BMW / 3-SERIES
BMW's entry-level saloon gets a mild cosmetic upgrade and wider transmission platter
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iDrive controller simplified with more buttons. |
The BMW 3-series has received its mandatory facelift which includes new bumpers, 24mm wider tracks, side-view mirrors and lights. The most notable change is the shapely front bumper under the kidney-grille cluster. BMW has also made the rear lights, that were widely criticised for looking too much like Mitsubishi's defunct Europe-only Charisma, more distinctive than before.
- The interior is basically the same, although available now are new trimmings. The most significant improvement is further simplification of iDrive controller which now sees more conventional buttons to speed up access to various functions.
- The M-DCT dual-clutch transmission that first starred in the M3 Convertible has now filtered down to the B7.5m 335i saloon and coupe'. The two-door E92 gets this new 'box, but not a facelift as it rolled into the market after the E90 saloon. And the E91 estate, though not on sale in Thailand, is also updated alongside the E90.
Twin-clutch automatic now available in 335i. |
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- BMW has streamlined its engine line-up by tailoring different outputs for its inline-four and inline-six petrol and diesel units. The 318i and 320i use a common 2.0-litre engine (same for 318d and 320d), while the 325i, 330i, 335i share a 3.0-litre block (same for 325d, 330d and 335d).
- BMW Thailand will launch this updated 3-series early next year as it wants to clear stock of the pre-facelift E90 Saloon that is assembled in the country. The 325i - still using the 2.5-litre six-pot codenamed N52 - is not expected to come with the newer N53 3.0-litre version as it will face higher excise tax, thus pushing up its retail price from the current B3.3m level.
- Emphasis is likely to be put on the four-cylinder Threes: 320i, 318i and 320d. Now that BMW has made a six-speed automatic transmission available for the 318d in Europe, this particular 3-series could go on sale in Thailand and slot below the B2.899m 320d. Average fuel economy of the 143hp 318d is rated at 18.4kpl, better than the 177hp 320d by 2kpl.
- BMW will focus on diesel engines, as it doesn't pursue bio-fuel and natural gas technologies. Even though diesel fuel is priced higher than petrol at Thai pumps, BMW will boost awareness of the better mileage, durability and torque diesel engines have over petrol counterparts.
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