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2006 BMW 325xi Sport Wagon Road Test

A Visceral Ski Mobile... and Much More

Before heading up a local mountain road for an evening of skiing, I was pleased to find that BMW had installed a full set of 17-inch Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires on this weeks tester. The coastal mountains into which I was headed are notorious for rapid weather changes, usually for the worse, but I had little to fear thanks to the "x." The "x" in BMWs nomenclature represents xDrive, Bavarian for four-wheel drive technology, which is now available on both 3- and 5-Series Bimmers in addition to the iconic automakers X3 and X5 SUVs; the sticky Blizzaks were but the icing on the cake.

BMWs xDrive technology is a highly sophisticated arrangement capable of infinitely varying power distribution to all four wheels, ensuring that those with grip get the juice. This system is combined with BMWs Intelligent, extended-functionality Dynamic Stability Control (DSC-x) program, which includes traction control in its electronic bag of tricks. But the 325xis prowess doesnt end there, as it would in most all-wheel-drive cars and wagons.

X and Blizzak Winter Tires make for one of the best winter combos. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

Nope, not even close. The 325xi Sport Wagon is equipped with Hill Decent Control (HDC), which is a feature not found in most SUVs, never mind in wagons and sedans. Activated by a dash-mounted button, HDC uses the vehicles anti-lock braking system to automatically control speed during a steep, slippery decent; think of it as allowing the car to gingerly walk its way down a steep grade rather than slip and slide its way down with wild abandon. The last word in BMW climbing prowess goes to the 325xis Start Off Assist feature, which holds the vehicle on a hill momentarily while the clutch is released, alleviating the paranoia of rolling backward while everyone else is rolling forward.
 
The Sport Wagon is now based on BMWs latest generation 3-Series sedan. Style-wise, the wagon is faithful to the sedan,

Swoopy styling means that three fewer cubic-feet can be exploited than the 3-Series main rival, the A4 Avant. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

sharing its aggressive lines and powerful stance. BMW designers successfully averted the "boxiness" that often defines compact wagons, but unfortunately in doing so traded off cargo space. While such a result is necessary to achieve the 325xi SWs beautifully tapered tail, it results in approximately three fewer cubic-feet of volume behind the rear seat than available in the Bimmers main competitor, the Audi A4 Avant.

Despite the 325xis slimmer wagon contour it easily handled three sets of skis, poles and boots, along with three skiers and their various bags of gear and clothing. With 60 percent of the split-folding rear seat assigned to the third occupant and the remaining 40 percent folded flat, allowing easy placement of the long skis and accompanying paraphernalia, we were off. The aging ski team quickly noted how the compact exterior dimensions of the 325xi Sport Wagon

Logical, high-quality dash at odds with odd curves and shapes. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

belie the sense of substance imparted by its spacious, solidly built cabin. In fact, everything about the wagon feels equally heavy and well put together as it does in more upscale and higher priced BMW products such as the 5-Series wagon.

Clearly BMW hasnt cut corners around critical infrastructure and build quality in producing their 3-Series wagon. Although its interior design isnt, in my view, award winning, the 325xis cabin is nonetheless attractive thanks in part to top-notch plastics and the optional brushed aluminum trim spicing up the interior of my tester. All controls and switches are logically laid-out and simplistic to operate, which is a comment not often associated with BMW since the origin of its iDrive technology. Fortunately, my tester was free of the much-maligned mouse; which is available in conjunction with the optional navigation system. With or without the presence of iDrive, motoring in the 325xi Sport Wagon is all about visceral automotive pleasure, not electronic interface frustration.

The 3.0L I-6 is the only engine available to the Sport Wagon. Thank goodness its good! (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

Few wagon formats, if any, match the sensational driving pleasure found behind the wheel of the 325xi five-door. I was absolutely delighted to find a 6-speed stick in my tester as I climbed in and fired up its sophisticated DOHC, 24-valve, 6-cylinder inline 3.0-litre (182 cu-in) powerplant (the only engine available). This turbine smooth mill spills out 215 of the most refined horses ever gathered beneath a hood, and with BMWs Valvetronic variable valve-timing at work, the horses are supplied most willingly.

Along with the horsepower come 185 foot-pounds of torque at 2,750 rpm. I know that its horsepower and torque ratings dont generate shock and awe amongst car enthusiasts, but at 3,729 lbs the 325xi Sport Wagon is only slightly heavier than most compact, all-wheel drive SUVs running around, some with less horses - although some with quite a bit more. Use its 6-speed stick wisely and the 325xi Sport Wagon will reward with impressive acceleration and plenty of zeal for mountain climbing and highway passing, even when laden with skiers and a boot full of gear. BMW claims a run from nada to 60

5-Link, 5-beam suspension system helps keep the Sport Wagons tail firmly planted on the road. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

mph will take 7.5 seconds when the manual gearbox is employed. Off the line performance, however, is not necessarily the first reason why a 325xi customer opts for the nimble wagon.

The 3-Series sedan has long been reputed as a high achiever and benchmark setter on the subject of handling, and that reputation has not been lost on the Sport Wagon version. Despite the winter treads at all four corners, my tester exhibited stability, balance and poise when tossed from side to side by its speed-sensitive, variable power assist rack-and-pinion steering. I found cornering ability to be well above what one expects in a wagon, any wagon, and largely indistinguishable from the 2006, 330i I field-tested last year. Equally impressive is the fact that BMW engineers achieved these remarkable handling thresholds without eschewing ride comfort and quality. Their solution utilizes a fully independent suspension setup comprised of double-pivot struts up front and a 5-link, 5-beam design in the rear, augmented with cast-aluminum upper transverse arms. Gas-charged shocks plus front and rear anti-roll bars also share credit for the beautiful blend of comfort, control and handling that defines the 325xi Sport Wagon - but credit doesnt end

Retractable mesh net prevents cargo from unexpectedly enerting the cabin. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

there.

Credit also extends to the superb braking performance offered-up by the powerful antilock disc brakes residing at each compass point of my tester. In addition to Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), these binders are bolstered with Fade Compensation, Brake Standby and Brake Drying along with BMWs Soft Stop functionality. And function they did with all the stopping power and precision one could ask for in a vehicle produced for public roadways, not the track. Emergency stops were quick, clean, predictable and free of nosedive and tumult. Strong, reliable brake performance is requisite to automobile safety. On the regrettable occasions when a collision is unavoidable regardless of effective braking, a cluster of standard equipment airbags will deploy to help protect occupants from serious injury. Included in the grouping are front and side thorax airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, plus BMWs Advanced Head Protection System (AHPS II) providing cranial protection front and rear. AHPSII is a system of side, head curtain airbags situated in the vehicles headliner.

Properly outfitting a vehicle with occupant protection is commendable for any manufacturer, but a "must" for premium builders such as BMW; consequently there are no additional occupant-protection boxes on the sales form to check-off. However if the urge

Mother Nature didnt stand a chance against this AWD 3-Series Sport Wagon. (Photo: American Auto Press)

to check boxes remains after examining the extensive list of standard equipment and features of the 325xi Sport Wagon, BMW will provide the opportunity.

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