2010 BMW 3 Series: What's New, Specs & Features

Last updated August 4, 2026

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

Shop 2 in stock at Carvana

About the 2010 BMW 3 Series

Fifth-generation 3 Series family (E90 sedan, E91 wagon, E92 coupe, E93 convertible), late-cycle year. The sedan and wagon had already been updated for 2009, while the coupe and convertible were in their last year before their 2011 styling refresh.

BMW positioned the 3 Series as the compact luxury benchmark for people who care about how a car feels from the driver’s seat. In 2010, the range covered sedan, wagon, coupe, convertible, all-wheel-drive, turbocharged, and diesel versions, but the core pitch stayed the same: balanced handling, smooth six-cylinder engines, a driver-focused cabin, and everyday usability. Against rivals, BMW leaned on steering feel, chassis balance, and a broad menu of body styles rather than just comfort or gadget count.

The 328i is the core model, pairing a 230-hp six-cylinder engine with sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible body styles. The 300-hp 335i focuses on stronger acceleration, while the 335d sedan uses a 265-hp diesel engine with 425 lb-ft of torque for strong passing power and longer highway range. The 328i xDrive and 335i xDrive add all-wheel drive for better grip on wet or snowy roads.

What changed, by category

Tech

HD Radio becomes standard across the entire 3 Series lineup.

2010 BMW 3 Series specs and features by trim

Feature	2010 BMW 3 Series328i1 in stock	2010 BMW 3 Series335d0 in stock	2010 BMW 3 Series335i0 in stock	2010 BMW 3 Series328i xDrive0 in stock	2010 BMW 3 Series335i xDrive1 in stock
Engine	6-Cyl, 3.0 Liter / 6-Cyl, SULEV, 3.0 Liter	6-Cyl, Turbo Dsl, 3.0L	6-Cyl, Twin Turbo, 3.0L	6-Cyl, 3.0 Liter / 6-Cyl, SULEV, 3.0 Liter	6-Cyl, Twin Turbo, 3.0L
Transmission	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Steptronic / Manual, 6-Spd w/Overdrive	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Steptronic	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Steptronic	Automatic, 6-Spd w/Overdrive & Steptronic / Manual, 6-Spd w/Overdrive	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	26–28 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	9–58 cu-ft	12 cu-ft	9–12 cu-ft	11.1–58 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	33.7–34.6 in
Seats	4–5	5	4–5	4–5	4–5
Doors	2–4	4	2–4	2–4	2–4
Safety & Security
Adaptive Cruise Control
Alarm System
Automatic High Beams
Front & Rear Parking Sensors
Hill Descent Control
Exterior Features
Alloy Wheels
Fog Lights
Memory Exterior Mirrors
Power Moonroof
Panorama Moon Roof
Power Retractable Hard Top
Roof Rails
Entertainment & Electronics
Navigation System
Premium Audio
Smartphone Interface
USB Ports
Comfort & Convenience
Dual Power Front Seats
Dual-Zone Climate Control
Folding Rear Seat
Heated Front Seats
Heated Steering Wheel
Leather Seats
Memory Driver's Seat
Proximity Keyless Entry
Push-Button Engine Start
Rear Window Shades

How the 2011 BMW 3 Series compares

The biggest change for the 2011 BMW 3 Series is a substantial exterior refresh for the coupe and convertible. This is a mid-cycle update rather than a full redesign.

See the full 2011 changes

Frequently asked questions

What changed on the 2010 BMW 3 Series compared with the 2009 model?

Standard HD Radio is the main change for 2010. The engines, basic model range, safety equipment, styling, and structure otherwise carry over without major lineup-wide updates.

Was the 2010 BMW 3 Series redesigned?

No, the 2010 BMW 3 Series was not redesigned. It is a late-cycle model in the fifth-generation E9x family; the sedan and wagon had already been updated for 2009.

Did the 2010 BMW 3 Series get new engines?

No, there was no lineup-wide engine change for 2010. The range retained the 230-hp 328i, the 300-hp turbocharged 335i, and the 265-hp 335d diesel sedan.

Which 2010 BMW 3 Series models have all-wheel drive?

The 2010 328i xDrive and 335i xDrive have all-wheel drive. The regular 328i, 335i, and 335d use rear-wheel drive.

Does every 2010 BMW 3 Series have HD Radio?

Yes, HD Radio is standard across the 2010 BMW 3 Series lineup. This is the year’s main equipment update.