AutoWeeks gets its first New 3 series drive

[aNoodle]

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101745

Can't believe they improved the auto transmission times so much....and it would appear the GM transmissions are gone...ZF only??!!! Guess they don't want shared parts with Caddy anymore?

Is anyone gonna order that active steering nonsense?

"BMW’s 3 Series has been enhanced using Porsche 911-like caution. As it enjoys a fanatical following and accounts for nearly half of worldwide BMW sales, this was a good move.

We’ll talk about the new straight-six engine and other tech wizardry in more detail soon. This week, we just get in and drive the new 3, codename E90.

Riding on the architecture developed for the 1 Series, the 3 is nearly two inches longer, three inches wider and a smidgen taller, with 1.14-inch-wider tracks and a wheelbase longer by 1.38 inches vs. the outgoing model. Overall rigidity is said to be 25 percent greater. Much of the improvement is a result of beefing up high-stress structural points in the body using aluminum and high-tensile steels. The result is newfound sturdiness over all road surfaces, lower NVH levels, and added courage at top speeds and while leaping between apexes....."

 

[snowsedan04]

Man, what a boring looking car. The tail is seriously taurus-like. At least it won't be a cop magnet.

Yawn

 

[Tom]

Good find Scott, I do like the looks of the new interior.

but the...$5,000 more MSRP for admission asking price would be hard for me to swallow.

 

[bmw046series]

Don't like the idea of them saying BMW is getting more Automatic.

 

[gizzy]

Active Steering: Probably would work great for the casual Sunday drive - but for spirited driving, I think this would cause undo stress for the driver constanly having to guess how sensitive the steering is.

 

[bahnstormer]

looks like a decent interior - very 7 and 5 series inspired..
not sure why the manufacs want thier cars to look the same
though...

i mean i guess it identifies teh brand, but if u just make the
best car u can people will be like, oh snap, there's the best
car for 30 grand...and it'll still be recognized as your brand
meh all talk =]

 

[tool fan]

UH OH!!!!!!!!!!!! iDrive equals issues and issues equals BMW drivers switching to Hyundai. Bad move BMW.....(finger wag)

 

[Average Jae]

i can't wait for it to come out, so i could see it in person. its amazing that bmw can still push the 5grand premium in the face of stiffer competition.. what do i know tho..

in an unrelated news, 130i looks pretty hot, and this is now stupid

 

[MrElussive]

Lol, best-handling gofl kart around!

This new 3 is really great, I am really looking forward to when it actually comes out. But as Tom said, $5K price increase is huge and only makes the competition look better (Acura TL, Infiniti G35, Audi A4, MB C-Class, etc.).

 

[Curious9]

5 Grand?

I'm a newbie looking for help. I read thread comments about a $5,000 increase in the new '06 3 Series. As a potential first time BMW owner thinking about either: (1) waiting for the '06 330xi to emerge and possibly get on the list for November purchase; (2) snagging an '05 this summer when everyone is waiting for the '06; or (3) going with the TL due to its overall package and price, I am in a quandry. Any help you can provide me in making a decision would be helpful. I drove the '05 330xi and fell in love. The TL is also very very nice but I could easily forgo the extra cost of the 330 for the TL but its soooo close a call. I principally commute 15 miles one way (mostly back streets) and can afford the current difference in price tag between the TL and 330, but would not go with an extra $5K for the privilege of the '06. The BMW sales guy said "very modest price increase from '05 to '06, but it seems he is wrong? Be kind to a newbie, and perhaps give me some reasons or thoughts I should consider to go one way or the other? Anyone have the same TL vs. 3 Series decision?

 

[Nataku]

The current base for the 330 is 35,700. The new is estimated at 37,000. Which $1,300 more. The article is says $5000 premium above competitors such as the G35. If you are concerned with price, I would go for the 05', they will be cheaper and at the pinnacle of quality as the last run for the E46

 

[Average Jae]

The current base for the 330 is 35,700. The new is estimated at 37,000. Which $1,300 more. The article is says $5000 premium above competitors such as the G35. If you are concerned with price, I would go for the 05', they will be cheaper and at the pinnacle of quality as the last run for the E46

ditto. 5 grand more than the competition, not over the current e46.

the end of model cycle decisions are tough. you'll get the car that you've always wanted at a discount, but the newer models always seems to jump way ahead.. and hard to imagine, but the e46 will look outdated real quick next to an e90. just like what the e46 did to the e36. same for the 5er and the new 7er. whether you like the redisigns or not is a personal opinion, but the new models will be another "modern classic" so to speak.

 

[epj3]

I'm glad they still seemed impressed with the car. I don't think they'll be a modern classic unless they have good reliability.

 

[frolf]

the new R6 sounds amazing.

have any of you dudes driven a car with Active steering? i thought it to be incredible smooth/progressive and don't see how it could ever be a problem.

i am pumped to buy one used in 2025 when i have the money

 

[HornyHornet]

Edmunds.com has also done a drive test. They too are impressed by this new E90. Im really excited about it too. Im cant wait to see it in the showroom. Being in that new interior will be a great feeling.

 

[Murray BMF]

I like it!

 

[Booyah]

DOes anybody know when the 06 330Xi will be coming out? Will it be the same time the 330i is released? I have not read anything about an Xi yet