You can now order 2009 MY BMWs in the US (except the Z4 & 7). There are changes in store for the 3,5, and 6 series cars in terms of wheel choices, colors and option packages. It is interesting that the E90 LCI is not formally mentioned, but that there are no listed changes for the E92/93. So it is safe to say that the LCI is coming or these listed changes would be across the 3 series and not just for the E90!
On another note: Nowhere is the 335d mentioned… a bit perplexing or the rumors that the launch will be in December are true. The ordering guides should further clarify.
Update: This image was tipped to us and was hosted on E90Post.com, we do not know where it originated but is apparently the final design of the rear LED lights and new wheels.
3 Series sedan and Sport Wagon SOP 09.08
Standard Equipment
New 328i/xi 16″ light alloy multi-spoke wheels
New 335i/xi 17″ light alloy Double spoke wheels
Colors, Trims & Upholstery
Space Gray Metallic replace Sparkling Graphite
Tasman Green Metallic replaces Deep Green
Blue Water Metallic replaces Arctic
New Fine line Aluminum trim replaces current aluminum
Light Burl Walnut replaces Light Poplar trim
New Oyster Dakota leather and Saddle Brown Dakota are available
Last month we broke the news to the world that there was a new iDrive on the horizon for most of vehicles in the BMW lineup. This was met with some skepticism. As sources have continued to verify it there is very little doubt that it will indeed happen sooner than later.
What we did not know was the total package. One of our sources indicated that the car would have a hard disk and a system from Harmon Becker but we were unable to confirm this information at that time. Time has rolled on and our good friend, Jonathan Spira, has confirmed some of the same information. He has acquired information that essentially has spilled the beans on much of the up coming iDrive.
We still are a bit puzzled by the hard drive allotment; 10GB for a phone book? All in all this sounds to be a much improved system when you also consider the fact it will also feature the new controller. As we know all too well sources sometimes give you bits and pieces of information and you have to sift through them, we commend this effort and can at least agree that the system will feature a hard disk; we know this from the interior of the F01 7 series as there is only one slot! The details may still not be finalized and changes are happening regularly so the system we will eventually see may be a bit different. Information we have obtained indicates that there will be a multimedia showing of the new iDrive around the launch of the F01/02 on 07.07.08.
The guys over at BimmerPost have some spy photos of what was believed to be the new BMW “V3″. To us the nose looked more like the X1 from spy shots we had seen a while back.
This car is in reality a E91 with an X1 nose on it. The X1 as we reported earlier will be based on the E91 platform. This mule is allegedly testing the new I4 turbo that BMW and PSA recently agreed to in a joint venture. It is much cheaper and easier for BMW to test cooling and other related systems in a modified car than to create a pre-production model. What is interesting to see is that these new motors will not only be used in the Z, and 1 as we were originally led to believe. They will be used elsewhere in the model lineup (but if you consider the X1 as part of the 1 series then it makes more sense!). There is little indication that the US will see these 4 cylinders anytime soon.
Earlier in the week we promised you a short video starring a BMW diesel, well here it is. It is entitled: Passing the Pumps with a Smile. It stars what appears to be a 320d (something we won’t see in the US) on a long distance road trip. Watch how many times they need to stop for fuel, or rather the stations they pass. I wonder why the US is so hung up on hybrids considering these diesels will outperform and out mpg them; this baby averaged just under 58 mpg on this trip. Let’s hope that the rumors of the 335d mpg being a very conservative estimate are even partially true!
The BMW NG6 Project, Next Generation 6 (cylinder) was begun over 6 years ago. This document is believed to have been originally found in the garbage of a BMW facility back in 2003. It may be the notes from one of the engineers after they attended a meeting or presentation. So far all of the engines depicted on this have come to fruition, the only one the US has not seen is the N53.
Left Lane News and Brenda Priddy & Co. have done it again! Today they have photos of the E90 LCI undergoing some testing sporting some Cali tags. What we can now declare is that the ugly orange DOT specified reflectors will no longer be in the lights, but move to the front bumper like on the E92.
The rear lights will lose some of their bulk on the trunk lid and will be shaped more like the X6 lights (as we reported earlier). The other changes are also increasingly visible with this mule wearing less camouflage. Yes those enormous mirrors are staying due to regulations. Left-Lane news also indicates a great possibility that the 335 will be released in sport wagon form; what a concept!
Original images and information can be found here.
Not major news but to all those not wanting to pay the premium for xenons (xenons are worth every penny by-the-way), we have some good news for you.
We have finally learned that all of the headlights, including the halogens will include the new and improved halos, fondly referred to as “angel eyes”. These will function as the Daytime Running Lights in place of the current use of the high beams. This is similar to the upgrade the LCI E60 5er received.
When people discuss cars receiving a “facelift” it is meant to describe a car that is receiving a cosmetic change. A nip here; a tuck there, you know like Joan Rivers. These are usually simple exterior bolt on changes; bumpers, side skirts or new lights. Many manufacturers perform these little “upgrades” to freshen the look of the car and improve sales.
When the updates are more than skin deep, such as in a BMW it is referred to internally as a LCI or Life Cycle Impulse. A mid-cycle refresh is also a good way to describe what takes place. The E90/91 will shortly receive a Life Cycle Impulse to update the look and technologies inside and outside the car, as well as drive train. The designation of the car will remain the same because the floor pan (as many call it) will remain the same.
Another solid article by the folks at Edmunds. Instead of focusing on trying to find a competitor to the 135i they simply matched it up with it’s big brother the 335i and the previous generation M3. All cars I might add that are on my 2009 shopping list. Here’s an excerpt:
Considered by most editors to be the best-of-both-worlds compromise between the larger 335i and the harsher M3, the 135i is the perfect package in many ways. On the tightest, twistiest roads, the 135i is unquestionably the car to have. Offering the perfect combination of nimbleness, suspension compliance and tractable power delivery, it is easily the most rapid car over mountain roads.
As we’re previously reported, the current 3 Series sedan and wagon (internally dubbed the E90 and E91) will be undergoing the usual mid-cycle refresh next year. Expect several key changes to the exterior of the car. Notably the front and rear fascia will be tweaked. Also outside, look for the rear lights to incorporate LEDs similar to the X6 design and for the addition of upgraded halo daytime driving lights.
Inside the car BMW will likely offer an updated iDrive system (pictured) complete with a vastly improved input system that will allow for quicker access to information. As previously reported on BF, the new design will be a little closer to what Audi has had for several years with it’s MMI interface. Also inside look for some of the interior trim to be slightly tweaked.
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.
We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: //M3\\, E60 5 Series, E63/E64 6 Series, E90 3 Series, Official News Jun 16th, 2008 8 Comments 
