New facelift strategy from BMW?

[KokkenTor]

Traditional BMW model cycles are 7 years with a (small) facelift after 3.5 year. But now we see models like X3 and 1-series receive facelifts after “only” 2.5 years on the market. Rumors say that also E90/91 will get a facelift in September this year (2.5 year after market start). Is it possible that BMW has introduced a new facelift strategy with a schedule like this:

New Model:
- After 2.5 year: facelift
- After 5.0 year: facelift nr. 2
- After 7.0 year: new model

 

[klier]

Hmmm, interesting observation. However, I think the X3 and 1er 5-door and 3-door will not be updated again until the new model. For the 3er, I don't really know what's going on there. I think it would be really strange to update the exterior but keep things like the old auto tranny...

 

[wltsm]

Does seem to be what's happening, I guess it gets them more sales!

 

[EnI]

Introductions vs. facelifts:


E65 7er: November 2001 vs. April 2005 (3 years, 5 months)

E85 Z4: October 2002 vs. January 2006 (3 years, 3 months)

E60 5er: July 2003 / March 2007 (3 years, 8 months)
E61 5er: May 2004 / March 2007 (2 years, 10 months)

E83 X3: January 2004 vs October 2006 (2 years, 10 months)

E87 1er: September 2004 vs. March 2007 (2 years, 6 months)

E63 6er: January 2004 vs. September 2007 (3 years, 8 months)
E64 6er: March 2004 vs. September 2007 (3 years, 6 months)

E90 3er: March 2005 vs. September 2007 (2 years, 6 months)
E91 3er: September 2005 vs. September 2007 (2 years)


1er got facelift due new variant introduction: the 3dr E81 model. It would be weird to introduce 3dr model, and then give it a facelift in the next MY.

3er E90 & E91 I guess will be facelifted a bit earlier due new engines & EfficientDynamics. And due stiff competition I guess (mainly C-class & Audi A4). It would be weird not to implement ED features & new engines in best selling model (3er) ASAP , while 1er & 5er already got it.

X3 got facelift due marketing reasons (otherwise there would be too many facelifts in March (5er, 1er), or September 2007 (3er, 6er).

I doubt we will see another second facelifts. Some new features, some new trims & materials in cabin etc usually for new MY. But I doubt design will be any additional exterior & interior design changes.