While we are chained to our desks at Autoblog's Chicago headquarters, Tom
over at Chicago Car News is off
visiting the local BMW dealership just for fun. This sounds like a regular thing for Tom. While it might seem like an
odd habit, it has led him to the discovery of the new 2006 BMW 3 Series on lots, and it's for sale. Has anyone seen a 3
Series commercial yet? You'd think they might want to get those rolling sometime soon.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Michael Lopez @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
I have also seen a 2006 3-series in a Denver BMW Dealership (for sale) this past weekend.
Sean G @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
I too have seen a new 3 series (in black) on the road.. about 3 weeks ago - it was driving down Rt 202 not too far from the Flemington NJ BMW dealership - I was unable to get close enough to the car to see if the plates were dealer or manufacturer - with the NA HQ offices in Norther NJ, it is not too uncommon to see the new models in the highways in the area, so I assumed thats what I was seeing - a pre-sales model that was making the rounds at the local dealers.
Aaron @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
I just checked the Minneapolis BMW dealership's inventory on line and there are 4 2006 3-series in-stock.
Josh Wardell @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
Forget the commercials, we're way overdue for some new BMWfilms!
petey pablo @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
is it just me or does the front of the car look fugly. I like the previous front much better. Heck even the elantra looks better IMHO.
iQuack @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
Unfortunate that so many new cars don't have protective rub strips on their sides.
There will be lots of door dings on these things if parked in crowded lots.
Kakairo @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
I've actually seen one on the road, in West Lafayette, IN, of all places. It looked...cheap. Not as solid as a 5-Series. I think the Elantra petey mentioned even looks more robust...
Rence @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
They've been driving around here for a while now (netherlands) and what I noticed first is how much bigger it is than previous 3's.. bit like the old 5 series in size I think. I'm really liking the new design, the line across the side is a bit Merc CLS, which is a good thing I think :)
Golf Grouch @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
Just another Bangle Mangle...
It's amazing how one man could ruin a car company, IMHO.
http://www.grouchygolf.com/
El Conquistador @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
I was at my local BMW dealer (doing The Drive for the Cure) and they had a couple new 3 Series. They also said that thev've had them for a couple of weeks. I guess it helps to live in Charleston, where most of the bimmers exported and imported into the US.
The dealer has sold quite a few and they also have a pretty long waiting list.
BTW - People are paying good money to get on the waiting list for the new M5. I've heard that the going price to be #1 on the list in Charleston is over $10,000.
Good news for BMW.
Chris @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
I think it looks awesome. If you'd really rather have a Hyundai than the new BMW 3, you have some serious issues that I'm not going to be able to talk out of you on this board.
Phil @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
what i dont understand, are people like the hyundai owner who bitch and moan about these kind of cars. your not the target market, and i agree with 11, if you think your elantra is so superior, then fine. i recently took one for a test drive (idrive free, smg) and it was amazing. once MY 07 comes around i will pick a black on black one up immediately, you dont like it, dont buy it, but dont chime in if your not even in the position to buy one.
wilsoch @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
Um, Phil, last time I checked people are entitled to their opinions, even if they're "not in a position to buy one." If #5 and #7 think the new 3 is ugly, they're entitled to say so. Go enjoy your car and ignore them. (And for the record, neither one said they own a Hyundai.) I for one think the new 3 is the nicest of the new designs, so hopefully BMW design is on the upswing.
JG3 @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
It seems to me that the 3-series is almost always the best looking BMW sedan. I still don't like the way the turn signals line the headlights like Tammy Fay eye-liner, but the rest of the car is great.
SRD @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
I own a three series a 2003 and love it. ive been looking at pics of the new one for like a year now and thought it looked like crap. but 2 weeks ago the bmw dealer in my city got some. and i got to drive it and it is so much better in person its like a completely different car in fact in looking to trade mine in for it. the interior is is def and improvment. and with the 18 in rims and run flats the car looks amazing alot better than the 5 series and it doesnt look cheap at all like one user stated.
c @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
Since the 3-er is much larger than the old, it is eating into the 5-er's territory. I think BMW may have a problem of the 3-er taking away sale of the 5 since the 3 is so much better looking.
Sue Hill @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
I've waited a long time for the new 3. I had
hoped the "wow" factor would outweigh the
cramped quarters, nope. Nothing special in
my opinion, I like the old grill better and
the tail lights look dated. The new three
convinced me to go with the new 525xi.
mhells @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
i currently drive a 2003 330ci coupe and thought the pictures were horrible, i then saw the car at the NY auto show and thought it was acceptable. this past weekend i test drove one and loved it. it looks GREAT in real life. it tightens up the positives on the 5. i think bmw hit it out of the park but will probably wait for news on the turbo or new coupe before upgrading.
however i think if i can afford it i'd like to keep my 330ci and pack a ESS turbo on it for an extra 120 horses
anyone have any tips on that?
mhells @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
i meant supercharger.. just a correction for those in the know who are appalled
Gabe @ Dec 18th 2005 11:00PM
Just spent about an hour behind the wheel of a 330i (6-speed/sports pkg) and I can tell you the thing is phenomenal. The car looks incredible in the flesh - I was totally surprised at how broad shouldered and buff it seeems. The chassis is so balanced and neutral, very few other cars on the road can match it... let alone something so mass market. With the DSC off, the car becomes incredibly tossable and eager to wag it's tail. Just a delightful thing to wring out. While it does lack a bit of the feel of the previous 3 series, it is faster, flatter and bolder.
In a word, incredible.