3 Series Facelift/Upgrade

[Wraith]

I know most here probably don't care much for the 3 series, but just curious if any know about the updates to the 3 series and what you think about them and the possibility of some of these carrying over to the 1 series...

From this weeks Drive, it states the new 3 series update will feature front and rear design modifications to give a sportier look and BMW will introduce a new 3.0ltr turbo diesel rated 180kw and 520nm...

I've always had a dissaproval towards smaller turbo diesels because of their lack of power and revving, but this 3.0ltr offering sounds nice, 'chipped up' it would be very nice :smile:

I wonder if this means a styling upgrade for the 1er series soon also and would any of you consider this 3.0ltr turbo diesel, ' if ' it were and option for the 135...

Once again, apologies in advance if this has been discussed or is in another thread already :smile:

[WAY]

Diesels are nice on something like a cruiser (a vert perhaps and definitely a 4wd), but not a sports car. If you use your 1 series as a sports car, then forget it. Sports cars need to rev!

As for the styling of the updated 3 series, I quite like it. Rear lights are a big improvement.

[MikeVictor]

I was told sales-guy at BMW that they keep their models for about 7 years before doing an update (notwithstanding minor lighting changes etc.)

Is this not true?

[ORIGIN M.]

It is true there is a few changes for the 09 year on the 3-series. The front looks OK, but somewhat overdone IMO, and the back should have been left the hell alone. They changed the tail lights for some reason, and I'm not sure why.

[Wraith]

Originally Posted by mattyv

I was told sales-guy at BMW that they keep their models for about 7 years before doing an update (notwithstanding minor lighting changes etc.)

Is this not true?

Yes, this has been the past trend for model upgrades, around 7-8 years - but this is a 'face lift' only not entire model upgrade...

I think manufacturers are doing this more and more as competition is plenty these days...

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't mind seeing a sportier facelift to the 1ers front end, especially the headlight design...

[MikeVictor]

I don't know about that, one of the main attractions for me to the 1er was it didn't have the sharp-lined, angled headlight look of a lot of other cars around atm (particularly anything from Nippon and the US).

[ORIGIN M.]

They are only doing it to keep things fresh until 2010.

[RobLS]

Yeah, I am glad they changed the 3 tail lights, wish they would have made the flow a little better. It still looks better (to me) but it seems as if they cut corners by keeping the tail light the same for the part thats not on the trunk, but just changed the light on the trunk.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by RobLS

Yeah, I am glad they changed the 3 tail lights, wish they would have made the flow a little better. It still looks better (to me) but it seems as if they cut corners by keeping the tail light the same for the part thats not on the trunk, but just changed the light on the trunk.

Right, sort of a half ass attempt. I guess maybe we will just have to wait and see it in person. I did not like the front bumper extension up close, but from a far, it seems to look a lot better in many ways.

[qship]

Frankly I think it's a little bland, but may look better in the flesh.

Prefer the older model myself.

[123D-M]

Originally Posted by WAY

Diesels are nice on something like a cruiser (a vert perhaps and definitely a 4wd), but not a sports car. If you use your 1 series as a sports car, then forget it. Sports cars need to rev!

As for the styling of the updated 3 series, I quite like it. Rear lights are a big improvement.

You clearly haven't driven a 123d! Yes it only revs to about 5500rpm (high for a diesel) but that doesn't stop it being a damn quick car. In gear acceleration in particular is effortless and, based on my comparision test drives, would certainly embarrass the 125i.

[professor]

damn, my tastes must differ from most because i think the facelift has made the 3er sedan look very nice!

[Yep 135]

Originally Posted by 123D-M

You clearly haven't driven a 123d! Yes it only revs to about 5500rpm (high for a diesel) but that doesn't stop it being a damn quick car. In gear acceleration in particular is effortless and, based on my comparision test drives, would certainly embarrass the 125i.

I agree. alreadt comes with plenty of kw's and a 'shirt load' of torque. chip it and it would really fly! Iwish they had that engine here.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by professor

damn, my tastes must differ from most because i think the facelift has made the 3er sedan look very nice!

Hard not to like a BMW, but us people don't like to much change, and the current design looks so well rounded. Every photo I see makes it look a little better. Months ago I ran across a photo of the front, I wish I had saved, that looked awesome. I'm not sure why the front did not end up like the photo I saw, but now I'm thinking it was the changes to the m3 version. All I can say is, wait until those start popping up, because it was just bangin. I did try to find it again, but with no avail.

[WAY]

Originally Posted by 123D-M

You clearly haven't driven a 123d! Yes it only revs to about 5500rpm (high for a diesel) but that doesn't stop it being a damn quick car. In gear acceleration in particular is effortless and, based on my comparision test drives, would certainly embarrass the 125i.

Unfortunately we don't get it here. But regardless, you are missing my point. It's not about how fast it is, it's not about how many ponnies or how much torque it has low down. In a sports car, I am just starting to have fun at 5500rpm. It's like the R8 diesel concept that Audi showed earlier in the year. Quick? Hell yeah. Will it hit the mark with buyers (other than tax constrained Euro buyers)? Probably not if you take the reaction of a bunch of people who are the target market on a forum I frequent. It's not the speed that is the issue, it's the satisfaction. Btw, I have seen the 123d vs 350z clip at the ring at DR. No doubt, the car is quick for a 4 cylinder, petrol or diesel!

[Yep 135]

Originally Posted by WAY

Unfortunately we don't get it here. But regardless, you are missing my point. It's not about how fast it is, it's not about how many ponnies or how much torque it has low down. In a sports car, I am just starting to have fun at 5500rpm. It's like the R8 diesel concept that Audi showed earlier in the year. Quick? Hell yeah. Will it hit the mark with buyers (other than tax constrained Euro buyers)? Probably not if you take the reaction of a bunch of people who are the target market on a forum I frequent. It's not the speed that is the issue, it's the satisfaction. Btw, I have seen the 123d vs 350z clip at the ring at DR. No doubt, the car is quick for a 4 cylinder, petrol or diesel!

The 135 peaks at about 5800 rpms. Fun is short lived.

[123D-M]

Originally Posted by WAY

Unfortunately we don't get it here. But regardless, you are missing my point. It's not about how fast it is, it's not about how many ponnies or how much torque it has low down. In a sports car, I am just starting to have fun at 5500rpm. It's like the R8 diesel concept that Audi showed earlier in the year. Quick? Hell yeah. Will it hit the mark with buyers (other than tax constrained Euro buyers)? Probably not if you take the reaction of a bunch of people who are the target market on a forum I frequent. It's not the speed that is the issue, it's the satisfaction. Btw, I have seen the 123d vs 350z clip at the ring at DR. No doubt, the car is quick for a 4 cylinder, petrol or diesel!

I know it's not sold there. Shame although I think that situation will be rectified. I read somewhere that the 09 vert will be coming to Australia in 123d form so it would make sense that they do the same with the coupe.

And I do see your point. The aural experience is definitely missing in the 123d, good though it is. It was my only sticking point before signing on the dotted line. It is actually a very good sound... for a diesel. At 5000rpm you could almost be fooled into thinking it was a petrol as it gets quite a good raspy note. But ultimately, it falls well short of the BMW petrol inline sixes.

Still, I dispute that you can't still have a lot of fun with it :smile: And when you're taxed to oblivion like we are there really is no other choice.

[WAY]

If you want to look at peak then the diesel probably peaks at 2000rpm lol.

[123D-M]

Originally Posted by WAY

If you want to look at peak then the diesel probably peaks at 2000rpm lol.

tsk. now you're sounding dogmatic

peak power in the 123d = 150kw @ 4400rpm
peak torque = 400Nm @ 2000rpm more than 80% of which is still available at 4500rpm

http://paultan.org/archives/2007/03/...esel-inline-4/

[Yep 135]

Originally Posted by 123D-M

tsk. now you're sounding dogmatic

peak power in the 123d = 150kw @ 4400rpm
peak torque = 400Nm @ 2000rpm more than 80% of which is still available at 4500rpm

http://paultan.org/archives/2007/03/...esel-inline-4/

Wth all that torque it needs a tow bar and some thing to pull. Would probably do high 6's to 100 k's with or without a trailer/caravan! Good on Fuel?
Put a Chip in it man it would go/pull! Better on fuel to.
You know you can get DP's, exhausts, IC's and all for Diesels and they make a difference..... Even aurally!!

[123D-M]

Originally Posted by Yep 135

Wth all that torque it needs a tow bar and some thing to pull. Would probably do high 6's to 100 k's with or without a trailer/caravan! Good on Fuel?
Put a Chip in it man it would go/pull! Better on fuel to.
You know you can get DP's, exhausts, IC's and all for Diesels and they make a difference..... Even aurally!!

and I forgot the towbar option. Damn.... :smile:

I haven't actually got mine yet, but the ones I test drove (which were probably thrashed) and a few friends who have them, are reporting under 6l/100km. Not bad when you consider diesel is 2/3 the price of petrol here.

Chipping is very tempting. There is a piggyback you can get here which gives the 123d 194kw and 516Nm of torque. And you just plug it in... I think I'll wait till it's well run in though.

[Alpine*]

Originally Posted by 123D-M

...........Still, I dispute that you can't still have a lot of fun with it :smile: And when you're taxed to oblivion like we are there really is no other choice.

Taxed to oblivion..... pfffffft there's roughly $25,000 tax in an Aussie 135i.


The 3L d TT engine would be interesting in a 1!