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 61 through 70 of 446.00

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  Small problems, but good car overall - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Keekee - October 11 - 2:46 am

  Ive had my new car since May 2005, and each few weeks there are new small problems. The car came to me out of alignment, the stereo completely broke after 2 weeks, the Blue Tooth works part of the time, one cupholder broke, and there are about a dozen other small things that have broken over the 5 months that Ive owned this car. Its frustrating to have to keep taking my car back to the service department when its a new car and shouldnt have these problems. My advice? Wait until this new model gets all the kinks worked out before buying it! Great car, it just needs some reworking.

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  New 3 Series Good Looks Hard to Live With - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Bryan Banks - October 8 - 7:46 am

  The new 3 Series handles great, the engine and trans. are excellent. There are several design flaws. First it is hard to get into and out of because of the location of the B pillar and the lower seat height. Starting and turning off the car is a a three step process that just isnt natural. Visibility is poor when trying to look back.The cup holders in the front are located very poorly and will spill. The speed control is poorly located under the turn signal.The turn signal is a two stage process, it will have you trying to turn off and signalling the wrong way. Brakes grab. The sunvisor hits your head if turning it to the side. The radio is unreadable with sun glasses on. Traded it in.

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  Finally got my BMW - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Finally a BMW - September 17 - 3:56 am

  I waited a long time to get a BMW. Its fun to drive and is the best engineered car I have ever had. Nothing at all on the car is loose, or makes any type of rattle or squeak. The Bluetooth works exceptionally well. The car rides very hard though and has a tremendous amount of road noise due to the Run Flat tires - there is so much road noise and the seats are very uncomfortable so I will not be keeping this car when the lease is up. I love the power folding side mirrors - they really help to make more space in the garage when walking between the two cars.

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  The SPORTS Is Gone, Replaced By Luxury - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Jonathon - August 24 - 11:46 am

  BMWs major changes to its 2006 3-Series is fascinating and yet somewhat boring as well. This is my 4th BMW in the 3-Series and while I welcome change, I find myself associating the new design and approach as similar to what Nissan did to its Z cars or what Ford did to its Thunderbird. Sports cars that were fun to drive became fat, boring and touted with luxury instead of sport. I love BMW handling and above all, BMWs intense focus on safety. My 325i 2006 came with i-Drive and the navigation system. Once I get my pilots license, I might have it mastered. Until that time, I really dislike it. Rear view side mirrors are too small and run-flat tires with no spare concern me.

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  Tires just burn away - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Gary - August 11 - 1:56 am

  Let me start by saying its a great car. No questions about that. But I ended up getting a sports package for 325i, which has run flat tires. This was a mistake. Because firstly, they dont last more than 15000 miles. Secondly, there are few companies that make this size run flat tires, so you dont have much option. Thirdly tires are $350 a piece. Plus an alignment would cost $190 at a dealership. It adds a lot to the running cost of the car

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  RIDES LIKE A ROCK, Road vibration - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By r baldwi - April 10 - 4:33 pm

  This new 06 330 rides like they forgot to put tires on it. Road vibration works its way up the steering wheel and after an hour of hi-way driving your hands start to tingle. Car shimmies at 50mph. The I-drive system has the speed of a 15 year old computer. Too much road noise enters the car. My old 01 330 much much better. One would think that they could consider the ride and some confort on newer models but they took it away. Great car if you travel over 75 mph all the time & take almost any corner at that speed and you really like feeling the road. I dont recommend it to the people that drive the speed limit on average roads. This car is not worth the money if you drive the speed limit.

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  Swap the tires for regular ones - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Langly Wickersham - February 8 - 7:53 pm

  Once I ditched those terrible runflat tires, the car changed dramatically. It is now very quiet and the ride is much smoother. The runflats make the car ride rough and loud, but swap them out for a regular pair of tires and you will notice the difference immediately. I know how loud, noisy, harsh those tires can be at only 15 thousand miles on them. I almost wanted to trade the car in on a Lexus, but then I changed the tires and am in love again. Give the car a chance with new tires, you will love it. The tire pressure system still works with regular tires, dont listen to the dealers.

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  Fun to drive - horrible electric problem - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Carrie - September 21 - 7:26 pm

  Ive had to have the entire electrical system replaced twice now in 9 months. Because of the electrical system meltdown I lost the ability to use lights, windshield wipers and turn signals among other things. Average time to replace is 1 week. As a result, I have major concerns about the reliability of this car. Drives great, but Im not sure it is worth the constant headache.

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  enjoying it - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Wadd - May 29 - 11:03 pm

  So far so good - nice ride quality, great fit and finish, good power in midrange, and responsiveness of controls (steering, brakes, shift lever)is spot on. Mileage so far is quite good (about 30 on HWY), and car still only has 2300 miles on it, so it will only improve. Interior is a truly pleasant place to be. Dealership experience has been very good so far - they have been courteous, informative etc. No complaints there. Im surprised the guy below has had such problems with his wagon over the last 5 months. Especially considering that to my knowledge, the 06 wagon only hit the showroom floor in November...

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  Fun, but totally impractical - 2006 BMW 3-Series
  By Debbie - April 21 - 5:13 pm

  I bought my 330Ci convertible in March of this year and traded it in September. Part of the reason was a chance to own my "dream" car and an inability to justify owning two convertibles, but part of it was the sheer impracticality of the car. We couldnt fit two carry-on suitcases and two backpacks in the trunk, no one could comfortably ride in the back seat, there is very little storage space inside the vehicle and almost none that is secure if you leave the top down. The tires cost $355 EACH and apparently only last 8,000-10,000 miles - an added cost no one tells you about. The car was already recalled with a problem within 6 months. All in all it was fun to drive, but not worth it.