New Car Review Of The 2006 BMW 325i and 330i Compact Sport Sedans

Base MSRP Range: $32,300 - $56,600

Base Invoice Range: $29,575 - $51,685

MSRP As Tested: Not Available

Versions: 325i, 325xi, 325Ci, 330i, 330xi, 330Ci

Vehicle Category: Compact Sport Sedans

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive.

Engine (325i and 325xi): 3.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, I-6,215 - horsepower at 6250 rpm and 185 lb-ft torque at 2750 rpm.

Engine (330i and 330xi): 3.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), I-6, 24-valves, 255 horsepower at 6600 rpm, 220 lb-ft torque at 2,750 rpm.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 20/30 Manual, 21/29 Automatic.

Engine (325Ci): 2.5-liter, Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), I-6, 24-valves, 184 horsepower at 6000 rpm, 175 lb-ft torque at 3500 rpm.

Engine (330Ci): 3.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), I-6, 24-valves, 225 horsepower at 5900 rpm, 214 lb-ft torque at 3500 rpm.

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 20/29 Manual, 19/27 Automatic.

Transmission: Six-speed STEPTRONIC automatic with Adaptive Transmission Control, Six-speed manual.

Standard Safety Features: Dual front airbags, Front side airbags, Front side head-protection airbags, Antiskid system, 4-wheel disc brakes, Brake assist, Tire-pressure monitor, Emergency inside trunk release, Daytime running lights.

Competition: Acura TSX, Audi A4, Infiniti G35, Lexis IS300, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Saab 9-3, Volvo S40 and V50.

Review

The International Brain Injury Association named BMW "Safe Car of the Millennium." That's a title well-deserved. Long known as a good bet for its high quality parts, high resale value and high-performance fun, the BMW - particularly the 3 Series 325i and 330i for 2006 - is also unparalleled in its safety features. The typical BMW airbag system is married to the new Head Protection System (SRS), which keeps occupants' head from hitting the side windows as well as keeping outside projectiles from entering the vehicle in the event of a collision. One of the things that distinguishes the 325i and 330i from the competition is their uncanny ability to detect minute changes in driving patterns in order to keep you on the road - using features that usually cost much more on other sedans.

But don't let that fool you into thinking this is just some old granny car. Indeed, it is the opposite: with features that conform to you - from automatic outside mirror adjustment to climate preferences - the 2006 325i and 330i sports sedans truly become your own personalized vehicle.

Choose from the 325i or the 330i, both of which are rear-wheel-drive and both of which come in the "xi" version, which adds all-wheel-drive.

Exterior

The grill of this car is truly BMW. Well, the whole thing is BMW, really, from its sleek rims to its fun-but-functional roof rack (optional). There is something unmistakable about a BMW - it seems to speak to you in the rays of sunlight that glisten off the exquisite paint job.

On to that grill. It's got two kidney-shaped openings rimmed in chrome. On the 330i, the vertical slats are also chrome; on the 325i, they are black. Either way, it's that grille that removes all doubt as to which vehicle this is.

Front lights are halogen, and adjust automatically, according to outside lighting conditions. Halogen fog lights are also helpful, as they sit low and provide maximum visibility even in bad weather. Around to the backside, the dual exhaust pipes are chrome and look nice with any of the 11 color choices. Standard 16-inch light-alloy wheels are wrapped in 205/55R-16 run-flat, all-season tires.

This car is hot - literally. Heated dual-power exterior mirrors and heated washer jets provide ease of mind in cold weather. Other cool and handy features? The front door handles have ground-illuminating lights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers make sure that you've got maximum visibility.

Interior

Picture this: you've got on a great pair of stilettos. It's not too cold outside, but your feet are freezing. You want to warm your toes without cooking your torso. What do you do? Buy a 325i or 330i. The Climate Zone Ventilation system allows you to independently adjust the temperature of the air coming out of the footwell from the air coming out at your head and torso. Another age-old problem solved by BMW.

You can also independently adjust the temperature of the air going to the left and right sides of the car. There's also a micro air filter and an automatic air re-circulator. This is particularly important when you're driving on congested smog-filled freeways or behind an old bus emitting endless plumes of black smoke - the CZV changes the airflow so that it doesn't let any outside air that's too ontaminated. Breathe a (fresh) sigh of relief.

Step into the 325 or 330 - assisted by the front footwell lighting - and you'll instantly feel like king, or queen, of the road. Sumptuous seating in eight-way automatically adjustable seats means you'll be able to sit exactly how you like - and the car will remember it, if you program it into the car's on-board computer. The car can also remember lots of other things, too, like at which degree you prefer your outside mirrors to be tilted to, and your preferred interior climate.

Regardless of your personal choices, you're bound to be impressed by the interior styling. These sedans provide elegant Burl Walnut Wood standard, although you can also opt for Poplar Natural Wood trim or even Aluminum trim - all at no extra cost. Also coming standard is the three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, which features several controls from radio to the optional cell phone operation. While enjoying the surroundings, take a look at the practical aspects. All controls are within reach - many of them, as aforesaid, are mounted on the steering wheel. Dials are black with white digits, and the dashboard controls are sleek, simple and don't give the driver that cluttered feeling you tend to get from so many other sedans.

Take a look at the stars through the one-touch standard moonroof, and kick back to your favorite music via a 10-speaker sound system that includes two subwoofers. The anti-theft system features AM/FM radio, a CD/MP3 player, a Radio Data System and an auxiliary audio input system for your portable music player.

Got drinks? There's room for four - two in the rear center folding armrest and one on either side of each front passenger. Got a hankering for leather? Base models feature "leatherette," although you can upgrade to premium leather, as well.

Not so hot in the car knowledge department? Not to worry - BMW leaves all other service indicators in the dust. This "Check Control" system can tell you: how many miles you can go for the amount of gas in your tank; when your oil is low or needs to be changed; when there's a flat tire; external temperatures; or when there"s a problem with your microfilter, spark plugs, and any number of other things. And it will even tell you the distance you can travel till you"re due for your next service appointment.

Overall, your BMW driving experience will feel clean, protected and, most importantly, thrilling.

Performance

The 325i and 330i are great for good-quality thrills - and optimal performance. And pretty decent gas mileage. The 325i/325xi pulls 215 horsepower at 6,250 RPM, and 185 lb-ft of torque (at 2,750 RPM) out of its 3.0-liter inline-6 Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) engine. The 24-valves are controlled electronically by the Valvetronic system, which gives variable valve shift that operates without a lag. This eliminates the conventional throttle and also improves power, torque and fuel efficiency.

Forged from magnesium and aluminum composite, the turbine-smooth, high-performance new generation N52 engine is top of the line. It's laid in an all-new chassis/body structure that's made from lightweight materials. The subframe, steering rack and brake components are all aluminum, as is the front suspension.

The 330i/330xi BMW ups the power to 255 ponies at 6,600 PRM and 220 lb-ft at 2,750 RPM. Both sedans come equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, although you can upgrade to the six-speed STEPTRONIC automatic tranny with Adaptive Transmission Control. This gives you the option of playing with the individual gears yourself, or letting the car choose for you.

The Double VANOS system, which is also standard, electronically optimizes - according to engine speed, load and temperature - the engine's fuel efficiency, throttle response and emissions. It makes more of your available torque at lower RPMs, meaning better fuel efficiency all around, and means the engine's quieter at an idle.

Come to an incredibly quick halt with the disc brakes that work in conjunction with several other systems to ensure a quick, proper stop when it counts the most. There are also many, many aluminum components, making for a lighter vehicle overall. And that only means a faster, better ride.

Ride and Handling

There are few cars that handle like a BMW. The 2006 325i and 330i are no exception. They seem to read the driver's mind.

Take that Dynamic Stability Control. Working with the Dynamic Traction Control, it's able to detect slight variances in wheel speed and rotation help to keep the car in a straight line, as stable as possible, and with the best-possible grip on the road. It also helps you to come to a Comfort Stop, which eliminates that annoying jerk once the vehicle comes to a complete halt. And once you want to get going again, the Start-off Assistant will help you increase your speed appropriately on an incline or decline.

Also contributing to the stability of the 325 and 330 is the twin-tube gas pressure shock absorbers, giving you a smooth ride that echoes the sleekness of the exterior.

As far as suspension goes, this system's got it all. The front is made of forged aluminum; the lower arms are dual-forged aluminum in this double pivot-type suspension. In the rear, the 5-link suspension system boasts cast-aluminum upper transverse arms, meaning a ride that's not too loose but not too stiff (unless you upgrade to the Sport package). Further assisting this are the two anti-roll bars - one in the front, another in the rear.

The ABS works in harmony with the Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) and the four-wheel ventilated disc brakes to slow you down in a high-tech, no-worries way.

The engine is speed sensitive and adjusts the Variable-Assist Power Steering accordingly. It's practically goof-proof - unless you're uncommonly goofy, of course. No amount of technology can keep you from a collision if you're pulling stupid moves, so minimize your risk by enrolling in a driver education class (BMW offers them across the world). The professional drivers will teach you the limits of your BMW, but will also show you just how much fun these babies can be. They'll also give you a crash course (no pun intended) on your vehicle, showing you which things do what so that you can maximize the pleasure you get from your car.

Safety

Of course, both the 325i and 330i both come standard with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), which works together with Dynamic Brake Control. The DBC detects when an extreme braking situation occurs and can speed up the process of building brake pressure to help ensure the shortest possible stopping distance. Brakes can be applied to individual wheels as needed, also using this system. And adaptive brake lights automatically increase their brightness if the driver brakes quick and hard.

If you do get into a collision, there are airbags all over the 325i and 330i. Driver and passenger have front airbags in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) that are, according to BMW, "Smart." Their dual-threshold bags have dual-stage deployment and sensors, which help prevent unnecessary deployment of the passenger bag. This obviously saves you from airbag refittings that can be fairly expensive.

Seat-mounted front side-impact airbags further protect front occupants, and safety belt pretensioners keep you where you should be in an accident - in the best position possible for airbag deployment.

Like a few other high-end cars out there right now, both the 325i and 330i have crash sensors that automatically unlock doors, turn on interior lights and switch on hazard lights - all without the driver having to do anything. Anyone who's ever been in a wreck knows how disorienting even a minor collision can be, and to know that those hazard lights are already on is a priceless - and thankfully standard - comfort.

For those with children, both '06 models have the LATCH (Lower Tethers and Anchors for Children) system, and automatic-locking retractors (ALR) on all passenger safety belts for child seat installations.

In Conclusion

What can you say about a BMW except that it lives up to its slogan? "The Ultimate Driving Machine" just keeps getting better, and the 325i and 330i only highlight this. Both feature beautiful styling that is perfectly reflected in the sedan's performance. Who would have thought that the term "sports sedan" could be so sexy? And the full-maintenance program is incredibly convenient, covering you for 4 years or 50,000 miles. It comes complete with factory-recommended maintenance, and the dealership will even replace items as necessary that have gone through the normal wear and tear of driving. Again - this is standard. So much standard equipment could make your head spin, but we think it'll probably just make you want to spin your tires.

Pros: Absolutely everything! Continues as the segment benchmark, and sends all the competition back to the drawing board.

Cons: If you can afford one, then there are no other drawbacks.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 10
• Performance: 9
• Price: 9
• Handling: 10
• Ride: 9
• Comfort: 10
• Quality: 9
• Overall: 9.4

More Data

Where Built: Germany

Major Options: Premium Package, Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Performance Package, Competition Package. Rear-obstacle-detection system, Navigation system, BMW Assist system, Aluminum interior trim, Leather upholstery, Alcantara/cloth upholstery, Power front seats, Heated front seats, Harman/Kardon sound system, Power sunroof, Power rear sunshade, Removable hardtop, Rear spoiler delete, Bi-xenon headlights, Steering-linked adaptive bi-xenon headlights, Double-spoke alloy wheels.

Seating: 5

Number of Rows: 2

Length in Inches: 176.7

Warranties: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper to bumper, 12 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection, 4 years/50,000 miles Roadside assistance, 4 years/50,000 miles Free scheduled maintenance.

Weight in Pounds: 3,197 - 3,737

Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.

Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Available.

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 16.6

Destination Charge: $695