2009 BMW 3 Series Coupe

BMW engineered some interesting features specific to the 3 series coupe, such as an automated seat-belt assistant. CNET's Kevin Massy explains: "One of the most unique interior tech features of the 335i is its automatic seat-belt presenter -- a mechanical arm that deploys to serve up the seat belt to driver and front passenger each time they enter the car. After offering the belt for about 10 seconds, the arm retracts, irrespective of whether the belt has been taken or not." After a brief love/hate relationship with the feature, Massy concludes that it's both useful and "deliciously kitsch."

No discussion of a modern BMW would be complete without citing the controversial iDrive graphical user control interface. IDrive is optional in the BMW 3 Series coupes, but shoppers who opt for navigation are required to take it as part of the deal. After years of listening to complaints, however, BMW has updated the iDrive controller and interface for the 2009 model year. Edmunds.com calls it "dramatically improved, with more logically arranged menus and buttons surrounding the iDrive control knobs that access frequently used functions (radio, navigation, telephone)." Cars.com's Mike Hanley (testing a 2009 BMW 3 Series sedan) calls the new iDrive the "biggest improvement by far" inside the BMW 3 Series' passenger cabin, adding that it's "more intuitive overall."

The list of negatives is pretty short, but some observations are noteworthy. MSN's Bell says, "If you have a bad back, you'll probably want to avoid a ride in a BMW 3 Series coupe." He explains that its "low-slung" nature makes climbing in and out "a ducking, twisting exercise." On the upside, he says the rear seat is comfortable for two adults, as long as the front passengers aren't too tall. On the other hand, ConsumerGuide.com says that back-seat headroom becomes an issue for passengers taller than 5 feet, 9 inches. Bell also reports that there's not much in-cabin storage space for small items. The glove box, in-door map pockets, and shallow center console bin are all you have to work with. Most reviewers praise the 3 Series coupe's shifter (in manual-gearbox models), but CNET's testers reported some balkiness when trying to make the shift to second gear.  Finally, the BMW 3 Series coupe is not cheap, starting at over $36,000 for the base 328i. Options and packages make the bottom line climb upwards quickly, and it's easy to make a well-equipped 335i window sticker fly past the $50,000 mark.

The BMW 3 Series coupe can be had with a choice of two engines. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, and a six-speed automatic is optional. (A sport steering wheel with paddle shifters for the optional automatic is a $100 option that requires the purchase of both the $1,325 automatic transmission and the $1,550 Sport Package.)  All-wheel-drive versions are available; these cars wear xDrive badging on their front fenders. BMW 328i coupe models are powered by a 230-horsepower, 3.0-liter, inline six-cylinder engine. ConsumerGuide.com says it has "smooth, sufficient power for around-town driving and highway passing." The BMW 335i coupes get a twin-turbocharged variant of the 3.0-liter inline six. It produces 300 horsepower and generally blows critics away.  "V-8 punch and no turbo lag. Quite frankly, this is one of the best engines on the market," writes MSN Autos' Bell.

Despite their notable power, both the standard and turbocharged engines are quite fuel efficient. (Note, however, that they both require costlier premium unleaded gasoline.) The BMW 328i coupe is Environmental Protection Agency-rated at 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined with the six-speed manual. Subtract one mpg from the combined rating if you choose the automatic. The 328i xDrive coupe is rated at 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined, very similar to the ratings on the turbocharged BMW 335i coupe with either the stick shift or automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive BMW 335i xDrive coupe is rated at 16 city, 25 highway and 19 combined for the manual and about the same for the automatic.

Some lower-priced alternatives, such as the Infiniti G37 coupe (*Est. $35,900 to $38,700), come close to the BMW 3 Series coupe's performance and luxury credentials and are frequently recommended based in part on their price advantage. It's worth noting that highly optioned versions of the Infiniti G37 coupe can see their prices drift into 3 Series territory, however.  Other potential rivals include the Audi A5 and S5 (Est. $40,700 to $51,400) and the all-new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe (*Est. $48,050 to $54,650).  

The BMW 3 Series wins numerous critics' awards, but comparison tests and road-test reviews often give a better description of driving the various 3 Series coupe models. Both Edmunds.com and Motor Trend compare the 2008 Infiniti G37 coupe against the 2007 BMW 335i coupe. Neither car is substantially altered for the 2009 model year. TheTruthAboutCars.com compares the identically powered BMW 135i coupe with the BMW 335i coupe, and ConsumerReports.org provides valuable historical reliability data, safety information and an informative summary review. Individual reports from sources including MSN Autos, CNET and Kelley Blue Book also flesh out the background for this report.