Entered CNET Catalog: 03/11/2006
SKU: 100650030
Manufacturer: BMW of North America
Product summary
The good: The 2006 BMW M3 pleases enthusiasts of both performance and technology with near race-spec power and handling. Satellite radio provides a soundtrack to the racetrack, and a rudimentary navigation unit spares drivers the hassle of BMW's iDrive interface.
The bad: The 2006 BMW M3 is a high-priced, high-performance gas guzzler that can be balky when cold and at slow speeds. The veteran sports car shows its age with the lack of any MP3-playback ability.
The bottom line: The current iteration of BMW's signature sports car blends competition power and handling with the comfort of a workaday sedan. Cockpit tech is less than impressive for a car with a price tag of nearly 70 grand, and fuel consumption and emissions are high. But it sure is fun to drive.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 05/05/2006
Even though it's near the end of its production run based on the outgoing E46 3 Series, the 2006 BMW M3 is still a very desirable performance icon.
It may no longer be the most modern car in its class, but with its 3.2-liter, 333-horsepower engine, its sequential manual gearbox (SMG), and its well-appointed interior, it more than holds its own and has well-earned M-car cachet.
The 2006 BMW M3 does show its age in its somewhat dated cabin electronics: MP3 capability even for CDs is nil, and the navigation system, while useful, has fewer features than most newer systems. Sirius Satellite Radio is available as a dealer-installed option, though, and the car is prewired for Bluetooth compatibility.
While 300 pounds heavier than the coupe, the M3 convertible is still blisteringly quick and capable, delivering plenty of smooth, refined power. An excellent combination of sports handling and comfort contributes to the M3 being a race car of the road with real room for four. The undeniable sunny-day attraction of top-down motoring and the stress-reducing capability of the SMG to operate fully automatically in traffic if desired make the M3 convertible as fine a car for everyday use as it is for high-performance driving.
With an intuitive rollover-protection system and a range of other standard features, the latest M3 convertible is about as safe as soft-top sports cars can hope to be.
But like all BMWs, a 2006 BMW M3 doesn't come cheap: The convertible starts at $56,600. Our test car had the Cold Weather Package ($750); a Harman Kardon sound system ($675); a rudimentary nav system ($1,800); Michelin Pilot Sport tires ($1,750); and an SMG gearbox ($2,400). For power lumbar support in the front seats, add $400, and xenon headlights will set you back another $700. On top of that, factor in the $695 destination charge and a $1,300 gas-guzzler penalty, and the grand total comes to $67,070.
The 2006 BMW M3 is built for high-performance motoring in comfort, a fact immediately apparent as you slip into its firmly padded and wonderfully accommodating seats. The M-branded, leather-wrapped steering wheel provides audio- and cruise-control toggles, giving the driver a fine office from which to go about the M3's business. Instrument-panel design is classic BMW, with a large hooded pod for the main gauges and a center stack angled toward the driver for easier access to the audio and climate controls.
Our convertible was fitted with an optional DVD-based satellite navigation system, controlled via an LCD interface in the center of the dash. Compared with more modern systems, including those in newer BMWs, the nav interface is limited. Destinations may be entered by zip code, from the address book, by direct address entry using the main knob to choose letters and numbers, or by moving the map cursor. But the map-cursor method is cumbersome and best suited to nearby locations, as the map scale can't be changed during the process. There is no voice-recognition ability, and the system is slow to present directions, but once calculated, they are displayed in a useful turn-by-turn list with voice guidance. The screen itself is usually easily visible, although glare in some light can make it difficult.
The navigation screen also multitasks by integrating audio, trip computer, and phone-system controls, as well as by displaying a bunch of useful information on demand, including the miles to empty, outside temperature, and time; speed; and distance calculations. System controls are marked hard buttons to the sides of the screen and a master rotary control to its lower right. We found the interface simpler and more intuitive than BMW's more recent iDrive system.
The 2006 BMW M3's telephone system is compatible with Bluetooth phones and has a number of useful features, including address-book storage and saving the last-dialed and eight most-dialed numbers for quick access.
In a nifty techno touch, the CD player is revealed by pressing the eject button, which causes the nav-system LCD to automatically flip up for access. Audio-system sound quality is good, but choices are limited to AM/FM radio and commercial format CDs. Neither MP3 CDs nor MP3 players--such as iPods--are in the program, although Sirius Satellite Radio is available.
As expected in a high-priced luxury car, the top is fully automatic, with no manual latching necessary. To operate it, you can press and hold one of the iconically marked buttons below the HVAC controls on the center stack. It can be dropped or raised quickly, but the car must be at rest for safety reasons.
With the top up, the 2006 BMW M3's interior sound level is higher than in the coupe, although it's not overly loud. With the top down, wind is at a pleasant level, at least at legal highway speeds. Our test model had the Cold Weather Package, which includes heated front seats and retractable headlight washers.
To the rear, the M3 convertible's backlight is glass, with a heater element, for long-term, all-weather visibility. With the top up, we found that the wide C-pillars between the rear screen and the rear quarter windows impaired visibility. The outside mirrors help a bit, but care is necessary in parking lots.
Rear-seat space in the 2006 BMW M3 convertible is very reasonable: We deposited our editor there on the way to the photo shoot and didn't hear any complaints. Access is what you'd expect for a two-door car designed more for horsepower than haulage.
While the 2006 BMW M3 convertible is slightly slower than the coupe to 60mph from a standstill (at 5.4 seconds), it is still one of the quickest cars in production today.
BMW's M cars are distinguished by their engine and chassis specifications, and it is in those departments that the M3 outshines its rivals, with plenty of input from BMW's long involvement in competition.
One direct influence from the racetrack is the 2006 BMW M3's use of a separate throttle body for each engine cylinder. These are electronically controlled, with regular and high-performance modes. In high-performance mode, throttle pedal sensitivity is increased, and less movement is needed for throttle response. A low-restriction exhaust system with catalytic converters further enhances power.
Despite the high specific output, the engine is quite flexible. There is a reasonable amount of torque at low revs, but for best performance, the engine needs to be kept above 3,000rpm.
The optional SMG gearbox (with which our test car was equipped) was developed from systems used to control the gearboxes in BMW-powered Formula One cars in the late 1990s. The SMG is a manual transmission with a clutch that is automatically engaged. This type of transmission shifts faster than a conventional manual, although it doesn't allow for free selection of gears. Sequential means it can go only up or down to the next gear from the one that it's in. The SMG also has an automatic mode in which the car shifts for the driver, moving to the right gear based on engine and car speed. While pricey (at $2,400), it can improve engine and transmission life, as well as performance, by avoiding missed shifts and preventing downshifts that overrev the engine.
Shift control on the 2006 BMW M3 is done by two plastic paddles behind the steering wheel--downshift on the left, up on the right--and a short lever in the center console. The paddles perform optimally when the steering wheel is turned less than 60 degrees, with the lever best for tighter corners.
There are some drawbacks to the 2006 BMW M3's high-performance specification. Both the engine and the SMG transmission need to be fully warmed up for optimum performance, and this takes a few minutes. During that time, yellow lights around the outside of the tachometer alert the driver to keep revs down, to 5,000rpm when cold, progressively increasing to 7,500rpm. The ignition cutout comes in at 8,000rpm.
Also, the 2006 BMW M3's brawny performance relies on fuel and air in large quantities to produce horsepower. Don't look to this car for fuel economy or ultralow emissions. The EPA economy figures are 16mpg in the city and 22mpg on the highway, and we got barely 16mpg mixed with not overly enthusiastic driving. Wick it up higher, and the mileage looks even worse. The convertible is subject to a $1,300 gas-guzzler tax.
Even with the optional 19-inch wheels and tires--225/40 in the front and 255/35 at the rear--our M3 convertible test car was not at all uncomfortable. The ride is firm but far from jarring. Cornering is flat, and the harder an M3 is pushed, the happier it is. We would suggest that anyone with the resources to buy an M3 make one further investment in BMW's excellent M School Performance Driving School.
With its quick acceleration, excellent handling, strong braking abilities, and dynamic stability control, the 2006 BMW M3 has a high level of potential active safety. The actual level is up to the driver and the driver's ability.
Passive safety is ensured by standard dual-stage front air bags and door-mounted front side air bags. Rear-seat side-impact air bags are optional. The convertible features the rollover-protection system, which automatically deploys structural bars behind the rear seats if impending rollover is detected by sensors. The 2006 BMW M3 has not been rated for crash or rollover performance by the U.S. government.
Like all current BMWs, a new M3 is covered by a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty, with full scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance for the same period. Corrosion coverage is for 12 years and unlimited miles.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17out of 17 user reviews
What the driving machine?
Pros: very pleasant to drive and leg-room is comfortible for long distance drive.
Cons: none of it
out of 17 user reviews
Mp3 playback comment
Pros: Great fun to drive
Cons: Showing its age now
Mp3 playback id offerred with the optional BMW 6 disk CD changer. The NAV unit will display the ID3 tags of the tracks, and directory/folder search is possible.
An Auxiliary input is also available to connector mp3 players and ipods.
out of 17 user reviews
I own this car for 4 years
Pros: Value to money in term of performance
Cons: The outlook is not "sport look" enough
out of 17 user reviews
Most fun driving I ever had
Pros: Best driving car on the road, bluetooth is great
Cons: Low mileage
out of 17 user reviews
Great luxury sports coupe
Pros: Very quick, great looks, powerful brakes
Cons: stock tires, exhaust note, not mean for long distance drives
Also, the 4 year/50K covered maintenance is awesome - everything is covered during this period.
The only drawbacks is that it could use a little more torque and the exhaust note is a little to0 'raspy' for my taste, but nonetheless I absolutely love it. These few shortcomings don't minimize the enjoyment I get when I take it out for spirited drives up the canyon roads or on mountain roads.
out of 17 user reviews
2006 M3. I would wait for the 08's
Pros: Fast, premium sound.
Cons: the ride. BMW service is very bad.
out of 17 user reviews
The Ultimate Driving Machine for Less than $65k- and some corrections to the Cnet review
Pros: Driver's car: powerful engine, excellent handling, fun to drive, looks great, sweet engine note.
Cons: The handling comes at a price- a bumpy ride on rough road surfaces.
An initial observation: as other reviewers have said, it's a driver's car, so fuel economy isn't exactly on my highest list of priorities. I'm sure Hummer drivers would agree.
The car has excellent handling, far better than the 330. I suppose it's a function of the stiffer suspension, but whatever the reason, there's absolutely no body roll at 50 mph around a corner.
The I-6 engine is terriffic. I'm not one to race, but it's spec'ed at the same 0-60 as the 911. I'm sure the M3 convertible is a bit slower, but hey, it's a convertible. As an added bonus, it has usable rear seats.
The Cnet review is wrong in that the CD player does play MP3 cds. I didn't order the nav system, so that may explain the difference. The review is also wrong in that BMW offers an optional iPod harness installed by the dealer. I can control the iPod, located in the glove box, through the controls in the steering wheel or the head unit. It also charges the iPod. I believe the BMW is the only make to have this type of integration. (One downside is that the iPod adapter doesn't display the track or artist name in the display, but it will store 5 playlists.)
On to the downside that I've noticed. The ride is very bumpy over the torn up road surfaces here in CA. The suspension is noticeably stiffer then the 330 and is by no means a luxury ride. The superior handling has this tradeoff.
All in all, I absolutely love this car. I've gotten used to the ride and the look of pleasure (or is it terror) on the faces of your passengers as you take a turn at 55mph without a hint of body roll is worth the occasionally bumpy ride. Plus, I get a big she-it-eating grin every time I'm behind the wheel with open road in front of me.
out of 17 user reviews
Focuses the Mind
Pros: Can't stop smilin'
Cons: Wife keeps stealing it
out of 17 user reviews
M3 is a waste of a review on CNET
Pros: Handling, agility, acceleration and excitement
Cons: Price, but then it's a BMW
out of 17 user reviews
Great Vehicle, but . . .
Pros: Awesome performance to dollar ratio, top notch handling, subtle but impactful "M" upgrades to both interior and exterior, overall BMW quality.
Cons: Too many SMG fans, things can get hairy in unexpected weather changes.
out of 17 user reviews
It does support MP3
Pros: strong ride
Cons: gas and expensive $$$
out of 17 user reviews
CNET shouldn't be allowed to review cars
Pros: engine, handling, looks, quality
Cons: power a little peaky
if you must review autos, stick to hybrids
out of 17 user reviews
CNET reviewers don't know their butt from their elbow, they got it all wrong
Pros: It's a Porsche 911 with a real back seat and a real trunk, 'nuff said
Cons: Taken in context, none worth noting. Overall, the competition has caught up...
As for the balkiness of the car at low speeds, chances are better than not that this is due to the reviewers limited experience with the SMG gearbox. Perhaps if they either 1) drove it properly or 2) got a proper manual gearbox they wouldn't have those problems.
Gas mileage wise, calling a 333HP autobahn stormer a gas guzzler is like calling the sky blue. All things considered the car actually gets pretty good mileage. As for the mileage the reviewers got, I do alot better than that. I average almost 23MPG and my right foot is made of lead. Granted alot of my driving is highway mileage, but you can obtain high mileage in the city if you drive the car properly by shifting earlier and keeping the car in a higher gear at low speeds. Save the breakneck acceleration for the highway.
I will admit the cost of admission is relatively high for what the lay person will see as just an ordinary BMW 3-series. But to the keen observer and to the person who want's a low compromise drivers car, there's few that are all around beasts such as the M3. And generally speaking, buying a brand new car is ill advisable and best and assanine at worst. New cars are meant to be leased, if you buy a low mileage used one you wind up getting a steller bargain.
I will also admit the ride is stiff for a stock setup, and you do receive a bone jaring ride on poor city roads, but that's a compromise you make for the corners-like-a-go-kart handling you get on smoother roads.
The interior is a bit on the dated side but I prefer it's clean lines and solid build quality. BMWs in general have been known to have somewhat plain interiors that put function before form, bordering on utilitarian and going to a newer model (say a new E90/92 3 series or E60 5 series) and you really don't see that huge of a difference in interior. Just simple refinements of what works.
The biggest fault with the CNET reviewers, they didn't keep the car in context. Calling the car's gas mileage an issue is silly at best. Performance cars have lower standards for gas mileage. Saying the engine being limited on the cold start is a fault is missing the point, for an engine that breaks the mythical 100hp/liter mark and can also go for over 150k, even 200k miles, proper use is essential, i.e. not revving the engine to the very high 7900rpm redline before the engine oil has had a chance to circulate for a moment, which is what the cold start warm up period is for.
Cars, and engineering in general, are about compromise. Usually you balance performance, saftey (reliability) and cost. Generally you can't maximize two without compromising the third. Taking that into consideration, the compromises the E46 BMW M3 makes allows it to be considered as one of the best overall sports cars period.
out of 17 user reviews
It's the ultimate DRIVING machine
Pros: Top notch engine, perfectly balanced weight
Cons: Too pricy for most, but it is not meant for most...
For more luxury, try the restyled 330i introduced in 2006. It has more tech in it than this M3 (which is at the end of its design cycle and will be replaced next model year). That version will have a beast of a V8 and I am sure it will have far more tech than this one does.
out of 17 user reviews
Buy it in a Coupe
Pros: Great mesh of quality and speed.
Cons: Can only afford one :(
Anyway's, the only thing I don't like about BMW is that god awful KNOB! iDrive should have never been created, I prefer many buttons which give me one touch access then scrolling through menus.
Buy an M3 in a coupe, because only over-the-hill guys and house wives drive convertibles.
I have an M3, jet black on black leather with 19's and 15% tint. What a magnificent beast it is... roar.
out of 17 user reviews
Best balance between performance and practical available.
Pros: Incredible power and handling; BMW's best-looking car; Fun!
Cons: Thirsty; shifter just OK; Expensive (but worth it!)
This car is not about electronic gizmos, but it would be nice to have an iPod interface built in. I added an Ice>Link Plus adapter, which allows full control of an iPod through the OEM stereo and steering wheel controls, as well as displaying ID3 text on the nav screen.
Regarding the navigation system, as this article states, it's fine and does it's job well, but I wish BMW would go to a touch screen. The absolute best feature about the navigation system is that it can programmed while the car is in motion; very helpful when you have a passenger in the car.
Not a cheap car, but well worth it!
out of 17 user reviews
C/NET is not qualified to review cars!!!
Pros: The BMW M3 is a machine with soul!
Cons: Prefer the coupe, but still impressive
Let's all get hybrids with lots of USB ports that we can use in the midst of our plastic recycling and going to our Fringe-religion services. Sheesh!
