Official: BMW E90/E91 Facelift Thread

[Osnabrueck]

I'm impressed! I expected the E90 facelift to be more trivial than this - just a "correction" of the previously discordant rear lights and revised front fascia. But in addition to all that we get a really aggressive hood design that sits perfectly with the new front cosmetics, some upgraded optics up front and a few spiffed-up interior details.

I'm somewhat let down by the all-red rear light design. Common sense would seem to invite a strip of white to run horizontally like the X5. But coming off the heels of the convoluted "let's remind them of the E46" solution I think this looks fantastic.

Sum it all up and this car looks none the worse for being on the market for over 3 years. There's definitely enough visual fireworks here to maintain strong curb appeal against the new C-Klasse and the all-new A4. I also think this E90 looks much fresher than the E46 did at midlife. I didn't think BMW had it in them to muster up such an effective facelift.

My only complaint concerns the new alloy designs. They're just... nice, and boring. This and the F01 7er have shown up to the party with some of the most predictable, boiler-plate wheel designs we've seen from BMW in quite a while. I won't fault them for being effective crowd-pleasers, but in the turbulent era following the E65 each model had a "signature" wheel design that was an extension of the car's sheetmetal and a real fashion statement. Even the E90 with sport package had one of these. I get the feeling now that some kind of senior-management decree within BMW has curtailed the adventurous spirit permitted for such details. (Hops off soapbox)

[rightnow]

If i wanted a 3-series Coupé. Anyone know how long i would have to wait for a FL for that one?

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by rightnow

If i wanted a 3-series Coupé. Anyone know how long i would have to wait for a FL for that one?

Second half of next year.

[KokkenTor]

Originally Posted by Centurion

Second half of next year.

No, E92/93 LCI are due in spring 2010 (march).

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by KokkenTor

No, E92/93 LCI are due in spring 2010 (march).

Oh really? That's a while left. Now when the E90 is done it's only a matter of time before E92 mules are rolling on the roads.

[Human]

Originally Posted by Centurion

Oh really? That's a while left. Now when the E90 is done it's only a matter of time before E92 mules are rolling on the roads.

I agree with Osnabrueck. Great facelift that capture the sporty agressive nature of BMW.
The powerful presence so typical of BMW in the E90 facelift. Even the "all-red" taillamps are OK. Apart from the X6 - BMW rim design a bit spartan? these days? COME ON BMW!!!!

[rightnow]

Thats in ages! :| Hmm.. maybe there is no need to wait for it.

[klier]

Someone with that username does not wait! Buy the E92 right now

[rightnow]

Originally Posted by klier

Someone with that username does not wait! Buy the E92 right now

you're right! Is it double the money for the DKG instead of the original?

[Bartek Sikorski]

Update: BMW releases details for U.S.-spec 2009 3-series facelift

Updated: Coinciding with the launch of the facelifted 3-series range will be the introduction of BMW’s first diesel model in the U.S., the 335d sedan, which is set to join the existing 328i and 335i sedan and wagon, plus their respective xDrive, coupe and cabrio variants. Like its European counterpart, the U.S. lineup will feature the new generation iDrive controller and navigation system, and styling revisions.

The 335d will only be available in a sedan bodystyle and six-speed automatic transmission. The engine features BMW’s BluePerformance diesel technology, which combines advanced turbocharging, common-rail, piezo fuel-injection and exhaust filtering systems aimed at meeting strict U.S. emissions standards (the car will be offered in all 50 states). Displacing 3.0L, it produces 265hp (198kW) and peak torque of 425lb-ft (575Nm).
Original: The current generation E90 BMW 3-series has been on the market with only minor updates since 2005, however that’s about to change as the facelifted version of the car has just been revealed ahead of its world debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. The updates include a sportier look for all models, and in the case of the new 335i wagon, a sportier engine in the form of the twin-turbocharged six-cylinder shared throughout BMW’s lineup. North America will also see the introduction of its first BMW diesel with the launch of a new 265hp (198kW) 335d model.
The new cars are distinguished by fresh styling both at the front and rear, with some elements picked up from the recently revealed 7-series. According to BMW design boss Adrian van Hooydonk, the styling of the updated model attempts to emphasize the width of the car and incorporates a heavily profiled bumper, a newly contoured hood and reworked headlamps. Also new are the side mirrors, taillamps and a slightly revised bootlid. The rear track of the car has also been extended by nearly an inch on some models.
The interior gets a new look as well, with improved trim, a new center armrest and a second-generation iDrive system with four selector buttons for commonly used features such as the stereo. The iDrive system also gets a new 8.8in LCD display, and there’s an optional 80Gb hard drive music and navigation system as well.
A new range of drivetrain technologies have been added with the refresh, most aimed at improving fuel efficiency and emissions as Europe and the U.S. prepare to begin ramping up to their strict new standards.
The new features include brake energy regeneration, an auto stop-start function, electro-mechanical power steering, tires with reduced rolling resistance and automatic air intake flaps that open to let air in as needed, but otherwise stay closed to reduce wind resistance. Not all of these are applied to every model, but BMW has drawn from this array of options to help improve each model as part of its EfficientDynamics program.
An all-new inline six-cylinder diesel engine is going into the 330d, though it’s not likely to be available in all markets. The 325d and 335d use the same basic engine with the same displacement, but with two turbochargers in 335d guise to yield power figures appropriate to the model.
Putting out 180kW (245hp) at 4,000rpm in the 330d, it generates characteristic diesel torque of 520Nm (385lb-ft) throughout the range from 1,750 to 3,000rpm. This much power and low-end grunt help the new 330d accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.1 seconds and carry on to a maximum speed electronically limited to 250 km/h. Fuel consumption of the new diesel is a scant 5.7L/100km in the EU combined cycle, while its carbon dioxide output is 152g/km.
The four-cylinder engine in the 320d gets a boost of 5kW (7hp) and 10Nm (7lb-ft) of torque to end up at 130kW (175hp) and 350Nm (260lb-ft). Fuel efficiency remains unchanged at 5.7L/100km (38.5mpg US).
Where it is available, including the U.S., the 335d can only be had with the automatic transmission.
The facelifted 3-series is the first to feature BMW’s new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), arriving in the 335i Coupe and Cabriolet. The system allows for truly seamless shifts and uninterrupted power delivery, improving both the quality of the ride and the efficiency of the drivetrain. Three modes are available, including automatic, sport and manual.
To manage the interface with the driver, an all-new gear selector and shift plate have been designed for the system. In the centre console, the driver can select the mode or shift the car manually, which can also be done with the steering-wheel mounted paddles.
The net gain in performance is 0.1 seconds over the six-speed manual and 0.3 seconds over the automatic in the dash to 100km/h (62mph), but the high-tech transmission also enhances fuel economy by 5% in comparison the manual, cutting the figure to 8.8L/100km (26.7mpg US).
Launch control is also added with the DCT, enabling consistently fast take-offs with minimal wheelspin. The system adjusts the operation of the car’s stability control system for the duration of the launch to allow the fastest acceleration possible.
The car will first go on sale in Europe and North America weeks after its debut in Paris this October.