Monday 14th July 2008

Updated BMW 3 Series

Range of improvements for small BMW

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The BMW 3 Series is getting a facelift that echos the styling of the new fifth-generation 7 Series. The car gets an oddly-creased bonnet, new bumper and new headlamps and at the rear there are new LED lights.

The new car will be officially unveiled at September’s Paris Motor Show. Five engines will now have the option of BMW’s all-wheel drive system, the xDrive, and the entire BMW 3 Series range gets brake energy regeneration and stop/start technology.

BMW will also be fitting the 335i Coupe and 335i Convertible with the M3’s seven-speed automatic gearbox.

 

[Neomagic]

Five engines will now have the option of BMW’s all-wheel drive system.

Hmmmmm sounds very Audi.

[Baffled Spoon]

That bonnet is atrocious. New rear lights work well though. Regarding the 4wd, why would you ever feel the need for a 4wd 3 series, least of all in this country?

[daveco]

Just make the feckin' thing look like the coupe and Bob's your uncle.

[hoganscrogan]

The 5 series estate is only sold in USA with 4 wheel drive, seems like they are offering it on the 3 over here now.

[Oat$y]

Bonnet styled on the hindenburg by the looks of it, must be getting ready for hydrogen

[Fotofrog]

Awful bonnet ... although i guess if someone decides that they are going to trash the car its not going to make too much difference...

As for the AWD system.. is it really going to be as good as the good ol' Audi Quattro systems .. ? i think not..

rear end looks good tho, love the LED light look..

we shall see..

[RB Will]

Im fairly sure 4wd has been available in 3 series for some time in the USA. the model is called the 3##ix

[matt3001]

Wonder if these updates will mean a 335d convertible?

[computamedic]

I agree about the Coupe comment. When they released the saloon IMHO they messed up the bonnet with the two part kidney grille. They fixed it with the coupe (and M3 saloon interestingly) and now they've fixed that they introduce a hideous crease along it's length!!!

The other thing they messed up with the saloon was the rear lights - and, again, they fixed it with the coupe. The new LED lights look better but I'm not convinced they look as good as the coupe lights.

As mentioned above, the iX range has been available in the US (and Europe I think) for years with all the handling benefits that Audi and Porsche give their 4WD variants. The UK have only been missing out through BMWs reluctance to build a RHD version. A decision they seem to have sensibly now reversed.

It was the redesign of the 3 Series that convinced me NOT to buy another. The coupe was the only one I liked and that wasn't convenient for the family. I still don't think they're there yet.

Dave

[MK4 Slowride]

The x-drive system has been about for donkeys years and is found mostly on European & American build cars the Brits seem to have been missed out until now. No shots of the interior then?

[beanbag]

Brilliant news! I was looking for an E90 320d next year and this means the prices of the older model are likely to drop!

[grahamm]

Will there be a 323d?

[MK4 Slowride]

grahamm said:

Will there be a 323d?

With the 204 BHP twin turbo 2.0d engine, I'd hazard a guess and say yes eventually.

[MrTappets]

Fussy

[chunkymonkey71]

My bonnet used to have a crease like that...

...When I knocked someone over.

[edb49]

Shame the DSG isn't going to be on the 335d. Too much torque I guess..

[wab172uk]

Wonder how much extra weight the AWD system will add?

Maybe they should have spoken to Ford. Use their 5nuckleshuffle system off the new FWD Focus RS.

[Olf]

Errrr. Didn't we have this one last week?

[mateyboy]

oooh how toilet. crap bonnet too, who wants a boring piece of crap anyway.

[clonmult]

How can anyone say the rear lights look even slightly good?

They just look absolutely horrendous. BMW really are going downhill on the exterior design.