Lacks legroom, but fun to drive

FWIW, the ride on my e90 with sport package is way too soft for my tastes - my e46 330i with performance package has a tighter ride and even that feels too smooth to me.
 
Different strokes.

This must be a difficult decision for BMW. Their "true fans" are happy to make the interior room sacrifice to get that balance that only BMW builds into its sedans - by moving the (long) engine rearward and letting the rear end mechanicals dictate the rear cabin shape.
 
But BMWs have become so popular that "normal people" buy them in huge numbers, and they aren't so big on those compromises. BMW can't grow without them, but it can't keep its desireability without keepings its reputation among purists.
 
I wish their solution wasn't to make the 3-series practially midsized. But at least it doesn't look boxily boring anymore.

While the rear legroom may be tight, the front legroom is outstanding.
  
I'm 6'2". If I put the seat all the way back, I can't properly reach the pedals. And the steering wheel is too far away, even at full telescope. I have to move the seat forward from maximum rear at least an inch. Headroom is equally generous, even with the sunroof. I'd guess that someone 6'6" could comfortably drive or ride shotgun in the thing.
  
Now rear seat room is another story. I'm totally with you there Brian. Especially if they try to sit behind me.

Just leased an 06 330i. My sixth BMW. Love everything inside & out, even have the comfort access. My 5 & 12 year olds are comfortable in the back seat, especially the 06 have the rear vents. The odometer reads 1,000 2 weeks ago. When I cruise 80+ on the freeway, a high-pitch distorted noise comes on near the front dash/console area. Anyone have the same experience? I took it into the dealer, they can't duplicate the problem; the dealer technician will not drive 80/above the legal speed limit. Any help & advice would be most appreciated.

Ooh, yours came with the optional flux capacitor.
 
Or it could be wind. Even through the vents; I've had that happen to me on other cars.

I think it was Automobile magazine that said starter buttons are cool for about a week. I'd say their cool until the first time you use one. They've got to be one of the dumbest "must-have" features I've ever seen... :(

It doesn't impress me that the new 3 Series has more rear legroom than the previous car. And the Lexus IS may or may not have less than the 3 Series but the point is why would I pay $40-45,000 (w/ options) for a car I can use or fit in? OK so the 330i can slalom like a champ but I don't live near a slalom. For that much money I see me in a loaded Chrysler 300C, probably even an SRT-8 version.

My friend just got a new 325i with the sports package. I used to own the last generation 330i. I love my old car. But like some of you said, the ride is definitely too harsh... Its a weird kind of harsh.. its way too 'bumpy', like the shocks and the seats don't absorb any bumps and just transends those directly to the passanger in a rigid way. Unlike old cars it always communicates to the driver and passanger of the road without being too hard. The rigidity of the enw car does make quite a bit of performance improvement, but bmw has been known for good performance but yet, doesn't sacrafice on ride quality. You get a real sports sedan with good feedback from the road yet its not harsh. At least that seems to be the modal from the past and in my own experience to be true. But with the new 3 series, the ride is just too darn bumpy and harsh. The seats are just HARD, nothing more. Especially the backseat. The slightest little bump on the road will bounce the passanger around, as if the seats has no absorbtion of any kind for the road condition. My current M3 feels more comfortable than the new 3 series and that was already quite a bit stiffer than my old 330i. But even with the M3, its stiffer, but never feel harsh. I am not sure what is going on with BMW's new design. But I am very disappointed in the ride quality of the new 3 series. It almost made me want to throw up sitting in the back seat just from a normal freeway ride from being tossed around too easily too much... A few of my other friends feel the same way.... its too bad, hope the new M3 won't be like this....
  
And yeah, the push button is dumb. Its more steps with no additional gain.

as far as the push button start goes - I don't think I should have to spend extra money to undo a clunky design.

Excellent point Brian. Those starter button dual units (button & key) have to cost twice as much to make, if not more, than one good old-fashioned key unit. Guess who pays for that...

Once you have comfort access, you'll never want another car without. It's just like xenon headlights...it becomes a must have feature.

The thing about the start button system is that it really makes sense only if you get the comfort access option with the car. With that option, you can get into the car and turn on the engine without removing the key fob from your pocket. Although it may sound gimmicky, it is really quite intuitive and useful.
 
My wife had her "eureka!" moment when, caught in a downpour with an armful of shopping bags, she was able to unlock the doors simply by pulling on the handle, and started the car without having to fumble for her keys. Once you get used to it, you wonder why all carmakers don't just make this kind of keyless access/start button system standard equipment. It makes the old key-in-the-ignition-and-turn-to-start thing seem positively primitive. We certainly couldn't imagine not having it.
 
To me, it just goes to show that the people at BMW have put a lot of thought into every aspect of this wonderful automobile.

In reference to blueguy's comment about us getting the "cheapie" 330i - I think a 330i starts above $35,000. That's not cheap in my world.