2009 BMW 3-Series face lift
July 11, 2008 by George Skentzos
Only a few short days after revealing the new 7-Series, BMW has also unveiled its face lifted 3-Series sedan and touring variants due to make their first public debut at the Paris Motor Show.
Only mild styling tweaks have been made to the 2009 3-Series, with the apparently controversial front and rear design receiving special attention.
New BMW design trademarks have also emerged which coincide with the new 7-Series, including a more sculpted front end design, with significant changes made to the rear tail lights.
The cabin has also received a slight refresh, with new trim combinations, a revised arm rest and a more ergonomic version of BMW’s iDrive controller which includes a new high-resolution 8.8-inch colour screen.
Unfortunately the engine was one of the key areas which did not receive any enhancements, however not to worry seeing as how much of the range is powered by BMW’s award-winning six-cylinder engines.
Australian specific details are yet to be released.
Print it: 
Aurion in name only Burt. U have just lost all cred sighting this bullshit exercise. If u can’t see that well u really are a Toyophile and this would account for the rest of your dribble on this thread. Ha Ha Ha..
Where’s Ernie?
Tomas69 calls anyone that isn’t infatuated with Lexus and Toyota a bogan.Ha Ha Ha .
Seen some bogans driving both. Ha Ha Ha.
Yeah but the 1800Hp Aurion drag car is highly modified and very little of it is actually off an Aurin… it’s RWD for a start.
Whereas CAPA get 1400Hp from their Holden Drift Ute just by simply bolting a supecharger onto a the standard Holden V8 – Drifting is far more skillful than drag racing s because as Tomas says there is much more then just going fast on a straight!!!
Whereas Ben Brays Holden Drag ute produces 2500Hp and it still looks like a VZ Ute
Oh and CAPA get 1400Hp from their Holden Drift Ute just by simply bolting a supecharger onto a the standard Holden V8 –
Drifting is far more skillful than drag racing s because as Tomas says there is much more then just going fast on a straight!!!
How is it, we can go to a BMW story and still have the regular array of Toyota-philes (scary word that…very similar to another, more disturbing disorder) jump on and quote every irrelevant fact (”Aurion powered drag car” or “nascar”) to try and bring any other brand down.
Jerry, you cast a slander that people who buy BMW, merc an Audi are being ripped off. Have you checked the Lexus price list lately?
The other ‘philes’ have banded together and are jumping on BM’s back because she’s defending the brand she loves on a post that is about that said brand. Next you’ll all be telling us that the best car ever made was the T-18, or the Tercel, or the V6 Rav, or the ES300…but secretly I know you guys wish that all forums were about YOUR cult hero….The Toyota Avalon.
Wheelnut … Jason is right on the money, the old Toyota / Lexus 4.0 v8 is becoming more popular as an engine to tune for high horses and drag racing. Some examples i have seen easily match or out-power the 2500hp of Ben Bray. Many Japanese engines make good, strong platforms for tuning particular some older versions from Nissan and Toyota. Holden and Ford engines are not the only choice, surely you understand this.
Interesting you talk drifting becuase i follow this form of racing in Australia known as the Australian Drift Championship with the last round held at Eastern Creek only 2 weeks ago. In the current top 10, no Holden or Ford even exsists, it is made up of Nissan (mostly) and Toyota cars only. Beau Yates who drives the awesome Sprinter for Toyota is 3rd. If your Holden and Ford drift cars are so good, then why isn’t there any in the current top 10 … mmm
Fenno … your garbage doesn’t even make sense. Lexus supporters are correct, it’s a better choice. BMW’s have long been overpriced, poorer in quality while the interior design is old, bland and boring. Lexus has addressed alot of issues BMW failed to.
I’ve read some comparisons between the IS-F and BMW and fact is, the IS-F matches the M3 and personally, it would be my choice if i had the money to buy these sort of cars.
A lot of this seems to be between the Lexus IS250 and the 3 series.
For the first time, I went on the website of both last night. For me, it’s the 3 series that looks classic and the IS still scoops the try-hard stakes with a shape so bland that only a dramatic and messy upsweep in the rear passenger door window rescues it, if rescues is the right word. It would be far nicer without.
And have a look at the colour choice for the Lexus. It’s woeful.
Sure, the personalisation available with the 3 series will cost you, but you’ll get a stand-out car at the end of it even if you keep the pen held high.
whhelnut … garbage, pure garbage. If you believe a standard Holden v8 achieves 1400hp just by strapping on a supercharger then you are one, miserable example of a car enthusiast. I’ve been into cars all 39 years of my life and it is people like you why Holden has a name as the car for bogons. I suppose you believe your own sh*t.
Golfswhein … i’m glad they are only your words. Cost, you are correct and way overpriced like all BMW’s. The IS250 and 350 in the States are beautiful looking cars and have a presance on the road and there is nothing standout about a 3 series over a IS250, NOTHING !!
Keating….(Should leave that last name out)…
You just proved my point.
When you Toyota-philes are on the losing hand you resort to irrelevant facts (Surveys from o’seas), motorsport results from unrelated/unrealistic mediums (Nascar??? WGAF?) and then outright insults (when all else fails).
Yep, agree, Fenno. 3 series has made classic status. It’s there already. The Lexus is using its sat-nav trying to find it.
Fenno and Wheelnut, I’ve just had it confirmed that Simon Keating is Dingo. That explains the aggro. So don’t reply or engage, would be my tip.
this artical started off about the face lift for the new 3 series so lets stick with the facts from just about everyone’s point of view the new 3 series is butt ugly FULL STOP! the lexus is250 is however a way better looking car, better built, better to drive has more features and even looks a million dollars standing still!its little wonder the current 3 series is not selling any where near as good as the last model e46!
Ahh, the dingo returns and is after someones baby…
Just about everyone’s point of view, Burt? Come on, that’s a twist of epic proportions!
Burt … couldn’t agree more. The face lifted 3 series is not a pretty car. Lexus deserves credit were credit is due when they designed the IS250 and IS350 and i read somewhere the IS-F will be available in Oz sometime by year end. BMW is overpriced, much better value in a Lexus and better built as you said.
Dingo, were did they come from, Someone help me.
The only twist of epic proportions is any comment that says the 3 series is a nice looking car, the IS250 is much more elegant in design.
It’s classic alright, old design inside and out.
and if you dont believe me there not selling as good as the e46 go to a bmw dealer they are desperate to sell them! BMW suffed up the design of the e90! have a look on the streets there are still plenty of e46s still around and very few e90s! there’s plenty of is250s, good looks on a vehicle of this caliber mean a lot and that is why the is250 is selling well and so will the new ISF.
simon are you from america! my ISF will be here in november.
No questions asked, the IS250 is the better looking example between the 2. And has said, better value, better spec’d and better built … choice of purchase is easy.
And agree, the basic BMW design is aged especially the interior that seems they never moved along with and the IS-F will be a great addition to the Lexus lineup in Australia. Sales of the first F series has received much fanfare elsewhere especially in the US and Canada. A true perfromance with matching quality.
LeXus resale has always been under attack by grey imports.LOL.
Quote [Camski] I took the only test driver C63 in NSW out. It was black but don’t remember the number plate. That was one monster
So I take it you live near Parramatta then; – the nearest dealer being Marshalls on Auto Alley…. my mate saw one there last week
Wheelnut – My local(ish) dealer got it for me. The Tynan near Miranda. The best bit is, you don’t get a normal car dealer go with you, the C63 basically comes with a driver too who pretty much tells you when to floor it =P
Doing this around the Kurnell area (plenty of straights) really is quite interesting, gives you sweaty palms lol
A little harsh as a daily driver though and the M3 sedan with DCT still seems pricey (closed to $150,000 not including on-road). RS4 is pretty much gone so that leaves the IS-F. Styling is funny, you kinda look at it from different angles and either love it or hate it. Regardless, this does seem like a nice alternative though, especially as a daily driver because the general concensus is that it’s not as sharp as an M3, not as hard as a C63 but still more than you’ll get out of anything else like a 335i.