2006 BMW 3 Series Review

Specifications

Mr. Bimmer, I Think Im in Love

Its very rare that I become emotionally attached to a car. In fact, the concept seems quite bizarre, but once in a while it happens. Its much like meeting someone abroad, instantly connecting with them, spending as much time together as possible, knowing all along that your hours are limited, and then leaving for home, saddened but nevertheless glad you had the opportunity to get to know one another. This was much like my short-lived relationship with a strapping German import: the BMW 330i. From the minute I first sat in the form-fitting seats and turned over the smooth-revving 3.0L engine to the constant whispering of sweet nothings from the exhaust throughout our weeklong sojourn, I was captivated by the revamped 3-series physically and emotionally.

Physically speaking, I love what BMW has done with its new styling. While some enthusiasts arent thrilled (and there will always be some), I am. Granted its not the most exciting looking sport sedan on the market, but I am extremely drawn to its curvaceously angled body and eye-catching waistline, flawless fascias and sleek profile. Its sassy yet sophisticated all in one package, not only pleasing on the eyes but also pleasing to the senses.

As I mentioned above, the 330i feels great. The first physical attraction I experienced was when sitting in its Lemon Dakota colored soft leather seats. Not only does its Monaco Blue Metallic exterior fuse impeccably with the unique interior motif, but it just feels good to get sucked into the hip-hugging sport seats. Furthermore, the optional lumbar support, part of the $2,200 premium package affixed to my tester, supported my back and kept me comfortable during the entire test period - not to mention the three-level seat warmers that helped me warm up to the sultry sedan even more.

As taken as I was by aesthetics and tactile wonders, what I liked most was the experience from behind the wheel. This is normally the case when I drive a BMW, or a MINI for that matter. I just felt like the drivers seat of this vehicle is where I belonged. Mind you, I might be willing to swap allegiances for the upcoming 3-Series coupe or, better yet, M3, but Ill wait and see.

From the sturdy yet soft grip of the leather-wrapped steering wheel, enhanced with a variable-ratio, power-assisted “active” rack and pinion setup, to the stern but sporty shift quality of the standard 6-speed manual transmission, I was completely taken in. The clutch tension was stiff yet manageable, while driving in the city, and on the highway, it felt like the world was my racetrack; other than the fun-sapping speed limits!

The 330is handling in tight turns - thanks to front double pivot struts and a rear 5-link independent setup - was phenomenal, not to mention the 4-channel, 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS, EBD, BA, etc, slowed me down with an almost intimidating force, although with absolute grace and composure. I could say that the beemer “took to the roads as a duck would to water,” but then youd heckle me for being so banal, as its adhesion to pavement deserves a much more creative analogy that I cant seem to come up with right now. I never felt afraid to push the car harder than I would most other four-doors, partly due to its optional sport package ($1,600), which included a finely-tuned sport suspension, 3-spoke leather steering wheel, and 225/40 R 18 wheels in the front and 255/35R 18 in the rear with 18-inch ellipsoid alloy wheels and performance run-flat tires, but mostly because even in more basic trim this car handles better than pretty well any other sedan on the market. It begged to be driven and I was compelled to succumb to its desires.

As is only proper, throughout my test week I came up with excuse after excuse to leave my desk and go for a spin. Whether it was to the double date I had on Friday night or the mini shopping trip I took to a not-so-nearby shopping center, I was always volunteering for driving duty. It inspired me to put more time in behind the wheel than I normally would, or should really have time for given my rather hectic schedule, but I suppose for those things in life that I really want to do, I make the time, and the little 3-series became top priority. That seems reasonable, doesnt it?Â

After all, the sound of its 24-valve, DOHC 3.0L engine with Valvetronic technology (BMWs variable valve timing system) sends a tingle up my spine when I rev the throttle, the result of which is a maximum of 255 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque. But even at slightly higher than highway speeds, when I purposely spun the engine up into the stratosphere of its rev range, I could barely hear it since the cabin is so darn quiet. In most cases I would crack open my window just a little to listen to it purr. Still, this process gets old fast, causing me to give in and settle for a favorite CD on the 3s equally impressive audio system.

The ten-speaker stereo, which includes two healthy sounding subwoofers, is superb. One of the reasons this particular system sounded so good, came down to its premium package upgrade to Harmon/Kardon Logic 7 components. Rap to rock, country to classical, I could adjust the settings for optimal sound quality. What I thought was interesting, yet rather strange considering that a high-tech iDrive interface is available with this car, but not on this particular example, is that the 330i only comes with a single in-dash CD player. Dont get me wrong, Im not complaining. Actually, I quite liked it. I didnt have to fumble with loading and unloading a batch of CDs, a bothersome process, especially when Im driving (not a good idea) as it forces me to take my eyes off the road for longer periods than I otherwise would. Of course, some might argue that a multi-disc changer makes it so you can add CDs before you start driving, therefore reducing the need for a potentially dangerous situation; and to that end BMW offers a somewhat less convenient trunk-mounted multi-disc changer as optional equipment - yes, a bit archaic but it gets the job done (a bit of a pain if raining, though, dont ya think?). Either way, the audio system did an excellent job of enhancing the driving experience, arousing all of the five senses.

OK, while I didnt physically taste the car in order to arouse ALL my senses, because that would be quite odd and, well, wrong on so many levels, I had a constant hunger to drive it. The 330i whet my appetite, and because I knew that our time together was limited I, as previously mentioned, took advantage of all opportunities to romp around my citys roads. Its much like when I was in Italy, and ate as much real Italian gelato as possible because, after all, Italian gelato is simply the best!

Italian cars are, well, either so far out of my price range that Ill only ever lust at them from afar, or not offered in North America, which means that for me, in my part of the world, BMWs 3-Series is probably the best sport sedan money can buy. And to make its unique personality traits even more enjoyable, its offers such features as enhanced dynamic stability control (DSC), which makes pushing it to the max in the corners safer and more confidence inspiring, and therefore, for my skill level, way more fun. I learned of its merits a while back when I took a BMW Driver Training course, in a controlled environment with a professional driver showing me the ropes. Now, when I get the chance to drive BMWs like this 330i on rain-soaked West Coast roads, Im not as hesitant to squeeze out a little extra throttle when exiting a tighter turn, or slam on the brakes on slick city streets, knowing that the BMW will perform up to snuff.

Furthermore, the hill start assist came in quite handy. As odd as it seems, I feel more comfortable starting on a hill in this manual transmission vehicle, rather than an with an average automatic. Call me crazy, and you wouldnt be the first, but the active hill assist prevents the car from rolling backwards when the clutch is engaged and your foot is transitioning between the brake and gas pedal. Its a nice feature that makes driving easier, especially for those who are not all that experienced driving in mountainous or otherwise hilly regions.

Also, the start/stop push button ignition system made things exciting. The system is a little annoying to get used to at first, since I had to insert the key and then push the button, but it grew on me. Because this system is no ordinary stick-the-key-in-and-turn ignition, it took a few starts to get me warmed up to it, but in the end I grew to like it, if only to impress my friends with 007-like wizardry.

Speaking of techno-gadgets, I couldnt help but feel secure in the arms of Mr. Bimmer because of his safety features. Not only does the car come with a dual front airbags plus side thorax airbags for the driver and passenger, but also a standard front and rear advanced head protection system. OK, this is hardly special being that the same number of airbags can be had standard in a Kia Spectra, but, as to be expected, BMW goes to an extra level by adding front passenger sensors for its airbag deployment system, and overall has engineered one of the safest body structures in the compact segment.

And this, among its many other attributes, leaves me little to nitpick about. Perhaps my love for the 330i blinded me to its flaws. Maybe if I had, oh say, a year with it or so, as a long term tester, I could step outside of the goo-goo ga-ga stage of our relationship and get down to the nitty gritty - even beauty gets old when it comes with a bad attitude. But until that day happens, Im perfectly fine wearing rose-colored glasses when criticizing the 3-Series.

In the words of one of my favorite writers, parting is such sweet sorrow. It was pretty tough to take the 3-series back. Why? Because I had become emotionally involved for all the right reasons. I try not to mix business with pleasure, but I cant help who Im attracted to. That said, with the joy comes the pain. It wasnt just another luxury car that came in and out of my life, but rather, it was an abnormally good luxury sport sedan that, for a week, changed the way I lived my life and forever the way I judge the cars I drive through it day in and day out. It will be sorely missed, although I know well meet again some day, perhaps in the form of a more mature and muscular M3?Â