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| 2006 Bmw 3-series Review | |||
| Whether you're about to spend $40K on a brand new car, or half that on a used car, it is always important to learn as much as you can about the used car. Read these car reviews to learn about all aspects of the vehicle. Each of the usedcar reviews cover interior and exterior features, options, road tests, and more. | |||
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Introduction
| Road Test
| Inside & Out
| Other Thoughts
| Last Word
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| Other Thoughts | |||
Someone keeps rearranging the introduction order for this prolific car line. Back in 1992, the sedan and coupe came first, the convertible two years later, and the M3 a year after that. 1999 saw the sedan first, the coupe / convertible / wagon the next year, and the M3 and all-wheel-drive cars the third year. Here in 2006, the sedan and wagon bow together, with all-wheel-drive optional right away (and mandatory on the wagon); the coupe and convertible come next year and might drag the new 400-horsepower M3 with it. For the moment, that leaves five models: - 325i (215 HP, rear-drive) - 325xi (215 HP, AWD) - 325xi wagon (215 HP, AWD) - 330i (255 HP, rear-drive) - 330xi (255 HP, AWD) The 325i now kicks off at $32,070, a jump from last year's $29,995. Automatic transmissions run $1,275 everywhere, all-wheel-drive costs $1,900 above rear-drivers, and the wagon stands $1,800 above the sedan. The stiffie is the 330 models costing $5,700 above the 325 models, although the better seats, bigger wheels, xenon lights, and Logic7 stereo count for about half the total. There exist three big option packages, starting with a Cold Weather Package that adds 3-stage heated front seats, folding rear seats (already on wagons), headlight washers (already on AWD models), and a ski bag on the wagon. $1,000 on 325i/330i, $850 on 325xi/330xi, $600 on wagon. Next up is the Sport Package, adding a sport steering wheel, more seat adjustments, a sport suspension (only to the rear-drive 325/330i sedans), and - you'll want to re-read this - 17x8-inch wheels to the wagon and 325xi/330xi sedans, 17x8 (front) and 17x8.5 (rear) wheels to the 325i, and 18x8 (front) and 18x8.5 (rear) to the 330i. $1,600 on 325i/330i, $1,200 on 325xi sedan and wagon, $900 on 330xi. Last is a Premium Package that adds leather, power seats (already on 330 models) with power lumbar support, garage door opener, power folding mirrors, and BMW Assist with Bluetooth wireless technology (it helps track down a stolen car, summons help in a crash, and puts a little "SOS" button on the ceiling so you can talk to a voice on the line and do so yourself). $2,900 on all 325 models, $2,200 on all 330 models. Many of those can be bought as stand-alone options; other items include Active Steering on rear-drive models for $1,250 (the car turns quicker with less input at low speeds), Adaptive Cruise Control for $2,200 (follows the car ahead by a preset distance), the navigation+iDrive bundle for $2,000, Comfort Access keyless entry for $500, Park Distance Control for $350, Sirius satellite radio for $595, the Logic7 stereo for $1,200 (325 models), xenon headlights for $800 (325 models), power rear sunshade for $575 (330 models), and don't forget $475 to paint the car in 9 of its 12 available colors. Crossing 40 grand is not hard. The majority will probably want - and get by just fine with - an automatic 325i sedan in a nice color, which runs $33,345. Things were simpler the last time the 3-series was new. All you had to do was shrug off the Audi A4, then laugh at the price Mercedes was asking for its inferior C-class, and drive home in your new Bimmer with no regrets. In the interim, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar, Infiniti, Cadillac, Saab, and Acura (count em: seven!) have all taken stabs at overthrowing the 3-series, and the two Germans have gotten faster and better. With such an ample assortment, what's a small sports sedan shopper to do? For those who don't know what they want in a car, that's quite a predicament. Some of those cars excel in ways the 3-series cannot, like space, speed, luxury, and reliability (Infiniti G35, I'm looking in your direction). But for those who buy BMWs for the reason they're built - driving - the elimination process is as easy as before. Who cares if everyone's been taking shots at the 3? Take a few test drives and you'll realize something: they all missed. |
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