2009 BMW 3 Series Review & Road Test
March 5, 2009 by Karl Peskett
2009 BMW 325i Review and Road Test
Two cylinders more means two thumbs up
Model Tested:
- 2009 BMW 325i automatic – $75,900 RRP
Options:
- Electric sunroof – glass – $2920
- Metallic paint (Blue Water) – $1700
- BMW light-alloy wheels star spoke 286 with mixed run-flat safety tyres, 17-inch with 225/45 R17, 255/40 R17 – $1000
- Interior Trim (Walnut Light) – No Cost Option
Chassis balance, steering feel, styling, quality, glorious engine
Ride still not right, expensive
CarAdvice Rating: 
I was reading an article in a magazine a few weeks ago that talked about class distinction. The author flew on an airline that was completely first class. In other words, no economy, and no business class.
There were the usual niceties like champagne on arrival, hors d’oeuvres, beautiful meals, and affable hostesses. Sounds pretty good, but for some reason, he was disappointed.
The reason, well there was no one to look down upon. No passengers to peer through the curtain at, and think “I’ve made it. Yeah, you guys are all jealous.” He wanted to be revered, and to be thought of as special by someone else.
Which brings me to the BMW 3 Series range. There always has to be a base model, I suppose, so other models in the collection look better.
Bavarian Missile (.)(.) Says:
March 5th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
“I have a framed picture on my wall in the office that says “‘Its not just how fast you go,its how you go fast.””
Tell that to all the HSV and FPV drivers out there who think 0-100 and kW & Nm is all that matters…
325i engine is very good, but once one has sampled that 335i you always want more.
Nothing beats 10 cylinder of course!!
Dan Says:
March 6th, 2009 at 12:49 am
“I agree with Blindfreddy. They really ‘bangled’ the looks. E46 was a great looking model, both inside and outside.”
And it was designed by Bangle too…
“This current model makes me wanna puke. How can a brand new car’s dash look so dated straight away? I just couldn’t bring myself to buy one, those looks repulse me.”
Dated? It’s simple and classy. I would have preferred a dash angled towards the driver myself like Bimmers of old, but am perfectly fine with this – though I can’t stand the interior when brushed aluminium trim is used!
“I merely used the Corolla and the 3 series as an example of the different approaches the two companies take in relation to designing and building a car.”
Again, you are effectively comparing the two! Of course the approach a company takes in designing and building a car will differ between a 20K car and a 80K car, can’t you see it?? Those are two totally differnt spectrums, with totally different goals! One is a budget car for a to b transport, and the other is a luxury car that does more than take your from a to b (and don’t bother to argue on the semantics!). Apples with apples mate! It’s like comparing the 320i to a Veyron mate!
Realist, I guess it is a matter of taste, and that will differ between people. Personally I prefer the E46 dash, and at least to me, it looks more modern than the current dash in the 3 series, even though it’s 10 years old now. The exterior, maybe, I’d be able to put up with, but the dash and interior was the deal breaker to me when it came to me choosing not to upgrade to this new model. Yes, car dynamics and whatnot do matter too, but for a daily car, I personally felt a need to sit in something that looks good. Hopefully next model will improve in that department… or again they won’t be getting any money from me :P
Oh, and Wheelnut, you should expand your horizons, and go visit Europe, speak to the locals and ask them what they think about the golf for example lol! I’ve lived in Europe for about 10 years. What I find hillarious about Australia is that locals over here tend to think that anything from Europe is absolutely awesome. While to some degree that of course is correct, there are certain brands and cars which are considered bread and butter, cheap, and common over there, while people over here tend to think they’re driving something special, just coz it’s european. Believe it or not, some jap brands are actually highly valued over there, but I guess it’s a matter of ‘the grass in greener on the other side’.
Dan,
KIA wins UK Car Maker of the year.
Need i say more?
Nope, no need haha. You have just proven my point Salesman, cheers! :)
Dan Says: current model makes me wanna puke. How can a brand new car’s dash look so dated straight away?
I thake it then that you haven’t seen the dash of the Cam-Aurion then?
And as for an $60-80k car being better than a $20K car or having a better engine gearbox brakes or suspension than a $20K car..
That isn’t always the case because there are a number of luxury prestige or performance cars out there that have either an engine gearbox or brakes that feel as thoguh its come from a $20K econo-box.
I mean there are a number of smaller cheaper cars theat can perform just as well as a more expensive car and have similar features etc..
Not only that but apart from some slight modifications there is nothing stopping Toyota putting the same engine gearbox brakes or suspension form say the Lexus into a Camry now is there?
VW for example have been sharing engines etc across the range of cars for sometime now
Dan says: One is a budget car for a to b transport, and the other is a luxury car that does more than take your from a to b (and don’t bother to argue on the semantics!).
I won’t bother getting into symantic with you in regards to a car being nothing more than a form transport to get you from A to B be it a Luxury Sedan a Ute a Hatchback or whatever..
As I see no point repeating myself just because you have a problem dealing with logic or admitting when you are wrong
I recall we had this debate on a previous topic. When I proved you wrong by stating that No matter what car you drive you’ve got to stop somewhere/sometime as every journey has a starting point and destination – you refused to accept it & went off on a completely different tangent
[as usual]
It wasn’t until other bloggers agreed with me by saying that a car is used to get you from A to B.. the only difference being how fast you want to get there and what you want/need to take with you which determines the type of car you should use that you went quiet on the issue.
“I recall we had this debate on a previous topic. When I proved you wrong by stating that No matter what car you drive you’ve got to stop somewhere/sometime as every journey has a starting point and destination – ”
LOL! You proved me wrong? Ok. So when I tow my 180SX down to Collie, for some track work at the racetrack. I place it on the track. And race it around the place. Where have I left from (a), and where am I going to? (b). Please tell me? As far as I know, I am going nowhere really? Is it getting me from a to b? No, I start and finish at the same place. Is it providing me with heaps of fun? Yes. Am I burning some rubber and practicing my drift around the corners? Yes. Is that getting me from a to b? No. Wheelnut, the key to any intelligent and stimulating discussion is to open your mind up a little bit, and actually read what someone else is saying. I understand you are trying to save your face and do the best you can not to be proven wrong, but I’m sorry mate, some cars just aren’t there for a to b, no matter how many times you repeat yourself. Perhaps you don’t participate in any form of motorsport, and to be honest, I am not blaming you for the lack of knowledge on the subject. A lot of people, including my family, do not understand why I “waste my time and money” doing what I do. It’s my passion. You’ll find a lot of real car enthusiasts do whatever it is they do with their cars, not to get from a to b, but to have some fun. If I take it out onto the streets at night, and go to a deserted industiral atea to do some burnouts, what was the purpose of the trip? To get to the indistrial areas and smell the roses? Or to go burn some rubber? The purpose of the car at that point is to burn some rubber. I couldn’t do it with a Hyundai Xcel could I? I don’t expect you to understand real car enthusiats. It would be nice though if you open up your mind a little bit, and actually see someone else’s point of view, in that hey, I really do not have this car to go from a to b, so perhaps the purpose of this car is not to go from a to b… for example. I’m probably wasting my keyboard on you, and you will be back to pick on some semantics, I bet. *sigh*
P.S. Aurion’s dash actually looks more modern than this car’s…
You left from [a] your home or whereever your car is stored
You drove to [b] Collie or whereever the racetrack is located so you can do “circlework” [such a redneck term]
You then want your car to get you from [a] the start line to [b] finish line.. where the journey starts all over again
In both cases you would want a car that is up to the job or specifically designed for that purpose and they come in a wide range styles shapes sizes and colours.
ALL Cars do the same job – that is trasnport you and your cargo trom one place to another it just depends on how you wnat to get there and what you want.need to carry etc
Dan Says: “Wheelnut, the key to any intelligent and stimulating discussion is to open your mind up a little bit, and actually read what someone else is saying.”
Qui Pro Quo
Dan you don’t have to particioate in motorsport or any other sport to understand it or appreciate it.
There are people who either don’t have the money or the ability to actually race themselves but admire and respect the people that do particularly at the professional level -
they could only imagine the drive and determination needed to do all the training etc involved to do what the likes of Jamie Whincup do… they are known as “fans” and they often read up on and learn whatever they can about what goes on in the sport.. so much so that it can become an obsession
For those of you who would like to get more involved in V8 Supercars; I suggest you become a [volunteer] flag marshall – because the drivers realise without them then there is no racing – for safety reasons
*EPIC facepalm* I knew you will pick on semantics again
Please read what I wrote. I towed the car to Collie. I didn’t drive it to Collie. I didn’t get anywhere with it from A to B. The purpose of the car there was to have fun in it. Because as you said, any car can go from a to b. But that wasn’t the point of it was it? I can get on a wheelbarrow from a to b. Doesn’t mean I would accomplish the pupose of being on the racetrack, if I had a wheelbarrow instead of a race car. You fail to understand the simple concept. But like i said, I don’t expect you too…
“In both cases you would want a car that is up to the job or specifically designed for that purpose”
FINALLY, you are slowly beginning to agree with me. Various vehicles are made for various purposes. A truck is designed to carry loads. A bus is designed to carry many people. An econobox is designed for basic a to b commuting… A limousine is designed to drive you around in luxury. A race car is designed to race. A 5 year old kid is capable of understanding this distinction. Why is it so difficult for you?
I love last part of the review, the thing about leaving people in his dust. Where did that come from haha!
I admit it, I only bother to read the comments of an article to see what the daily idiots have to say!
I love it!! Back on topic though, nice car! Much better than the piece of poo 320i. Lovely interior, great engine and I must admit that I like the updated looks, especially the rear lights – remind me of the last gen model. But still at this price…its too much. For this money a Passat CC will do the trick!! Although it doesnt have the reputation of a BMW/Merc, it is still a solid luxury brand with a cracker of a vehicle line up.
Tom says:March 5th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
“Considering its about as quick as a standard 6 cylinder commodore or falcon, i doubt its going to leave much in its rear-view mirror…”
…. Until it reaches the first few corners. Stringing together a good set of bends is where BMWs excel, even the base 4cyl models. However as far as I am concerned, it is not a true BMW unless it has 6 or more cylinders! Being a quick car is not always about how fast it is in a straight line, look at the Mazda MX-5 as an example. Not very quick in a straight line, but in real world conditions like the Great Ocean Road or your favorite twisty bit of tarmac, even a lot of your big, thumping V8s etc would struggle to keep up with one. ;-)
This is a GREAT car for people who doesn’t care about cars.
BMW 325i vs Lexus. Hmmm.. lets see:
BMW has more power
BMW has a better sounding engine.
BMW has better steering (unless you are a small female)
BMW has bigger and better brakes.
BMW has a more spacious rear seat.
BMW has a better interior & more standard finishes.
Lexus has better tyres.
Lexus has better ride quality.
The answer is to get a BMW and change the tires.
Have you folks actually driven these vehicles? It does help you know. Better yet , how about hearing from someone who has owned one, or both ! So let’s talk Lexus shall we? Ok – how about that sporty two seat coupe with the super tech cool retractable hard top. Very plush, really cool looks. V8 engine. The SC430 in some markets. wow must be a Porsche stomper. Wrong. It drives like a friggin farm truck. Sluggish, non responsive steering, a poser. Turns into an un-guided floating torpedo in heavy seas above 150 km.h. But there you go – a Lexus with all the options already built in. You are welcome to it. Have a great time.
Audit A4. Please. Ok, quattro is great for snow. you got snow – you need one of these. You got curves and corners – then you are gonna lean and plow. (Quattro = extra weight) A bit better than Lexus, but that isnt saying much. And by the way – keep that blower running compressed air into that little vibrating four.
Ok so how about a 325i. As some have said here, if you want to do an American style drag race and see who can go straight ahead faster than the next guy – wrong car. As I learned in motorcycle pursuits – there is always somebody with more horsepower. If the horsepower output of your machine is your idea of a refined performance sedan – you don’t want a 3 series (although the M5 might give you a thrill – to me it is a bit “in your face” , too loud, no stealth – and past my budget for sure). But If you want a personal transportation vehicle that will respond to your telepathic intents – you are in the right place. It is all about what you value in a car. Have you owned a BMW. Have you driven a BMW. I own a BMW. I have owned a Lexus (and an Infiniti). It is not the same type of transportation. You really can’t tell anybody – you have to experience it. And frankly, doesn’t matter if you believe me or agree with me, because I have driven and owned them both, and I don’t own no Lexi no more, nor none of them thar Infiniti neither. No thank you.
Lexus has better tyres – that is right funny. So I have Michelin Pilot Sport 255.40.17. Lexus has ? and they are better right? Learn something every day – here I was ignorant and all that, thinking that Lexus had to buy their tires from tire manufacturers , like everybody else.
2009 BMW 325i
Great Really this is a beautiful Car
A decent drive as you would expect from a 6 beemer, HOWEVER I wouldn’t ever purchase a 3 series or any BMW for that matter.
Such a boring and uninspirational vehicle range. Bar the M series though, but honestly how many people have the spare money to blow on that.
If they did there are plenty of far superior rides out there to consider.
If you are middle aged then there is nothing wrong with getting a beemer I guess, anything more might be too much of a rush ;]