Bmw 330i 2006 Car Review
I have to reveal up front that I own an older 3-series BMW, so I
am quite aware of its abilities and drawbacks. And as many
different types of cars that I drive, I am always happy to
return to my baby. But when I got behind the wheel of the new
330i (Edmunds pricing at $39,184) I could tell that this machine
was a sharp step up in performance within a quarter mile.
At my first ride in the driver's seat, I couldn't get over the
ergonomics of the steering wheel. Every car has one, and I've
handled a few unusual ones, but my grip has never felt more at
home than with this 330i. (Unfortunately, it wasn't a heated
steering while like the 7-series, and it was quite cold
outside.) Then BMW mates this steering wheel with very precise
steering for a sedan-level car.
The German automobiles avoid the low-end torque that American
makers' design, instead they offer a slower launch, but
smoother, linear acceleration. And the silky 6-cylinder engine
is particularly noticeable with a manual transmission in this
car. BMW finally added a 6th gear for the stick shift, and I say
it is overdue. My old one has 50,000 miles and the gearing still
makes me look for 6th when I run up through the gears - but
sadly there are only 5 to be had. Since the 330i generates 255
horsepower, far more than I am used to for daily driving, I may
have to upgrade my radar detector.
Yes, the car basics are spectacular - engine, ride, steering
(even the steering wheel), but the electronics controls are a
comical disappointment. Anyone that has driven this car has a
story about turning on the turn signals from one side to the
other and back again, during a vain attempt to turn them off. I
know people in the area gave me a wider berth, thinking I was a
confused and lost driver. The turning signal lever doesn't
'click' into place as the rest of the world has come to commonly
expect turn signals to function. With the 330i, you tap the
signal, such as for passing, and it automatically flashes three
times and then turns off. But you can hold the lever a little
longer, and you get your normal-action from the turn signal. But
on a soft turn, where the signal doesn't turn off, you have to
flick it the other way to turn it off. But in the hurry of the
moment, if it is more than a flick, then you just indicated from
your signals that you are turning in the opposite direction. And
this goes back & forth every once in a while until you get
accustomed to it.
Other electronic oddities are the Navigation/Radio controls.
There are many models of cars where you can intuitively muddle
your way to what you want to get done. I couldn't generate that
kind of luck while I was driving. My passenger had to repeatedly
go through the owners' manual that didn't offer much guidance to
get the map or radio station the way we wanted. And we didn't
even have the added i-drive option that so many customers
complain about. I'm at a loss to explain the miss-timing of the
automatic windshield wipers. I love that Jaguar has this feature
down pat, but the 330i wipers were always going too fast or too
slow; so kept having to manually adjust the automatic windshield
wipers. An electronic improvement over the prior 3-series model
is the traction control system. The old model would cut the
power to the wheels in an obvious fashion, while this model is a
seamless experience of artificially superior driving skill.
So while the driving experience is a quantum level improvement
over the last generation change at BMW, their electronics
package gives me some hesitation in buying one of these
machines. In bumper to bumper traffic, the electronic gadgetry
of the 330i becomes more annoying; and only on curvy roads
without traffic or law enforcement can you experience the thrill
of what this car can offer.