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BMW 3-Series 2006
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Thanks.
March
Official 3 Series Sport Wagon photos to be released March 21
US Auto Show Debut - New York March 23
Official 3 Series Sedan Pricing to be announced March 23
Denver Auto Show March 30
April
Atlanta Auto Show April 8
Dallas Auto Show April 12
May
3 Series Sedan Demos arrive at BMW Centers Late April
Official Retail Launch Date - MAY 6... :-)
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1. I know the g35 is faster on paper but it sure does not feel faster. I guess it has to do with the overall size of the car. But the BMW simply felt like it had more pop.
2. I do admit the G has the bimmer beat in some areas. Back seat, stereo, and you can even argue it has a more modern look.
3. But I am here to tell you that everything people say about BMW's is absolutely correct. The biggest difference for me was behind the wheel and the connection you have with your surroundings and the road. It is truly amazing to me.
So in conclusion I decided to stay in my 2003 330i and wait to see the 06 3-series.
The funniest thing to me was I walked away thinking that it is either a BMW or it is not. And I will look again in time at the g35 and the new lexus IS but in the end I believe that if I do not get a BMW I am going to load up a Honda Accord and be Mr. family guy.
Really whats the difference, because if you want the best, get it. Sports sedan-BMW, family sedan - Honda... eom
Now I'm not mechanic by far but if I recall correctly the Motor Trend article states that the difference btwn the 2 is a different intake and more aggressive software on the 330, so what is to stop a tuner such as Dinan from offering a software and intake upgrade for the 325 for a few grand less than the cost of a 330?
trying to figure money invested
Not much other info... but, all that will come out on March 23rd, I think..
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Audio System:
325i: Upgraded BMW audio system
325i: Logic7 Surround Sound audio system (Optional)
330i: Logic7 Surround Sound audio system
Transmission:
325i: 6-Speed Manual
325i: 6-Speed Steptronic (Optional)
330i: 6-Speed Manual
330i: 6-Speed Steptronic (Optional)
330i: 6-Speed SMG (Optional)
Wheels and Tires:
325i: 16x7.0 Style 156 wheels & 205/55 R16 All-Season Run-Flat tires
325i: 17x8.0 Style 161 wheels & 225/45 R17 Performance Run-Flat tires (Front Sport Package)
325i: 17x8.5 Style 161 wheels & 255/40 R17 Performance Run-Flat tires (Rear Sport Package)
330i: 17x8.0 Style 159 wheels & 225/45 R17 All-Season Run-Flat tires
330i: 18x8.0 Style 162 wheels & 225/40 R17 Performance Run-Flat tires (Front Sport Package)
330i: 18x8.5 Style 162 wheels & 255/35 R17 Performance Run-Flat tires (Rear Sport Package)
Headlights:
325i: Halogen high and low beam headlights
325i: Xenon high and low beam headlights (Optional)
330i: Xenon high and low beam headlights
Seating:
325i: 8-way manual front seats (includes 2-way headrest)
325i: 8-way power front seats with 2-way manual headrest and driver memory for exterior mirrors and seat position (optional)
325i: 12-way manual front sport seats (Sport Package)
325i: 8-way power front sport seats with adjustable back bolsters, 2-way manual headrests and thigh support; driver memory for exterior mirrors and seat postion (Premium Package & Sport Package)
330i: 8-way power front seats with 2-way manual headrest and driver memory for exterior mirrors and seat position
330i: 8-way power front sport seats with adjustable back bolsters, 2-way manual headrests and thigh support; driver memory for exterior mirrors and seat postion (Sport Package)
In addition, traditionally the 3-Series has come with larger/more capable brakes and a stronger transmission on the model with the more powerful engine. This may not be the case with the E90, I wouldn't bet against it.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Best Regards,
Shipo
There seems to be a perception that once the new IS comes out that it will be the end of the 3 series. The impression I get is that this is not a theory, but an eventuality. Some of the responses are almost gleeful at the demise of BMW.
There is speculation regarding a new Lexus 3.5L that will come out and demolish the BMW 3L, but this new engine may not appear initially but eventually perhaps when the speculated 3.5L from BMW is released.
Not to start a “versus” conversation, but there does seem to be a great deal of “BMW envy”. I see BMW mentioned there almost as much as I do here.
I can’t recall the last time there was an in-depth discussion about an IS here; perhaps everybody knows the BMW is superior (to date) and consider it insignificant.
I’ve “sat” in the previous (or current) IS300 and thought it was ok, but that is as far as my interests went.
FWIW
FWIW, when the original IS came out, the same noise was heard from the Lexus camp, and to the best of my knowledge, the 3-Series is still thriving. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
3-4% off MSRP....the dealer would be crazy to give you that at this time.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Absoulutely correct! I managed to only get a 3% discount on my 99 323i during August 1998. That 3% is nothing to boast about, but when I placed the order there was a 3 month waiting list.
Dont let a BMW sales rep make you feel like his doing you a real big favor by allocating you on a waiting list at full MSRP . Dont feel awkward about asking for a discount.
DL
DL
A bit of background; back in 1998 when both Frank and I were looking to replace our then current mounts (mine was a 1995 VR6 Passat GLX 5-Speed), we were both looking to get a 1999 Passat GLX 5-Speed, however, VWoA in their infinite wisdom cancelled the manual transmission for that model year (after offering it in 1998 and again in 2000 (I think)). He and I were both incensed, so much so that I wrote letters to both VWoA and VW in Germany, to no avail. :-/
Given that I've never learned to drive an automatic transmission (that's a joke son), I was forced to look further a field. When I inquired about the new E46 328i at my local BMW dealership I was shocked to find that the monthly lease price was something like $10 more per month in spite of the ~$8,000 price difference! When I pointed this out in a post here in the TownHall, Frank immediately shifted his sights to the E46, and in the end, procured one as well. ;-)
Interestingly enough, VWoA is at it again. The next generation (B6?) Passat GLX (or whatever the high end model will be called) will once again not be available with three pedals when it reached our shores sometime later this year. What's up with that?
Best Regards,
Shipo
I am shocked that Audi is shooting themselves in the foot by taking away their mannual in the A6 and the new A4 (specifically the 3.2L). That's why the new E90 is rapidly becoming more attractive to me and has become my number one target to get.
In the mid 1980s there was a period where the only 5-Series available here in the U.S. was the anemic 525e, which, if I remember correctly, was a low HP peak, high torque (relatively speaking) motor, and not too much fun to drive. BMW finally got the message that the "e" motors were not very well received by the enthusiast crowd (although another friend of mine (who considered himself an enthusiast) with a 325e was very proud of his), so they started offering the 533i, with an honest to God, high revving BMW motor in it (I am giving BMW the benefit of the doubt, thinking that maybe some old Rambler I6 motors were put in the "e" cars by accident ;-)).
I was on a business trip to Los Angeles shortly after the 533i was released, and much to my delight, a friend of mine who I had made lunch plans with, showed up in his brand spanking new Black/Black 533i 5-Speed. This car was fully decked out with every other option that BMW offered on said car, and when I came out of my clients' office, he simply tossed me the keys and said, "Let's go!" Needless to say, "Away we went". I drove up to the "Valley" and then down Mulholland Highway into the town of Malibu. Wow, what a great car that was, easily as great as the 525e was mediocre.
Once in Malibu, we found the restaurant that he wanted to take me to, and as we were turning into the parking lot, there, right in front of us was another brand new Black 5er, however, this one was a 525e (further examination revealed this to be a 525eA). The lady driving said 525e parked, and I parked right next to her, and as we were all getting out of our cars, she looked over at me with a very haughty, disapproving look, deliberately walked past the 533i giving it a quick once over in the process, turned to me and said, "[Sniff!] Couldn't you afford the Automatic?" My friend and I were so stunned that all we could do was laugh at her, so hard in fact that we almost fell to the ground. Wow did my stomach and smile muscles hurt after that.
Anyway, long story short, if the auto manufacturers make the manual transmission an extra cost option, then folks couldn’t say "Yep, I got her fully loaded, every option", unless they popped for the third pedal as well.
Best Regards,
Shipo
A friend of mine bought an 87 325e for his wife (it only said 325 on the rear.. that is how maligned the "e" had become, by that time), with the automatic.. Even though it had the handling of a BMW, it was worse than anemic.. I had a girlfriend with a '79 320i, 4-cyl, 5-speed, and it could dust that 325e with the automatic..
I always told my friend that the motor in his wife's BMW was outsourced to Allis-Chalmers..
regards,
kyfdx
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"I always told my friend that the motor in his wife's BMW was outsourced to Allis-Chalmers."
Hmmm, I didn't know that Allis-Chalmers built engines for Ramblers. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Pricing-You guys are probably right about the discounts available to clever shoppers. If you work at it, it should be possible. I am probably lazy.
Really... this is the funniest thing I've read all day...
Then again, maybe it isn't...
I'll lay odds that you aren't married.. ;-)
regards,
kyfdx
(who agrees with you wholeheartedly)
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Her, "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Which models come with a stick shift?" Honestly, that was the very first question she asked me.
Me, "Errr, well, to the best of my knowledge, none that are big enough for what we need."
Her, "Well then I'm not driving it, you are."
Me, "Sweetie, I have a two hour commute through NYC traffic everyday, you have a five minute commute to the train. There is no way I'm driving a slush box for two hours every day."
And that was that. We didn't revisit the topic for another year, until it became obvious to her that a minivan, even with an automatic, was an absolute necessity.
Best Regards,
Shipo
In fact second most contentious debate. First one is how I surf TV channels during my wife's prescence.
Given Audi's lukewarm support (and waning) of those of us who like to stir our own, I find myself wondering how long it will be before an Audi dealership somewhere lacks even a single technician that can drive a stick let alone work on one (not that they need much work).
Best Regards,
Shipo
Growing up in my household my parents had very clear lines drawn regarding the cars. My mom always had a convertible or sports car and dad always had sedans/big trucks and his show cars. They'd drive each others cars but would readily admit, "god this car is horrible." when talking about the other's cars.
I have feeling it'll be the same in my household one day. She can drive anything she wants but don't expect me to like it. Not that it should matter.
(if you need a manual v automatic discussion re-opened, give us a shout)
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I am sure you already know this but the 2006 version of the B7 ( A4 )will have the manual option as well as the S-Line package in summer of 2005.
IMO, shoppers will have a nice choice between BMW and Audi for both manual or auto options if they can wait until Aug/Sept.
The other evening waiting on my salesperson I walked the entire lot and back lot pining to see one manual 325 or 330! Finally I located a Jet black/Sand leather Sport 325i.Now what important about this is one of the larger BMW centers in Dallas and nationally high sales numbers I understand. And.. I was told they were having trouble moving it....
To stay on Topic my 1st BMW ride(not ownership) was a 635CSI I was sold on the Ultimate Driving Experience My opinion as an accident investigator is Manual driver stay focused more on the road and are more safe.I mentioned on one thread about a guy eating a Chicken Fried Steak on a plate at a Red light..
DL
DL
Rear headroom is down 0.3"
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On topic-Got the brochure yesterday. The E90 is beautiful in Sparkling Graphite. I'm going with that, now I just have to figure out if it's a 325 or 330. Why is it that everyone has a copy of the April Motor Trend, but my copy hasn't arrived yet
1999 E46 328i Headroom: (Fr) 38.4" (Rr) 37.5"
2005 E46 330i Headroom: (Fr) 37.0" (Rr) 37.4"
2006 E90 330i Headroom: (Fr) 37.4" (Rr) 37.1"
After thinking about this further I seem to remember someone mentioning that the E46 now comes standard with a moon roof whereas my 1999 did not (but I did order one). Yes, no? If that is the case, my bet is that the headroom measurement reflects the car in base trim, and that means that the E90 does in fact offer an extra 0.4" of head room compared to my 328i.
Errr, did that make any sense? I think it's time for another cup of Oolong. ;-)
Best Regards
Shipo
Have you seen the 3/1/05 pdf press release? A lot of good info in there.. It is amazing the number of changes that have been made.. Or maybe it isn't, since it is the first redesign in 7 years...
regards,
kyfdx
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Best Regards,
Shipo