2009 Changes for the 3 Series

[Sailvi767]

I went to the dealer today and considered the purchase of a 08. After talking with the salesman and seeing some of the information he had it appears the changes to the 09 model are more then just cosmetic. The Front and rear track are widened for improved handling and the new IDrive system is actually a complete overhaul of the entire electronic interface with the car. I would love to get some official BMW news on the 09 but there website still lists only 08 data. Anyone have any other news on the 09. It looks like the changes might be well worth waiting for.

[bondock]

Go to the international BMW website not the bmwusa website and follow the links for the 3 series, you will find infor on the new 2009. They state it as the 2008 but its actually the 2009.
I tried to post a link for you but my account would not allow it! sorry.

[Mugen89]

just put it this way,

the new idrive is worth it.

[MagneZium]

80GB hard drive at least.

[Mugen89]

80GB hard drive at least.
i heard 30

[MagneZium]

i heard 30

I could be wrong, not 100% sure.

[tomegun]

It may be 80GB total, but only 30GB available to use for music. The rest would be used for navigation information - maps.

I'm thinking about looking into getting an 09. I'm not sure if it is worth the hassle of trading in, but it is free to look.

[kindtree]

The tails on the sedan look a little better. Still fugly in that special, loveable BMW way though...

[kindtree]

Now that I look at it a little closer, the 09 sedan looks more aggressive, but those "shots" in the brochure are so exaggerated and, of course, don't include the stupid DOTarded orange reflectors...

Overall I'd say the cosmetic changes are pretty good. The Evolution of the Bangleness in this car is actually working out alright...

[Sailvi767]

Keep in mind the changes are more then cosmetic. There is a wider front and rear track, the Nav/Entertainment is at least a 2 generation jump from the 08. The interior is all new and so far seems to be getting rave reviews. I was going to pick up a 08 since they can be had for dealer cost with .9% financing but looking at the changes I think its best to wait for a 09. The increased resale over the 08 should make the cost of ownership less overall.

[kindtree]

any links to those reviews of the new interior besides the nav?

[Sailvi767]

Here is a clip from one review on the interior

Inside, the cabin adopts much of the comfort and driver-oriented styling first seen in the midlife 5-Series and in the soon-to-launch new 7-Series. There is now more storage for knicks and knacks, the dash area is more driver-focused, the armrests are incredibly ergonomic at last, and the the freshened iDrive system is finally a user-friendly situation. The larger 8.8-inch screen is supremely readable at all times and the menus all make clear sense.

[kindtree]

Very interesting. That's nice that they're improving the ergonomics. And iDrive, finally...

I guess the selling point would be the driving dynamics for me. Buying an 09 vs an 08 right now comes down to a pretty big difference, monetarily speaking. With the promotional finance rate and the deals being cut to get cars off the lot quickly, we're talking about a good amount of money over time....

Ergonomics and visual tweaks are good. But, honestly, (and don't flame here), if I was concerned about exterior looks, ergonomics, and a good nav setup, I would go with an IS350 and save myself a good deal of money while slightly sacrificing perfomance and driving feel. However, the reason why I am willing to go with the Bimmer is because of the easily accessed potential of the turbo'd engine and the BMW driving "feel."

I guess what I'm saying, if it makes any sense at all, is I can't justify the difference in price from '08 to '09 for reasons that I would be stupid not to get a Lexus for...

In a similarly optioned '08 and '09, we would be talking about thousands difference between the financing and price breaks, which would partially be made up for in resale value, but are any of these changes worth it? I think I'd honestly have to drive the new one to make an informed decision.

[bondock]

but are any of these changes worth it? I think I'd honestly have to drive the new one to make an informed decision.

I think the biggest worth of them all is the new iDrive. I hear the new one is a totally different and improved experience from the old version. It will actually be fun to use. I tried using the current iDrive on a test car and gave up after a few minutes!

[kindtree]

I think the biggest worth of them all is the new iDrive. I hear the new one is a totally different and improved experience from the old version. It will actually be fun to use. I tried using the current iDrive on a test car and gave up after a few minutes!

Same here. The dealer looked at me weird when I told him I didn't like it. Then he tried to make me explain why. Like he was going to come up with a counterpoint to every point I was about to make.

Honestly though, I'm sure it's not that bad once you get used to it. I'm only getting the nav and iDrive because I want the display for the controls. Dumb reason, I know...

[Sailvi767]

The 09 also features a wider front and rear track. Initial reports from Europe indicate it makes a nice handling improvement. I think you will find that you make back more then the increased upfront cost in resale value. You always want to look at total cost of ownership not just the upfront cost.

[kindtree]

The 09 also features a wider front and rear track. Initial reports from Europe indicate it makes a nice handling improvement. I think you will find that you make back more then the increased upfront cost in resale value. You always want to look at total cost of ownership not just the upfront cost.

True. But we're also talking about a decent amount of difference over time with the financing rate...

And, as far as total cost of ownership goes, have they worked out any more of the bugs with the '09 update?

[Christos]

I think the biggest worth of them all is the new iDrive. I hear the new one is a totally different and improved experience from the old version. It will actually be fun to use. I tried using the current iDrive on a test car and gave up after a few minutes!


The current iDrive is not that bad and really is quite easy to use, of course after the learning curve. Its the NAV functionality of iDrive that plain ole sucks...:(

[bondock]

The current iDrive is not that bad and really is quite easy to use, of course after the learning curve. Its the NAV functionality of iDrive that plain ole sucks...


I'm sure I would've gotten the hang of it in a half hour or so. I'm usually quick to get a hang of things when handling new electronic gadgets (eg. phones...etc.) within the first few minutes, so when I struggled with the iDrive in the few minutes that I had to test it I got a bit frustrated!

[Pitch Black]

I can never get it when people say they struggle with iDrive. If anything finding the advanced commands of iDrive can be a bit involved. I found out how to switch screens without the menu button only a couple weeks ago.

[bondock]

I found out how to switch screens without the menu button only a couple weeks ago.

I found out how to do that in the first few minutes!! lol

[Pitch Black]

I found out how to do that in the first few minutes!! lol

Yeah its one of those things you learn by accident. I never did it, I just slapped menu. I switched to the split screen and held it, and it sent me to "Nav". I was surprised so I tried it in all directions.

[ADrunkenLlama]

the new I iDrive has a button that says "NAV" that takes you right to the nav screen :D

[abarn]

Does the new iDrive ONLY come on the 2009 sedan or does the coupe get it as well? My SA didn't find anything about the coupe getting it.