DecodedCars2006 BMW 3 Series
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Engines
- 2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 215–255 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 18 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 BMW 3 Series is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 6-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 28 highway), 1% worse than the 2006 subcompact car average of 21.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 3 Series — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 3 Series →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Regensburg, Germany · Munich, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2006 3 Series configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 325ci | 2.5L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -1% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 330ci | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 21 | -1% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 325i | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 21 | -5% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 325i | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -5% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 330i | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 21 | -5% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 330i | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -5% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 325ci Convertible | 2.5L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | +3% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 330ci Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | +3% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 325ci | 2.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -6% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 330ci | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -6% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 325xi | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -10% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 325xi | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | -10% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 330i | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -10% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 330xi | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -10% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 330xi | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | -10% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 325xi Sport Wagon | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -11% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 325xi Sport Wagon | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | -11% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 325ci Convertible | 2.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -2% | $4,350 | 468 |
| 330ci Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | -2% | $4,350 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 BMW 3 Series under the current (2011+) test program.
Recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (Pcv) · Mar 2, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
- Fix
- This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Not every 2006 BMW 3 Series is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 BMW 3 Series buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 29 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Seats — 7 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 107,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 BMW 3 Series. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 3 Series years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 3 Series | 31 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 3 Series | 31 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 3 Series | 29 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 3 Series | 29 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 3 Series | 30 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 3 Series | 30 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 3 Series | 30 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 3 Series | 30 | 190.2 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 3 Series | 36 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 3 Series | 36 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 3 Series | 35 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 3 Series | 36 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →