For starters, the new sedans are larger. They're more than two inches longer and three inches wider, and wheelbase has increased 1.4 inches. Most of the increased exterior dimensions translate into more interior space, particularly in the back seat. Moreover, BMW claims the new body is stronger, in that it is more resistant to twisting or bending from road shocks. A rigid structure is crucial to its success and performance in virtually every other respect.
Some reviewers have claimed that the new 3 Series has been spared some of the styling excesses in the BMW 5 and 7 Series cars. Certainly the approach with the 3 Series has been more conservative, and it's easy to understand why. This car accounts for nearly half of BMW 's income. Nonetheless, spared is not a word we'd use for the 2006 3 Series sedans.
The predominant theme in front is BMW's traditional double beam headlights, now under clear covers that wrap around the corners and taper to a point to emphasize the car's width. In profile, the sedan's front and rear overhangs seem even shorter than before. The hood line continues past the windshield pillars all the way to the rear, while the roof line is rounder than before.
Design is the most subjective of all automotive traits, and clearly the 325i and 330i retain some basic BMW qualities or character. Yet in certain respects they also look more generic than their predecessors. The sides are basically flat planes with a single crease below the door pulls and above the wheel wells, but the ends of the car are busier, and we've yet to discover cohesion to the design. Particularly in rear view there are lots of lines, and in this aspect the 3 looks as if it might have been designed in Asia rather than Munich. In short, we're not sure we like it, or at least we're still getting used it.
One thing is certain. Larger wheels and tires filling the wheel wells are almost always a good thing for appearance's sake, and we like the new wheel upgrades (to 17-inch on the 325i and 18-inch on the 330i). The 330i can be distinguished from the 325i by more than its wheels. The 330i's windows and grille slats are trimmed with chrome, while slats across its lower front air intakes are body colored rather than black.
Another sure thing: the new sedan's trunk is larger, and it's another sign that BMW has tried to make the 3 Series more consumer friendly, as well as stylish. Volume has increased from 10.3 to 12 cubic feet, giving the 3 Series trunk space that's more competitive. Moreover, the trunk opening is considerably larger, making it easier to get things inside, and the additional trunk volume does not count a new divided storage bin under the load floor (where a spare might have gone, if not for the new run-flat tires). There's also a drawer hanging under the rear interior shelf to take better advantage of what is often useless space. The new 3 series is still available with a split-folding rear seat and ski sack, expanding cargo space into the rear of the cabin.
The new sedan's co-efficient of drag has been improved as well, meaning that it is more slippery as it cuts through the air. Other things being equal, that means more fuel efficiency, because it takes less power to move the 3 Series at a given speed, and there's less wind noise generated around the car.
The high-tech theme that permeates the 2006 3 Series sedans is even visible from the outside. The 330i comes standard with adaptive halogen headlights that turn with the steering wheel to aim into a curve. All models also have BMW's adaptive brake lights, which are based on the idea that drivers in the cars following a 3 Series can know when the 3 is attempting a panic stop just by the brake lights. The LED lights illuminate more intensely, over a larger area, when the driver applies the brakes full-lock or the ABS operates.
