Personally I'd take a standard dash-mounted multi-stacker in place of the nifty, but merely trendy dash-mounted start button. BMW
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| The new 3 has been designed to exceed EuroNCAP crash test standards. (Photo: BMW Canada) |
says it's convenient, which would be true if the optional Comfort Access keyless entry system is ordered. This is a handy feature, now available under a few different names from Infiniti, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and others in the premium league, not to mention the Toyota Prius. Basically an ID sensor that the driver needs to have in a pocket or purse alerts the car of its presence, preparing it to be opened. Normally a button needs to be pressed on the door handle or somewhere else outside of the car before it will open, to assure the car doesn't unlock by mistake. With the 3-Series all that's needed is to slide behind the wheel and press the start button. It will fire up without the need of a key and set all of your preferences, such as the power seat position, mirrors, the automatic climate control and, if equipped with the navigation system, the radio station presets, to those you've pre-chosen and registered via the car's Key Memory system.
While these gadgets are fun to show off to friends (or more likely your children's friends), some will appreciate the
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| Standard runflat tires allow a punctured tire to continue for up to 250 km (155 mile) distances at speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph) before repair. (Photo: BMW Canada) |
car's safety features more. The new 3 has been designed to exceed EuroNCAP crash test standards, and is also among the first cars anywhere designed to meet new U.S. side-impact tolerances as well as high-speed rear-impact tests.
Along with the expected bevy of conventionally positioned airbags, the 2006 3-Series also gets hip/thorax side airbags along with side-curtain airbags, dubbed BMW Head Protection System.
Other safety features include two-stage adaptive brake lights that become brighter whenever ABS is activated, helping those behind the car react to your emergency braking behavior quicker. Also, standard runflat tires allow a punctured tire to continue for up to 250 km (155 mile) distances at speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph) before repair.
