2010 BMW 3-Series: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2010 BMW 3-Series sedans and wagons should see no major changes after their 2009 freshening and the introduction of a diesel engine. These premium compact cars should continue to be available as 2-door coupes and convertibles, as well as 4-door sedans and wagons. Convertibles should continue to have a power-retractable hard top. The 2010 coupes and convertibles may get the same styling treatments the 2009 sedans and wagons received. The 3-Series model lineup should continue to consist of the following: entry-level 328, mid-line 335, and high-performance M3. Depending on body style, the 328i should continue to be available with rear-wheel drive or with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive. It should continue to be powered by a 230-hp 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine. Also depending on body style, the 335i should remain available with rear-wheel drive or AWD. Those models should remain powered by a turbocharged 300-hp version of the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder. The rear-drive 335d should also remain. It should have a 265-hp 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder that is emissions legal in all 50 states. M3 models should continue to use a 414-hp 4.0-liter V8.

All BMW 3-Series gasoline engines should remain available with a 6-speed manual transmission. Most likely remaining available on the 328i and 335i and standard on the 335d is a 6-speed automatic. The M3 should continue to be available with a 7-speed automatic. Available safety features should include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and front side airbags. Head-protecting tubular side airbags that cover both seating rows should remain standard on all but convertibles. Convertibles should continue to be available with rollover bars designed to deploy from the rear headrests if sensors detect an impending tip.

Cars with the optional navigation system should continue to get BMW's iDrive that uses a console knob to control entertainment, navigation, communication, and other functions. The navigation system should continue to include a hard drive for storing digital music files. Other available features should include steering-linked xenon headlights, BMW's Active Steering that quickens steering response at low speeds, rear obstacle detection, adaptive cruise control, and BMW Assist service with a wireless cell-phone link. This report is based on evaluations of the 2009 BMW 3-Series.