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2009 BMW 3-Series Quality Review

May 2, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Headroom and legroom are good for all but the tallest drivers
ConsumerGuide

Not much interior storage space
Edmunds

Materials are upgraded
Car and Driver

The 2009 BMW 3-Series justifies its admittedly high base price with a combination of wonderful driving dynamics and high-end comfort and quality, although the BMW 3-Series does lose some points in terms of available cargo space.

Seating capacity for the BMW 3-Series is exactly what you would expect, as Cars.com finds that "sedans and wagons can hold five occupants, while coupes...seat four." TheCarConnection.com's research reveals that front-seat passengers will be quite comfortable, but those in the rear of the coupe might have a hard time on long trips. Up front, ConsumerGuide reports that "headroom and legroom are good for all but the tallest drivers," while the BMW 3-Series' "seats have excellent bolstering to secure occupants through turns." However, Edmunds cautions that "the rear seats are adequately roomy for adults on shorter trips, but taller passengers will wish for more headroom," and most adults will take exception with being stuck back there for extended periods.

As a practical daily driver, the 2009 BMW 3-Series excels in many categories, but the coupe struggles when it comes to cargo capacity. ConsumerGuide cautions that the "coupe's small aperture won't swallow large packages, but its standard split folding rear seatbacks expand space." Those split folding rear seats aren't standard on the sedan, but they help make the most of the trunk; Cars.com says that, without the seats folded, "the sedan's trunk capacity is 12 cubic feet." On all three versions—coupe, sedan, and wagon—Edmunds reports that there is "not much interior storage space," but the wagon understandably excels in terms of rear storage.

BMW has always been regarded as a luxury brand, and the interior materials and build quality of the BMW 3-Series definitely reflect that reputation. ConsumerGuide reviewers find that the "cabin materials have a sturdy, soft-touch feel," while Edmunds notes that "materials and build quality are exceptional" on the 2009 BMW 3-Series. ConsumerGuide also highlights the build quality, commenting that the "bodies exhibit ingot-solid construction." Compared to the previous BMW 3-Series, "the materials are upgraded" beyond the high standard set on the outgoing version, says Car and Driver.

One of the quickest ways to identify build quality on a vehicle is to take it for a drive and see what sorts of road and wind noise intrude into the cabin. You'll have to strain your ears to pick up much from inside a BMW 2009 3-Series model, as Car and Driver finds that "the interior is well isolated." ConsumerGuide also observes that "tire noise is subdued," although they report that "wind rush is evident at highway speeds."

Conclusion

For impeccable build and materials quality combined with a comfortable, quiet cabin, look no further than the 2009 BMW 3-Series.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Headroom and legroom are good for all but the tallest driversConsumerGuideNot much interior storage spaceEdmundsMaterials are upgradedCar and Driver The 2009 BMW 3-Series justifies its admittedly high base price with a combination of wonderful driving dynamics and high-end comfort and quality, although the BMW 3-Series does lose some points in terms of available cargo space. Seating capacity for the BMW 3-Series is exactly what you would expect, as Cars.com finds that "sedans and wagons can hold five occupants, while coupes...seat four." TheCarConnection.com's research reveals that front-seat passengers will be quite comfortable, but those in the rear of the coupe might have a hard time on long trips. Up front, ConsumerGuide reports that "headroom and legroom are good for all but the tallest drivers," while the BMW 3-Series' "seats have excellent bolstering to secure occupants through turns." However, Edmunds cautions that "the rear seats are adequately roomy for adults on shorter trips, but taller passengers will wish for more headroom," and most adults will take exception with being stuck back there for extended periods. As a practical daily driver, the 2009 BMW 3-Series excels in many categories, but the coupe struggles when it comes to cargo capacity. ConsumerGuide cautions that the "coupe's small aperture won't swallow large packages, but its standard split folding rear seatbacks expand space." Those split folding rear seats aren't standard on the sedan, but they help make the most of the trunk; Cars.com says that, without the seats folded, "the sedan's trunk capacity is 12 cubic feet." On all three versions—coupe, sedan, and wagon—Edmunds reports that there is "not much interior storage space," but the wagon understandably excels in terms of rear storage. BMW has always been regarded as a luxury brand, and the interior materials and build quality of the BMW 3-Series definitely reflect that reputation. ConsumerGuide reviewers find that the "cabin materials have a sturdy, soft-touch feel," while Edmunds notes that "materials and build quality are exceptional" on the 2009 BMW 3-Series. ConsumerGuide also highlights the build quality, commenting that the "bodies exhibit ingot-solid construction." Compared to the previous BMW 3-Series, "the materials are upgraded" beyond the high standard set on the outgoing version, says Car and Driver. One of the quickest ways to identify build quality on a vehicle is to take it for a drive and see what sorts of road and wind noise intrude into the cabin. You'll have to strain your ears to pick up much from inside a BMW 2009 3-Series model, as Car and Driver finds that "the interior is well isolated." ConsumerGuide also observes that "tire noise is subdued," although they report that "wind rush is evident at highway speeds." ConclusionFor impeccable build and materials quality combined with a comfortable, quiet cabin, look no further than the 2009 BMW 3-Series. 2009 BMW 3-SERIES STYLING | [9 out of 10] Cars.com: "A minor facelift for 2009 as well as fresh rear styling" Motor Trend: "A slightly sharper, more muscular appearance than its predecessor" Edmunds: "Interiors provide a restrained show of luxury " BMW's foray into cutting-edge ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Infiniti's G eschews BMW's confident restraint for daring angles, a raucous exhaust, and an extremely outgoing nature—too bad its NVH levels can't keep up with its attractive interior and spunky driving fun. Audi's new-for-'09 A4 sedan, sharing underpinnings with the A5 coupe, is an admittedly sexy beast with both two and four doors; packaging is more capacious than the BMW, but powertrains fall a tad short next to BMW's gold standard. Mercedes' C- and CLK- sedan and coupe, respectively, tend toward the more cosseting end of the small luxury equation, but as such offer serene rides and beautiful interiors. The Saab 9-3 hangs just slightly below this company in price, but its performance and luxury factors are a decided step down from all of the above.

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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 Kurt #1, Posted: 5/5/2009

    Poor Reliability

    I don't believe BMW has made an effort to fix the issues which have occurred since 2006. Because software issues and poor HPFPs, this care is a poor performer and of poor quality. My care has not been repaired as of 6 months ago on just one of the issues; I can't see 2009 being any better. Just an opinion. Do a web search prior to buying this car.

  2. By BMWX3 Bummer #2, Posted: 9/20/2009

    I feel like a complete idiot. Just got into a brand new 2009 X3. What a disaster. The jerky transmission is one thing (latest s/w fix btw) and may bloom into a bigger and more dangerous disaster in the future but the ride of the BMW X3 is unacceptable.
    It rolls, sways, rocks, undulates...whatever you want to call it until it creates nausea. This is a first for a car I believe...drive it without seasickness pills and you will consider upchucking your lunch.
    After sitting in the shop, the upshot is: it is NORMAL. NORMAL? This is what BMW calls NORMAL?
    A car that is so unstable that is actually launches things into the ceiling because it cannot keep it together on a paved road? NORMAL?
    So, the car loses 20% of its 'value' in 1 month and I feel like an idiot for believing that BMW can still make a great car.
    After decades of BMW ownership, this **** car is the limit of endurance. I will never buy another BMW again but I will share my nightmare with as many people as I can.

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