[Bartek Sikorski]

Minor facelift debut expected in Frankfurt

For the BMW 3 Series wagon facelift (black car), we can clearly see the newly sculpted lines of the lower center areas of the bumper fascia as well as the larger and deeper side air vents.
Since, this is a minor facelift, no changes are expected to the rear and engines will remain the same but the interior will be updated. The 3 series sedan and wagon mid-life facelift are expected to be unveiled in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
BMW was considerate enough to bring the current 3 Series (silver car) as the chase vehicle, so we could compare the differences with greater ease.
SPY PHOTOS: BMW 3-Series Facelift
More pcs:SPY PHOTOS: BMW 3-Series Facelift

[BMW_Dude]

It looks very minor, but looks more aggressive which is good!

I wonder what has happened to the fog lights.

Also, isn't the 3er going to get the same mods as the 1er did with improved engines and better economy?

[EnI]

Upper side parts of the front bumper are fake (parts between headlight cluster & air intake).

Expect modified bumpers & air intake to look very similar to this ones:

SPY PHOTOS: BMW 3-Series Facelift

Fog lights will be available as usual in the production vehicles (when ordered).


Engines: yes, E90/1 is getting new I4 & I6 engines with EfficientDynamics features.

Interior will get modifications known from E92/3.


Regarding introduction time: some say Fall 2007, some Spring 2008.

[BMW Power]

mid life face lift already!? Dayum time flies....

[Osnabrueck]

We're just now entering the third model year for the 3er. It seems like we're a year ahead of schedule for the unveiling of a mid life facelift. Does this seem right to you guys?

[Tycoon]

What do you mean, Osna? Too early or what?

In any case, imo, they should prepare the FL when the new A4 is presented since i think A4 will be a very serious competitor, all in and out.

[Osnabrueck]

Originally Posted by TycoonGTR

What do you mean, Osna? Too early or what?

Definitely too early, unless we consider that a facelift may be used as a hedge against the new A4 and C-Klasse. Perhaps a FL'ed 3er will bow as a '09 model?

[Tycoon]

Originally Posted by Osnabrueck

Perhaps a FL'ed 3er will bow as a '09 model?

Early 2009 would do just fine.

[vabboud]

it's a question of marketing strategy, with the introduction of the new A4 coming very soon, and right after the introduction of the C class, BMW is faced with 2 tough competitors, with an already 2+ yr old car
of cuorse historically the 3 has outsold both combined in most maklrets with whatever model differences, but you can't blame the boys of munich for wanting to keep the uncontested throne of their bread and butter model

so in this case BMW could either wait for the introduction of the new A4, suffer a less than excellent 3er year and then level things off the year after with a FL 3er

or introduce the FL 3er some month before the A4, making it the default buy of choice for people in this segment not specifically intent on audi, who would mostly go for the newer car and not wait the extra months with the added uncertainty of a completely new model, thus boosting sales for the pre A4 period and stealing potential customers from it, only to have things level off later to natural ranges as the 2 new models settle in their respective markets and buyer audiences.

in both these scenarios the new C class market impact has already been judged by the BMW boys, and though we might not know yet, numbers will reveal the hidden soon.
besides from a market specific point the C and 3 have little overlap in target audiences, and it remains to be seen if the new conceptualization of the MB C will be able to attract traditional 3er buyers or would rather chiefly compete with the A4 which is now offering a similar mix of sport and lux

[Tycoon]

Great post, vab! I agree with every single word.

Karma on the way!