2009 BMW 3 Series Consumer Reviews

Good - Not Perfect

Written by: Ernie on 10/17/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW 3 Series 328i 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

If you're a 'driver' you'll love the steering, suspension and handling. Plus, the car is tight, engine is smooth and interior is perfect. But... HD radio is terrible. Constantly flips in & out of HD, save your money. BMW won't fix it. Auto trans is also sketchy. In sport mode it won't ever go to 6th gear and regular mode just doesn't downshift readily. If you're doing 40 MPH and step on it, it bogs down unless you press deep on the pedal. It makes the car feel underpowered. But you can punch it down a gear (or 2) with paddle shifters (I have sport pkg). Had a 330i with 5-spd prior to this and power wise, this is a little disappointing. If you're on the fence... get the Turbo! Wish I did.

Favorite Features

Sport package seats and heaters (they're fast). Chunky steering wheel. Exterior style. Back seat is most usable in this class.

Suggested Improvements

BMW engineers should drive an Acura to see how an auto should work. I'm not crazy about turbos (which is why I didn't buy one) so I'd like to see a stronger non-turbo (AKA the old 330 motor). BMW should make it possible to buy car without run-flats - they're really stupid about this.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great car

Written by: blue-bull on 10/14/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW 3 Series 328i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Just one awesome car to drive. My wife is begging me to drive it, but I refuse for I am having way too much fun. Well balanced performance, driving experience and comfort this is build for the drive car.

Favorite Features

More power please!!!

Suggested Improvements

The "low tire" light comes on every day... what a pain!!!! I never know if it is because of the cold or a real flat tire!!!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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First BMW & I love it

Written by: John on 10/06/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW 3 Series 328i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I never pictured myself as a BMW type person. Had mostly driven domestics and "base model" imports (Honda, Toyota). I absolutely love this car. Fit and finish is great. Engine is smooth and fast with great mid-range torque. A little lag at initial acceleration (x Drive related) but it was an easy thing to adjust to. Nav works great; i Drive system took a little getting used to but is user friendly once you master it. Haven't driven through a winter yet so can't comment on the AWD. Far and away the best car I've ever owned.

Favorite Features

Overall ride quality, engine performance, very responsive feel behind the wheel. Beautiful exterior; great fit and finish.

Suggested Improvements

Put in some decent cup holders, or do away with them altogether. Run flat tires are loud on all but the smoothest of highways, sometimes drowning out the speaker on the hand-free phone system.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Functional and Fun

Written by: LeCanard on 09/27/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW 3 Series 335i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I don't regret buying this car for one second! It is incredibly fun to drive, looks great, and performs like a BMW should. It sticks to the road like glue and makes even the most boring commute bearable with it's performance and style. I have had no problems with this car so far and it has not required any return trips to the dealer. I was going to get the 328 initially, but after driving the 335 I knew I wouldn't be as happy as I am now with the extra HP afforded by the 335.

Favorite Features

Automatic transmission with DS mode. DS mode makes an automatic great... went in wanted a manual transmission but after driving the automatic I was converted. Comfort Access - worth it. Push button start - love it. Seats and all the adjustments are great! Interior styling is perfect.

Suggested Improvements

Small cupholders in dash can be awkward. Would like to not have to be perfectly stationary to put top down or up (at least you don't have to be in park). Would like option to not have run flats.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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I love my new 335i sedan!

Written by: Dan B on 09/19/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW 3 Series 335i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I'd strongly considered the new 335d sedan earlier this summer, but opted for the 335i sedan instead...primarily due to availability and price considerations. This is my 6th BMW in the last 20 years, and I'm in love all over again with my car!! The sport package is worth the price, and the new IDRIVE nav system is much improved over the 2006 model.

Favorite Features

Sheer performance exhilaration!!

Suggested Improvements

None. Value wise, I think it is the perfect automobile.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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1st Time New Bimmer Owner

Written by: Erik G. on 09/08/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW 3 Series 328i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

In US Army, and drove an 18 year old Bimmer for 2 yrs in Germany. Loved it so much and impressed I bought a new one. My first sports car! Got the jet black stock color. It hugs the road like nothing I've ever driven. Goes effortlessly to 110mph, and it's great to be able to do this on the autobahn and still be legal! Fits my 3 kids, 11, 9, and 6 in the back seat, though it's tight. Trunk bigger than expected. I too have had trouble shifting smoothly with the "drive by wire" clutch it has. At first I thought it was me, but looking at other reviews I guess it's just the technology. Too bad it can't keep you from stalling it too. Overall we love our Bimmer!

Favorite Features

Jet black color is awesome clean and shined! WOW! Love the body contouring, it just looks lean and mean. Love the cruise controls, easy to use. Auto wipers rock, even shut off in the down position if car is turned off early. Very SOLID built interior. It is built to last, like my 18 yr old BMW.

Suggested Improvements

Poor lighter jack placement, need one in the dash again. Cup holders could be deeper. Improve Drive by Wire so shifting would be smoother. Add auto shutoff when in stop/go traffic like European models. Wheels get dirty so quick, must be the brake pads they use.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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335i First 3 months

Written by: autopal on 09/03/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW 3 Series 335i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I have just completed my first 3 months of owning a BMW. The performance of the car on the road is as advertised. Stupidly fast!! Steering a little tight in the parking lot, but exceptional as you get going. I absolutely love the sound of the twin turbo charged engine, and the effortless ease at which the car accelerates. My only major gripe with the car is the interior. Whilst the quality of the material is ok, it's way too plain and dull for a $50,000 sports sedan. I think it is the worst interior off all the cars competing in this segment. The interior of the Audi, Benz, Lexus, and Cadillac is a lot better. BMW, take note!

Favorite Features

smooth and swift acceleration, sweet sound from the engine, nice feel at high speed

Suggested Improvements

Interior ridiculously dull. Cup holders a big joke and not worthy to be in a $50,000 sports car.

4 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Bring My Wallet ie. BMW

Written by: Thomas & Susan on 09/01/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW 3 Series 328i xDrive 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

The styling of this car sets it apart from all others in its class. This is our second BMW and I'm a hard sell for import cars. BMW gets greedy with there options they are priced to high and there is no such thing as a base model on the lot.

Favorite Features

Horse power and handling. I am 6'5" tall and there is a lot of head room.

Suggested Improvements

Go back to normal tires and put a power out let upfront in the dash.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Ultimate Convertible Great FUN to RIDE

Written by: Danny on 08/29/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW 3 Series 328i 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This is my first BMW convertible and it is a blast. The German engineering is without question. The folding convertible top is an engineering marvel. Takes 23 seconds to fold into the trunk. I was happy to see that I still had room in the trunk to store some small things after the top had been stored in this area. Excellent pick up and the interior workmanship is top notch. This is quite the head turner and when you put the top down, you will draw an audience. Fantastic car and fun to drive.

Favorite Features

Convertible top, interior styling and outside finish. Drives great and is quite the head turner. Bluetooth and XM radio are the bomb. Sport package and premium package finish it out nicely.

Suggested Improvements

Quite frankly, I really can't think of any but if I had one it would be a bit more storage, otherwise this is a 10.

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It's all good

Written by: M on 08/27/2009

Vehicle

2009 BMW 3 Series 335d 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 6A)

Review

First time BMW owner and just got my 335D. Everything I hoped for came true. The look and feel of a world class car with the mileage of an economy car. The power is outstanding and the ride is so effortless that you can't tell how fast you are going. One issue is the cupholders...seems like with all the engineering prowess of BMW a suitable solution could be put in place.

Favorite Features

Pretty much everything...less before mentioned cup holders.

Suggested Improvements

Trunk a little shorter then I am use to. I am 6'3" so golf clubs are a little longer and have to take out my driver and load in the trunk separately

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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