2006 BMW 3 Series 320i Sport 2.2 petrol N/A

Summary:

Fantastic Machine

Faults:

Nothing! Fabulous.

I thought it is a German Product, but it is built in SA and quality in good; better than my Range Rover, I recon slightly better than my E280

General Comments:

Fantastic responsive engine, although only 2200cc it is very quick and quicker than my E280 and Range Rover (probably the weight)

The Gearbox changes is super smooth, on par with the RR and Merc.

The seats are good quality, but the back is squash and the front sitting position is low and is v. hard to get in. Not the car when I take the whole family (though when we are in a rush, we will take it!)

Gearbox changes is rather late often at 3300 rpm which is much higher than my Merc. (2500 rpm) and the RR (2000 rpm). I also have the feeling that the gearbox have a tendency to hold on to the clutch rather too long.

Over talking fantastic, power in all power bands. It has got a boy racing look, totally different from the subtle RR and Merc.

Rather noisy, could be the uprated exhaust, and also rather short travel suspension.

Awful sound system, it is the business unit with figure tip control, but only 6 speakers, non on the rear door card. The sound is no way as good as the Harmon Cardon on the Range Rover or the Merc (which I think is Becker)

As I said, handle very well and very responsive engine and gearbox, good brakes as well. Fantastic driving machine, this one with the Sport pack definitely looks better than the new 3 series, which in my opinion is just as ugly as the other BMW models nowadays.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th October, 2006

31st Oct 2006, 18:01

Pardon, but isn't the 320i a 2.0 litre job if it is an '06 model?

14th Nov 2006, 00:08

Yes, 2006 320i is a 2 litre 4 cylinder engine. Previous model was a 2,171cc 6 cylinder.

26th Jul 2007, 23:34

Hi, I am the original author of the article. It is the E46 type - so it is the 2.2 6 cylinder.