2006 bmw 330i

I think 37k, or there abouts. Do they not have the 330i on the BMW site yet? you should be able to build your own.

I would look at the new Lexus IS350 as well. No harm in kicking the tires.

 

Um, okay. Overpriced, overcomplicated and unreliable it is

 

The way I configured it on the BMW Usa site is that, you have the jet black, with black leatherette, and walnut trim. No extra charges there, no options, and a 6 disc cd change is 649. So that 38k. No options, no extra color costs.

http://byo.bmwusa.com/configurator/config/frameset.asp?Acode=XAB60BMC221A0

add $649 for the cd changer to that price,

 

It's the "ultimate driving machine", it comes standard with a 6-speed. You'll have to add the slushbox. Still, not a bad deal.

http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/3/2006330isedan/features.htm

all your questions are answered on the website.

 

Not sure if I'm feeling these new Bangilized Bimmers....
Sucks the older M3 was awesome....

 

The Automatic transmission is a $1275 option I believe

 

I'm feeling some sarcasm here.

 

go to the BMW message boards at www.roadfly.org
then look under 3 series...lots of info.

 

Okay, little story here.

Earlier this year I was working as a contractor for Cymer Inc. They manufacture Excimer lasers. These are used in lithography for IC chip making.

The CEO called an all hands meeting to roll out a new quality program.

Evidently Cymer was making product with high performance and great specs but the uptime in the factory was way below some competitors. This problem was starting to eat their lunch, hence the new initiative.
To bring home the importance of making customers happy, he went on a rant about all the electrical problems his 7 series BMW has experienced over the year and a half he owned it. He was unhappy with the problems AND with the way BMW was responding. He ended with saying that he would NOT be buying BMW again.

Erich
You might want to rethink the Asian bias thing.

 

This is why you HATE japanese cars? have you driven a japanese car other than the cheapest possible ones? Go look at the IS350. I guarantee the interior will be on par in both materials and feel with the BMW. There is nothing tacky about them.

 

They make an Is250 in AWD. Not the 350 though, it's also RWD.

 

I don't expect BMW's to be as reliable as a Japanese marque, but the 7-series is the worst BMW to buy for reliability. The 3-series and 5-series are BMW's bread'n'butter so I would expect them to be more reliable.

I can only compare against my experience w/ Nissan and Toyota (maybe even Lexus if it's not that far behind Toyota), but I'm hooked on BMW engineering. How everything is designed is very well-thought out and not as complicated as Nissan or Toyota. And if BMW shifted their focus on outsourcing parts that last as long as Nissan/Toyota parts, then they would be up the ranks in reliability. Then again, if they did that, then they would sacrifice their engineering.

///Michael.