2006 BMW 3 Series Coupe (E92) 328i xDrive 6AT AWD (230 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Released in July 2006, more than a year after the unveiling of its Sedan and Touring stablemates, the 3 Series Coupe E92 had a much sportier appearance and improved styling.

While Joji Nagashima penned the other two bodywork versions, Marc Michael Markefka designed the coupe version of the fifth generation of the 3 Series. The car relied on a new platform, the BMW L2, shared with the first generation of the 1 Series. The E92 (factory internal coding) was a genuine sports-oriented coupe thanks to the long wheelbase and the revised suspension. It also had a new shape with a low-slung profile, making it look fast even when standing still. As a result, the E92 was not as polarizing as its Sedan and Touring siblings, and the brand’s fans were satisfied with the look of the car. To sweeten the deal, BMW installed a choice of diesel and gasoline engines that could send their power to the rear axle or in all corners, depending on the version.

The E92’s had a lower nose than its two siblings, the Sedan and the Touring. As a result, its front fascia looked wider. It also sported new headlights, with a swept-back design but looking angrier. Between them, the automaker placed the flatter and wider elements of the kidney grille adorned by chromed surroundings. For the bumper, the designer followed the same ideas as the other versions of the car but with a broader lower air intake split into three parts, where the outer sections sported the fog lamps.

Thanks to the long hood, low-slung greenhouse, and the sloped rear window, the E92 didn’t look like a sedan anymore. In fact, it didn’t share any panels with its family-oriented stablemates. An ascending creased line started from the front fenders and continued on the sides over the long doors with frameless windows. It continued towards the back of the car, ending on the taillights. On the lower side of the bodywork, BMW also added new side sills that were profiled to reduce ground effect. Finally, at the back, the E92 sported L-shaped taillights extended from the quarter panels onto the trunk’s lid. Lower, the bumper sported one or two cuts, depending on the grade and options.

Inside, the automaker had to make some adjustments to provide customers a unique driving experience without even turning on the engine. Fronting the driver was a simple and rounded instrument cluster featuring large dials for the speedometer and tachometer, flanked by the fuel and temperature gauges. Like its sedan and station wagon versions siblings, the 3 Series Coupe was available with either a plain dashboard featuring an instrument cluster fronting the driver or a built-in display for the infotainment unit. Like the previous generations of the 3 Series, this also had the center stack tilted towards the driver. At the same time the center console housed the i-Drive controller (when fitted) and the ashtray. The buttons for the power windows were moved on the door cards. Finally, in the back, the automaker installed a bench seat for two, albeit with very limited headroom.

Under the hood, BMW installed a choice of diesel and gasoline engines with four or six cylinders and up to 306 PS (302 hp) paired with either six-speed manuals or six-speed automatic transmissions. Power went to the rear axle or in all corners, depending on the version. In addition, BMW offered a seven-speed automatic (dual clutch) gearbox for the 335i.