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Find everything you need to know about the BMW 3 Series.

Shelly BMW of Buena Park CA 90621, Orange County, Southern California is your BMW Dealership  for the All New 2009 BMW 3 Series.
Read below for more detailed information on the 2009 BMW 3 Series: BMW 328i Sedan, BMW 328i xDrive Sedan, BMW 335i Sedan, BMW 335i xDrive Sedan, BMW 335d Sedan, BMW 328i Coupe, BMW 328i xDrive Coupe, BMW 335i Coupe, BMW 335i xDrive Coupe, BMW 328i Convertible, BMW 335i Convertible, BMW 328i Sports Wagon, BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon.

   

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Another year, another round of subtle changes to make one of the most heralded automobiles ever made even better. For decades, the BMW 3 Series has been the benchmark in the entry-level luxury car market -- be it in sedan, coupe, convertible or wagon guise. Typically, this BMW has offered a magnificent blend of restrained luxury, top-notch build quality, just-right size, ample feature content and a ride/handling balance that other manufacturers have been unsuccessfully trying to copy for ages.

For the 2009 BMW 3 Series, a few changes have been made to keep its superior status intact. Some of the sedan and wagon's more questionable styling elements have been rectified. These models receive a new front fascia that's reminiscent of the sexier coupe and convertible, and their streamlined cabooses mark a return to the more attractive BMW tradition of L-shaped taillights. The coupe and convertible have been left alone this year, and that's fine with us, as the sedan and wagon were the only members of the family that needed some cosmetic surgery.

Elsewhere, the much-maligned iDrive electronics interface has been dramatically improved, with more logically arranged menus and buttons surrounding the iDrive control knob that access frequently used functions (radio, navigation, telephone). The navigation system itself is now hard-drive-based and features real-time traffic information.

Later in the year, BMW's first clean-diesel engine for the United States will debut in the 2009 335d. This twin-turbocharged six-cylinder will make prodigious power and yet manage remarkable fuel economy of 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, according to BMW, while meeting the latest strict emissions requirements of all 50 states.

The 2009 BMW 3 Series is poised to remain America's best-selling luxury car, and for good reason -- it's an honest-to-goodness driver's car that's nonetheless comfortable and stylish enough to appeal to a wide range of consumers.  

Style Comparisons

The 2009 BMW 3 Series is available in sedan, wagon, coupe and hardtop convertible body styles. All come in base rear-wheel-drive 328i trim, while the coupe, sedan and wagon also come in all-wheel-drive 328i xDrive guise. All but the wagon are available in rear-drive 335i trim, while the sedan and coupe can be had in 335i xDrive form. Later in the model year, a diesel-powered 335d sedan will arrive.

Standard equipment on the 328i models includes 16-inch wheels, heated side mirrors, a sunroof, leatherette vinyl upholstery, automatic climate control and a 10-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary input jack. Coupe and convertible versions come with slightly more equipment, including a sport-tuned suspension on the coupe and a power-retractable hardtop on the convertible. In addition to its more powerful engine, the 335i adds 17-inch wheels, xenon headlights and power front seats with driver memory. The 335d should be similarly equipped.

Most 3 Series cars you find on dealer lots will be equipped with the Premium Package, which adds leather upholstery (heat-reflective in the convertible), auto-dimming mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, BMW Assist telematics and, on 328i models, power seats with driver memory. The Sport Package specifies a firmer suspension on convertibles, sedans and wagons, and all get larger wheels, sport seats and steering wheel, and special "Shadowline" exterior trim. The Climate Package adds heated front seats and steering wheel, retractable headlight washers and fold-down rear seats (though the latter are unavailable in the convertible). Many of these items can be had as stand-alone options.

Among the à la carte options are a navigation system with iDrive controller, keyless ignition/entry, active cruise control, front and rear parking assist, an active steering system (335i only), paddle shifters for the optional automatic transmission, xenon headlights (328i), rear window shades, satellite radio, HD radio, iPod adapter and a Logic 7 surround-sound audio system.

Trim Engine Trans. Wheels Audio System Seating MSRP Current Vehicle: 328i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M) 3.0L inline 6 double overhead cam (DOHC) 24-valve engine 6-speed manual transmission 16 x 7.0 in. alloy 10-speaker, AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback, diversity antenna leatherette upholstery $33,600 328i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M) 3.0L inline 6 double overhead cam (DOHC) 24-valve engine 6-speed manual transmission 16 x 7.0 in. alloy 10-speaker, AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback, diversity antenna leatherette upholstery $35,600 335i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) 3.0L inline 6 double overhead cam (DOHC) 24-valve engine 6-speed manual transmission 17 x 8.0 in. alloy 10-speaker, AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback, diversity antenna leatherette upholstery $40,300 335i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) 3.0L inline 6 double overhead cam (DOHC) 24-valve engine 6-speed manual transmission 17 x 8.0 in. alloy 10-speaker, AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback, diversity antenna leatherette upholstery $42,300 335d 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A) 3.0L inline 6 double overhead cam (DOHC) 24-valve engine 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission 17 x 8.0 in. alloy 10-speaker, AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback, diversity antenna leatherette upholstery $43,900

Powertrains and Performance

The rear-wheel-drive BMW 328i and all-wheel-drive 328i xDrive are powered by a 3.0-liter inline-6 that produces 230 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. The 335i and 335i xDrive get a different 3.0-liter inline-6, this one twin-turbocharged to produce 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The 335d will be powered by a twin-turbocharged diesel engine rated at 265 hp and a pavement-rippling 425 lb-ft of torque. All gas-powered models come standard with a six-speed manual shifter, while a six-speed automatic is optional (standard on the 335d). Paddle shifters can be added to the auto.

In performance testing, we've spurred a 328i sedan with the manual transmission from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, while the heavier convertible is a few tenths of a second slower. We've tested a variety of 335i sedans and coupes, and they consistently do the sprint in just a shade over 5 seconds. The 335d did the sprint in 5.9 seconds.

Despite its potent power plants, the 3 Series remains relatively fuel-efficient. The 328i gets 17-18 mpg in the city, 25-28 mpg on the highway and 20-21 mpg combined, depending on the body style and drivetrain. The 335i with the automatic achieves 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined. The manual transmission or all-wheel drive will lower those numbers slightly. BMW estimates fuel economy for the 335d will be an impressive 23 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.

Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 178.2 in.	Width: 71.5 in.
Height: 55.9 in.	Wheel Base: 108.7 in.
Curb Weight: 3340 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 38.5 in.	Front Shoulder Room: 55.4 in.
Rear Head Room: 37.5 in.	Rear Shoulder Room: 55.1 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.5 in.	Rear Leg Room: 36.4 in.
Luggage Capacity/Maximum Cargo Capacity: 12 cu. ft.	Maximum Seating: 5
Performance Data
Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 6	Base Engine Size: 3 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 6	Horsepower: 230 hp
Max Horsepower: 6500 rpm	Torque: 200 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 2750 rpm	Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 36.1 ft.

 

Fuel Data

Fuel
Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.1 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Manual: 18 mpg / 28 mpg Automatic: : 18 mpg / 28 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Automatic: 289.8 mi. / 450.8 mi. Manual: 289.8 mi. / 450.8 mi

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2009 BMW 3 Series includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, run-flat tires, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. The convertible lacks the side curtains, but the regular front side airbags extend up to head level, and there are also pop-up rollover hoops. The stability control system integrates several features designed to improve braking performance, such as periodically wiping the brake rotors dry when the windshield wipers are in use, and automatically snugging the pads to the rotors when the driver abruptly lifts off the throttle.

Safety Features
Antilock Brakes: Standard	Four Wheel Antilock Brakes: Standard
Depowered Airbag: Standard	Passenger Airbag: Standard
Head Airbag: Standard	Side Airbag: Standard
Child Safety Seats: Not Available	Traction Control: Standard
Stability Control: Standard

Interior Design and Special Features

The 3 Series interiors provide a restrained show of luxury. Though a tad plain, the emphasis is on driver comfort and involvement through elements such as supportive seats and clean analog gauges. Materials and build quality are exceptional; even the standard leatherette (vinyl) upholstery looks and feels better than one would expect. The convertible's available heat-reflective leather does a wonderful job of keeping occupants' posteriors cool. This year's revised iDrive electronics interface that comes with the optional navigation system is improved over its confusing predecessor, but it still complicates the stereo controls.

The standard front seats have enough firm support to ward off fatigue during a day's worth of driving, while the optional power-adjustable sport seats are sublimely comfortable. The rear seats are adequately roomy for adults on shorter trips, but taller passengers will wish for more headroom. Trunk space is average in sedans and coupes, while the wagon offers a maximum cargo capacity of 61 cubic feet. The convertible offers a reasonable cargo hold when the hardtop is up, but it predictably shrinks considerably when the top is lowered.

 

Driving Impressions

There's no going wrong with any of the engines available in the 2009 BMW 3 Series. The naturally aspirated base engine is a little light on low-end torque, but it moves the car smartly once underway and provides laudable fuel economy on the highway. In the BMW tradition, this inline-6 is velvety-smooth from idle to redline, yet the tailpipes emit a purposeful bark under hard acceleration. For the power-hungry, the twin-turbo 335i is a riot, providing the kind of acceleration formerly associated with the high-performance M3. Meanwhile, the late-availability 335d provides face-flattening torque off the line while using the least fuel of the bunch.

No matter which model you choose, the 3 Series' world-class suspension, steering and brakes will provide hours of entertainment on twisty two-lane byways. At the same time, the 3 Series is a wonderful long-distance cruiser, delivering both a supple ride and a hushed cabin. The 3 Series' long-running double act is truly extraordinary: It speaks the language of driving enthusiasts, yet its upscale image and comfortable interior give it unrivaled mass appeal.

 

 Source: www.edmunds.com