Subtle styling updates and an available broad-shouldered diesel power plant put a layer of icing on our favorite entry-level luxury car, the 2009 BMW 3 Series.

• Pros

Near-perfect vehicle dynamics, potent and refined engines, high-quality interior, four body styles, convertible's sleek retractable hardtop.

• What's New for 2009

The 2009 BMW 3 Series sedan and wagon variants receive a variety of mild styling updates as well as a slight increase in rear track width. A redesigned iDrive controller debuts for the optional navigation system, which is now hard-drive-based and features real-time traffic. Later in the model year, the 3 Series sedan gets an optional twin-turbocharged clean-diesel engine. Finally, all-wheel-drive models are now badged xDrive, and a handful of features are new or revised.

Features

• Interior Features
• Front Seats
• Height adjustable driver seat
• Height adjustable passenger seat
• Leatherette
• Bucket front seats
• Rear Seats
• Folding with storage center armrest
• Rear ventilation ducts
• Power Features
• Remote keyless power door locks
• Power mirrors
• Heated mirrors
• 4 one-touch power windows
• Remote window operation
• Instrumentation
• Clock
• Tachometer
• Trip computer
• External temperature display
• Low fuel level warning
• Convenience
• Cruise control
• Front and rear cupholders
• Front door pockets
• Remote trunk release
• Retained accessory power
• Front seatback storage
• Speed-proportional power steering
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• Audio controls on steering wheel
• Comfort
• Interior active charcoal air filter
• Dual zone climate controls - driver and passenger
• Extended cabin heating
• Sun sensor
• Cooled storage compartment
• Trunk light
• Wood trim on center console
• Wood trim on dash
• Wood trim on doors
• Front and rear reading lights
• Leather and alloy steering wheel
• Rear floor mats
• Dual illuminating vanity mirrors
• Memorized settings
• Memorized settings includes audio system
• Memorized settings includes climate control
• In Car Entertainment
• Diversity antenna
• 10 total speakers
• AM/FM stereo
• Auxiliary audio input
• 2 subwoofer(s)
• Radio data system
• Telematics
• Pre-wired for phone
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Features

• Exterior Features
• Roof and Glass
• Variable intermittent rain sensing wipers
• Rear defogger
• Power glass sunroof
• Remote sunroof operation
• Tires and Wheels
• Alloy wheels
• 16 x 7.0 in. wheels
• 205/55R16 tires
• Run flat tires
• Towing and Hauling
• Cargo tie downs
• Safety Features
• 4-wheel ABS
• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Emergency braking assist
• Front and rear ventilated disc brakes
• Rear door child safety locks
• Daytime running lights
• Engine immobilizer
• Front fog/driving lights
• Auto delay off headlamps
• Dusk sensing headlamps
• 2 front headrests
• 3 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Rear center 3-point belt
• Front and rear seatbelt pretensioners
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Emergency interior trunk release
• Rear height adjustable headrests
• Post-collision safety system
• Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
• Emergency braking preparation
• Tire pressure monitoring
• Brake drying