Revised 2009 BMW 3 Series review

Launched in March 2005 the fifth generation BMW 3 Series, Saloon and Touring estate models, have just received their mid-life nip and tuck changes.

The 3 Series is immensely important to BMW. It is their best selling model range in the UK and the highest selling model range in the compact executive sector of the UK’s new car market. However it faces the strongest ever competition from the all-new Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Unlike the 3 Series which has received re-styling and equipment upgrades, the Audi and Mercedes-Benz models are all-new, better equipped and larger than the versions they replace. The 3 Series remains the same size.

2009 3 Series range

The revised BMW 3 Series is offered with a range of five petrol and five diesel engines derivatives from launch and the popular BMW 318d can now be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission for the first time. Specification levels are ES, SE, M Sport and M3 and prices start from £21,475.

Although it will not be the best selling unit, the four-cylinder, 2.0-litre 320d 177hp diesel retains that title followed by the 318i petrol, the new 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, 330d all-aluminium engine uses third generation common-rail diesel injection technology with piezo injectors and a single turbocharger with variable vane geometry.

Engines and performance

This new six-cylinder 2,993cc engine in the 330d produces 245hp at 4,000rpm, 14hp up over its predecessor. Torque has also increased by 20Nm to 520Nm and this peak figure is available from 1,750rpm through to 3,000pm. The statistics mean the performance figures of the new 330d Saloon and Touring have improved compared to the previous model.

The 330d Saloon now accelerates from zero to 62mph in 6.1 seconds (Touring 6.2 seconds) before going on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. The economy and emissions of the new 330d have similarly improved from 46.3mpg to 49.6mpg and 160g/km to 152g/km giving a Vehicle Excise Duty bill of £145.

The two thirds of new 330d drivers who favour an automatic transmission see an additional benefit as their chosen vehicle will qualify for a lower Vehicle Excise Duty band, D instead of E with CO2 emissions now 164g/km or 165g/km for the Touring 165g/km as opposed to 176g/km.

The performance of the 325d and 335d Saloon and Touring also see improvements in performance and efficiency. Other engines remain unchanged following last year’s introduction of widespread engine enhancements.

Fuel efficiency

This means the 3 Series model portfolio continues to be powered by the International Engine of the Year for 2007 and 2008 (the petrol-powered 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged unit) and the most fuel efficient and least polluting diesel and petrol engines in their class say BMW. All 3 Series powerplants feature direct injection technology and the extensive use of lightweight materials to improve efficiency.

BMW’s highly praised EfficientDynamics technologies are of course widely used, depending on the model/engine chosen, and can include auto stop/start, brake energy regeneration, electric power steering, intelligent alternator and optimum gearchange indicator.

Styling tweaks

In this competitive premium sector it’s all about image, so styling plays an important initial role in the desire to own a new model. It has to look different to impress one’s peers. That is not easy to achieve when it is a mid-life nip and tuck as opposed to an all-new design and a much larger replacement body.

However BMW enthusiasts will instantly see a more elegant new 3 Series body shape much of which has been achieved by just detailed styling tweaks rather than any major panel changes.

The previous heavy looking bonnet now has two strong precision lines pressed into it, there is a re-styled kidney grille, edgy new front bumper with revised air intakes, re-worked headlights and rear light clusters with LED indicators and light reflecting lines in the side sills and front and rear overhangs which make the Saloon and the Touring seem longer although they are the same length as the outgoing model

There are new style wheels and paintwork options as well. Inside the car looks much the same although there are detailed changes. The plastics still look hard, the driver’s armrest is better positioned and thankfully there is, where specified, a much better, simpler to use iDrive information and operating system.

Storage space is still an issue. Only when we get the new 3 Series, probably 2012, will it have the rear interior space and legroom offered by the new Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. Until then the 3 Series excels as a driver’s car because of its superb engines and handling but its competitors have the edge for space and refinement.

Driving

I briefly had the opportunity to try three of the models from the new range. The best selling retail model is the 318i SE Saloon priced at £22,765. The four-cylinder 1.8-litre 143hp unit is as competent as ever and with CO2 emissions at a low 142g/km.

This means a VED rating of Group C costing £120 a year, excellent for a petrol engine model in a car of this class. Real-life fuel economy was 30.3mpg, officially it returns on average 47.9mpg. Ideal for the retail buyer who covers only limited annual mileage.

The second test model is regarded as the most popular in the range, the 320d Saloon with SE specification and priced at £26,680. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, 177hp turbodiesel unit produces 350Nm of torque, has a top speed of 143mph and gets from zero to 62mph in 7.9 seconds.

Officially 58.9mpg is the average fuel consumption; 38.1mpg was my figure for some rapid country road driving. This model too gets a VED Group C rating. This is still the most sensible, easy to drive, easy to live model in the range and should remain the top seller.

Finally the new 330d, 3.0-litre, six-cylinder engine with 245hp, 520Nm of torque with a top speed limited to 155mph and 0-62mph taking just 6.2 seconds was tried and tested. For those customers who want the driving luxury of a performance six cylinder engine, but with cost effective fuel economy and the least amount of expensive road tax this is it.

Officially this engine will return 45.6mpg with automatic transmission and most buyers chose that option. The CO2 emissions are 164g/km which means a road tax bill of £145. The fuel consumption during my test run was 34.8mpg but that will improve with more sympathetic real-life driving.

My test saloon with the auto gearbox and with M Sport specification, the likely most popular version with this engine, costs £33,885.

The handling for all versions with its rear wheel drive is layout supreme, perfect balance and only the hard walled run-flat tyres occasionally disturb what overall is a very fine and comfortable drive.

MILESTONES

BMW 320d SE Saloon (Best selling model)

Price: £26,680

Engine/transmission: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel, 177hp, 350Nm, 6-speed manual

Performance: 143mph, 0-62mph 7.9 seconds, 58.9mpg (38.1mpg actual) 128g/km, VED Band C £120

Benefit in Kind tax: 18%

Insurance group: Group 14

For: Smart and classy new looks, impeccable poise and balance, great engine options, performance, fuel economy potential, reasonable purchase and running costs

Against: Loses out to all-new Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class for interior space and refinement.

A-Z of executive models

Prices, details, pictures and reviews of all executive cars on the UK's roads.

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