DecodedCars2009 BMW 3 Series
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 323i/328i 4dr Sedan RWD, 335i 4dr Sedan RWD, Cabriolet 328i RWD, Cabriolet 335i RWD
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 230–300 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Diesel, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 27 combined · 23 city / 36 hwy
- Length
- 178.3–180.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,274–3,946 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 22% better than the average 2009 compact car (22.2 MPG).
- Strong performanceUp to 300 hp, versus about 236 hp for similar 2009 models.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 12 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 BMW 3 Series is a compact car offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 178 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,274 lb (323i/328i 4dr Sedan RWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (23 city / 36 highway), 22% better than the 2009 compact car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2009
- New diesel version
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 27
Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 3 Series →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Rosslyn, South Africa · Regensburg, Germany · Munich, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2009 3 Series configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 323i/328i 4dr Sedan RWD | 178.3 in | 71.7 in | 55.9 in | 108.7 in | 59.1 / 59.4 in | 3,274 lb | 50/50 |
| 335i 4dr Sedan RWD | 178.3 in | 71.7 in | 55.9 in | 108.7 in | 59.1 / 59.4 in | 3,594 lb | 50/50 |
| Cabriolet 328i RWD | 180.7 in | 70.1 in | 54.3 in | 108.7 in | 59.1 / 59.1 in | 3,792 lb | 47/53 |
| Cabriolet 335i RWD | 180.7 in | 70.1 in | 54.3 in | 108.7 in | 59.1 / 59.1 in | 3,946 lb | 47/53 |
| Coupe 328i RWD | 180.7 in | 70.1 in | 54.3 in | 108.7 in | 59.1 / 58.7 in | 3,351 lb | 50/50 |
| Coupe 335i RWD | 180.7 in | 70.1 in | 54.3 in | 108.7 in | 58.7 / 59.1 in | 3,572 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 335d Diesel | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 36 / 27 | +22% | $3,550 | 377 |
| 328ci | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 22 | +2% | $3,750 | 404 |
| 328i | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 22 | -1% | $3,750 | 404 |
| 328ci | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 21 | -3% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 328ci Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -3% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 328i | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 21 | -5% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 328i Sport Wagon | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | -11% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 328ci Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 20 | -7% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 328ci xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -7% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 328ci xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -7% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 335ci | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -7% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 335ci | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -7% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 335ci Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -7% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 335ci Convertible | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -7% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 335ci xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -7% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 328i xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -10% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 328i xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -10% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 335i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -10% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 335i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -10% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 335i xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -10% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 328i Sport Wagon | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 20 | -15% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 328i Sport Wagon xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -15% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 328i Sport Wagon xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -15% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 335ci xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | -12% | $4,350 | 468 |
| 335i xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | -14% | $4,350 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 BMW 3 Series under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 BMW 3 Series (this car) | 27 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2009 Audi A4 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2009 Audi A5 | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Volvo S60 | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2009 Audi S4 | 16 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (Pcv) · Mar 2, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
- Fix
- This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Not every 2009 BMW 3 Series is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 BMW 3 Series buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 14 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 5 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Electrical System — 5 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 78,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 BMW 3 Series. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 3 Series years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 3 Series | 31 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 3 Series | 31 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 3 Series | 29 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 3 Series | 29 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 3 Series | 30 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 3 Series | 30 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 3 Series | 30 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 3 Series | 30 | 190.2 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 3 Series | 36 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 3 Series | 36 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 3 Series | 35 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 3 Series | 36 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →