New Car Overview of the 2005 BMW 3 Series Near-Luxury Compact Sedan, Wagon, Coupe, and Convertible

Description: Near-Luxury Compact Sedan, Wagon, Coupe, and Convertible
Base MSRP Range: $29,300 - $55,800
Invoice Price Range: $28,825 - $50,940
Where built: Germany, South Africa

Anchoring BMW's line, the extensive 3-Series string of compact cars includes a four-door sedan, five-door station wagon, and two-door coupe, or convertible. Model nomenclature amounts to alphanumeric designations to describe the body style and displacement of an engine.

Two in-line-six aluminum-block engines -- measuring to 2.5-liters and 3.0-liters -- power the class, earning 184-hp and 225-hp, respectively. Sedans and wagons with the 2.5-liter engine are labeled 325i for rear-wheel-drive (RWD), and 325xi for all-wheel-drive (AWD); for the 3.0-liter plant, the two sedans are the 330i (RWD) and 330xi (AWD). Coupes and convertibles carry similar designations as 352Ci and 330Ci, each with rear-wheel driveline.

This year's crop shows a six-speed SMG transmission optional for models with the 3.0-liter engine in conjunction with a sport package. In addition, a power-operated moonroof applies to all 2005 coupes and sedans, and wood trim goes into all 3-Series cars with aluminum trim listed as a no-cost option.