2009 BMW 3 Series Overview Change Vehicle

This 2009 BMW 3 Series overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2009 3 Series, and includes BMW 3 Series safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

Entering the fourth year of their model cycle, the 3 Series Sedan and Wagon are on the receiving end of a facelift for 2009. The hood is re-sculpted with more character lines (we call them creases), there are new side rocker panels, and the front and rear fascias are slightly updated. The interior also receives minor freshening, but you'd have to be a BMW employee to really notice the cosmetic changes. On the other hand, the 3 Series finally receives BMW's new iDrive interface (trickled-down from the 5 Series and 7 Series) with easier controls and a larger 8.8-inch screen.

When it comes to options, BMW has introduced a new no-cost option that will be sure to please consumers. Called the Value Package, it includes leather upholstery, an iPod/USB adapter, 17-inch alloy wheels, and heated front seats (only on xDrive models). Yes, it's free.

Under the hood, the 3 Series Sedan receives (for the first time ever in the United States) a diesel powerplant. Don't think of the oil-burner as a lethargic soot-spewing rattle-can. This twin-turbo 3.0-liter is all about clean and efficient performance. With gobs of torque, the new 335d four-door runs 0-60 in just over 5 seconds, yet still delivers nearly 40 mpg in real-world highway driving. The only downside is that the new powerplant doesn't come cheap.

BMW has also changed its nomenclature again. As of 2009, the all-wheel drive models are designated by xDrive following their numerical designation (e.g., the 328xi Wagon becomes the 328i xDrive Wagon).

BMW offers its 2009 3 Series in no fewer than thirteen different models. They include: 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i xDrive Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Wagon, 328i xDrive Wagon, 335i Sedan, 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i xDrive Coupe, 335i Convertible and the new 335d Sedan.

As a premium brand, standard equipment on all models includes a full range of power equipment and accessories. These include dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows, power locks and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Leatherette (vinyl) upholstery is standard on the 328i models (leather is optional), while leather upholstery is standard on the upscale 335i models.

Major option groups on all 3 Series models include the Premium Package (with Homelink garage door opener, power front seats with lumbar support, memory seat/mirrors, compass, and leather upholstery), Sport Package (including upgraded alloy wheels and tires, sport suspension, sport front seats, and sport steering wheel), Cold Weather Package (headlight cleaning washers, heated steering wheel, and a ski bag), and the new-for-2009 Value Package (leather upholstery, iPod/USB adapter, 17-inch alloy wheels, and heated front seats on xDrive models).

Stand-alone options include an automatic transmission (with paddle shifters when combined with the Sport Package), leather upholstery (328i models), adaptive Xenon headlamps (328i models), satellite-based navigation system with integrated iDrive (the automaker's infotainment controller), active steering, rear park distance control, keyless Comfort Access ignition, and rear window sunshades.

The 2009 BMW 3 Series models are fitted with three different engines.

All 328i models feature the automaker's "N52" 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine rated at 215 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. All 335i models feature the automaker's all-new "N54" twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, the world's first direct-injection turbocharged inline-six. The all-aluminum, direct-injected engine is rated at 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are equipped with BMW's Valvetronic variable intake-valve lift and double VANOS technology (variable intake and exhaust valve timing) to improve fuel efficiency and power output. Premium fuel is required.

New for 2009 is a diesel engine. The diesel-burning, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is rated at 265 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. The engine (also found under the hood of the X5) features common rail injection, variable geometry turbochargers and piezo-injectors to deliver maximum efficiency, performance and refinement. A refillable diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) called AdBlue is injected directly into the exhaust — the resulting chemical reaction cuts emissions and allows the 335d to be sold in all 50 states. The engine requires ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), commonly available in the U.S.

The gasoline engines are mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission. Optional on all models is BMW's six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission (the gearbox in the 328i is sourced from General Motors, while the 335i gearbox comes from a European company called ZF). A six-speed ZF-sourced automatic is standard on the 335d sedan.

Standard for 328i/335i models, and the 335d, is rear-wheel drive. The 328i/335i xDrive models are fitted with BMW's xDrive full-time all-wheel-drive system (electronically controlled with variable front/rear torque split and traction control). While the ride height of the all-wheel-drive 3 Series models is slightly higher, the system is tuned for inclement weather, not off-road use.

According to the EPA, the 2009 BMW 328i is rated to get between 17 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway depending on body style, transmission, and whether the car is equipped with xDrive. The 335i models are expected to return between 16 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The new 335d is rated at 23 mpg city/36 mpg highway.

BMW’s have traditionally been expensive to maintain both in and out of warranty. Thankfully, the automaker is offering a BMW Free Maintenance Program for the 2009 3 Series during its initial warranty period (the first 4 years or 50,000 miles) which includes scheduled maintenance for things like oil changes and certain wear-and-tear items such as brake pads and wiper blade inserts. Nevertheless, Vehix recommends an extended warranty for any BMW 3 Series owned outside the standard warranty period. Along that note, BMW has recently added an extended warranty to cover the high-pressure fuel pump issues that have plagued the twin-turbo "N54" engine installed in 335i models. Be sure to ask your dealer for details.

Standard safety equipment on all 2009 3 Series models includes dual front airbags, side impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and side curtain airbags. Side impact airbags for the rear seat are optional. In addition, BMW fits all 3 Series models with a long list of standard safety features including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Dynamic Traction Control, Brake Fade Compensation, Brake Standby, Brake Drying, and Start-off Assistant.

The 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan and Wagon were tested in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). They earned 4-Star ratings for driver front passenger protection in a frontal impact crash and 5-Star ratings for the driver and rear passenger in a side impact. The rollover rating is 4 Stars. The NHTSA has not tested the coupe and convertible models.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has also tested the 3 Series Sedan. In frontal offset testing, side impact testing, and rear crash protection measures, the IIHS gives the 3 Series a Good rating.

Consumer Reports gives the 2009 328i models a better than average rating for reliability, while the 2009 335i models receive a much worse than average rating (the automaker has had problems with the high-pressure fuel pumps on the twin-turbocharged engines). J.D. Power and Associates predicts the 2009 3 Series will deliver average long-term dependability.

Vehix recommends the 2009 BMW 3 Series. While we genuinely enjoy all of the 3 Series models, our favorite is the all-new 335d. Though it is far from inexpensive, it delivers an amazing amount of performance as it sips fuel like an economy car. Sporty, classy, comfortable, and imbued with diesel engine reliability, the 335d is a winner from all angles.

-- By Michael Harley