Faults:

I bought a 4-year extended warranty for the wheels/tires of the car. When BMW sent out a "service bulletin" (a fancy way to say "recall") on the tires about a year later, they didn't honor the extended warranty, which defeats the purpose of getting a warranty.

The onboard computer is also very finicky, I have had brought this to BMW service at least three times because it just won't start with a "red steering wheel lock" on the dashboard. Sad to say, but this is NOT an isolated problem (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1038819). My dealer's service center is not a pain to deal with (so far), but they could not explain why it is happening; they would just "reset" the computer, hoping it would be OK.

I am getting rid of this car, not because it doesn't perform as advertised, but the reliability is questionable. It almost feels like that once the 4-year warranty expires, the headaches will start pouring in.

BMW USA is also not very helpful. After the pains I've gone through to own this beautiful machine, one would wonder how the company can survive with such arrogance.

General Comments:

Drives and handles like a dream. BMW designed the AWD in such a way that handling is not compromised. One should really get this car with a MANUAL TRANSMISSION, otherwise you will not going to get its full potential... and to be honest, the AT is very sluggish (this from driving the "loaner cars" when my car is in service).

The cabin design is OK but not GREAT. It's quite apparent that BMW had to cut corners for more profit margin (this is compared to the previous generation E46?)... oh I said "more profit margin", because the 3-series hasn't gone cheaper. ;-)

I know the new styling is love-it-or-hate-it... but I personally love the new design, it's an evolution in the right direction... that said, the designer (Chris Bangle) probably took his unique design a bit too far for the other models (the Z series is kinda over-the-top).

But, alas, having all that said ... it's not enough reason for me to keep the car... I believe owning the Ultimate Driving Machine need not suffer such compromise.

Faults:

I had a squeaking noise coming from the passenger side rear wheel. Vehicle is still under bumper-bumper warranty and full maintenance warranty. The dealership was not sure if the rear brake pads were bad or it was the rear brake sensor. The rear pads and sensor were replaced and the cost was ZERO.

General Comments:

Prior to owning the BMW I owned a 2003 Corvette Z06. I needed a backseat, so I began to explore my options. My list dwindled down to the Lexus Is350. I took a test drive in the Lexus and it was a great car. I liked the interior and the power.

After the test drive, I drove a used 2006 BMW 325i, first time ever driving a BMW. As soon as sat in the BMW, I knew I had to have one. Test drove the 325i and what sold me was the way the car drove, the steering and road feel. My gripe with the 325 was I needed more power.

Found my 2006 330i with approx 8000 miles on her. I have had the car for approx 1 year and the only problems were the above listed. Previously owning the Z06, getting into anything and not being impressed with low end torque is a given. After a while I did get used to the 330's power, 255hp.

Where this car feels at home is on the highway. I live in the Las Vegas area and most of the highways are concrete, so you get a lot of tire noise. My (or should I say the Bank's) BMW is very quite on the highway and you definitely don't realize how fast you are going.

I love the interior of this car, it has everything I need. Also has the hands free phone, which links to my blue-tooth phone, and I-pod connect. All seating is very comfortable.

I've been hearing a lot of gripes about the run-flat tires, Ie. harsh ride. The ride is sometimes a bit harsh on my car, but I do have the sports package, so expected?

Lastly, I just wanted to write about the dealership experience which had been good. For the problem the car went in for and routine maintenance, there have been no problems with the BMW dealer. The reason I say it has been "good", is because I used to own an Infinity QX4, and to this date no dealer had been as customer service oriented as they have.

If you are in the market for a vehicle this size, you must drive a BMW. I use this website a lot to do research on cars and appreciate honest reviews. This is one place we as customers can talk about a good or bad experience and can "sway" a purchase. If anyone has any questions feel free to post them, and I will try to answer.

Faults:

Driver door handle sticks up.

Car is very low to ground, hitting every small bumps or when parking, the curves.

General Comments:

Well, its not the same as my 2002 325i, don't like the braking system, the car sits very low, handle to open doors sticks in the up position so you can't close the door, I did address the low car issue with no return. A car this well made should not have little problems like doors sticking, I think BMW should be able to disconnect this braking system and also give us the choice of having regular tires rather than flat free, no spare is present. If I could, I would sell the car and buy a new 2005 instead, they were a better car, not talking about the looks or shape, the 2006 drives super well and very confortable.

The car performs very well and its fast.