2006 BMW 3 Series 330i 6AT
All photo credits
- Photo: BMW 3er (E90, Facelift) – Frontansicht, 26. Juni 2011, Düsseldorf by M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: BMW 3 SERIES E90 China (4) by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: BMW 3 SERIES E90 China (5) by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: BMW 3er (E90, Facelift) – Heckansicht, 26. Juni 2011, Düsseldorf by M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: BMW E90 inside by kallerna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2006 BMW 3 Series 330i 6AT is a 255-hp inline-6 with a 6-speed steptronic automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $36,300 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.
It makes 255 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 220 lb-ft of torque at 2750 rpm, spinning to a 7,000 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).
The 3 Series measures 178.2 inches long on a 108.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,450 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $36,300 ($58,519 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $36,995 ($59,640 *) |
| Destination Charge | $695 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.0L Inline-6 (N52B30) magnesium/aluminum, Valvetronic |
| Horsepower | 255 hp @ 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 220 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm |
| Redline | 7,000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 24V VALVETRONIC Double-VANOS |
| Bore and Stroke | 85.0 x 88.0 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.7:1 |
| Injection Type | Port injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 6-speed Steptronic automatic |
| 1st Gear | 4.17 |
| 2nd Gear | 2.34 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.52 |
| 4th Gear | 1.14 |
| 5th Gear | 0.87 |
| 6th Gear | 0.69 |
| Final Drive | 3.64 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 18 MPG |
| Highway | 27 MPG |
| Combined | 21 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium |
| Tank Capacity | 15.9 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Double-pivot strut |
| Rear Suspension | Five-link |
| Turning Diameter | 36.1 ft |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | 13.0 x 0.94 in ventilated |
| Rear Brake Disc | 13.2 x 0.87 in ventilated |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 17 x 8.0 |
| Wheels Rear | 17 x 8.0 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 178.2 in |
| Width | 71.5 in |
| Height | 55.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.7 in |
| Front Track | 59.1 in |
| Rear Track | 59.6 in |
| Cargo Volume | 12 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,450 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 37.4 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.1 in |
| Legroom Front | 41.5 in |
| Legroom Rear | 34.6 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 55.4 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 55.1 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2006 BMW 3 Series 330i 6AT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Tested, but no star ratings were published (2006 BMW 3 Series 2-DR w/SAB).
Recalls
4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Mar 2, 2022 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V119000
Aug 10, 2012 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
Consequence: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
NHTSA campaign 12E029000
Aug 5, 2008 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.
Consequence: IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 08V384000
Oct 18, 2006 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ONE OF THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND SWIVEL BEARING CONNECTION BOLTS WAS NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD LOOSEN.
Consequence: THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD BREAK WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOLTED CONNECTION AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE CONNECTION. IN SOME CASES, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND THE SWIVEL BEARING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA campaign 06V400000
1,243 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2006 BMW 3 SERIES
Owner Complaints
1,243 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 BMW 3 SERIES (29 mention a crash, 40 a fire, 19 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Air Bags | 667 |
| Electrical System | 188 |
| Steering | 107 |
| Seat Belts | 104 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 93 |
| Engine | 91 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.