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2009 BMW 3 Series
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Fast Facts
Fuel Economy
Crash Test Scores
Base Price: $34,975
Price as Tested: $49,020
Why We Drove It: The BMW 3 Series was among the top ranked models in its class in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL). It is also called a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Finally, when equipped with the available turbodiesel engine, the 3 Series is one of the most fuel-efficient models in its class.
• According to BMW, the progenitor of the current 3 Series lineup was the BMW 1600-2 that debuted in March of 1966 at the Geneva Salon.
• The iconic BMW 2002 was born when a larger, 2.0-liter engine was installed in the 1600-2.
• The first BMW model with a 3 Series designation arrived in the U.S. as the 1977 replacement for the 2002. It was called the 320i.
• A sedan was added to the BMW 3 Series lineup in 1985, followed shortly thereafter by a convertible. It wasn’t until 2000 that a station wagon was added.
• BMW says the 3 Series is the best-selling premium vehicle in the world.
• The new 2009 BMW 335d is emissions-compliant in all 50 states. It employs BluePerformance technology to ensure clean tailpipe emissions – an oxidation catalyst close to the engine, a diesel particulate filter, and an SCR catalyst with urea injection. The ammonia created by injecting urea into the exhaust system effectively converts nitric oxides into environmentally compatible nitrogen and water vapor.
• Despite these measures to limit emissions, the 2009 BMW 335d carries a Smog Score of 4 out of 10 on its window sticker.
• The 2009 BMW 335d makes as much as 390 lb.-ft. of torque as low as 1,500 rpm, providing surprising acceleration from low speeds. Peak torque of 425 lb.-ft. is achieved at just 1,750 rpm and remains flat until 2,250 rpm.
• BMW says the turbodiesel 335d accelerates to 60 mph in six seconds while getting 23 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
• At the time we test drove the BMW 335d, diesel fuel was selling for 20 cents less per gallon than regular unleaded, and 40 cents less per gallon than premium unleaded.
• Like the 335d, the 2009 BMW 335i has a broad torque curve, making 300 lb.-ft. of twist between 1,400 and 5,000 rpm.
• BMW says the gasoline-fueled, twin-turbo 335i will accelerate to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds (5.6 with the automatic transmission) while returning 26 mpg on the highway, using premium unleaded.
• BMW says the gasoline-fueled 328i will accelerate to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds (6.9 with the automatic transmission) while returning 28 mpg on the highway.
• When the optional navigation system is ordered, up to 8 GB of music can be uploaded to the 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan’s hard drive from a CD, an MP3 music player, or a USB stick.
• With the 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan’s BMW Assist feature, an emergency call is automatically made to the BMW Call Center in the event of an accident. Vehicle location, vehicle specifications, collision data, and probability of occupant injury information are transmitted, and the BMW Call Center attempts to make a voice connection with the occupants of the vehicle while ensuring that emergency personnel are sent to the scene of the crash.
• BMW’s TeleService feature, included with BMW Assist, automatically notifies the BMW Call Center when the 2009 3 Series requires maintenance or service. The Call Center proactively contacts the vehicle owner to set up an appointment and ensure that the proper parts are in stock at the dealership.
• For $199 annually, the BMW Assist Convenience Plan adds concierge service that can help the 2009 BMW 3 Series owner with a wide variety of information and assistance services.
• BMW Search provides 2009 3 Series owners with access to Google Maps inside their car, as long as the navigation and BMW Assist features are present.
• The latest version of BMW’s controversial iDrive system includes four buttons that allow the driver to directly select CD, radio, phone and navigation menus without using the iDrive controller. Three additional buttons provide direct access to the start menu, ability to go back one screen, and to see additional options on a given screen.
• When iDrive is added to the 2009 BMW 3 Series, there are 8 programmable memory buttons lined up above the audio controls. These can be programmed to recall a favorite radio station, a frequently dialed phone number, a specific navigation destination, an audio system setting, and others. The buttons are sensitive to touch or being pressed.
• BMW says the new, fourth-generation of iDrive offers “outstandingly detailed” geographical views, three-dimensional mapping, and selected points of interest rendered “with near photographic realism.”
• BMW adds “xDrive” to the names of its all-wheel drive models. On the 2009 3 Series, the xDrive system sends 40 percent of the engine’s power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear wheels, under normal driving conditions.
• The xDrive system is networked with the 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan’s dynamic stability control system to compensate for different traction conditions on either side of the vehicle.
• For 2009, BMW has increased the amount of storage space inside the 3 Series, even including a convenient place to rest a portable music player.
• The 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan is not available with cloth upholstery. The standard seat covering is “leatherette” (vinyl) and the optional seat covering is Dakota leather.
• All BMWs come standard with free scheduled service and maintenance for the first four years or 50,000 miles of ownership.
• For an extra $1,595, 2009 BMW 3 Series buyers can increase the “free” scheduled service and maintenance to six years and 100,000 miles.
• Only five percent of the parts comprising a 2009 BMW 3 Series are sourced in the U.S. or Canada. Most – 70 percent – come from Germany, and our review car was built in Munich, Germany.
• The iconic BMW 2002 was born when a larger, 2.0-liter engine was installed in the 1600-2.
• The first BMW model with a 3 Series designation arrived in the U.S. as the 1977 replacement for the 2002. It was called the 320i.
• A sedan was added to the BMW 3 Series lineup in 1985, followed shortly thereafter by a convertible. It wasn’t until 2000 that a station wagon was added.
• BMW says the 3 Series is the best-selling premium vehicle in the world.
• The new 2009 BMW 335d is emissions-compliant in all 50 states. It employs BluePerformance technology to ensure clean tailpipe emissions – an oxidation catalyst close to the engine, a diesel particulate filter, and an SCR catalyst with urea injection. The ammonia created by injecting urea into the exhaust system effectively converts nitric oxides into environmentally compatible nitrogen and water vapor.
• Despite these measures to limit emissions, the 2009 BMW 335d carries a Smog Score of 4 out of 10 on its window sticker.
• The 2009 BMW 335d makes as much as 390 lb.-ft. of torque as low as 1,500 rpm, providing surprising acceleration from low speeds. Peak torque of 425 lb.-ft. is achieved at just 1,750 rpm and remains flat until 2,250 rpm.
• BMW says the turbodiesel 335d accelerates to 60 mph in six seconds while getting 23 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
• At the time we test drove the BMW 335d, diesel fuel was selling for 20 cents less per gallon than regular unleaded, and 40 cents less per gallon than premium unleaded.
• Like the 335d, the 2009 BMW 335i has a broad torque curve, making 300 lb.-ft. of twist between 1,400 and 5,000 rpm.
• BMW says the gasoline-fueled, twin-turbo 335i will accelerate to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds (5.6 with the automatic transmission) while returning 26 mpg on the highway, using premium unleaded.
• BMW says the gasoline-fueled 328i will accelerate to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds (6.9 with the automatic transmission) while returning 28 mpg on the highway.
• When the optional navigation system is ordered, up to 8 GB of music can be uploaded to the 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan’s hard drive from a CD, an MP3 music player, or a USB stick.
• With the 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan’s BMW Assist feature, an emergency call is automatically made to the BMW Call Center in the event of an accident. Vehicle location, vehicle specifications, collision data, and probability of occupant injury information are transmitted, and the BMW Call Center attempts to make a voice connection with the occupants of the vehicle while ensuring that emergency personnel are sent to the scene of the crash.
• BMW’s TeleService feature, included with BMW Assist, automatically notifies the BMW Call Center when the 2009 3 Series requires maintenance or service. The Call Center proactively contacts the vehicle owner to set up an appointment and ensure that the proper parts are in stock at the dealership.
• For $199 annually, the BMW Assist Convenience Plan adds concierge service that can help the 2009 BMW 3 Series owner with a wide variety of information and assistance services.
• BMW Search provides 2009 3 Series owners with access to Google Maps inside their car, as long as the navigation and BMW Assist features are present.
• The latest version of BMW’s controversial iDrive system includes four buttons that allow the driver to directly select CD, radio, phone and navigation menus without using the iDrive controller. Three additional buttons provide direct access to the start menu, ability to go back one screen, and to see additional options on a given screen.
• When iDrive is added to the 2009 BMW 3 Series, there are 8 programmable memory buttons lined up above the audio controls. These can be programmed to recall a favorite radio station, a frequently dialed phone number, a specific navigation destination, an audio system setting, and others. The buttons are sensitive to touch or being pressed.
• BMW says the new, fourth-generation of iDrive offers “outstandingly detailed” geographical views, three-dimensional mapping, and selected points of interest rendered “with near photographic realism.”
• BMW adds “xDrive” to the names of its all-wheel drive models. On the 2009 3 Series, the xDrive system sends 40 percent of the engine’s power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear wheels, under normal driving conditions.
• The xDrive system is networked with the 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan’s dynamic stability control system to compensate for different traction conditions on either side of the vehicle.
• For 2009, BMW has increased the amount of storage space inside the 3 Series, even including a convenient place to rest a portable music player.
• The 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan is not available with cloth upholstery. The standard seat covering is “leatherette” (vinyl) and the optional seat covering is Dakota leather.
• All BMWs come standard with free scheduled service and maintenance for the first four years or 50,000 miles of ownership.
• For an extra $1,595, 2009 BMW 3 Series buyers can increase the “free” scheduled service and maintenance to six years and 100,000 miles.
• Only five percent of the parts comprising a 2009 BMW 3 Series are sourced in the U.S. or Canada. Most – 70 percent – come from Germany, and our review car was built in Munich, Germany.
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2009 328i Defective signal FC A8B1 Module, had car as new in Dec 08, services to same problem from 12/08 to 02/09, settled under Lemon Law.
-- Posted by Angel on 5/29/2009 11:07:00 PM
After test driving this (320d), I personally feel that VW makes much better quality cars. I test drove the new VW tiguan and was amazed by the wealth of new technology for the right price. BMW is just a hype! I would certainly not pay that extra price for just that small round seal!!
-- Posted by kstr on 6/8/2009 12:10:00 AM
I hit every curb i pull up to
-- Posted by Anonymous on 9/15/2009 11:38:00 AM
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