2009 BMW 3 Series: What's New, Specs & Features

Last updated August 4, 2026

The most important change for the 2009 BMW 3 Series is a mid-cycle refresh for the sedan and Sports Wagon, bringing updated styling, interior details, and a revised navigation and iDrive system. The U.S. lineup also gains the diesel-powered 335d, while the coupe and convertible change much less.

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About the 2009 BMW 3 Series

5th generation (E90/E91/E92/E93), fourth model year; sedan and Sports Wagon refresh year, while coupe and convertible largely keep their earlier design before their later 2011 update.

BMW positioned the 3 Series as its core sport-luxury model: quick acceleration, precise handling, strong straight-six engines, and a premium cabin in several body styles. The 2009 brochures repeatedly stress predictable handling, control, and driver connection, while still offering enough comfort and practicality for daily use. That mix is what separated the 3 Series from rivals: it was meant to feel rewarding on a back road without giving up refinement, everyday usability, or choice between sedan, wagon, coupe, convertible, gas, diesel, rear-wheel drive, or AWD.

The 328i remains the core model, pairing a smooth 3.0-liter inline-six with rear-wheel drive and a manual transmission, while the 328i xDrive adds all-wheel drive for four-season traction. The quicker 335i uses a twin-turbo inline-six, and the new 335d emphasizes strong low-speed pulling power and long-distance efficiency from its twin-turbo diesel. The 335 models also stand out with xenon headlights and power front seats with driver memory.

What changed, by category

Styling

The sedan and Sports Wagon receive a new front end, revised taillights, and updated interior details. The coupe and convertible largely retain their earlier design.

Tech

The refreshed sedan and Sports Wagon get a newer navigation and iDrive control system.

Powertrain

The rear-wheel-drive 335d sedan joins the U.S. lineup with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo diesel inline-six, a six-speed automatic transmission, and BluePerformance emissions hardware. All-wheel-drive variants adopt xDrive trim naming for 2009; no accompanying mechanical AWD change is stated.

2009 BMW 3 Series specs and features by trim

Feature	2009 BMW 3 Series328i0 in stock	2009 BMW 3 Series335d0 in stock	2009 BMW 3 Series335i0 in stock	2009 BMW 3 Series328i xDrive0 in stock	2009 BMW 3 Series335i xDrive0 in stock
Engine	6-Cyl, 3.0 Liter	6-Cyl, Turbo Dsl, 3.0L	6-Cyl, Twin Turbo, 3.0L	6-Cyl, 3.0 Liter	6-Cyl, Twin Turbo, 3.0L
Transmission	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Steptronic	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Steptronic	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Steptronic	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Steptronic	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Steptronic
Drivetrain	RWD	RWD	RWD	AWD	AWD
Fuel Type	Gas	Diesel	Gas	Gas	Gas
MPG City	17–18 mpg	23 mpg	17 mpg	17 mpg	16 mpg
MPG Highway	27–28 mpg	36 mpg	26 mpg	25 mpg	25 mpg
Horsepower	230 hp	265 hp	300 hp	230 hp	300 hp
Torque	200 lb-ft	425 lb-ft	300 lb-ft	200 lb-ft	300 lb-ft
Trunk/Cargo	9–60.9 cu-ft	12 cu-ft	9–12 cu-ft	11.1–60.9 cu-ft	11.1–12 cu-ft
Rear Legroom	31.9–34.6 in	34.6 in	31.9–34.6 in	33.7–34.6 in	34.6 in
Seats	4–5	5	4–5	4–5	5
Doors	2–4	4	2–4	2–4	2–4
Safety & Security
Adaptive Cruise Control
Alarm System
Front & Rear Parking Sensors
Hill Descent Control
Exterior Features
Alloy Wheels
Fog Lights
Memory Exterior Mirrors
Power Moonroof
Panorama Moon Roof
Power Folding Exterior Mirrors
Power Retractable Hard Top
Roof Rails
Entertainment & Electronics
Navigation System
Premium Audio
Smartphone Interface
Comfort & Convenience
Dual Power Front Seats
Folding Rear Seat
Heated Front Seats
Heated Steering Wheel
Leather Seats
Memory Driver's Seat
Proximity Keyless Entry
Rear Window Shades
Remote Start

How the 2010 BMW 3 Series compares

The 2010 BMW 3 Series is mostly unchanged from 2009. The main update is that HD Radio becomes standard across the lineup.

See the full 2010 changes

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest change to the 2009 BMW 3 Series?

The biggest change is the mid-cycle refresh for the sedan and Sports Wagon. These versions receive a new front end, revised taillights, interior detail updates, and a newer navigation and iDrive system.

Is the 2009 BMW 335d new to the U.S. lineup?

Yes. The 335d joins the U.S. lineup for 2009 as a rear-wheel-drive sedan with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo diesel inline-six, a six-speed automatic transmission, and BluePerformance emissions hardware.

Did every 2009 BMW 3 Series body style get refreshed?

No. The sedan and Sports Wagon receive the main 2009 refresh, while the coupe and convertible change much less and largely keep their earlier exterior design.

What does the xDrive name mean on a 2009 BMW 3 Series?

For 2009, xDrive identifies the all-wheel-drive 3 Series models. The change replaces the earlier all-wheel-drive naming, but no related mechanical redesign is stated.

Is a 2009 BMW 3 Series meaningfully different from a 2008 model?

Yes, especially as a sedan or Sports Wagon. Those body styles have refreshed exterior details, interior updates, and a revised navigation and iDrive system, while the 2009 lineup also adds the diesel 335d; coupe and convertible differences are much smaller.