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2008 BMW 3-Series Features Review

October 30, 2008

FEATURES | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Sport package is definitely worth the extra dough
Car and Driver

iDrive control system is available in the 3 Series as part of the optional navigation system.
Cars.com

steer clear of the optional navigation system
Edmunds

The 2008 BMW 3-Series has plenty of features for the price, although options can add to the already high sticker price. All 3-Series sedans come with power windows/locks/mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning, and an AM/FM/CD player.

According to Car and Driver, "BMW keeps its model lineup blessedly simple." Three primary option packages are offered: Premium, Sport, and Cold Weather. Car and Driver reports the BMW 2008's Premium package as including "leather seating, power folding mirrors, four-way power lumbar on the front seats, and power front seats with memory"; Edmunds adds that the 3-Series 2008 BMW's mirrors are "auto-dimming," and that "Bluetooth [and] BMW Assist telematics" are available with the Premium package as well. This BMW 2008's Sport Package adds 18-inch wheels and sport seats, and Car and Driver says this "package is definitely worth the extra dough," provided the roads in your area are well maintained.

Stand-alone options for the 3-Series 2008 BMW include an iPod/USB adapter, satellite radio, and a power rear-window sunshade, which Car and Driver considers a "$350 piece of frippery."

Car and Driver adds that the 2008 BMW 3-Series' "active cruise control is an option we wouldn't bother with, and the excellent navigation and phone system is let down by the overly complicated iDrive arrangement." The iDrive system uses a complicated, screen-driven interface for some controls; Edmunds adds that the "iDrive interface is very unintuitive."

Conclusion

The 2008 BMW 3-Series is well equipped and has all the latest options, but iDrive is enough to steer drivers away from the navigation system.

FEATURES | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Sport package is definitely worth the extra doughCar and DriveriDrive control system is available in the 3 Series as part of the optional navigation system.Cars.comsteer clear of the optional navigation systemEdmunds The 2008 BMW 3-Series has plenty of features for the price, although options can add to the already high sticker price. All 3-Series sedans come with power windows/locks/mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning, and an AM/FM/CD player. According to Car and Driver, "BMW keeps its model lineup blessedly simple." Three primary option packages are offered: Premium, Sport, and Cold Weather. Car and Driver reports the BMW 2008's Premium package as including "leather seating, power folding mirrors, four-way power lumbar on the front seats, and power front seats with memory"; Edmunds adds that the 3-Series 2008 BMW's mirrors are "auto-dimming," and that "Bluetooth [and] BMW Assist telematics" are available with the Premium package as well. This BMW 2008's Sport Package adds 18-inch wheels and sport seats, and Car and Driver says this "package is definitely worth the extra dough," provided the roads in your area are well maintained. Stand-alone options for the 3-Series 2008 BMW include an iPod/USB adapter, satellite radio, and a power rear-window sunshade, which Car and Driver considers a "$350 piece of frippery." Car and Driver adds that the 2008 BMW 3-Series' "active cruise control is an option we wouldn't bother with, and the excellent navigation and phone system is let down by the overly complicated iDrive arrangement." The iDrive system uses a complicated, screen-driven interface for some controls; Edmunds adds that the "iDrive interface is very unintuitive." ConclusionThe 2008 BMW 3-Series is well equipped and has all the latest options, but iDrive is enough to steer drivers away from the navigation system.  2008 BMW 3-SERIES STYLING | [9 out of 10] Cars.com: "a dynamic flair that reflects common styling cues with the larger series" Edmunds: "Plain-Jane interior design" Kelley Blue Book: "Clean, elegant look" The 2008 BMW 3-Series wears sculptured lines that please most reviewers ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 BMW 3-Series remains the benchmark in the hotly contested field of mid-size sport sedans, though the G35's handling is arguably superior with its very communicative steering response. Driving dynamics and the aesthetic experience behind the wheel are still 3-Series strengths; it's the best in its field. The latest C-Class is sportier and a good compromise between performance and comfort, but its interior materials feel skimpy compared to the 2008 BMW 3-Series. Also peeking inside, the new stunning interior of the new Cadillac CTS ranks at the top, and the A4's interior looks more interesting. In addition, the Audi A4--an IIHS Top Safety Pick--beats the 3-Series in safety. And finally, if you're willing to put down a lot more dough, there are more exclusive, high-performance alternatives for most of these sedans--the S4/RS4, CTS-V, IS-F, and C63 AMG--to ponder.

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See the BMW 3-Series in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (2 total)

  1. By mike #1, Posted: 7/24/2008

    Mr

    2000 BMW 323i is the worst car on the market. Today is July 2008 and I got 67000 miles on my car. I have had many repairs done to it. I guess total is about $8000.00. climate control, power steering, transmission. Of course all this is out of warranty. within warranty was many, many window motor replacements and just added fluid to power steering, etc, etc. Tom Bush of Jacksonville, fl is the worst. I suggest going with the cheap cars and great quality of Toyota. I will never buy another european car or american car. European cars are more junk than american. You better be smart, bmw, volvo, etc will charge you out the yang yang to fix.

  2. By Ron Stopfer #2, Posted: 8/13/2008

    Mr.

    I have owned a 1995 BMW M3 since Dec 1994. I have 115,000 miles on it and it is a dream to drive. I have had this car to the driving schools in Heartland Park, Topeka, KS for aggressive driving 3 separate times....NO PROBLEMS! I still have the original brakes on this car (pads and rotors)! It is, literally, without flaw. I think the person who posted the bad post on the BMW is a jokester. I have had multiple Porsches, and British sports cars, plus a current 2003 Mustang SVT Cobra. None of them even comes close to the comfort, style, luxury and problem-free ownership of this BMW!

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