2006 BMW 3-Series Review Summary & Specs
325i Sedan
The benchmark redefined.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
Bottom line, the new 3 Series sedans are great performers, impressive cars and techno tours de force. If price is remotely an issue, don't have a second thought about choosing the 325i. It has as much power as most drivers will ever need, and it delivers the same inherent goodness as the 330i, without much less really useful stuff. Indeed, we wouldn't recommend some of the options like Active Steering or Active Cruise Control, except to die-hard fanatics for the absolute latest technology. Remember that through most of calendar 2006, the 3 Series coupes and convertibles will continue as they were for 2005. For the time being, if you want the newest 3 Series technology, you'll have to choose a four-door sedan.
New Car Test Drive correspondent J.P. Vettraino filed this report from Spain.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Luxury Cars |
| Editor |
J.P. Vettraino |
| Model Lineup |
BMW 325i sedan ($30,995); 330i sedan ($36,995); 325Ci coupe ($30,100); 330Ci coupe ($36,300); 325Ci convertible ($37,300); 330Ci convertible ($43,600); M3 coupe ($46,500); M3 convertible ($54,900) |
| Engines (standard) |
3.0-liter double overhead cam 24v inline-6 with variable valve timing |
| Engines (optional) |
184-hp 2.5-liter dohc 24-valve inline-6; 215-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve inline-6; 225-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve inline-6; 235-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve inline-6; 255-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve inline-6; 333-hp 3.2-liter DOHC 24-valve inline-6 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
6-speed manual |
| Transmissions (optional) |
5-speed manual; 5-speed automatic; 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic; 6-speed sequential manual gearbox |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
dual airbags with two-stage deployment; seat mounted front side-impact airbags; full-cabin head-protection (curtain) airbags; tire-pressure monitoring system; ABS; traction control; dynamic stability control; post-impact system to unlock doors, switch on hazard and interior lighting and disable fuel pump |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
|
| Basic Warranty |
4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Munich, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone |
1-800-831-1117 |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.bmwusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$30,995 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
BMW 330i sedan ($36,995) |
| Standard Equipment |
burr walnut trim with leatherette upholstery, automatic climate control with dual passenger/driver temperature and micro filter, power windows, remote keyless entry, leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt/telescoping steering column, climate-controlled center console, cruise control; rain-sensing variable-speed wipers, automatic bi-xenon adaptive headlamps with washers, halogen foglights, two-way power moonroof, Logic 7 audio system with digital sound processing and 13 speakers, including two subwoofers, 17-inch wheels with H-rated tires |
| Destination Charge |
695 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
Sport Package ($1600) includes M sport suspension, 18-inch wheels with W-rated tires, power sport seats and 155-mph speed-limiter; Premium Package ($2200) includes Dakota leather upholstery, Bluetooth cell phone interface, power folding side mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature on passenger side, digital mirror compass and BMW Assist telematics; Cold Weather Package ($1,000)) includes electrically heated seats, high-intensity headlight washers and split-folding rear seat with ski sack; Active Steering ($1250) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Price as Tested |
$43,740 |
| Layout |
rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power |
255 @ 6600 |
| Torque |
220 @ 2750 |
| Fuel Economy |
20/30 |
| Wheelbase |
108.7 |
| Length/Width/Height |
178.2/71.5/55.9 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
36.1 |
| Seating Capacity |
5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
37.4/NA/41.5 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
37.1/NA/34.6 |
| Trunk Volume |
12.0 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
|
| Front Suspension |
independent, double-pivot lower control arms, coil springs, twin-tube shocks, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension |
independent, five-link, coil springs, twin-tube shocks, anti-roll bar |
| Ground Clearance |
|
| Curb Weight |
3417 |
| Stock Tires |
225/40WR18 / 255/35ZR18 run flat |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
13.0-in. ventilated disc/13.2-in ventilated disc with ABS |
| Fuel Capacity |
15.9 |