Already a Facelift for BMW 3-Series?

As can be seen from these photos, BMW is apparently preparing an early facelift for the 3-series to meet the new Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class which are coming on the market in late 2007. On these pictures of an undisguised test car, one can see the new bumper and also the different shape of the BMW typical ”kidneys” in the front grille. In the beginning the engineers from Bavaria had been driving up and down a mountain road with a disguise over the test car’s front end, but decided to take it off for a short trip afterwards – which is when they got caught by the photographer. Looking closely, the disguise left some white glue marks on the the prototype where it was taped on. Source: Hans G. Lehmann

Marcus - 9/11/2006 3:44:06 PM

+2 Boost

Wow, just what the 3-Series needed,

MORE chunkiness to the front-end.

skoobasam - 9/11/2006 3:44:43 PM

+1 Boost

it looks more aggressive...i guess?

vcowman - 9/11/2006 3:45:22 PM

+1 Boost

sweet

mcouper - 9/11/2006 4:01:09 PM

+2 Boost

Two mufflers? Is this an M3 sedan?

GermanNut - 9/11/2006 4:08:17 PM

+1 Boost

Will, I agree. The rear tailights are the same thing as the tailights on the current E90 sedan.

BMW777 - 9/11/2006 4:14:37 PM

+2 Boost

You guys are nuts. This is not a new refresh, do you remember the High Performance package on the E46? If so you would also remember it had a more aggressive front bumper. The dual tail pipes are because they are making a 335i sedan that will be in dealers in few months, so it will be just like the coupe, not to keep up with the Mercedes or the Audi. Nice try though.

matt635 - 9/11/2006 4:34:46 PM

+1 Boost

Looks like it's had a scrape on the fron wing/door

Jay7 - 9/11/2006 4:42:09 PM

0 Boost

Neutral; I like the current face but this change doesn't hurt.

It's the 5-series that needs lift(particularly the back quarter panel)

1970toyotamarc - 9/11/2006 4:52:05 PM

0 Boost

Now what about the tail lights????

Dante - 9/11/2006 5:52:43 PM

+1 Boost

But didn't they just come out with the coupe?

S4cabriofox - 9/11/2006 6:31:27 PM

+2 Boost

mcouper-

It's a 335i. All 335s will recieve two exhaust pipes-- haven't you seen the coupe?

This looks pretty sweet, though. I may have to consider a 335xi sedan over a 328xi coupe, on looks and performance. But, having a coupe would be pretty cool. I'm torn!

Guys, some of you are very confused-- this is NOT the 3 Series's mid-life facelift, it's been out for less than two years. This IS the new 335 sedan, and because of its new model designation, they wanted to up the style ante a bit. I guarantee you the REAL updated version in one or two years will look different than this.

S4cabriofox - 9/11/2006 6:32:05 PM

0 Boost

Remember when Audi updated the A4 in 2003 (not the 2005.5 B7, but an updated B6), and they made body-colored bumpers and dual exhausts standard? This is pretty much the same thing.

WalterMax - 9/11/2006 6:57:35 PM

0 Boost

Nice try but it's just too much going on in the front of the car.

MB3494 - 9/11/2006 7:06:01 PM

+2 Boost

OK.....

BMW is Refreshing the 330i with the introduction of the new engine, 335i. Also the 328i and xi is coming out in the saloon version.

No this is not a M3 e90 mcouper.

mcouper - 9/11/2006 7:22:08 PM

0 Boost

S4cabriofox,
I hate how the 3er looks, both the sedan and coupe. I was hoping to see a dramatic change, but forgot it was waaaay too early!

audiot - 9/11/2006 7:34:33 PM

+1 Boost

I totally wish the 3-series sedan was more streamlined. The Coupe is exactly right. When they get the sedan looking that way--with the straighter tail-lights--then we'll be in business.

silverarrow2 - 9/11/2006 9:43:25 PM

+2 Boost

Well I don't care whatever it is, one thing for sure these days Bimmer is feeling the pressure in every corner, from the East to the West. It's on!
That is why they had to do something about the 7series, while they were denying all along.
Now if they can do something about that Altima looking 5series.

awsomeaudi - 9/11/2006 10:02:08 PM

+1 Boost

wait....... this isnt the first time i saw that bimmer i mean i saw it just today same color when i was going to pick my son up from school the only diff is the wheels

audirevolution - 9/11/2006 10:06:05 PM

+2 Boost

It is NOT a facelift. It is most likely the new 335i sedan that is coming up. Why would they do a facelift anyway? It just barely came out, and IMO it is better looking than the new G35 and performs a lot better.

vitalichaconne - 9/11/2006 10:43:41 PM

+1 Boost

it would either be a 335i or a m3 sedan in testing but im pretty sure its not a face lift....although it would be nice to have one....=)

Baapo - 9/11/2006 11:12:29 PM

+1 Boost

Look more like an working model for the M3 sedan...

Regardless, all generations of the 3 series go through minor facelift over the years; just look at the last generation...

breh760li - 9/12/2006 1:05:56 AM

+1 Boost

disguised or broke bmw 3 series????? haha! look closely.

BrandonS - 9/12/2006 1:10:47 AM

+1 Boost

The lead for this page is wrong. New A4 will not be facelifted in 2007. Also, BMW should work on strengthening the rear of the car. The new body is new and well enough to leave the lights more traditional without playing with trapezoidal shapes (i.e. white reverse lights).

vabeachs2k2003 - 9/12/2006 3:32:41 AM

+1 Boost

I was just taking a quick glance at the front end of this car and it reminds me of a late 90's Pontiac GrandAm. I would hope this is not the direction they are going.

Just my thoughts...

Mark - 9/12/2006 7:17:45 AM

+1 Boost

Serious question: Why come out with a new facelift for the 3 Series now? The coupe just came out and it has a nicer looking (IMO) front grill than the sedan.

Whether or not it's the 335, I just don't see why they are bringing out this minor change this soon.

MPowerDK - 9/12/2006 2:24:55 PM

+2 Boost

I just saw the coupe to day, and that car is so nice and elegant, the sedan should have had the same front and maybe the backlights.

Mazman - 9/12/2006 4:24:26 PM

+1 Boost

Looks like an M-Sport Package front end. BMW offered that package in Canada and Europe on the E46 Sedan. More likely will be a 335i exclusive option.

Matthew1 - 9/13/2006 2:55:58 AM

+1 Boost

My guess is the 335i will be the sportiest 3-series model below the M3, so of course it will have distinguishable styling features.

It's in the same vein as the Audi S6.

And it's not a re-fresh OR a facelift, its just a sportier-looking bumper to suit the character of the 335i.

IS it that hard to understand?

DarkOneForce - 9/13/2006 11:03:23 AM

+1 Boost

This could be the 335 Si.

JRobUSC - 9/13/2006 11:52:24 AM

+1 Boost

what's the big deal? The only thing that looks any different on the front end is slightly larger and differently shaped holes where the foglights usually are. There's hardly any change and all it does is make the front look slightly more aggressive. If anything they look similar to what's on the 2007 G35, and no one seems to be complaining about that car. I swear, it's amazing how negative people on here can be just because it's BMW that's doing it.

Matthew1 - 9/14/2006 1:37:29 AM

+1 Boost

The grille hasn't been raised.

Only the bumper is different, and the way it integrates into the grille.

the fact the headlights are still identical to the current car shows this is no face-lift.

lewissalem - 9/15/2006 1:46:40 PM

+1 Boost

I was hoping they'd make the taillights look like the coupes, but oh well. I still want one.