German Car Forum

2008 BMW 3-series update

BMW will be launching the updated 3-series range next month with the biggest change being the addition of more powerful engines and a reduction of fuel consumption across all models. Unfortunately, the car’s styling and equipment list remains much the same as the current version.
All models now come with direct injection technology providing most of the engines with minor power upgrades. Power is up for all the petrol engines except in the 325i and 335i, and, for the diesels, output is increased for the four-cylinder versions only. Once again, X Drive AWD will only be available with the six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines comprising the 325xi, 330xi, 335xi, 330xd.
Engineers have also added BMW’s fuel saving Efficient Dynamics technology to the 3-series range, with each car now delivering better mileage than the one it replaces despite increases in power for some models. The interior for the 2008 model is identical to current versions except for the addition of new colors for the trim. We can expect to see full details of BMW’s bread-and-butter model in the very near future.

Do you know what new colors?

BMW’s quattro killer - the 335xi Coupe
Thursday 16 August 2007


Audi is famous for its quattro AWD systems, but arch-rival BMW is cutting in on the action with an all-paw coupe of its own. An AWD option will be added to the 3-series coupe for the first time when it launches the 335xi in the first half of next year. The AWD version of the 335i sedan has been on sale for some time in certain markets such as the US but this is the first time the extra traction will be available for the coupe.
The 300hp twin-turbo straight six will remain unchanged but with the added traction can beat the manual transmission and automatic versions of the RWD 335i coupe (pictured) to 60mph from rest by 0.1 seconds and 0.2 seconds respectively. Manual 335xi coupes take 5.2 seconds to reach 60mph, while auto models take 5.3 seconds.
The xDrive AWD system allows infinitely variable distribution of drive forces between the front and rear wheels, reacting in an instant to information gathered from sensors that can predict if a wheel is about to lose traction.
BMW has also announced plans to introduce a new torque vectoring rear axle for some of its RWD cars, designed to distribute drive torque individually between a car’s rear wheels to improve agility and stabilize the vehicle, while also providing better handling in critical situations.

Poor americans, you guys are always late. In Europe its been available for a long time now

Is this a repost? If so please delete thread.

Not really, E92 335xi will be available in Europe from next next month on...Anyway they're some months later in the U.S.

Best regards, south

I look forward to the A5 vs 3-Series xi comparisons, after all this is Audi's domain!

The E90 335xi has been around for a while but I think the E92 335xi is new, ie if my memory isn't failing me.

I would love to see this review, but honestly I don't think this will do much against the A5. Why? Because the E92 chassis was designed with RWD in mind. If I remember correctly, Eni and/or Scott said that from the next gen 7er on all their cars will be designed with X-drive in mind.

Actually Just_Me, the article states that the x-Drive has been avaliable in the states for some time now, which you would know if you read the article, know it all! The x-Drive for the coupe is new across the globe. See you swedes aren't so important!

already been such comparisons and posted here. Use the search button you lazy dude

I think this is a car that could appeal to the same audience as does A5 quattro models.

You got that one JM!

BMW adding all-wheel drive to 3-series coupe



Reports are coming in that BMW will be launching an all-wheel-drive 335xi Coupe sometime in the first half of next year. It will be the first time all four wheels will be powered on a 3-Series coupe, and the car will stand as a direct competitor to Audi's A5 Quattro coupe. Being coupled with BMW's 300-hp twin-turbo inline-six means the 335xi Coupe can reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds for the manual version (0.1 second quicker than the RWD model) and 5.3 seconds for the automatic (0.2 seconds quicker than the RWD model). It turns out the additional traction more than compensates for the extra weight of BMW's xDrive AWD system. We hear the base price will be $42,600, which we assume is in USD since it falls right above the $40,800 starting price of the 335i (shown) in the U.S.

[Source: edBMWBlog]

Just to sum it up


Engine upgrades:

318i : 105 kW (+10 kW) / 190 Nm (+10 Nm)

320i : 125 kW (+15 kW) / 210 Nm (+10 Nm)

325i : 160 kW (+-0 kW) / 270 Nm (+20 Nm) (Note: Engine displacement increased from 2,5 to 3,0 liters)

330i : 200 kW (+10 kW) / 320 Nm (+20 Nm)

318d : 105 kW (+15 kW) / 300 Nm (+20 Nm)

320d : 130 kW (+10 kW) / 350 Nm (+10 Nm)

Can u please transfer those numbers to hp?

That's interesting bmer, are you certain that the 325i gets a three litre engine too? I know that in the US they run two 3.0 litre engines but will this happen globally? If this is the case then they should've upped the power on that mill to around 170 kW to compete toe-to-toe with the C280 on the marketing sheets.

Yeah, that's right, also the 325i gets the 2.996 cc. engine (at least in Europe).

Best regards, south

318i : 105 kW (+10 kW) / 190 Nm (+10 Nm)-141 HP (+13 HP)/ 140 ft.lbs (+7)

320i : 125 kW (+15 kW) / 210 Nm (+10 Nm)-168 HP (+20 HP)/155 ft.lbs (+7)

325i : 160 kW (+-0 kW) / 270 Nm (+20 Nm) -214 HP/200 ft.lbs (+15)

330i : 200 kW (+10 kW) / 320 Nm (+20 Nm)-268 HP (+13 HP)/236 ft.lbs (+15)

318d : 105 kW (+15 kW) / 300 Nm (+20 Nm)-141 HP (+20 HP)/221 ft.lbs (+15)

320d : 130 kW (+10 kW) / 350 Nm (+10 Nm)- 174 HP (+13 HP)/ 258 ft.lbs (+7)

ANy visual chancges like maybe a interior or exterior refresh???? anyhting??

That's coming with LCI (aka facelift) next year ...

Thanks EnI... What sort of changes are expected on the in and out side???? Much of a change? Hopefully inline with the amazing job they did on the 5 series in and out

The LCI of the 3er sedan and Touring will be at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008.
The facelift will coincide with the introduction of the M3 sedan which will be the only 3er sedan equipped with the front end of the Coupe which is used for apparently improving cooling, crash prevention and suspension alterations and ride height with the M3 sedan over the regular 3er sedan.

The LCI will not be a radical change but a typical BMW facelift.
BMW see no need to reply with a complete overhaul in answer to the new C-Klasse and the incoming A4. As the 3er remains a strong seller against the c-Klasse.
The main exterior changes will be a revised front air dam with a chrome strip element similar to the 5er , New alloy wheel designs , front and rear headlight graphics ( The rear design stays as it is...) , interior options and Efficient Dynamics.

BMW see the 3er as "If it aint broke don't fix it!"

My E90 M3 is coming...

i hope they really spruce the interior up... it needs a similar upgrade like the 5 series recieved... more wood would be nice and less dark plastic