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BMW 3 Series makeover - new pics

2008-05-27 09:28

BMW's 3 Series is facing a nip-tuck, and the updated model will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show

     

    The disguising is almost gone and now it's clear, the BMW 3 Series sedan and estate will get their mid-life facelifts very soon.

    The car's front fascia will be slightly re-designed with a new bumper, modified fog lights and a differently sculpted bonnet.

    Our spy photos also show that that the 3 Series will get new taillights. Furthermore BMW will upgrade the interior with better fit and finish, while new emission-optimised engines are on the cards too.

    The car will be officially unveiled at the Paris Show in October and probably arrive in South Africa early in 2009.


     
    Ricky
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    No wonder the resale values drop faster than a sinking ship.
    Lungela
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Guys! PLEASE! Stop posting nonsense! The current Audi A4 was launched in 2001 and facelifted in 2005. The new shape is being launched in a few months. Audi, BMW and Merc all facelift only ONCE!
    tedious
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    BMW & BMW lovers just dont get it. If all a car needed was an engine & 4 tyres then their cars would be awesome. But there's a lot more that goes into a real good quality automobile. There are reasons why Beemers are cheap: Poor finishes, shakes & rattles, unstable over 120 kmh and ugliness. These cars need more facelifts than Elizabeth Taylor!!
    Lungela
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Look at the two exhaust pipes... And some people say Audi is copying BMW? Get in touch with reality!
    ntbarie
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    the only thing worth shouting about is the rim on this beemer, hopefully the car gets launched with it (entry models incl.)
    wolf
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Goodbye hideous chrome moustache. This new 3 series kidney grill looks much better.
    korean luv
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    the only reason you will make changes to a product is when it is a failure ,which the current 3 series is not ,so why face lift the car so soon ,here goes the resale value and this hampers a client from anything else beside a bmw ,it all to gain and protect there market share ,only bmw will be able to get the client out of there car and give them a new 1
    marcel
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    My issue is not with the facelift, but the fact that it gets "unveiled" at the Paris Motor Show. Do subtle enhancements require this sort of introduction? What I do appreciate though, is being kept in the loop with regards to facelifted models. Allows me to choose whether to wait or negotiate a better deal on the current model.
    JGS
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Hard to make out on the photos, but hopefully they have moved on from the current 'Honda Ballade' look they have on the 3 now. Apart from that, still an attractive little package, just a pity everyone has one... Resale definitely a huge problem and a major 'scare-away' factor for new owners.
    Mindlos
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    We don't need people like you here... Your comment is incorrect, please stop misleading people with what you don't know. Audi (A4) was launched 2001/2002, has only been facelifted in 2005 and the all new shape will be revealed soon (June 2008). Get your facts straight. AM
    Jackey
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Facelift or not,one has to agree that the 3 is one sexy beast,especailly in motorsport form and RB if the taillights are so disgusting,why do the A5/A4 and the "facelifted" A3 have similar looking one's?BMW knows design that why we dont need to facelift our cars every year or call a redesign a facelift !!Only few people posseses and understand the BMW design language and if you dont just watch how slowly but sure most cars will look or have BMW DNA........
    Marius
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    BMW, Audi, Volvo.......... What value????
    Stig
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    The taillights still look they were stolen out of a Korean dumpster. Use the 3 series coupe taillights. They are cool. The new Audi models have sleek tailights which totally transform the car. But yes, the multiple facelifts have trashed my resale value.
    salim
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    thats why they have to do a facelift every second day lexus;mercedes are destroying them
    Deezos
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    BMW never get's it right! Still damn ugly car-same old same old! Can't beat Merc & Audi!!!
    Brian
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Will still be hideous and boring to look at. Not to mention that everybody drives one.
    bm
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Get your facts straight before you start chirping. If you look at the Audi A4 it came out in 2001/2002, had a facelift (current model) in 2005 and the whole new A4 is being launched now in 2008, so where do they have a facelift 4 times in 6 years? You also state Audi's loose there value 3 x as fast as BMW's, again get your facts straight.
    J O
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    The 3 series was launched in 2005 and its already closer to the end of its life cycle which should be in 2010 or 2011. As it has happened with previous beemers, a facelift is always guaranteed to happen. The unfortunate thing is the impact on resale values. They are going to drop them and if you check in Mead & McGrouther booklet which is the bible of the motor industry, the face lifted ones are going to be classified as f/l next to the model which would denote that its a facelifted one.
    CSL
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    I love those black stick on lines. Definitely looks better than the white lines my cousin has on his 3.0 ford sierra. I can?t wait for it to come out. Especially that it has an integrated bonnet guard.
    korean luv
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    the only reason you will make changes to a product is when it is a failure ,which the current 3 series is not ,so why face lift the car so soon ,here goes the resale value and this hampers a client from anything else beside a bmw ,it all to gain and protect there market share ,only bmw will be able to get the client out of there car and give them a new 1
    lmn
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    The so called new 3 series was officially launched in 2005 (May if i'm not mistaken). It has been 3 years already so the facelift is due (this is also well in line with Merc, Audi and most others). Maybe it appears to be soon because the stylish still looks fresh after all this time. Hope they improve the rear looks.
    Mike
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Get over yourselves stupid Audi fanboys! BMW and Merc both only facelift their cars just ONCE in the cars 7 year lifespan. Not like Audi who facelift their car 4 times in its 6 year life span. It is usually done 4 years after its initial launch. So sorry for you, Audi's lose their value 3x as fast as BMW's! The C Class is just 9 months old..
    RB
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Finally!... those disgusting Nissan Primera/Almera clone tail lights on the 3-series will get the boot!
    Cleverdick
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Ah yes, it's that time again. Let's sit back and wait for all the morons out there to post their stupid comments. First off is Steve, for his stupid, brainless comment on BMW facelifting their cars so soon. Steve, a lesson for you to take forward into the future. All cars have facelifts around mid life cycle of the model. 3 series E 90 intro. was 2005, new 3 series intro. is 2012, so by applying simple maths, 2009 is the mid - point, of the current 3 series life cycle, hence the facelift.
    JML
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    The E90 3 series was launched in 2005... Thats 3 years... half the model life... hence the term 'midlifé face-lift'... perhaps you should get your facts correct?
    Tiaan
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    For the 3 series... hopefully will be the last also. Luckily BMW doesn't do too much facelifts...
    w
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    All luxury cars loose value. Looks at the previous Audi A4 can pick 2006 models up for cheap now. As well as the previous merc C. Just face it if you want to drive these cars you just need to expect bad resale value. And this is even worse when you go for the top models of these ranges of cars.
    The Ringmaster
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Sir It's comments like yours, that push up car prices.
    M-POWER
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    They sure might say this is a facelift but it doesn't look any different than the current 3 series. Although this is Good, the old 3 series sales will not be hampered.
    NowOrNever
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    I expected it a bit earlier. Merc C-class is killing our sales. Lets hope this will put us back on the charts. And why must we wait for it to "arrive here" as it is build here?
    swash
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    Timing for the facelift is right about spot-on. The E90 was launched in March 2005 and has a lifespan of about 7 years. Do the sums. We can also expect the C-Class facelift to appear about mid-2010, as will new A4 facelift.
    Steve
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    All those who recently bought the "new" 3 series will soon own the "old" 3 series. Why does BMW always facelift cars so soon? Yet another way to mess with the shocking re-sale values in an already troubled pre-owned market.
    Die Swart Kat
    5/27/2008 6:20 PM
    There goes all y'all's resale value...again!!! HAHAHAHA

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