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2006 BMW 3-Series Road Test

Passing the Torch

Keeping up with the Joneses is hard enough, but being the Joneses and therefore expected to be the best year after year must be a real pressure cooker.

Just the same, its not like the territory is particularly new for BMW. Ever since its 2002 was announced in 1968 and quickly proved its potential by winning the European Touring Car Championship at the hands of Dieter Quester, the Bavarian brand has been the sport sedan builder to beat.

After a mid-cycle update that ran until 1976 the 2002 was replaced by BMWs first 3-Series in 1977, the 320i - codenamed E21. The car was a runaway success, selling over 1.3 million globally during its seven year lifespan.

The somewhat boxy 1984 through

Keeping up with the Joneses is hard enough, but being the Joneses is even tougher. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

1991 E30 was the best selling BMW before the outgoing E46 came along, with more than 2.3 million produced. The E36, which ran from 1992 through 1998, was extremely popular too, upping performance with a sophisticated multilink rear suspension and increasing output to a healthy 192-horsepower in top-line 325i guise.

But it was the E46, arriving in 1999 and currently still available new from the automakers

After years of benchmark accolades, BMW has definitely nailed down the sports sedan formula. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

showrooms, albeit in limited supply, that sent the brand over the 3 million mark. BMW has definitely nailed down the sports sedan formula.

What set the E46 apart from its predecessors, and most of its compact sport/luxury rivals, is a variety of bodystyles and drivetrain options. The 2005 3-Series can been had as a five-door wagon, two-door coupe, two-door convertible and, of course a four-door sedan. It offers three engine options,

The two sedans that make up the new 2006 3-Series lineup seem rather simple in comparison to the outgoing E46s myriad of model configurations. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

including 2.5-liter, 3.0-liter and 3.2-liter configurations, driving the rear- or all-wheels via three transmission options, a six-speed manual, 5-speed automatic with manual mode, and 6-speed sequential manual gearbox (SMG); optimizing one general architecture to produce an entire lineup of fun and functional entry-level premium vehicles.

The new 2006 3-Series lineup seems rather simple in comparison, but of course its single four-door sedan profile and

Simply put, the 2006 3-Series is better than the outgoing model in every way. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

2.5- plus 3.0-liter duo of engines will soon share the stable with more derivatives, such as a 325i wagon scheduled to become available in rear- and all-wheel drivetrains in the fall. But that is months away yet, making the need for BMW to get yours truly into its new 325i and 330i sedans, that are already starting to arrive at dealerships across the country, priority one.

The automaker chose Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the cars North American press launch, which now makes sense after driving the sensational roads that crisscross the state. Being that my intro to

The design naysayers are few and far between compared to the cumulative gasp of relief heard when the new 3-Series was unveiled. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

this story has taken more of your time than initially anticipated let me cut to the chase. The 2006 3-Series is better than the outgoing model in every way. It delivers more power, better handling, greater feel of the road, superior braking, way more safety and convenience features, tauter construction, and in my opinion, better styling.

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