2010 BMW 3-Series: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2010 BMW 3-Series is largely unchanged. These premium compact cars come as 2-door coupes and convertibles, as well as 4-door sedans and wagons. Convertibles have a power-retractable hard top. The 3-Series model lineup consists of the following: entry-level 328, mid-line 335, and high-performance M3. Depending on body style, the 328i comes with rear-wheel drive or with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive. It's powered by a 230-hp 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine. Also depending on body style, the 335i is available with rear-wheel drive or AWD. Those models are powered by a turbocharged 300-hp version of the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder. The rear-drive 335d has a 265-hp 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder that is emissions legal in all 50 states. M3 models use a 414-hp 4.0-liter V8.

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

Cars with the optional navigation system get BMW's iDrive that uses a console knob to control entertainment, navigation, communication, and other functions. The navigation system includes a hard drive for storing digital music files. Other available features 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.