Series 2006

kdshapiro

It will be very significant year. Lots of great BMW choices.

307web

Most info indicates it is to be released in "Calendar Year" 2005, but will be considered a 2006 model and there will be a short run of E46 3 Series sedans built at least until spring 2005, if not later.

kyfdx

It will definitely be a 2006 model.. That letter is from the CEO of BMW North America.. I'd go with that info, over any other.

307web

I think you were trying to say 2005. Anyway, even if you are to believe that the letter is legitimate and unedited, it does not say the "model year." It says the car will come out during the year 2005 (which does not automatically mean it will be considered a 2005 model).
If it were to be a 2005 model in the US being released in the next few months, dealers would likely be able to take orders by now.

planoml

One of the pictures shows the back with rear ac vents. This may be a deal-maker for me. I was considering buying an 04 because of the body style. The engine improvements & the rear vents (big deal to me) is making me think hard.

As a side note, I visited a local Dallas dealer this weekend. The salesman informed me (incorrectly) that the new 3 would not be out till 2006. If he had only looked at past revisions he would have realized that it was due out in 2005 as a 2006 model. I will not be buying from there.

kyfdx

No.. I wasn't trying to say it will be a 2005 model... I said it will be a 2006 model, as that is the title of this discussion. And, the letter came directly from a BMW dealer, and I have no doubts about its legitimacy.. However, you will just have to take my word for it, as you are getting the info third hand.. The 2005 3-series is already being built as we speak.. Virtually no changes from 2004.

regards,
kyfdx

wstevec

The brochure (not in English-sorry to say) for the 2005/2006 3 Series is available for download on the autospies site. With all of the uncertainty about its release in the U.S. it seems that the redesign will be available in Europe as a 2005 and in the U.S. as a 2006, WHEN??? Is the big question, but why would someone buy an unchanged 2005 when the redesigned 2006 is right around the corner which will have its standard engine increased from 186 to 215 hp on the 325 and to around 255 on the 330? Just my .02 worth.

shipo

Well, maybe for the same reason that I bought my 2002 530i when I could have easily kept my 1999 328i and waited for the 2004 E60 5-Series. And what might my reasoning for that have been? Simple, I hated the new car.

While I personally like the looks of the new E90, I can see how some folks might not. That and there might well be some awsome deals to clear out the remaining 2005 E46's just prior to the launch of the E90 as there were with the last of the E39s just prior to the introduction of the E60.

Best Regards,
Shipo

307web

Actually, I was agreeing with that. It looked like you were saying earlier that the all-new model was about to be released in the US as a 2005 model.

bmwmrc1

the new overall length of the new 3 series? The look is very nice. I think it's evolutionary rather than revolutionary. I wish the E60 looked more liked this car.

It seems as if they're listening at BMW. Thank god.

jrock65

Current 3 vs. new 3

Length: 176" vs. 178"
Width: 68.5" vs. 71.5"
Height: 55.7" vs. 56.1"
Wheelbase: 107.3" vs. 108.7"

shipo

Dimentions are as follows:

Length: 178" or 14' 10"
Width: 71.5" or 5' 11.5"
Height: 56.1" or 4' 8.1"
Wheel Base: 108.7" or 9' 0.7"
Front Track: 59.1" or 4' 11.1"
Rear Track: 59.6" or 4' 11.6"

I hope this helps. ;-)

FWIW, I also noticed that the new E90 330i weighs in at 3,355 lbs. (about 70 lbs. more than the E46 330i), however, with an estimated U.S. Spec. output of 252 HP (vs. 225 for the current model and 235 for the ZHP) the new car should be something of a performer. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

shipo

I see that jrock65 beat me to the punch. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

planoml

Understanding that the Euro release is late this year (05 model), & the US late next year (06 model); can one get a "US spec" ED car late this year? The answer probably is that the ED cars will come off the same line as those being shipped to the US, but I wanted to be absolutely sure.

kyfdx

It has been guessed that part of the 3 extra inches in width is due to the design of the side mirrors.. That the actual outside dimension with mirrors off will not be nearly as big a difference.

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx

US models are different from Europe... I can't imagine how you could get ED on a US model before they are making them for export. You MIGHT be able to take ED before the first stock hits the streets in the US, though. Of course, you won't get it back here before they show up.

regards,
kyfdx

kyfdx

I agree with shipo.. some people just won't want the new one... but, this happens with every model change. What are they supposed to do, not sell any '05 model 3-series?

shipo

The 71.5" width that JRock65 and I posted above is the width of the sheet metal sans mirrors. By "eyeballing" the line drawing of the car, I'd guess that the mirrors add at least another 8 to 10 inches of total width. My hope is that this width translates to a wider cabin and a wider track (it does, I just looked it up, but only by 1.5").

Best Regards,
Shipo

kyfdx

3 inches wider is significant, unless they use it all to get that concave sheet metal on the sides.. For us, we went with the 3-series because it was smaller. We liked the sporty car feel... The one disappointment I have with the new body styles from BMW is the dash.. I can't understand why they wanted to get away from the "cockpit" look.

regards,
kyfdx

wstevec

It would have made life easier (at least for me) if they just released the new design as a 2005, however, BMW might feel that they can cause more buzz (demand) if they release it early in 2005 as a 2006 like many manufacutures are doing. Can someone tell me when BMW released the redesigned 5 series this year? It might guess us a hint when the 2006 3 Series might be available. Thanks

blueguydotcom

Good grief, as if it matters that much. assume after march of 2005 as it still needs to be paraded around car shows and if it comes later, no big deal.

bmwmrc1

Thanks guys. I had heard and read that BMW was going to make the car around 180 inches long and the width you all mentioned, so it has more back seat legroom and competes size-wise more favorably with the other competitors from Germany and Japan.

sunilb

The one disappointment I have with the new body styles from BMW is the dash.. I can't understand why they wanted to get away from the "cockpit" look.

'It's all about the benjamins'... they can save money by making one dash that is usable across different geographies (right-hand drive vs. left-hand drive).

rfrith

This may have already been posted but I'm hearing that dealers are being told that the 2005 3 Series will be a short run of only a few months and that the new E90 would be available perhaps as early as late March, 2005.

wstevec

In spite of what some people including BMW are claiming, you might be right especially since the competition like Audi plans to have their updated A4 ready to go in Feb. as a 2005.5. It has also been posted that BMW might unveil the 2006 3 Series this Fall at the Paris Auto show.

kyfdx

June 1, 2004

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

2005 will be a very significant year for everyone associated with
BMW–it will be the year of the new 3 Series. The new model will be
previewed for the public at the Geneva Auto Show in March, and we
are planning a National Dealer Meeting, including a driving
experience, late April in Miami.

BMW has traditionally conducted a one-day national dealer meeting
when there is a time gap between model introduction meetings. We
considered having such a meeting in November or December of this
year, but feel it will be more practical in these times of spirited
competition and “too many meetings” to use other types of
communications to keep you up to date on business developments
between now and the 3 Series introduction. Additional time at
home preparing for the holidays is always welcomed.

Yours sincerely,

Tom Purves

BMWNA
Chairman & CEO

blueguydotcom

BMW will want the salespeople to have had experience with the new car. They're not gonna dump the e90 (the most important car in BMW's line) on lots before salespeople know it inside and out.

motowneer

This memo is dated and was written well before events have more than likely prompted BMW to pull forward plans to unveil the new 3-Series.

kyfdx

I disagree... it is ten weeks old.. And, it is written by BMWNA to their sales force, not to the public.

AND, I've seen nothing in the last ten weeks that is any more than idle speculation.. not one word from anyone with a connection to BMW. A lot of people just like you and me saying maybe this, or maybe that.. This letter is still the latest info out that has any "official" word at all.

I agree.. things can change.. but, I've seen nothing more than idle chatter since then.. And a leaked Czech brochure on the 3-series.

regards,
kyfdx

scotth6

The latest AutoWeek had a full report on the new 3 including the Brochure on their web site. The new Magnesium block 330 will have 258 horsepower.
If you look at the brochure you will see iDrive.
I just read that the new M3 for 2006 will have SMG and there was no meantion of a 6 speed manual which would follow the trend of the M5. I would love a 400HP V8 but I won't give up my 2003 M3 because I love a manual, guess I'll get a new 2005 and keep it a long time.

gordonwd

Styling opinions are always subjective, but how can anyone expect that every restyling of a car will always be "better" than the previous design? Looking at the '06 pics in Autoweek, I am certain that I made the right decision to buy my '04 325i since it just looks so "right" to me.

I went through this previously with BMW motorcycles. I owned an '83 R100RS, which I thought and still think was one of the best styled cycles I've ever seen. I sold it to get a '97 R1100RT mainly for technical reasons (fuel injection, ABS brakes, etc.), but I never really bonded with the new bike. I saw an old RS parked somewhere the other day and almost tried to find the owner and ask him what he wanted for it.

The E46 came out about a year after I bought my Audi A4, and they continued to catch my eye from then on. So when I started thinking about a new car, I decided that the E46 was what attracted me to the 3-series and it could be a mistake to wait for the new car simply because it will be new. I think I made the right decision (for me!).

BTW, I also really liked the styling of my '98 A4, didn't really care for the '01 restyle, and like the next generation styling even less.

hcramer

I heard a rumor that the first 2006 vehicles released were not going to have all wheel drive. Has anyone heard any information regarding this?

wstevec

An interesting article from the EVO site. Perhaps BMW might have to re-think its lax plans for releasing the redesigned 2006 3 series.
"Audi UK boss, Kevin Rose, as he revealed a revised A4 will be in showrooms in November.
UK boss, Kevin Rose, as he revealed a revised A4 will be in showrooms in November.

The launch is 12 months earlier than originally planned, and it's been brought forward because the nerves are jangling at Audi - the move is aimed squarely at upstaging the forthcoming all-new 3-Series. "Beating BMW on volume, image and customer satisfaction are all part of our mission statement," Rose added."

blueguydotcom

"Beating BMW on volume, image and customer satisfaction are all part of our mission statement," Rose added."

That's funny. Best of luck.

kdshapiro

That's noble. They are going after the wrong party, the quote should read:

"Beating Lexus on volume, image and customer satisfaction are all part of our mission statement," Rose added."

m4d_cow

anybody got the pics of the new A4???

kd- well audis are getting there, and its sales are starting to compete for sure

blueguydotcom

Getting where? more unreliable? less powerful?

bmwccc

Hey guys, i saved this video 3 or 4 months ago. Now I am looking at it again and comparing the body style of the video to the body style of the brochure that has been recently released.

Let me know what you guys think. Looks pretty similar except the door panels.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/video_gallery/video.php?id=38053

saugatak

lot more conservative than the 5 that's for sure. it's good that bangle toned down the slab sides. In the 5, the way too big slab sides made the 5 look from certain angles like a chimpmunk with its cheeks stuffed with nuts.

m4d_cow

the way too big slab sides made the 5 look from certain angles like a chimpmunk with its cheeks stuffed with nuts.

yet the new 3 looks just as bad, those creases on the sides is just plain terrible, and the rear end is even worse than the new 5, reminds me of honda or nissans rear end
but the front end's design is ok

kdshapiro

You think? I really like the looks - clean, athletic, ready to pounce. No fat so to speak, unmistakeabley Bangle (good thing), a cross between the old E46 and the new. You know it'll mean business with the 333hp turbo. I'll even take it with idrive to go, but no NAV.

Me, I'll leave the chipmunks for the Japanese designers.

307web

http://news.com.com/BMW+puts+iPod+in+driver%27s+seat/2100-1041_3-- 5341081.html?tag=nefd.top

This is not just the glove compartment adaptor that has been out for months.
BMW will start making some BMW 3 Series with actual iPod controls built into the steering wheel soon.

gordonwd

The "BMW Magazine" that I received this week pretty much shot down the turbo rumors. The article says that horsepower can be increased through turbocharging or through increased revs, and BMW has the know-how to make the hi-rev approach work, mainly because they have the transmissions that can handle it. It looks like SMG will be the wave of the future, as a 7-speed SMG is mentioned for an upcoming M-series.

I think it's agreed that 6 speeds is about as many as is practical with a regular manual trans (how would you find the gates on a 7 or 8-speed?), so as the engines rev higher and require more gears to stay on the power curve, SMG-style trannies are the only way to do it.

BTW, does everyone on this forum get these BMW publications? They are pretty nice, and a sight better than the similar ones that I used to get from Audi.

kyfdx

I bought mine used.. Want to mail me yours after you are done? LOL

kenw1

German magazine Auto-Motor-und-Sport has just posted excellent exterior/interior photos of the new 3-series. Click here to see the pics:

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/d/65520

They also have a pretty comprehensive article (in German) - go to the home page and check it out.

I don't read German, but I note that their headline does not say anything about "2006", but only "new" 3er. Does this mean we may get it by the end of this year or early in 2005?

kenw1

German magazine Auto-Motor-und-Sport has just posted excellent exterior/interior photos of the new 3-series. Click here to see the pics:

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/d/65520

They also have a pretty comprehensive article (in German) - go to the home page and check it out.

I don't read German, but I note that their headline does not say anything about "2006", but only "new" 3er. Does this mean we may get it by the end of this year or early in 2005?

kyfdx

Has been updated with the new 2005 models.. Not the E90!! I think we are still looking at next summer at least for that one.

kenw1

Those exterior photos sure look like they have der Bangle's touch, and look completely different from the 2004.

BTW, looking more closely at the German text, it seems to say it is the "2005", but that could just mean they are going on sale in 2005. Can someone who reads German help out?

kdshapiro

That's not the take I got. The interview said specifically for the M models.

307web

It could just mean they are going on sale in calendar year 2005 or they could be 2005 models IN EUROPE.
We know already that they will be considered 2006s in USA, but it's possible that it could be different in Europe.