[6] 06 Bmw 330i Becomes Today Picture

2006 BMW 325i/330i Review

THE AUTO PAGE
By JOHN HEILIG

SEE ALSO: New Car Buyer's Guide for BMW

SPECIFICATIONSMODEL: BMW 325i/330iENGINE: 2.5-liter/3.0-liter DOHC inline sixHORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 215 hp @ 6,250 rpm/185 lb-ft. @ 2,750 rpm(325i) 255 hp @ 6,600 rpm/220 lb-ft. @ 2,750 rpm (330i)TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual or automatic FUEL ECONOMY: 20 mpg city/30 mpg highway (manual)WHEELBASE: 108.7 in.LENGTH/WIDTH/HEIGHT: 178.2 x 71.5 x 55.9 in.TIRES: 205/55R16 (325i)/225/45R17 (330i)CARGO: 12.0 cu.ft.BASE PRICE: $30,995/$36,995

BMW's fifth-generation 3-Series will continue to be the benchmark in thesmall sports sedan category. Ever since the BMW 2002 was introduced in 1967,BMW has been at the forefront of the small sports sedan category. The 2002was followed in 1975 by the E21, the first true 3-Series. That wasfollowed, in turn, by the E30 in 1984, the E36 I 1992, and the E46 in 1999.This generation is referred to as E90. The E numbers reflect internal BMWmodel numbers.

You'll immediately recognize the New 3 (as it will be called incommercials) by its adhesion to the modern BMW styling idiom. Yes, it has asemblance of the 7-Series' bustle-back trunk, although in both series it ismore subtle and refined than in the original. I'd like to reiterate that Ididn't dislike it in the 7-Series as much as some of my colleagues.

The New 3 is also more aerodynamic frontally, and it has some neatstyling touches that smooth it out greatly. When you look at the way theseries has progressed over the years, you sometimes wonder how BMW was ableto make such a success of it. But, of course, styling in general hasimproved, so that's really not a knock on BMW style. There is no questionyou'll recognize a New 3 when you see it.

Under the hood is a pair of new engines, both inline sixes. The 325i hasa 2.5-liter six rated at 215 horsepower. The 330i has a 3.0-liter six with255 horses. Both transmit power to the road through a 6-speed transmission,either manual or automatic with a manual mode. BMW is most excited about aninvisible feature of the engines - the use of magnesium in the constructionto reduce weight. If you don't know it, though, you'll nevernotice it.

For general cruising on a wide variety of roads (and road surfaces) Iliked the 325i. In some instances, the 330i seemed almost too powerful.This could be an age factor, because my younger co-drive at theintroduction had no problems with the extra oomph. But we had anopportunity to take both out on the road course at BeaveRun MotorsportsPark. I had no problems with the 330i, but went off course twice with the330i.

Neither version of the New 3 is overpowering, however. Both have morethan adequate power for anything you'd want to do, and both reach highlyillegal speeds in a short period of time. BMW claims 0-60 mph times withthe 325i to be 6.7 seconds with the manual and 7.2 seconds with theautomatic; with the 330i it's 6.1 and 6.3 seconds, respectively. On ourride, we were over 100 mph way too soon.

What has made BMW so successful over the years is the company'sattention to detail and the ride experience. Thew New 3 doesn't disappoint.A new suspension front and rear allows for a comfortable ride on most roadsurfaces (although Western Pennsylvania seems to delight in puttingpotholes at the apex of turns). Under hard driving on the road or track,the BMW is equally docile. Optional Active Steering allows the driver tokeep his or her hands on the steering wheel through almost every corner.This was a feature I liked because as the driver I could keep my hand sinone place all the time without having to shift all the time.

There's also a hill holder feature with the automatic that keeps the carat rest on a hill without having to use the brake pedal.

Dimensionally, the New 3 has a longer wheelbase (+1.4 inches), widertrack (+1.2 inches), longer overall length (+2.2 inches), width (+3.0inches) and height (+0.8 inches). It's slightly heavier, but still retainsthe nearly ideal 50-50 front-rear weight distribution. And yes, purists,it's still front engine-rear drive. For those of us who find it important,the trunk is larger as well, by 1.3 cubic feet.

Like other BMW series, the New 3 has a "Start/Stop" button to geteverything going. The "key" must be in the ignition, though. It also has aversion of I-Drive that is either much more intuitive than the original orwe have become more accustomed to I-drive and the competition. We still hadtrouble adjusting the volume on the audio until we discovered we could usethe buttons on the steering wheel.

The interior is definitely Teutonic, with good leather seats that offerside support and tasteful wood trim. The instruments are clear and easy toread. Most switch labels make sense.

Our only complaint was what appeared to be a low whine with theautomatic. Since our testers were early production versions, this maydisappear in later models, or it may have been an aberration in our car.Rear seat legroom, although increased slightly, is slim with the frontseats moved back.

But these are minor inconveniences in an otherwise great car. BMW setthe standard in small sport sedans with the first 3-Series 30 years ago,and continues to be the benchmark that all other manufacturers aim for.

2005 The Auto Page