2009 BMW 3 Series revealed
December 8, 2008 by David Twomey
BMW has today revealed to the automotive media the latest versions of its extremely popular 3 Series range, which offer new styling, new features and a new price point.
- David Twomey
At the reveal at Phillip Island Race Track in Victoria we didn’t get to drive the new 3 Series cars, which come in Sedan and Touring body styles but were treated to the opportunity to drive the iconic, and new to Australia BMW M3 Sedan – a First Steer from behind the wheel of that high-revving V8 will be available shortly.
BMW says the car that invented the luxury compact sports sedan segment in 1975 and which has dominated the class over five generations will now be even more popular with Australian buyers, thanks to the increase in standard specification for the entry model.
The new entry point is the 320i Executive, complete with Dakota leather trim, power front seats, light alloy wheels, active front headrests and standard six-speed automatic transmission. Priced from $54,500 plus dealer delivery and statutory charges it also offers further standard features including front fog lights, rain sensor, and rear Park Distance Control.
What BMW calls Professional Navigation System (standard on the 335i) has been taken to a new level with a new iDrive Controller and a completely new menu structure. It now comes with an 8.8-inch high-resolution colour monitor offering full screen mode for viewing maps; three- dimensional relief maps, DVD drive, and an integrated 80GB hard disc drive. This allows the storage of up to 8GB of audio files from CD or USB devices.
The iDrive also features eight favourite buttons, allowing drivers to take a short cut to their preferred settings.
The full range of new BMW 3 Series models comprises the 320i Executive Sedan and Touring, 320d Executive Sedan, 323i Sedan and Touring, 325i Sedan, 335i Sedan and Touring. All but the 320d and 335i models are available with manual transmission (as a no cost option).
Thanks to its impressive combined fuel consumption of 6.0-litres per 100km, the new BMW 320d Executive escapes the Luxury Car Tax net, making it even better value for customers. Its four-cylinder engine boasts 130kW of power and 350Nm of torque, and epitomises the benefits of the BMW EfficientDynamics program.
In the second quarter of next year BMW will also introduce the 330d, offering its new 3.0-litre diesel engine, at 520Nm the highest torque engine in the 3 Series range, with even more torque than the high-revving V8-engined M3.
BMW spokesman Toni Andreevski also pointed out today that the engine in the 330d was not only complaint with Euro5 emission standards but would also comply with the yet to be legislated Euro6 standards.
“We know what those standards will be, even though the laws have not yet been passed, and the engine is so far ahead it will comply with them when they do eventually become law,” he said.
He added that the 330d would benefit from a $5400 lower price under the Luxury Car Tax rules for its lower than 7.0L/100km fuel consumption.
Although pricing won’t be announced until closer to its launch CarAdvice believes the 330d will sell for under $100,000.
The key features of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring range are a redesigned front facia panel, new bonnet with power bulge, redesigned side profile and door mirrors, new tail light cluster and a wider track (up to 24mm depending on models).
Since the introduction of the E90 generation in May 2005, more than 25,000 cars have been delivered in Australia, more than the previous generation over a similar time frame.
Globally, the E90 has been the most successful BMW 3 Series yet with more than 1.75-million delivered; an increase of 300,000 cars compared with the same period of the E46 generation’s life.
“The BMW 3 Series is the most successful luxury compact sport sedan in the world and we have further improved the offering to the market with the new cars,” said Tom Noble, General Manager, Marketing, BMW Group Australia.
“The range is extremely well equipped from the start, at a very attractive price point below the Luxury Car Tax threshold.
“The high-performing 320d Executive resists LCT thanks to its super efficient diesel engine that is the most powerful in its class and the fastest accelerating.
As well as the BMW M Sport Package, which will be available on the 3 Series the company also announced today that a BMW Performance package will be available early in 2009.
Details of the new package, already offered on the 1 Series, are yet to be confirmed but BMW says it will be a stepping-stone between the standard and the M3 cars.
At the same time the 335i will get a version of the double clutch seven-speed transmission, similar to that currently offered on the M3 range.
The car will no longer be available with a conventional automatic gearbox, although a manual six-speed gearbox will be offered.
The new double-clutch gearbox will cost owners an extra $3500 but BMW believes buyers of this high-performance model will appreciate the technology.
Pricing of the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring range
Sedan
320i Executive $54,500
320d Executive $57,500
323i $63,200
325i $75,900
335i $107,300
Touring
320i Executive $57,700
323i $67,400
335i $111,700
Print it: 
If only they had the nose of the E92/93. The front of these is still foul. Give me an Avantgarde C class over this hideousness any day.
I agree with above, about the front.
Car Advice, this is so old! What do you mean 2009 BMW 3 Series Revealed? This car has been advertised on television for the last month. It’s the same with the Land Rover spy pictures before, the official shots were released months ago!
I personally like the front, and I’m certainly not saying the Mercedes C Class is a bad car but I think if you drove them head to head you might change your minds. The styling of the Lexus IS is really growing on me but I could never own one simply because of the sort of people that currently drive them. I like the look of this car, but I can definitely see what people are talking about when they say they don’t like it. Just as long as they don’t draw any stupid comparisons to Korean or Japanese cars because that is just wrong.
the previous 3 series had a better front side. i think they tried to make them more aggressive but the bumper looks pretty strange.
Why no diesel for the touring?
Alex
“I personally like the front, and I’m certainly not saying the Mercedes C Class is a bad car but I think if you drove them head to head you might change your minds”
I completely agree, the C Class is an old mans car, very comfortable, but very soft. The on road dynamics of the 3 Series are heads and shoulders above others in class.
I like the new car, looks a lot more up to date then the previous E90.
BORING!
Alex, this is the Australian media launch! Believe it or not some cars are not available in Australia at the same time they are launched in Europe. If this troubles you perhaps there is an appropriate web site with a .co.uk domain name for you to vent your frustrations on. Untill then, don’t shoot the messenger.
Other than the E46 the current touring would have to be one of the best looking 3’s and underated as well
Its not a new car just a bit of tarting up on the current one! If you look at the new 7 series that is what the next NEW 3 series will follow,BMW have done this for years. Next new shape 3 series wont come out till around 2013,if they go by the normal 6-7 year change!
I dont vomit anywhere near as much with those photo’s over the superseded model – look, no blood!
Still, there has gotta be something wrong when volvos are more attractive than BMWs.
I really like it! I think it looks fine. i’ve always liked the boldness of the BMW front end so im not really fussed about this revision of the 3 series. The only thing i don’t really like is the rear, from side on. It looks like they’ve grabbed the wagon, bunched it up at the rear and chopped it.
i like the interior the merc ruins it for me because its interior i hate pop up sat nav screens
I think it looks great! Don’t ask me to choose between this or a C-Class cause I really wouldn’t know which to choose!
The updated styling really helps it look like the new 7-series which is nice, and I love the return of the L-shaped headlights.
Only thing I don’t like, is the dash of the base cars which don’t have the sat-nav screen. Its just so… boring looking!
USA 3-Series pricing:
328i (3.0L I6): $33,400 (AUD$51,600)
335i: $40,100 (AUD$62,000)
Notice the absence of a 2.0L or 2.5L engine in the range.
It still has the disadvantages of noisy run-flat tyres (costs $400 each to replace) and the underpowered 115 KW 2 litre engine in the 320i, compared against 135 KW in the C200 and 153 KW in the Lexus IS250.
A recent media report stated that repossessions of cars in this category has been rising sharply, especially for the 320i. Some of the recent buyers (on finance) were merely pretenders, with inadequate financial positions.
For a vehicle that is the same size and weight as a Corolla, 115 kW is decent. However, for a vehicle costing $55,000, it is NOT. As I mentioned in my above post, the base model in the US comes with a 3.0L straight six and costs less than our base model 2.0L.
Dlr1, it’s Australia where they’ve been advertising on television for the past month. Yes, it did come out in Europe first but why were they advertising it in the paper and on television, not to mention there has been one sitting in the window of one of the BMW dealers I drive past for the last week or so, when they haven’t done the media release?
Looks like its got an under bite
So what model designation are these, E94, E95, or something like that.
Here in Australia, the IS250 has the most powerful standard engine in it’s class (and the only standard 6-cylinder). In the US, it’s the opposite- where the base model C-Class (C300) comes with a 3.0L V6 with 170 kW, while the base model 328i has a 3.0L I6 also with 170 kW. It seems Americans don’t like settling for anything less than 3.0L. We shouldn’t either.
Mark says “Here in Australia, the IS250 has the most powerful standard engine in it’s class (and the only standard 6-cylinder). In the US, it’s the opposite- where the base model C-Class (C300) comes with a 3.0L V6 with 170 kW, while the base model 328i has a 3.0L I6 also with 170 kW. It seems Americans don’t like settling for anything less than 3.0L. We shouldn’t either.
ha ???????????
Where did you get that info from mate.
IS 250 153 KWS weight 1570 kilos {heavy little f..ker}
BMW 325i also a 2.5 litre but 160 kws and weight 1445 kios……Oh and its a standard I6 not a Turbo
Power to weight the BMW wins also.
Check your facts first !
Melbourne Jester says “So what model designation are these, E94, E95, or something like that.
She shakes head in disbelief? Head buts desk owww……….ok Ill say this once ,they are still the E90 model range they have just had a face lift! An E90 is the sedan the E91 is a wagon the E92 is the Coupe and the E93 is the Cabrio.They wont change their model numbers again till the new model comes out in around 2013 ! *Rubs head *
^^^^
not only power to weight, but also where the power is made.
IS250 needs to rev more then the Bmw’s 6cyl to achieve its power.
Oh and BMW can style vehicles.
(including ash trays hey BM??)
hahaha funny boy……..bloody good looking ash trays too,(.)(.)!
BM, read what Marks post actually says, not what you think it says. “Here in Australia, the IS250 has the most powerful standard engine in it’s class” STANDARD engine. Isnt the engine in the base model BMW a four?, same with the Benz. So he is correct. No judgements on what is a better car, just that by comparison with the US market for the same cars we are being shortchanged by the Germans.
The new Audi A4 is the best car in this class, just read any of the road test and/or comparison reviews. BMW still haven’t done enough with the 320i & it remains underpowered & poor value for money. As Wheels magazine said recently, “the 320i is a test of BMW’s brand power”.
Yes, I said the IS250 has the most powerful entry level engine.
I think the key phrase here is “In it’s class” and
In it’s class the Lexus 250 which is a 2.5 litre V6 cylinder goes up against the BMW 325 2.5 Litre Inline 6 and out of those two the BMW is the more powerful not only in terms of Kws but also Power to Weight Ratio.
I mean most logial people wouldn’t compare a 4 against a 6 or a V8.. or a RWD car against a FWD or AWD car would you?
Like you can’t compare a RWD V8 Commodore to a FWD V6 Aurion – as the performance handling and characteristics would be different you look for a car with similar features etc that way its a more even fight – well almost
So the 325 is the one in the BMW range that is the most direct rival to the Lexus 250 – theyre both 6s both RWD etc
So even though the Lexus may win in terms of price the BMW wins in terms of Power not to mention refinement etc –
end of story
Quote [Mark Greeenbug] Yes, I said the IS250 has the most powerful entry level engine
Mark you actually said that the Lexus IS250 powerful standard engine IN IT’S CLASS!
I mean you could also say that the Bugatti Veyron has the most powerful entry level engine couldn’t you?
I don’t understand what you’re saying Wheelnut. Class does NOT refer to engine size, but rather vehicle size and price range. VFACTs vehicle categories are based on this (although they used to, but no longer, factor in engine size). The IS250, 3-Series, and C-Class are all COMPACT luxury sedans, that is their class. The IS250 has the most powerful standard engine amongst them.
Mark of course engine size comes into class,you cant compare a 4cyl and a 6cyl as the same car! All you are stating is that Lexus dont do a 4cyl in the IS 250…………well of course they dont the 250 is for 2.5 litre/ 6cyl!
Quote [wheelnut] :I mean most logial people wouldn’t compare a 4 against a 6 or a V8.. or a RWD car against a FWD or AWD car would you? Yes logical people do when the car is the same size, price and aimed at the same market.
Grant D Says:
December 9th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
The new Audi A4 is the best car in this class, just read any of the road test and/or comparison reviews. BMW still haven’t done enough with the 320i & it remains underpowered & poor value for money. As Wheels magazine said recently, “the 320i is a test of BMW’s brand power”.
When a company has 3 years to develop a car against something currently on the market, it should seem better. If all you want is power, well then go buy a XR6 Turbo or SS Commodore. But having driven the C Class, A4, IS250 and 3 Series back to back, the 3 Series is still the best Drivers car of the lot. And lets face it, none of them are shabby as far as appoitments go.
Can I be bothered…………o what the heck!
Mark you stated classes,would you put a 4 cylinder Camry in the same class as a 6 cyl Falcon……….No of course not you would put the Aurion in,and as far as Lexus supplies the only standard six you were wrong there too.So lets move on !
The only reason the Lexus 250 has the most powerful “standard” engine in its class is because thats all it Has there isn’t an “optional” engine such as a Turbo 4 or a V8
Unlike the BMW 3 series which is available in both [international award winning] 4 and 6 cylinders and would therefore; make the 3 series more attrractive to a wider market. Because whilst there would be car enthusiasts out there after a luxury “sports” sedan.. there would also be people out there who are after a normal luxury sedan but don’t necessarily want the performance oriented 6.
However; when you get to the BMW 6 Cylinder it is a more powerful engine and as I said the power to weight ratio of the two cars only increase BMWs advantage in terms of performance.
So the only real thing that changes/improves as you make your way through the IS 250 range is the interior but as you make your way through the 3 Series not only do the interior features improve but so to do the engines thereby making a greater differentiation between the models as well as justifying the price differences etc.
the only desirable model here is the 335….pity each of its turbos add about $15k, hardly good value
Grant D Says:
December 9th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
“The new Audi A4 is the best car in this class, just read any of the road test and/or comparison reviews. BMW still haven’t done enough with the 320i & it remains underpowered & poor value for money.”
Sorry, I don’t base cars on road tests, I test drive them myself. I’d take a 115kW 200Nm RWD 320i ahead of the 118kW 250Nm FWD Audi any day. BTW the BMW is also 3 years older tha the Audi and stacks up well specifications / options wise.
Trump Says:
December 10th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
“the only desirable model here is the 335….pity each of its turbos add about $15k, hardly good value”
Not entirely true – you do have to pay a premium for the great engine however you do get higher spec options in a 335i over a 325i.
Wheelnut Says:
December 10th, 2008 at 10:29 am
So the only real thing that changes/improves as you make your way through the IS 250 range is the interior but as you make your way through the 3 Series not only do the interior features improve but so to do the engines thereby making a greater differentiation between the models as well as justifying the price differences etc.
———————————————————————————————————————-
The changes in engine and specs in the 3 series do not come anywhere near justifing the increases in price. The 323i costs $8,700 more than the 320i, yet apart from getting an engine which is comparable to the cheapest C Class, you get a couple of insignificant features that wouldn’t be worth much and which should have been standard in the first place.
I think I’ll pass on that and get a C200 Elegance instead.
CB, sorry mate but you clearly have not driven the 320i & the new A4 1.8T otherwise there is no way you’d take the BMW. Anyway, the new model 3 Series is basically just a facelift because BMW think that the badge will ensure people will keep paying top $$$ for a car that just doesn’t cut it against the competition.
Matty, there’s more to the story than power, what about the A4’s superior build quality, interior trim, better ride & more attractive looks? In any case, when you are paying circa $54,500 for a BMW 320i you have a right to expect that it will have more get up & go than a Corolla. And you must be joking about the 320i being the best drivers car compared to the C Class, A4 & IS250, or perhaps you just enjoy being bounced all over the place by it’s unforgiving suspension & run flat tyres while at the same time you are wielding significantly less power than the competition for the same price.
Chucky, I hope you enjoy paying approx $60,000 for your new C200K Elegance & sweating it out on the vinyl seats!
there is like no differences really, its still butt ugly
id rather buy a Jaguar X-Type anyday, no offence people
ILY JAGUAR!