2009 BMW 3-Series Coupe

THE 2009 BMW 3 SERIES COUPES

10/31/2008

BMW

Since the earliest days of the company, BMW Coupes have been elegant expressions of individual style and passion for driving. By the 1930's, a coupe was widely appreciated as a special automobile for people who regarded automobiles as much more than convenient transportation. The BMW 327 Coupe, introduced in 1938, was widely regarded as a truly outstanding example of that viewpoint and remains a legend to this day.

This year BMW continues to write the latest chapter in its illustrious line of 3 Series Coupes: new colors and trims provide fresh choices for customization: on the outside, Havana Metallic replaces Sparkling Graphite Metallic, Tasman Green Metallic replaces Deep Green Metallic, and Blue Water Metallic replaces Artic Metallic. On the inside, new Fine Line Aluminum trim replaces the previous Aluminum, and Light Burl Walnut trim replaces Light Poplar Natural wood.

As it did for its debut in 2008, the redesignated-for-2009 BMW 335i xDrive Coupe combines all-wheel drive with the power of BMW's famed 300-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. Likewise, the 2009 BMW 328i xDrive Coupe continues to impress with its 230-hp, naturally-aspirated 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine featuring magnesium-aluminum construction. On smooth, dry roads BMW's xDrive gives a sporty, rear-wheel drive feel. But hit a wet or snow-covered road, and xDrive automatically sends more torque to the axle with more traction.

Fundamentally unchanged - and still not successfully challenged in other quarters - are the Coupes' essential attributes of rear-(or all-)wheel drive, harmonious front/rear weight balance, outstandingly precise steering and skillfully engineered suspension…all of which conspire to produce the uniquely satisfying driving experience that is quintessentially BMW.

BMW's xDrive is the most sophisticated and responsive all-wheel drive system on the market today. It has proven its merits, in terms of agility and safety, in the 12 BMW models currently offered with xDrive in the U.S.

In addition to the standard six-speed manual transmission, the BMW 3 Series Coupes are available with a six-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission. Designed for responsiveness, this innovation enhances driving dynamics without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

The distinctive character of the BMW 3 Series Coupes is instantly recognizable from the very first glance. Over and above the basic shape of the car and its classic lines, the design of the headlights, the detail of the taillights, the interior and even the exterior mirrors were specifically created for the Coupes. These unique design elements reflect the special character of this elegant and sporty car. The driver who chooses a coupe wants a car with elegant looks as well as driving dynamics. With this in mind, BMW engineers and designers set out to create a unique yet unmistakable blend of design, features and most importantly, driving pleasure.

Designed to reflect the performance and elegance in the tradition of BMW Coupes

The Coupes are unquestionably a BMW 3 Series. Yet despite their close technical ties to the Sedan and Sports Wagon, they are unique in the details of their designs. A genuine BMW from every angle, the Coupes are individualists through and through.

It's all about proportions. The Coupes' long hood reflects BMW's adherence to its tradition of inline six-cylinder engines. The long wheelbase, short overhangs, the passenger compartment set back and the low, sleek roofline which seamlessly slopes into the trunk are all characteristics of BMW Coupes.

In addition to the classic proportions, three design lines-the shoulder, character and sill lines-serve to enhance the sleek appearance. Both the shoulder line and character line stretch uninterrupted to the back of the car, allowing one's eye to move quickly and smoothly from front to rear along the entire length of the car. The sill line of the lower edge of the door flows into the front and rear air dams, reinforcing the dynamic nature of BMW's newest 3 Series Coupes.

The combination of lines flowing into one another elegantly emphasizes the Coupes' performance potential. While the shoulder line rises slightly but consistently from front to rear, the character line flows in a long, stretched arch all the way from the front fender to the taillights. As the sill line, by contrast, moves up slightly to the rear in a slow and gentle curve, the distance between the character and sill lines becomes smaller near the rear wheel arches. The fender flare around each rear wheel also serves to give the character line extra tension in both an upward and outward direction.

The front view also shows a significant distinction from the 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon. The contours of the hood as well as the design of the front air dam and headlights give the BMW 3 Series Coupes a particularly low and sporty look. The powerdome on the hood alludes to the exhilarating driving experience that awaits. Its lines form a powerful silhouette extending all the way from the A-pillars to the outside corners of the BMW kidney grille.

The kidney grille, a traditional feature of every BMW, stands out from the surfaces around it. Interaction with the three-dimensional kidney frame creates a look of power and unique style.

The headlight units on the BMW 3 Series Coupes also have a unique look. With the hood extending beyond the headlights as such, they appear to have been sliced-off at the top creating a sense of powerful, concentrated focus.

The 3 Series Coupes come standard in the U.S. with Xenon Adaptive Headlights, accented by BMW's corona light rings. The corona light rings can not only serve as daytime running lights (if that feature is selected via the Vehicle & Key Memory System), but also draw attention to BMW's characteristic four round headlights, making the Coupes instantly recognizable as a BMW, day or night.

The design of the taillights is also unique to the 3 Series Coupes. Integrated flush into the body of the car, the lights are split into two sections and extend up the trunk lid, blending with the character lines from the side profile. Horizontal LED taillights give the car an unmistakable look at night. The horizontal flowing lines accentuate the wide track and low stance of the Coupes.

The designers' objective was to give the 3 Series Coupes a balanced and harmonious look. The traditional "Hofmeister kink" at the bottom edge of the C-pillar now extends at an even more distinct angle into the shoulder line. To further accentuate this flow of lines, the window accent surround is now made in one single piece.

The exterior mirrors have been specifically designed and matched to the unique character of the 3 Series Coupes. The contours of the mirrors reflect the profile lines while the mirrors blend with the car's overall design.

A cabin befitting a BMW Coupe

The emphasis on individual style, dynamic performance and exclusivity continues within the interior. Here again, the focus is on the driving experience. Horizontal lines dominate the surfaces on and around the instrument panel which blend with the lines of the center console door panels to give the interior a light but dynamic feel. In true BMW fashion, all operational and informational elements essential to driving are grouped on and around the steering wheel. Climate controls, as well as those for the audio and navigation systems, are within easy reach of the front passenger.

Because the Coupes are four-passenger cars, the rear seat passengers are treated to a center console between their individual rear seats which includes individual storage boxes, additional air outlet vents, and footwell lights.

The BMW 3 Series Coupes come standard with Dark Burl Walnut wood trim. As on other 3 Series models, Light Burl Walnut wood and Fine Line Aluminum trim are optional and Gray Poplar wood, similar to the 5 Series' Maple Anthracite, is also available. All these trim choices are no-extra-cost options. Like the standard Walnut, these materials appear on the dash, front and rear consoles, doors and rear side panels.

The standard leatherette upholstery is available in Black and Creme Beige, which is lighter then the familiar Sand Beige. For the optional leather upholstery, luxurious Dakota leather can be chosen as in the 3 Series Sedans and Sports Wagons. Here too, Creme Beige replaces Sand, and in addition there are Coral Red, Saddle Brown, Gray and Black. Upholstery leather appears on the seat facings, door inserts and door handle surrounds; other leather-trimmed items include the gear shift boot, handbrake grip and steering wheel.

In other items of trim that don't change with upholstery or trim options, the interior door handles, gearshift surround trim, steering wheel spokes, instrument dial and engine Start/Stop button surrounds, dash air-outlet adjusting tabs and the optional iDrive controller are in pearl-gray galvanic material.

An elegant ambiance is further created in the interior by special lighting and switches with a premium look and feel. Ambiance lighting, streaming down from under the ledge on the door and side panels, and running from the A pillar all the way to the rear passenger area, creates a particularly warm, indirect lighting effect.

Through its design and configuration, the cabin emphasizes the sporting and driver-oriented character of the 3 Series Coupes. Taking a seat behind the steering wheel, the driver will immediately focus on the instrument cluster which includes an oil temperature gauge positioned below the tachometer.

Buckling up has never been easier for the driver and front passenger because of the recently developed belt feeder arm: The seat belt integrated in the B-pillar, moved rearward in typical coupe fashion, is automatically "delivered" to the driver and front passenger once they close their respective door and the key has been inserted in the ignition slot. Connected to the seat occupancy detector, the passenger-side belt feeder arm is only activated when the front passenger has actually taken a seat. With the belt delivery unit housed discreetly within the side panels, this system does not impair the elegant look of the interior.

Access to the two seats in the rear has been made even easier; the lever for releasing the seat positioners is fitted at the top of the outside of the backrest, and an "express button" is provided to quickly slide the power seat forward.

Inline six-cylinder engines enter new dimensions of performance

BMW 3 Series Coupe customers have a choice of two six-cylinder engines that are the worlds' finest. The 328i has 230 horsepower while the 335i has 300 and is the first inline six with twin turbos, high precision fuel injection, and an all-aluminum crankcase.

The 328i and 328i xDrive Coupes are powered by BMW's 230 horsepower, 200 lb-ft, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, known as the N52. Its magnesium/aluminum construction and Valvetronic variable valve lift are features found only on BMW engines. The N52 achieves impressive progress on all performance and technology fronts.

An aluminum/magnesium engine block (again, exclusive to BMW), hollow camshafts, plastic camshaft cover, improved combustion chambers, a further evolved Double VANOS , higher fuel injection pressure, sophisticated engine electronics, an electric coolant pump, a variable-volume oil pump and an oil/coolant heat exchanger are the other weight-saving features and improvements of this engine over previous generations.

BMW's other approach to modern 6-cylinder power

The 335i's engine, designated N54, develops a maximum output of 300hp in U.S. specifications from 3.0 liters displacement and generates peak torque of 300 lb-ft for powerful acceleration in any situation. And it achieves these results using technology that might surprise students of BMW history: turbocharging.

Although it is standard equipment on its highly acclaimed diesel engines, BMW has not used turbocharging with a road-going gasoline powerplant since the 1980's. Until the modern N54 engine's debut, the BMW 745i Sedan, which debuted in 1981, and the iconic BMW 2002 Turbo, introduced at the 1973 Frankfurt auto show, were the only two standard production, gasoline-powered BMWs to employ the technology.

While the technology works as advertised, BMW engineers were not satisfied with the most often-cited downside to turbocharging; the frustrating "turbo lag" that occurs when the driver presses the accelerator pedal and when the turbocharger develops sufficient rotation to increase power. Turbo lag is at its worst at low engine speeds. Other drawbacks included relatively high fuel consumption and poor emissions output. At the time, turbocharger technology was not a reliable, practical or efficient was to make power. For these and other reasons, BMW put turbocharged gasoline engines on the shelf for more than 20 years.

Two recent developments caused BMW to reconsider turbocharging. While many luxury-performance carmakers began to achieve power gains by building engines of ever-increasing displacement, BMW looked for a more efficient way; smaller engines and turbocharging made sense. Also, the technology transfer from BMW's turbocharged diesel engines could easily be transferred to their gasoline-fired counterparts. Accordingly, BMW articulated its new approach to developing high-performance engines as part of its EfficientDynamics initiative.

The N54 features twin, relatively small turbochargers to boost performance significantly, but, at the same time, minimize the response lag. Thanks to their lower inertia, two small turbochargers build up pressure much faster than a single, larger turbocharger, thus eliminating even the slightest lag.

A further advantage of turbocharging is that this is the most weight-efficient method to boost engine power and performance. The N54 turbocharged inline-6 weighs approximately 150 lbs. less than an equally powerful eight-cylinder engine displacing 4.0 liters. This lower weight means a significant advantage not only in fuel economy, but also in balancing the car's weight distribution.

To enhance efficiency to an even higher level, the turbochargers are made of a particularly heat-resistant material which makes them immune to high exhaust gas temperatures in the interest of a fuel-efficient combustion process particularly under full load.

As a result, the twin turbo technology in the BMW 335i and 335i xDrive Coupes represent a significant achievement in terms of both performance and fuel economy. The advantages over a conventional turbocharged engine are not only clearly measurable, but easy to feel on the road.

This high-performance engine gives the light, aerodynamically-sculpted Coupe outstanding acceleration and flexibility. The BMW twin turbo powerplant develops its power and performance much more spontaneously than a turbocharged engine of conventional design.

At the same time the N54 engine offers all the smoothness and refinement which made BMW's award-winning inline sixes so admired. Last but certainly not least, the impressive increase in power on the twin turbo engine versus a conventional normally aspirated six-cylinder engine comes without a significant increase in fuel consumption.

Turbocharging typically includes intercooling of the engine's induction air, that is, cooling the compressed air that emerges, very much heated up by the compression process, from the turbocharger(s). Sometimes it's done with coolant; in the case of the N54 engine, it's accomplished with outside air. Intercooling is desirable, often necessary, to reduce the temperature of the incoming air to preclude detonation or "knocking" that can reduce power or, in the extreme, damage the engine. Of course, the N54, like the N52 and all other current BMW engines, is equipped with knock control.

As effective as the magnesium/aluminum engine construction is for saving weight, the significantly increased loads and cylinder pressures of the N54 300-hp engine required the use of an aluminum engine structure with cast-iron cylinder sleeves. Of course, some, but not all, of the N52's magnesium/aluminum weight saving was lost. Altogether, the N54 weighs 419 lb.; the N52 weighs 357lb.

A high-precision direct fuel injection system with piezo injectors also enhances performance and fuel efficiency. A 2nd-generation evolution of the system found on the 2002-2008 7 Series' V12 engine is a key factor in achieving BMW's goals for this engine. The system's main advance over its predecessor is that it provides the engineers a greater degree of freedom in the calibration of fuel quantity and timing and the distribution of the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber.

The piezo injector, a recent advancement in fuel injector technology, uses an actuator that takes the place of the solenoid valve in a conventional injector. The actuator, which works significantly faster than the solenoid, significantly reduces the injector's response time. That results in, according to researchers who led the piezo injector's development, a 2-3% fuel savings and 20% less emissions.

For the first time in a 3 Series model, the 335i and 335i xDrive Coupes' dual exhaust system runs at both sides of the vehicle - logical, as each contains its own turbocharger turbine and therefore requires extra space. At low loads, a flap channels most gas through one side to reduce low-frequency exhaust "rumble." The 335i and 335i xDrive Coupes feature an air-to-oil external oil cooler mounted in one wheel well as opposed to the N52's coolant-to-oil unit.

The peak power of 300 hp has already been mentioned; this is fully 70 hp up on the 2009 328i Coupe. At least as important is the fact that this engine can deliver its peak torque from 1400 rpm - not far above idling - to 5000 rpm. On the road, this power and torque result in outstanding performance. The 335i Coupe with manual transmission accelerates from 0 - 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. This sense of urgency continues all the way to the electronically limited top speed of 150 mph when equipped with the optional Sport Package.

A transmission for any driving style

As in the 3 Series Sedans and Sports Wagons, each Coupe has as standard equipment a 6-speed manual transmission specifically tailored to its performance capability. In the 328i, it is a Getrag Type I with relatively "short" 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-gear ratios to enhance acceleration.

The 328i xDrive has the heavier-duty Getrag Type H transmission, with slightly different ratios, not for performance or economy reasons, but because of internal design factors.

Because of their performance potential, the 335i and 335i xDrive Coupes are fitted with the still more robust ZF Type G gearbox, but with "taller" 1st-4th ratios that take advantage of the N54 engine's torque and allow this high-performance model to attain higher speeds in each of these ratios. This effect is furthered by the 335i's numerically lower final drive ratio (335i 3.08:1, 328i 3.23:1).

In all three transmissions, 5th gear is direct (1.00:1), and 6th gear is an overdrive for quietness and fuel efficiency at cruising speeds. All 3 Series manual transmissions offer several tangible benefits:

- Highly effective synchronization of shifting

- Light, pleasing feel as the shift lever is moved from gear to gear

- Sporty shifting, via short shift "throws" from neutral to each gear

- Use of lifetime transmission oil, which never needs to be changed

- "Clean bearings" design; protects bearings from contamination, ensures adequate lubrication at all times and therefore enhances durability.

The 3 Series Coupes can be equipped with the 6-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission. Compared to the 5-speed unit it replaces, it's lighter, has a more effective torque converter, operates with fewer internal clutches, and can reduce fuel consumption, particularly at cruising speeds when 6th gear is in frequent use. In the 335i, and to appear in other models later, the automatic is the familiar ZF 6 HP 19, but in the TU, or Technically Updated, form.

As in all other current BMW automatics, the STEPTRONIC feature offers drivers a choice of Normal, Sport and Manual modes. Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive ranges (P-R-N-D) are in the right gate of the shift lever. The Sport mode, in which shifts occur at higher engine speeds, is engaged by moving the lever leftward from D; the Manual mode is engaged when the driver manually chooses a gear by tipping the lever (or shift paddles) forward (for downshifts) or rearward (for upshifts).

This transmission has two additional features, both of which enhance enthusiastic driving:

- Direct selection of Manual mode. If, while driving in D, the driver manually downshifts via paddle or shift lever, the Manual mode engages. But if the driver makes no further manual shifts within 15 seconds, the transmission returns to automatic operation. This feature was first introduced on the '06 Z4 Roadsters and Coupes.

- Shift paddles on steering wheel, offered on all 3 Series Coupes as a stand-alone option with the Sport Package and automatic transmission. There are two paddles above the steering wheel's horizontal spokes. Similar to the shift lever, pulling either paddle rearward commands an upshift; tipping forward produces a downshift.

xDrive: BMW's first Coupes with all-wheel drive

Like the other all-wheel drive BMWs, the new 335i xDrive and 328i xDrive Coupes incorporate BMW's advanced xDrive all-wheel drive and traction system. xDrive operates as follows:

- Driving torque is always transmitted to the rear wheels, and most of the time, to all four wheels.

- The portion of torque transmitted to the front wheels is controlled by a multi-disc clutch that can be fully open, fully engaged or at any level of partial engagement in between. The torque split between the rear and front wheels is thus steplessly variable.

- Engagement pressure on the multi-disc clutch is directed by an electronic control system in response to actual road and driving conditions.

xDrive doesn't just optimize traction; it can also enhance both agility and stability on grippy as well as slippery road surfaces. Via the same type of logic that DSC employs to recognize and correct for excessive over-or understeer, xDrive adjusts the front/rear torque split to avoid these tendencies. If undesirable oversteer is sensed, the multi-disc clutch is completely closed, sending the maximum possible torque to the front wheels. If excessive understeer is detected, xDrive opens the clutch completely sending no driving torque to the front wheels. In the BMW tradition, the driver ensures optimum vehicle dynamics under a wide range of driving and road conditions.

In a comparison test of BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Subaru Legacy all-wheel drive models, Germany's authoritative auto motor und sport magazine had this to say about xDrive:

"The BMW 330xi has the most modern and adaptable concept. It works: With amazing aplomb, the 3 Series moves right ahead in knee-deep snow, and keeps its front and rear ends smartly under control. Where in other vehicles the driver may break out in a cold sweat on snowy roads, he or she can keep cool in the 3."

Traditional BMW driving dynamics further refined

The 3 Series Coupes offer class-leading agility through a combination of its significantly enhanced dynamic potential on the one hand and with the most sophisticated chassis control and assistance systems on the other. Together they provide a margin of safety for any situation in which a car might reach the limits of driving physics. In other words, the driver and passengers in a BMW 3 Series Coupe enjoy superior active safety at all speeds.

Traditional rear-wheel drive and a near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution give the BMW 3 Series Coupes ideal qualities for optimum driving dynamics. The specially tuned suspension enables the driver to convert the power and performance of the engine into an exhilarating driving experience. Boasting a double-pivot front suspension with spring struts made almost entirely of aluminum in combination with a five-link rear suspension, the BMW 3 Series Coupes have the most advanced and sophisticated suspension in its class.

Although the 3 Series Coupes' double-pivot front suspension it is already familiar from the 5, 6 and 7 Series, the current 3 Series Sedans and Sports Wagons introduced this system to the 3 Series in '06 and the 3 Series Coupes incorporate it for the first time. It is a more elaborate concept than that of the predecessor models, featuring two lower arms working in combination with the spring/shock absorber strut. The previous, highly acclaimed, 3 Series system utilizes a single, curved arm. These two lower arms are the reason for the name "double-pivot."

By employing two lower arms, the system provides several fundamental advantages:

- Small positive steering offset, for best steering feel and control under all road conditions. Though the two arms don't actually intersect, if you extended their axes to a point where they do intersect, you will find a "virtual pivot point" that is ideal for achieving this result. Steering offset is the "lever arm" through which road forces act on the suspension system.

- Large steering caster, for outstanding stability in straight-line driving and excellent steering return action coming out of corners.

- Space for large brakes, by virtue of the arrangement of the two lower arms.

The 5-link rear suspension, introduced in the 3 Series Sedans and Sports Wagons, is also included on the 3 Series Coupes. In its concept, it could be described as a double-A-arm system with an additional lateral track rod; the upper and lower A-arms actually consist of two links each, their vertical positions differing. This is similar to the front suspension's dual arms. Advantages are extensive:

- As with the front suspension, there is a virtual pivot point for each pair of links, giving the engineers similar freedom in optimizing the system's geometry for best handling. As at the front, the axis connecting these virtual points is configured to ensure that driving, braking and road forces all act effectively on short leverage. The result is very precise handling, especially impervious to road disturbances.

- Under cornering forces, the system controls the rear suspension geometry in such a way as to achieve great agility while also ensuring predictable, stable handling.

- Contributing to this outstanding geometry is the wide and rigid basis on which the rear tires are "planted" on the road. The lateral links are extremely rigid also, as is the subframe.

- For the first time, all the suspension's links connect to the subframe; no longer does any link pivot directly from the body structure. This further reduces any effects of road irregularities on passenger comfort, and improves handling precision as well.

- Here too, the large and elaborate subframe contributes to energy management in the event of a crash - including the more severe rear-end impact that the 3 Series has been designed to withstand.

Reinforcement and support elements on the underfloor of the car optimize the stiffness of the chassis which enables the suspension to work with the highest possible degree of precision. Interacting with the low center of gravity and the specific set-up of the shock absorbers, the chassis and suspension work in perfect balance.

Following a tradition established with the previous Coupe generation, a sporty calibration of springs, shock absorbers, anti-roll bars and bushings is standard on the RWD 328i and 335i models. This calibration includes a 12-mm (0.5-in.) lowering of ride height; stated otherwise, the 328i xDrive Coupe rides 0.5 in. higher.

BMW's rack-and-pinion steering has been widely praised for its precision and feedback and the steering in the 3 Series Coupes is no exception. For the ultimate balance between agility at lower speeds and stability at higher speeds, BMW's innovative

Active Steering is available as an option. By adjusting the steering ratio, steering angle, and power assistance (via Servotronic power assist) to the speed of the car, Active Steering enables the driver to maneuver the 3 Series Coupe with minimum effort when parking and keep the car precisely on track at higher speeds.

Active Steering can also work with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) to help keep the car stable and under control when applying the brakes on surfaces varying in their frictional coefficient. In such conditions, Active Steering can correct steering quickly and precisely for optimum control.

The high-performance brake system requires 17-inch wheels to accommodate larger diameter brake discs which ensure outstanding stopping power and deceleration. Brake performance is further enhanced by BMW's Dynamic Stability Control. Introduced on the 3 Series Sedan, this latest DSC system incorporates several new functions. For example, DSC works to counteract the slightest brake fading effect even at extremely high brake temperatures by increasing brake pressure accordingly. This ensures maximum brake power even under the toughest conditions, without requiring the driver to exert any higher pressure on the brake pedal.

If the driver suddenly lifts off the accelerator pedal, Brake Standby positions the brake pads closer to the discs to further reduce stopping distances in an emergency. Brake Drying, in turn, optimizes brake performance in the wet by using the brake pads to periodically dry the brake discs. Dynamic Brake Control automatically maximizes brake pressure whenever required in an emergency stop. Start-off Assistant briefly holds the car when setting off on an uphill grade.

Dynamic Traction Control is another feature of DSC. Activation of DTC raises the threshold for intervention by the brakes, enabling the driver of a BMW 3 Series Coupe to set off smoothly on low friction surfaces such as snow. A benefit of DTC for the enthusiast is that it allows slight, easily controllable slip on the drive wheels even on a dry surface.

Of course, as in all BMWs, the driver has the option to completely deactivate DSC. A new Electronic Limited-slip Differential function comes into play in vigorous driving when DSC is completely de-activated. By appropriate application of only the rear brakes while cornering, DSC simulates a traditional mechanical limited-slip differential. This has the effect of better apportioning power between the two rear wheels and thus improving traction in this driving situation. (Which is not recommended on public roads; it's more of a racetrack or driving-school exercise.)

The BMW 3 Series Coupes come standard with run flat tires. Featuring the most advanced fail safe running qualities, these tires allow the driver to continue for up to 90 miles at 50 miles per hour even with complete loss of pressure in one tire. The standard Tire Pressure Monitor gives plenty of warning and alerts the driver when the pressure of any tire falls 25 percent or more below the ideal level.

Ultra-modern body structure: lower weight, greater safety, improved responsiveness.

The BMW 3 Series Coupes are light, strong and stable. Its structure is tailored to approve agility, safety, and comfort while also contributing to overall vehicle efficiency.

Low vehicle weight and a high standard of torsional body stiffness are also crucial to the car's agility. In the event of a collision, the use of high-strength steel in critical areas, together with exactly defined deformation zones, ensures effective absorption and transfer of forces acting on the car's body.

Reinforced B-pillars are a particularly impressive example of the high standard of development and excellence in design that the BMW 3 Series Coupes have achieved, with a tubular structure throughout the B-pillars featured for the first time for added strength. This tubular reinforcement is made of ultra-strong steel in a warm-molding process and is heat-treated while in the mold for top quality. The reinforcement tube is exactly matched to the space available.

The choice of materials and the arrangement of components at other points on the body also serve to optimize crash safety. The various properties of different types of steel and other materials are used to best effect. The space available for deformation on the BMW 3 Series Coupes is used to minimize even the slightest impairment of the passenger compartment. In a head-on collision, for example, dynamic deformation areas at the front keep impact energy away from the bulkhead and, accordingly, from the car's footwells. In the event of a side-impact collision, the specially designed floor assembly ensures a controlled transfer of forces acting on the car to the opposite side of the body. The bulkhead support is made of innovative multi-phase steel, offering outstanding strength and stability even on thin-gauge panels.

Efficient interaction of the doors, the reinforced B-pillars, the seat structure, and the instrument panel between the A-pillars serves likewise to maximize the strength of the side structure. The consequences of a collision from the rear are minimized by longitudinal carrier bars, a wide range of reinforcement elements, as well as the extra-long luggage compartment floor panel, rear panel and side walls. Pillars and crossbars also help protect the passenger area in a rollover.

Naturally, BMW's safety engineers sought from the start to fully maintain the integrity of the passenger compartment as a safe environment even in the most severe crash. The frontal and side airbags along with the curtain-type Head Protection System (for front and rear seat occupants), belt tensioners and belt force limiters are activated by sensor-controlled electronic safety systems as a function of the type and severity of a collision.

Enthusiastic driving calls for optimum visibility at night. That's why the BMW

3 Series Coupe comes standard in the U.S. with xenon adaptive headlights which "steer" the headlights themselves and operate at all speeds in response to steering angle, vehicle speed and yaw rate. New to the 3 Series Coupes are standard cornering lights, an angled beam at each front corner to assist in situations of low speed and large steering angles. Cornering lights are activated in left- or rightward direction by either a large steering angle or the turn signals and do not activate at speeds over 25 mph. When the headlights are on and reverse gear is engaged, the feature is activated at both sides.

Light rods in the rear light clusters stand out distinctly for a significant safety improvement in the dark. Whether in the dark or during the day, two-stage adaptive brake lights make an important contribution in enabling following drivers to recognize a potentially dangerous situation well in advance. Whenever the driver applies the brakes particularly hard, and when the ABS function is activated, light intensity in the two-stage taillights is increased accordingly, prompting drivers following from behind to also brake harder.

BMW iDrive, 4th generation: new graphics and controls.

- New controller concept, high-resolution 8.8-in. control display.

- Optimized menu structures, high-resolution graphics, expanded range of functions.

- Greater convenience and more intuitive operation via direct-select keys at the controller, plus more Programmable Memory Keys.

In the 3 Series, BMW's iDrive system of controls and displays is offered in combination with the optional Navigation system. In the new 3 Series Sedans and Sports Wagons, iDrive enters its 4th generation building upon this pioneering development, while making it more natural, more intuitive, simpler and more elegant in its functionality - and more esthetically pleasing and enjoyable. In offering this new generation of iDrive, the

3 Series joins the new 7 Series that is also being introduced this autumn.

More intuitive operation, expanded functions.

With the 2002 7 Series, BMW initiated a new direction in the control of vehicle features and functions; via a multi-menu color display and a mouse-like controller usable by driver and passenger alike, a potentially crowded landscape of buttons and knobs was supplanted by a computer-logic control path.

An overarching attribute of iDrive was the separation of control (via the console controller) and display (the centrally placed iDrive monitor). This basic arrangement remains; the controller has been further developed and the display has evolved markedly.

Positioned centrally in the instrument panel, the new control display sets higher standards for logical, readily understood menus and attractive graphics. The controller has been refined for comfortable, intuitive selection and activation of functions via standardized turn, push and tilt motions, while being augmented with new direct-selection keys for specific menus, plus more of the Programmable Memory Keys that were added to the system in the 3 Series in 2007-08.

Greater functionality, satisfying to use: controller with direct-selection keys.

Benefiting from the newest biomechanics R&D, the state-of-the-art controller operates with tactile precision and clearly structured motions. New control elements, menu schemes and graphic representations in the control display become evident upon first use, yet user appreciation grows over the longer term. A graphic depiction of the controller in the display itself helps orient the user to the next control step; the rotation, pressing and tipping motions generally correspond to those of a computer mouse.

Thus interpreted, rotation of the controller takes the user through menu selections; pressing it makes the choice. Tilting the controller to the left or right effects navigation through various menu levels. Via clear graphic organization in the form of stacked layers and onscreen depiction of controller movements, the user enjoys highly intuitive navigation. All menus are structured according to a consistent scheme, so that one is almost immediately at ease; menus are broad so that the user can view relatively numerous options without switching to another level. Also, functions are arranged so that in longer-term use the most important options are reached more rapidly.

An additional new refinement is four direct-selection keys, placed adjacent to the controller, for the most frequently used menus. These allow quick selection of CD, radio, phone and navigation menus, and are augmented by three further keys of general utility: one takes the user directly to the start menu (MENU), one to the most recently active menu (BACK), and the third (OPTION) presents various options within the current area. Thus searches are likely to be shorter, or unnecessary.

Familiar and proven, yet now more useful: Programmable Memory Keys.

An iDrive enhancement recently introduced in various BMW models represents a further user convenience: Programmable Memory Keys. When first introduced, there were six of them; now there are eight. Lined up above the audio controls, these allow the user to capture and store favorite or frequently used functions (radio stations, phone numbers, navigation destinations for example) on various keys and recall them instantly. The stored functions can be as specific and detailed as a navigation map in the preferred scale or an audio balance setting. And because the keys are sensitive not just to being pressed but also to being merely touched, one can see the stored function on the control display by lightly touching the key. If it's the right one, the user need only press the key and it's there, ready to use.

High-resolution display, preview maps and full-screen images.

With its 8.8-in., high-resolution monitor, the new iDrive displays remarkably attractive images. It's a system appropriate to the vehicle it's in, achieved via up-to-date hard- and software. White-on-black menu lists; effective symbols and icons; contemporary graphics; and clear, consistent color-coding are among the elements that enhance not only function but also esthetics.

Menu structures, too, make finding desired functions easier. In the Start Menu, all functional areas served by iDrive are listed. Selecting a given item leads to its menu layer, where the options of that level are also listed. This consistency in navigation assists in orienting the user, as does the "stacking" of menu layers in the display. Visual assists further contribute to clarity. And if the user gets to a place where he or she didn't mean to be, the Back key usually reverses the error.

User-friendlier Navigation.

This overall refinement of functionality means simpler and more enjoyable use of the optional Navigation. Full-screen map displays offer outstandingly detailed views of the geography; maps as well as specific symbols can be shown in 3-dimensional form. Selected points of interest along the travel route appear with near-photographic realism.

Mere input of destinations reveals the new system's impressive capabilities. If the destination appears on a list in the system, a preview map appears as the user scrolls the list; this can help distinguish between places with similar or identical names. If a destination (or a phone number) needs to be entered manually, this is done with a new, circular "speller" that makes the entry go more quickly.

Convenient combination of voice entry and controller operation.

Yet, another iDrive innovation is its ability to combine voice and controller entry called Multi-mode Input. The user can go back and forth between the two methods, while actually inputting; indeed, voice recognition can remain active during input via controller and the user can modify an input via voice. Voice recognition - BMW calls it Voice Command - is activated by its function key on the steering wheel, and de-activated either upon completion of the action or by pressing the key again. Voice Command is simplified by visual display of the available commands, yet its capabilities go further in that numerous synonyms of these commands are also recognized.

This newly enhanced iDrive introduces a very significant step forward in the operation of automotive features and functions. Greater efficiency, improved logic and clear, attractive displays help define and advance the 3 Series' unique product character. The new iDrive helps the freshened 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon create a user experience that is truly unique.

Standard and optional equipment

In addition to an impressive array of standard equipment, the BMW 3 Series Coupes are available with a wide selection of optional equipment so drivers may individualize their coupes. Particularly in the area of top-quality audio, navigation and telematic systems, BMW offers optional systems originally developed for the most outstanding luxury performance cars.

Packages:

Premium Package. Adds luxurious features to all models:

- Dakota Leather upholstery

- Auto-dimming exterior and interior mirrors

- Power-fold exterior mirrors

- Digital compass in the interior rearview mirror

- BMW Universal Transceiver, a 3-function remote for garage doors and other external devices (formerly available only as center-installed accessory)

- 4-way power lumbar support on the front seats

- BMW Assist, BMW's comprehensive system of customer services and in-car telematics, including a Bluetooth cellphone interface (connects vehicle phone features with approved cellphone models)

For 328i/xDrive models, this Package adds features that are standard on 335i:

- Power front seats with Driver Memory System

- Auto tilt-down feature for the right-hand exterior mirror (mirror tilts down when reverse gear is engaged).

Sport Package (328i and 335i). Accents these vehicles' inherently sporty handling, esthetics and ergonomics:

- Sport seats with power-adjustable backrest width. Depending upon model and equipment choices, other seat adjustments can be manual or power.

- Specific wheels and tires:

- 328i - 18 x 8.0 front/18 x 8.5 rear wheels with 225/40R-18 front/ 255/35R-18 rear run-flat performance tires

- 335i - 18 x 8.0 front/18 x 8.5 rear wheels with 225/40R-18 front/ 255/35R-18 rear run-flat performance tires

- 150-mph top-speed limiter, instead of the standard 130.

Sport Package (328i xDrive Coupe and 335i xDrive Coupe). The AWD chassis retains the 130-mph speed limiter, and includes -

- 17 x 8.0 wheels with 225/45R-17 H-rated all-season tires (wheel design different than standard wheel)

- Sport seats as in 328i/335i Package.

- Sport Package wheel/tire upgrade (at extra cost) - 18 x 8.0 front/18 x 8.5 rear wheels with 225/40R-18 front/ 255/35R-18 rear run-flat performance tires; 150 mph top-speed limiter

Cold Weather Package. For the 328i and 335i models, this Package includes:

- High-intensity headlight cleaning system with retracting jets

- Heated front seats, with expanded heating area

- Ski bag, for carrying skis and other long objects "indoors."

The headlight cleaning system is standard on the AWD 328i xDrive Coupe and 335i xDrive Coupe.

Stand-alone options:

6-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission. Features a torque converter that spends more time in the „locked up" mode.

Paddle Shifters. The steering wheel-mounted shift paddles provide sporty, convenient and immediate down- and upshifts. If, while driving in D, the driver manually downshifts via the paddle, the Manual mode engages. But if the driver makes no further manual shifts within 15 seconds, the transmission returns to automatic operation. Available on 328i and 335i - requires Steptronic and Sport package.

Active Cruise Control. Employing a radar sensor unit at the front of the vehicle, ACC senses the speed of vehicles traveling ahead, adjusts the BMW driver's speed to maintain following distance, and offers the driver additional control choices over the standard Dynamic Cruise Control.

Active Steering. Acting on the 3 Series' legendary rack-and-pinion steering, this system (available on 335i models) provides impressive benefits:

- Widely variable steering ratio; steering-wheel movements for parking maneuvers, U-turns and sharp corners are greatly reduced for amazing agility. With increasing vehicle speed, the steering ratio increases, favoring stability over agility.

- Vehicle stabilization; in critical situations, can intervene to preserve stability. For example, if the driver applies the brakes while driving on a surface with uneven traction (one side of the road slick, the other grippy), Active Steering can recognize incipient instability and steer against it.

Park Distance Control employs ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper to detect obstacles that may not be visible to the driver, and emits an acoustic warning. When combined with the Navigation/iDrive option, PDC includes a vehicle diagram in the iDrive display, which graphically depicts obstacles' locations.

Comfort Access. User enters vehicle merely by pulling a door handle; mere presence of the remote (say, in the user's pocket or purse) confirms that entry is authorized. The driver starts the engine by pressing the Start/Stop button. Upon leaving the vehicle, merely pressing a door handle locks the vehicle.

Leather upholstery is available as a stand-alone option, in addition to being part of the Premium Package. Now featuring luxurious Dakota leather.

Alternate interior trims at no extra cost: in place of the standard Dark Burl Walnut, buyers can choose Light Burl Walnut wood, Gray Poplar wood, or Fine Line Aluminum trim.

Power front seats and driver memory system. In addition to being part of the Premium Package, available as a stand-alone option for 328i/xDrive models. The option includes automatic tilt-down of the right exterior mirror for reversing.

Heated front seats as a stand-alone option (also included in Cold Weather Package).

Under TeleService, key vehicle data are transmitted automatically to the BMW center when the Condition-Based Service sensors detect an upcoming service need, or manually when the driver activates the Service Request button under BMW Assist in the control display. The BMW center then contacts the customer to set a service appointment. (Requires activated BMW Assist telematics.)

SIRIUS Satellite Radio. This appealing path to entertainment, news and information channels is available as a factory option. A subscription fee is required for SIRIUS service after the first year.

HD Radio with multicasting reception capability not only improves the sound quality of AM and FM stations, but allows access to additional radio programming as well. No subscription fee is needed.

iPod/USB Adapter enables an MP3 player to be played through the vehicle's audio system. This option fully integrates an iPod's functionality into the audio system and multifunction steering wheel and enables non-iPod MP3 players and memory sticks to be used as well.

Logic7 sound system, with 13 premium speakers, Surround Sound simulation, Digital Sound Processing; standard in 335i, optional in 328i/xi models.

Power rear-window sunshade. Controlled from a console switch.

Elegance, performance & value

The BMW Coupe sets the standard for design, luxury, and performance in its class.

The BMW 3 Series Coupes not only set the standards for elegance and performance, they are an exceptional value considering the 328i and 335i include more standard equipment than their predecessors, including:

- More powerful engines

- More differentiated design from the 3 Series sedan

- Xenon adaptive headlights with cornering lights

- Rear Head Protection system

- Enhanced Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Brake Drying, Brake Stand-by, Brake Fade Compensation and Start-off Assistant

- Enhanced interior ambiance lighting

- Run-flat tires with Tire Pressure Monitor

In addition, BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive is available in the 328i xDrive Coupe and the 335i xDrive Coupe.

The 328i also receives the following additional standard equipment:

- 17" wheels and tires

- 6-speed manual transmission

BMW Ultimate ServiceTM:

Providing owners with incredible value and peace of mind

The 2009 BMW 3 Series Coupe will feature BMW Ultimate ServiceTM, a suite of services that includes the BMW Maintenance Program (formerly called Full Maintenance), Roadside Assistance and the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. BMW AssistTM with TeleService is part of the optional Premium Package or can be ordered separately as a stand-alone option.

BMW Ultimate ServiceTM includes:

The BMW Maintenance Program is the only no-cost maintenance program in the industry that covers wear and tear items like brake pads and rotors for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. BMW owners pay nothing for all scheduled inspections, oil changes, brake pads, wiper blade inserts and other wear-and-tear items.

BMW Roadside Assistance is one of the industry's most comprehensive plans available. Not only is it no-charge for the first 4 years, but there is no mileage limit. BMW drivers enjoy the assurance of on-the-road help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. This includes everything from flat tire changes, emergency gasoline and lock-out assistance, to towing, alternative transportation and even trip-interruption benefits. This service also includes valuable trip routing advice.

BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty: All 2009 BMW passenger vehicles are covered by BMW's excellent Limited Warranty, which includes:

- New-vehicle warranty - 4-year/50,000-mile coverage of the vehicle.

- Rust-perforation warranty - 12-year/unlimited-mileage coverage.

BMW AssistTM provides the driver with services that enhance on-the-road security and convenience, for added peace of mind. The BMW Assist and Bluetooth(R) System is included in the Premium Package or available as a stand-alone option. BMW includes the Safety Plan for 4 years at no additional cost. BMW is the only manufacturer that offers this duration of service as other manufacturers only include the first year of service. The BMW Assist Safety Plan is a subscription based service that is subject to certain limitations.

The in-vehicle equipment for BMW Assist includes GPS technology and hands-free communication functions to deliver emergency and other services, accessed via buttons in the overhead or center console. The BMW Assist system transmits the location and vehicle information to the BMW Assist Response Center. A response specialist speaks with the vehicle occupants to coordinate dispatch, notify emergency contacts on file, and link BMW Roadside Assistance or emergency services as needed and/or requested. A severe accident automatically activates the Automatic Collision Notification function. The BMW Assist Safety Plan also includes Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services, which can save the owner time and money. New to BMW Assist is MyInfo, which allows users to send business listings and street addresses with associated phone numbers from the internet, directly to their BMW.

TeleService automatically notifies the BMW center when a vehicle will need service. A service advisor then proactively calls the customer to set up a convenient appointment and have the needed parts ready.

BMW Assist subscribers can also enroll in the BMW Assist Convenience Plan (available at an additional cost of $199 per year) to avail themselves of many BMW Assist concierge services, from finding the lowest fuel price or the best French restaurant in the area to information on flight arrival gates or times, as well as receive directions, and traffic and weather information. On 2007 and later models, a selected destination and its phone number can be sent directly to the BMW Navigation system (if so equipped) and the customer's Bluetooth linked mobile phone, after a push of the Concierge menu option. New for 2009 is BMW Search, which allows those vehicles equipped with both the BMW Navigation and BMW Assist system to gain online access to the Google Maps database inside the vehicle to quickly find a desired business with just a key word. The Convenience Plan also includes Critical Calling, a service that can connect the driver to a requested party via a response specialist in case their mobile phone is not in the vehicle or its battery is discharged.

Lastly, the BMW Assist system includes Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity with phonebook access and speech recognition for dialing by name or number via the steering wheel controls. Use of this feature requires a customer-provided compatible Bluetooth mobile phone. To learn more about BMW Assist, please visit www.bmwassist.com.

Performance with a conscience

BMW strives to produce its motor vehicles and other products with the utmost attention to environmental compatibility and protection. Integrated into the design and development of BMW automobiles are such criteria as resource efficiency and emission control in production; environmentally responsible selection of materials; recyclability during production and within the vehicle; elimination of CFCs and hazardous materials in production; and continuing research into environmentally friendly automotive power sources. Tangible results of these efforts include the recycling of bumper cladding into other vehicle components; water-based paint color coats and powder clear coats; near-future availability of hydrogen-powered models; and various design and engineering elements that help make BMWs easier to dismantle at the end of their service life.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models, X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 83 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at: