3 Series specs updated, prices juggled

The final production year for BMW's E90 3 Series introduces a spoiler— and we're not talking aerodynamic aids

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BMW Australia faces something like a 12-month lead time for the new (F30) generation of 3 Series to reach our shores.

It's a long wait for a new model to replace the volume-selling small sedan in BMW's line-up; and none the less so in the aftermath of archrival Mercedes-Benz introducing a heavily revised C-Class (with up to 2000 new components). BMW Australia's Head of Corporate Communications, Piers Scott, confronted the issue head on in a briefing to media last week, announcing the final model year update for the E90 generation of 3 Series.

"We've already been through a midlife update of the 3 Series, which had a roughly equivalent number of material changes to the car," said, "but certainly, in what is a very competitive landscape now, we are taking further steps as far as looking at the pricing and the value proposition.

"And beyond that, we have, since that point, added further technology and innovations to the car, which have seen fuel economy improvements in the form of EfficientDynamics technologies, and additional options being available, such as Bluetooth Office, many of which are unique within the segment. So it is an ongoing evolution of the car."

Both 3 Series and C-Class — plus Audi's A4 — are the cars that introduce prospective buyers to the German prestige brands. They're often a stepping stone to something bigger, more prestigious — and usually more lucrative for the importer.

So it's important to stay ahead of the game, or at least keep up. That's why the 3 Series — on sale here in E90 form since 2006 — has undergone a raft of small but significant changes in its final 12 months of production. Timing of the update, so soon after the release of the upgraded C-Class, could only be called coincidental by those of generous spirit.

The changes in detail are listed below, for each variant:

E90 3 Series

Sedan
320i Lifestyle $56,100
Gains storage package, brake energy regeneration, Servotronic electric power steering, revised dampers, 17-inch alloy wheels and Chrome Line exterior trim.
New dampers result in improved ride quality.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

320d Lifestyle $59,700
Gains storage package, Servotronic electric power steering, revised dampers, 17-inch alloy wheels and Chrome Line exterior trim.
Power and torque are increased by 5kW and 30Nm respectively. Fuel consumption is now 5.4L/100km.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

323i Lifestyle $59,900
See 320i Lifestyle

325i Exclusive $71,900 ($5000 reduction in price)
Gains storage package, brake energy regeneration, Servotronic electric power steering, extended Bluetooth connectivity, Bluetooth Office, revised dampers, BMW Professional navigation, voice control, High-Beam Assist, bi-xenon headlights, headlight washers and folding/electrochromatic exterior mirrors.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

330d Exclusive
Gains storage package, Servotronic electric power steering, extended Bluetooth connectivity, Bluetooth Office and revised dampers.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

335i M Sport $108,200 ($2700 reduction in price)
Gains storage package, extended Bluetooth connectivity, Bluetooth Office and revised dampers.
Engine is now the twin-scroll single-turbo N55 'TwinPower' engine; fuel consumption improves from 9.2 to 8.7L/100km.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

M3 $141,700 ($3300 reduction in price)
Gains storage package, brake energy regeneration, Servotronic electric power steering, extended Bluetooth connectivity, Bluetooth Office, Auto Start/Stop function.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

M3 Pure Edition $131,700
New limited edition model from 2011.

Wagon
320i Touring Lifestyle $59,300
See 320i Lifestyle sedan above

320d Touring Lifestyle $62,900
See 320d Lifestyle sedan above

323i Touring Lifestyle $64,100
See 320i Lifestyle sedan above

335i M Sport Touring $11,2600 ($2700 reduction in price)
Gains storage package, extended Bluetooth connectivity, Bluetooth Office and revised dampers (with standard suspension).
Engine is now the twin-scroll single-turbo N55 'TwinPower' engine; fuel consumption improves from 9.3 to 8.7L/100km.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

Coupe
320d $66,500
Gains Servotronic electric power steering, revised dampers and shift paddles for automatic variant.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

325i $80,850 ($4750 reduction in price)
Gains brake energy regeneration, Servotronic electric power steering, extended Bluetooth connectivity, Bluetooth Office, revised dampers, BMW Professional navigation, voice control, High-Beam Assist, adaptive headlights, Hi-Fi loudspeaker system, folding/electrochromatic exterior mirrors and LED light elements.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

330d $95,600
Gains Servotronic electric power steering, extended Bluetooth connectivity, Bluetooth Office and revised dampers.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

335i M Sport $113,750 ($2950 reduction in price)
Gains extended Bluetooth connectivity, Bluetooth Office, revised dampers and new design 19-inch alloy wheels.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

M3 $155,000 ($3300 reduction in price)
Gains extended Bluetooth connectivity and Bluetooth Office.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

M3 Pure Edition $145,000
New limited edition model for 2011

Convertible
320d $79,500
Gains Servotronic electric power steering, revised dampers and shift paddles for automatic variant.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

325i $94,600 ($4800 reduction in price)
See 325i Coupe above

330d $108,700
Gains Servotronic electric power steering, extended Bluetooth connectivity, Bluetooth Office and revised dampers.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

335i M $126,900 ($3000 reduction in price)
Gains extended Bluetooth connectivity, Bluetooth Office, revised dampers (with standard suspension) and new design 19-inch M alloy wheels.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

M3 $173,350 ($3350 reduction in price)
Gains extended Bluetooth connectivity and Bluetooth Office.
New option: Internet connectivity (through paired Bluetooth phone), $200.

Bluetooth Office provides email access and other office functions. Among other functions, the extended Bluetooth and USB connectivity allows the user to view up to 200 photos for entries in the contacts database of the Bluetooth phone.

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