Inside the 2006 3 Series, the driving environment is clean and business-like with large, metallic-trimmed gauges that are easy to read, but it’s no longer driver-centric. Dual front cupholders slide out of the dashboard to the right of the center stack of controls and the center console storage box is climate controlled for 2006.

Leatherette (vinyl) upholstery is standard, with leather a stand-alone option or included in the Premium package. Burl walnut wood trim decorates every 2006 3-Series interior, with poplar natural wood or aluminum available as options.

For 2006, new features for the 3 Series include Comfort Access for keyless locking and engine starting, compatibility with Bluetooth-enabled personal cell phones so that calls can be made or taken using the voice-command feature that is included with the optional navigation system, and a Harmon Kardon Logic 7 premium audio system wired for Sirius satellite radio and equipped with an input jack for an iPod or MP3 player.

Ergonomically, the 2006 BMW 3 Series remains enigmatic. It is not readily apparent how or what some functions control based on their markings, and the iDrive setup, while simplified, can still frustrate even the most hardcore techno-geeks.