Overview & Reviews

The BMW 3 Series sedan and wagon have been completely redesigned for 2006. Major highlights include new features, more powerful engines, a slightly larger interior and the incorporation of BMW's latest exterior styling elements. The 3 Series coupe and convertible are unchanged this year but will eventually move over to the new platform being used for the sedan and wagon; expect to see a new hardtop convertible for the 2008 model year.

• Still the standard when it comes to perfectly sorted vehicle dynamics, high-quality interior materials, wide range of configurations to suit any style, available all-wheel drive for sedan and wagon.

• Still costs more than most of its competitors, lacking in interior storage space.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 446.00

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  Buy beware (BMWs are lemons) - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By garyatvartac - November 4 - 8:50 am

  My BMW is a maintenance night mare. I absolutely hate my car b/c it is as reliable as the wind. The craftsman ship of the 3 series is poor at best. My car started to pour not leak oil at around 59,000 miles. The entire cooling system failed at 90,000 miles. The car is a big money pit. The electric water pump on the car costs around 600 dollars and the thermostat is 150 at a discounted auto parts store. I paid 1200 at a indy shop to get the starter replaced. BMW is nothing but an over priced piece of junk.

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  Fun to drive but frequent fixes - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By alphonsea - May 28 - 3:51 pm

  I purchased this 325i new in Oct. 2005 as a 2006 model. High on fun to drive meter but too many serious repairs. The car was great until about 75K miles. From 75k to 129k ignition coil failures, head bolt replacements, chipping paint, window motor failure, radio LED failure and sticky door handles. However I still love the car but not inclined to purchase another. I also had a 94 325 and a 97 525 which had less electronics but were more reliable.

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  Amazing performance, the true driving machine! - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By at_car_guy - May 13 - 4:37 am

  I owned the car for two years. The warranty and maintenance plan will help you not worry about its bills. It is an engineering marvel, it shows unmatched performance. It is in a level no other car in its class could match. On the negative side, the interior is poor and has no sense of luxury. especially the door panels. Anywyas, keep in mind when buying from BMW dealers, that BMW Financial services is such as disgusting company to buy from! If not really into the car, Id suggest opting for Mercedes C class, on performance it falls much shorter than the Bimmer, but it has a nice interior, its more comfortable and Mercedes dealers and MB Financial service know how to treat people well!

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  Great Car but its all in the details - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By rm332 - May 3 - 9:01 pm

  This is the entry point BMW, the 2006 325i. You can get them cheap. But this was the 1st year of the E90. This model was ambitious, alot of new technologies were introduced. The exterior redefined what cars look like. This car has a huge battery for the mind numbing amount of electronics. So the thing to keep in mind was it was the 1st year. Also know that BMW mechanic rates start at $90/hr. But the great thing is that all the diagnostic and repair software the dealers originally used is freely available to everyone on the web. Ive diag problems, the VANOS and coil issues weve seen on here are extremely easy to fix. I have a fully loaded 2006 325i with no faults, 78K!

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  Love My Beamer - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By mrlpn84 - March 13 - 10:11 am

  I recently purchased my black 2006 325i sport package blonde leather seats and lovvvve it. I came from a 06 Sonata and theres no looking back. I test drove the 07 clk 550 and almost got it until i spotted the Beamer and took a test drive, what a difference this thing handles like a dream and german built like a bank vault. It turns sooo many heads and the sound system is crazy. I only wished i had the 330 for the 255hp engine but whatever. Im hooked on BMW and will always own one.

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  2006 Break My Wallet 330i Sedan - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By tggary - February 9 - 4:53 pm

  My 2006 BMW 330i Sedan auto is a lot of fun to drive when it is operating without problems, Repeated ignition coil breakdowns, bad bushings, oil gasket leaks, run flat issues - all in 47K mileage range - I long for the 04 Jaguar X Type 3.0 which was totaled by another driver - it never broke down and was great on ice and snow too with the stock All Season tires. I do love the 330i, Black / Black Leather Premium Package and very quick, but it is just sad how the so called superior Bavarian Engineering is a joke. Then again, our 2002 Benz has been perfect to 87K, just tires, oil and brakes. Next time, I go Acura, Lexus, if Germanic - Audi or another Benz. BMW stands for Break My Wallet.

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  Read before you purchase - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By as28 - January 23 - 6:18 pm

  Pros: Performance, drive experience Cons: Reliability, cost to own. Either lease this car or make sure you can afford to be late to work - to drop it off at the repair shop a few times a year. Read the common issues on the web from most BMW owners. - Water Pump, Shift Display unit (sport mode), engine coils, cylinder head (known issue), bushings, differential, tensioner pulley and on and on. Issues so common, I sent BMW corp the web links and they paid for the repairs. Car is not worth the trouble. Due diligence and experience has dissolved any brand affinity I have for BMW. Good luck with the techs -if the computer doesnt show them whats wrong they have to rely on trial and error

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  Love the car, but a little bit paranoid - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By arpy1 - November 5 - 12:23 pm

  I have always been a huge fan of BMW, and I was so excited to be able to buy my first one. I bought my 06 325XI in Sept of 11 with just under the 100K mark (98K). It is now Nov of 12, so, I have owned it for a little over a year. I now have 120K on the car and it is still going strong. In the year I have owned it I have had to change the oil, spark plugs, a headlight, and one pack of ignition coils. It truely is like a dream come true, but I always have a sense of doom in the back of my mind after reading a lot of these reviews.

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  Worst car on earth! Disapointed by BMW - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By flavio1 - October 3 - 3:55 pm

  I bought a 325i 2006, second hand in 2011 it had about 62000 kilometers (not miles). Since then I was disappointed: the grey interior is now on a bad shape, on of the cup holders doesnt work at all, the button for the headlights felt apart and this is just the beginning. I had to change the water pomp ( 1100$) the service department told that it happens sometimes. 85 000 kms cover bolts that i have to change + camshaft and valanos solonoids total 1865 $. Plus many maintenance that I had to do. I will never buy a BMW again. The person who works at the sales department told me that once the warranty expires the real problems begin. Even people who are working at BMW dont trust the company

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  great handling, suspention, poor qulity and reliability - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By pux - July 27 - 5:48 pm

  got used 06 325xi 6sp in 10 with 62k. Its fast, handles great, holds road great, design is superb. May be a short on space for families, and bigger people. Very pricy to maintain especially if you dont know much about cars or prefer dealership service but the car is intended for richer audience hence the costs. But its very poorly built(German assembly), front handles began sticking and you cant close the door after you already got in, so you have to reach out to push the handle!! every time!on a Bimmer, come on!sticky buttons inside!i mean you have to push with all your power! within 1st year 3 check engines.2 times parts sending electric impulse to sparkplgs, anothr VANOS problem.