2006 BMW 325 Model Update

Remaking a Legend

The 3 Series remains the king of sporty coupes, sedans and wagons. The latter two body styles are all-new for 2006, while coupes and convertibles carry over for now.

BMW's excellent compact 3 Series comes in four body styles — sedan, coupe, convertible and wagon — with two available engines and standard rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional on sedans and standard on wagons, both of which are all-new for 2006. Coupes and convertibles carry over with a few changes, pending a full redesign for 2007. This model update covers 325 variants, though more powerful and more expensive 330 models are offered.

2006 BMW 325i + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

Some manufacturers have come close to matching the BMW 3 Series' superb balance of sport, comfort, style and luxury — such as Infiniti with the G35 — but it remains the compact premium car of choice for enthusiasts who value responsive handling and regard driving as more than just getting from one place to another. But it tends to cost more than competing cars and offers fewer standard amenities than its Japanese rivals.

The new 3.0-liter, inline six-cylinder engine in the all-new 325i sedan and 325xi sedan and wagon produces 215 hp — 31 hp more than the engine in last year's 325 sedan and wagon. The standard transmission in these models is now a six-speed manual, while a six-speed Steptronic automatic with manual-shift capability is optional. The improved engine is among the most efficient six cylinders in the industry, with estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg city/30 mpg highway.

Diehard BMW fans heaved a huge sigh of relief when the company unveiled the all-new 2006 3 Series sedan and wagon: It represents an evolution rather than a radical departure. (There was concern that BMW would completely change the beloved 3 Series, as it did its largest sedan, the 7 Series, in 2002.)

2006 BMW 325Ci Convertible + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

In keeping with tradition, the 3 Series coupe and convertible, including high-performance M variants, will be redesigned later. The body and chassis on these two-door models remain unchanged, and they retain last year's 2.5-liter, 184-hp, six-cylinder engine. A standard five-speed manual transmission and optional five-speed automatic carry over unchanged.

The 325Ci convertible features an insulated power soft top with a glass rear window, which includes a heating element, as well as a button on the central console that lowers all four windows at once. An all-new convertible is in the works for 2007 and is rumored to have a folding metal hard top.

Rear-seat space in the coupe and convertible is tight, but two adults can squeeze in for shorter jaunts. Rear seat backs don’t fold forward.

The all-new 325i sedan and 325xi wagon are marginally larger than last year's models, with stiffer chassis and improved suspension and braking systems. The front suspension includes a double-pivot strut design, while the rear suspension boasts a new, five-link setup. All you need to know about these is that they enable crisp, neutral handling for fun, spirited driving and a compliant ride.

An optional Sport Package includes larger, 17-inch wheels with run-flat, all-season tires and power-adjustable sport seats, though it lacks the stiffer suspension components offered as part of the Sport Package on the 330i sedan.

2006 BMW 325xi Sport Wagon + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

The 325xi sedan and wagon’s all-wheel-drive system comes from BMW's X3 and X5 sport utility vehicles. With infinitely variable front-to-rear power distribution, the system sends more power to the rear wheels than the front to preserve the 3 Series' sporty handling. When wheels slip or the sensors detect an imminent skid, power is piped to the wheels with the most grip.

The braking system on the all-new 325i sedan and 325xi sedan and wagon is improved for 2006. Notable new features include Brake Standby (which reacts when the driver suddenly lifts his or her foot off of the accelerator, anticipating hard braking, and snugs the brake pads against the rotors) and Start-Off Assistant (which automatically engages the brakes on an incline to prevent the car from rolling back when the driver lifts his or her foot off of the brake pedal to depress the accelerator), among others.

As before, the redesigned interior in the sedan and wagon is simple and tasteful, with instruments well positioned within sight lines and switches within easy reach. The seats remain among the most supportive and comfortable in the industry.

In contrast to the flashy new exterior, some may consider the conservative interior a bit bland. Fortunately, BMW's screen-based iDrive system, which attempts (and we think fails) to simplify controls with one large knob on the central console, is optional only on the 330i sedan, but it's required for the navigation system ($2,000).

The sedan and wagon's rear seat, though more commodious than the outgoing model's, can feel cramped for larger occupants, especially if three try to squeeze in. As with past models, you must pay $475 extra for split-folding rear seats to increase cargo capacity in the 325i and 325xi sedan. This feature should be standard on such a pricey compact car. A small pass-through behind the center rear armrest — which is intended for long, narrow items like skis — comes standard. Trunk space in the sedan is increased over that of last year's model.

2006 BMW 325Ci + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

The interior on coupes and convertibles carries over from the 2005 model. The optional split-folding rear seat is not available on these models.

BMW covers all factory-recommended maintenance as determined by the vehicle's Service Interval Indicator for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Standard safety equipment is plentiful, as it should be on a car in this price range. The 2006 3 Series sedan receives four out of five stars on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's frontal- and rollover-crash tests. The coupe and convertible have not been tested, nor has the sedan been tested for side impacts.

Consumer Reports gave the 3 Series an average reliability rating.