Epinions.com 
Join Epinions | Help | Sign In   
           
HomeCars & MotorsportsUsed Cars2006 BMW 3 Series
Read Reviews (18) Compare Prices View Details Write a Review

2006 BMW 3 Series

2006 BMW 3 Series
Overall rating:  Product Rating: 4.0

Reviewed by 18 Epinions users

Write a review

About the Author

prov1convert


Reviews written: 5
View all reviews by prov1convert




Get a Quote

CarsDirect
Get a Quote

Pricequotes
Get a Quote

edmunds.com
Get a Quote

InsideLine.com
Get a Quote

  See all stores

great handling, poor ergonomics


by prov1convert: Written: Sep 22 '06


Product Rating: 3.0 Recommended: No 

Pros: performance and handling is superb.
Cons: see items 1 to 9 above.
The Bottom Line: For performance and handling, it's hard to beat a bmw. For other features (styling, ergonomics, etc.), there are many to choose from.


i have a 2005 330ci and a 2007 325i (chris bangle model). i don't like the 2007 model. here are my comments on the 2007 model:

1. the 2007 model looks the same inside as it does outside. if you don't like it outside, you won't like the inside.
2. you can't see the readings on the radio with sunglasses on. with sunglasses, the radio panel turns completely black. without sunglasses, it's bright red - like older models. it's distracting and a hazard while driving since you have to turn your head and read the panel to do anything. reminds me of the i-drive where i got seasick after 15 minutes of turning my head back and forth - like watching a tennis match.
3. the dashboard and fixtures are like the outside - full of hard edges. i feel like my forehead may get cut on the dashboard (exageration, but that's what i feel)
4. the car feels very solid, but cheap. it feels like a car solidly welded from cheap materials.
5. the arm rest on the doors slide downwards which is awkward. i feel like if i rest my arm on it, i would slide down under the dashboard while driving.
6. the radio controls aren't intuitive and you must look at the radio panel to change settings or read the car manual. for example, i accidentally pressed one of the radio buttons not knowing that it was the am/fm button. and because i couldn't see the radio menu with my sunglasses on, i was pressing every button to try and switch it back to fm. so there i was flipping my sunglasses up and down while driving trying to read the radio. unfortunately, i didn't figure it out until i reached my destination when i removed my sunglasses. the 7th or 8th radio button (among about 12 buttons in a row) was for "am/fm".
7. the brakes are very strong, but modulation is terrible. in other words, if you pressed the brake just a little bit quickly, it would bite immediately and you'd jerk forward. so while driving i have to mindfully press the brakes carefully and gently to not jerk forward. it's counter-intuitive. you need to step on the brakes fast to avoid the car in front of you, but must step slowly to avoid getting thrown towards the windshield.
8. the location of cupholders are better than previous models, but still not large enough to accommodate large cups.
9. i couldn't find the door lock button, so i manually pushed the lock down. i couldn't get out of the car cause i couldn't find the door lock button. if i drove off a bridge, i would've drowned. who'd think to look at the top of the dashboard for a door lock button? I just remembered... i could've pulled on the door handle once to unlock the door. but i didn't think of it cause i was in panic.
10. the performance and handling of the car is excellent.
11. thick steering wheel feels good.
12. car space seems larger than previous models, while preserving performance and handling.

the only saving grace of this car is the handling and performance. everything else is a let down from previous models. hopefully, they will get rid of all this gadgetry/gimmicks and get back to good driving ergonomics.
Product Rating: 3.0
Recommended: No 

See all Reviews
Back to Top

Related Search Terms   
bmw cars bmw cars bmw price bmw 3 series

Subscribe to More Reviews on 2006 BMW 3 Series
Get the RSS Feed: - Add to My Yahoo!: Add to My Yahoo! - Add to Google Homepage: Add to Google

Subscribe to prov1convert's Reviews:
Get the RSS Feed: - Add to My Yahoo!: Add to My Yahoo! - Add to Google Homepage: Add to Google

Help | Member Center | Message Boards | Site Rules | User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Site Index  
About Epinions | Careers | Contact Epinions | Advertising  

Epinions | Shopping.com | Rent.com | Free Classifieds

Shopping.com Network © 1999-2008 Shopping.com, Inc. Trademark Notice

Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources,
so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.