2006 BMW 3-Series Pros and Cons at TrueDelta: Owner Pros and Cons by ruminator

Powertrain performance

I love the torque and responsiveness of this car. The six-speed transmission is properly geared for my driving.

Driving position & visibility

The car fits me very well. I'm comfortable driving all-day on long road trips. Visibility is good for the driver and the mirrors work well. I still do head checks, but I also ride motorcycles. :)

Handling

The car handles like it's on rails. It's that stable.

Controls and instruments

Everything is where it should be, mostly. I prefer to older window-switch setup on the central console, but it still works.

Past personal experience

This is my fourth BMW and my third 3-series. I've been driving BMWs for about 7 years.

Quietness

This is the noisiest BMW I've owned. I have a low-frequency hum that I suspect emanates from the all-wheel drive system. The tires do not help as they are very noisy too.

Ride smoothness

I hate run-flat tires. They ride hard and are noisy. There's no place for a spare, but I'm thinking about adding a repair kit and going to standard tires.

Dealer practices

The nearest dealership is nothing to be proud of. The service department is good, but sales practices are not what I experienced with my previous dealer or expect for a premium vehicle. If I buy another BMW, I'll fly to Texas to get it and drive it ho

Past personal experience

I've loved my 3-Series BMWs, but they can be very expensive to repair.