[JamieA]

Well sad news (for me)... my company is making me keep my current car for the full 4 year term. We have a 4 year or 80,000km policy, but because of recent events in financial markets, and the need to cut costs wherever they may be, everyone is being made to keep their cars for 4 years regardless of how many km they rack up.

So I have another year to wait now... so this may mean that a 330d is an option again because time will be back on my side, but in 12 months, who knows what will be on the market, and we will be closer to the end of the life of the current 3 series and salivating over early spy pics of the next one I am sure.

Bad timing all round... but I am sure something good will come of it in the long run

[VGR00]

Sorry to hear that Jamie. You must be feling a bit dissapointed. On the bright side, living with your current car for another 12 months wont be a hard thing to do. I'd rather be driving a 10 year old BMW than a 3 year old Holden, Ford or Toyota.

[Chris.G]

Originally Posted by JamieA

Well sad news (for me)... my company is making me keep my current car for the full 4 year term. We have a 4 year or 80,000km policy, but because of recent events in financial markets, and the need to cut costs wherever they may be, everyone is being made to keep their cars for 4 years regardless of how many km they rack up.

So I have another year to wait now... so this may mean that a 330d is an option again because time will be back on my side, but in 12 months, who knows what will be on the market, and we will be closer to the end of the life of the current 3 series and salivating over early spy pics of the next one I am sure.

Bad timing all round... but I am sure something good will come of it in the long run

Don't worry mate! This year has gone by so quick, waiting another year should feel the same. The life cycle part is annoying but a higher engine spec is a plus. You might end up getting a great deal on a 335.

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by vgr02

Sorry to hear that Jamie. You must be feling a bit dissapointed. On the bright side, living with your current car for another 12 months wont be a hard thing to do. I'd rather be driving a 10 year old BMW than a 3 year old Holden, Ford or Toyota.

Thanks, I am disappointed but can't get too caught up in it because really in the large scheme of things with what is starting to happen with other companies in the funds management industry, I would rather lengthen keeping my car than not have a job.

Spot on with your last comment. I would rather keep my car for longer than go into a mass-produced econo box... having driven one around for a while after hitting the kangaroo I was reminded (rather rudely) just how much we take for granted.

Originally Posted by Chris.G

Don't worry mate! This year has gone by so quick, waiting another year should feel the same. The life cycle part is annoying but a higher engine spec is a plus. You might end up getting a great deal on a 335.

Thanks Chris, you have partly read my mind, because I am thinking in a year's time good 335 deals might be on the table, and the 330d will be a proven item... plus an additional year to introduce further running changes and iron out any early iDrive glitches.

[bcoz]

For those interested, BMW Aus has updated their 3 Series web pages to include the new Sedan (2009) & Touring (2009) models.

Although the 330d is included as a Sedan model variant, there is still no pricing for this. The relevant 330d specs are.....

Engine Capacity: 2,993 cc
Maximum Power: 180 kW / 245 bhp / 4,000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 520 Nm / 1,750 rpm

Acceleration 0-100km/h: 6.2 s
Maximum Speed: 250 km/h

Fuel Consumption
City: 8.9 l/100km
Highway: 5.6 l/100km
Combined: 6.8 l/100km

The 3 Series Configurator is still showing the old models/options & prices.

[Androo]

Hey Guys,

Received an email from my accountant yesterday in regards to LCT. I am in this bracket and some of you maybe in the same boat so I guess check with your accountant or look into it further.

Just a couple of paragraphs from the ATO website.

If a contract to purchase or import a luxury car was made before 7.30pm AEST on 13 May 2008, the LCT payable will remain at 25% regardless of when vehicle was delivered.

Suppliers (your BMW dealer)

Must provide a refund to customers of any additional 8% for cars contracted before 13 May 2008 and delivered after July 1st 2008.

It's on the ATO website apparently.

[BMW //MPOWER]

Originally Posted by JamieA

Thanks Chris, you have partly read my mind, because I am thinking in a year's time good 335 deals might be on the table, and the 330d will be a proven item... plus an additional year to introduce further running changes and iron out any early iDrive glitches.

Plus in the next year they may finally bite the bullet and put the damn 3.0ltr I6 into the 325i, i honestly dont' get why the 125i gets it here, not to mention the 325i's everywhere else in the world getting it too...

[JamieA]

Yes, I agree completely with you. I was very disappointed about that the 125i gets the better engine. They put it in the 325i in other markets, including the UK, so it isn't like they have to do any development work, it was just a missed opportunity to get a little performance bump.

In any case my plans may be up in the air now, today I was crashed into by a guy in a Toyota Yaris - on my car's 3rd birthday no less!!! So who knows, it may get written off and I will be driving the spare company car (a Kelvinator white VS Commodore) for 5 months until the new one arrives...

[BMW //MPOWER]

Originally Posted by JamieA

Yes, I agree completely with you. I was very disappointed about that the 125i gets the better engine. They put it in the 325i in other markets, including the UK, so it isn't like they have to do any development work, it was just a missed opportunity to get a little performance bump.

In any case my plans may be up in the air now, today I was crashed into by a guy in a Toyota Yaris - on my car's 3rd birthday no less!!! So who knows, it may get written off and I will be driving the spare company car (a Kelvinator white VS Commodore) for 5 months until the new one arrives...

Sorry to hear that mate, i hope you and all your passengers were alright.

As for the 1st comment, i just don't get the logic behind it, are they intentionally trying to get people to buy the 1er's or something? Also from a simple business perspective it would be costing them more to be using a different engine for one market... unless they were left overs they're trying to get rid of... However if that was the case why wouldn't they just give the 323i a bump up the power spectrum..

[bcoz]

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

As for the 1st comment, i just don't get the logic behind it, are they intentionally trying to get people to buy the 1er's or something? Also from a simple business perspective it would be costing them more to be using a different engine for one market... unless they were left overs they're trying to get rid of... However if that was the case why wouldn't they just give the 323i a bump up the power spectrum..

I read somewhere that the old 2.5L engine is only used in markets where the 323i is sold. And sure enough, apart from Oz, it is still used in Canada, South Africa & Hong Kong (there may be other markets as well). Canada doesn't have a 325i (they've got the 328i, like the US), with both SA & HK having the 323i/325i 2.5L combination like us.

I would guess that it is a deliberate marketing strategy to use this engine in markets where the lower spec'd 6-cyl 323i is sold. I'm amazed that we no longer get a 330i option in Oz. I guess they must have sold a lot more 323s than 330s when it was around, and when they decided to reduce models, they ditched the 330i.

To me, it would make more sense to have 123/125 2.5L models in the 1 series, and 325/330 3.0L models in the 3er.

[BMW //MPOWER]

Originally Posted by bcoz

To me, it would make more sense to have 123/125 2.5L models in the 1 series, and 325/330 3.0L models in the 3er.

Agreed, as ideally i think there should be an option for those of us who want the power output that the previous 330ci's had, however aren't keen on turbo's. I honestly think the Australian line up should be 323i 2.5l, 328i 3.0l, 335i 3.0l tt, because then you have something for everyone, where currently there is just a huge gulf between the 325i and the 335i.

[JamieA]

I agree with everything said, 100%

At the moment it appears that this gulf will be "closed" with the 330d, but a diesel isn't to everyone's tastes... I think they are dumping the "old" 2.5l where they can because apparently the 3.0l version of the 325i arose from emissions restrictions, the 3.0l engine is apparently cleaner than the 2.5l, so I think BMW are trying to maximise their R&D return on markets that haven't caught up with the latest emission standards yet...

[bcoz]

The 3 Series Configurator has finally been updated for the 2009 models.

[BMW 330i]

Does anyone know if the 2009 facelifted E90 headlights (with LED) can fit a 2007 model?
It looks unchanged but aren't sure?

[erko]

Hi folks - first time posting here..

I do *quietly* scour around the main forum to see what sort of mods for the E90 are out there...

Anyway - back on LCI - just received a call from Doncaster BMW that it's arrived in the showroom. Will definately be having a sticky beak..

[bcoz]

Originally Posted by BMW 330i

Does anyone know if the 2009 facelifted E90 headlights (with LED) can fit a 2007 model?
It looks unchanged but aren't sure?

This has been discussed on the main forums (US). One such discussion can be found here.

[BMW //MPOWER]

Originally Posted by bcoz

This has been discussed on the main forums (US). One such discussion can be found here.

I think this is a better link http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183538

[KingClifton]

I saw the 2009 320d and 325i last weekend. The 320d was in Exec trim and a horrid beige - and thus looked very average - but the 325i was in Sport trim with 18s and Space Grey - it looked pretty schmick. In Sport trim, looked more like the E92 coupe and less portly than the stock E90.

The interior has had a few minor changes but it was hard to pick. After having an HSV for the last 2 years I forgot how much smaller the 3-series/A4 size cars are.

I hear 330d is due June/July 2009 (built dates from April 09) with a price around $100K.

[bcoz]

BMW confirms the 330d for Oz but not the pricing. The official media release is Here>>

Some extracts:

BMW will bring an acclaimed new generation 3.0-litre diesel engine to Australia in 2009.

Deliveries of the new BMW 330d Sedan are expected to commence in the second quarter.

The 330d uses a new generation all aluminium high output turbocharged 180 kW six-cylinder engine that develops a substantial 520 Nm of torque.
.....
As a result, the BMW 330d qualifies for the higher Luxury Car Tax threshold of $75,000 before the tax is applied, meaning 330d customers will pay less LCT than those purchasing thirstier vehicles.
.....
Pricing for the BMW 330d will be announced closer to launch.

[BMW 330i]

The Carsales Network announces this year's People's Choice Award winners... And with seven awards between them, Mazda and Toyota are the stars


The winners of this year's People's Choice Awards have been announced by the Carsales Network.

Toyota, Mazda and Holden again took most votes from Australian car buyers, with eight wins among them for the 13 categories.

Toyota defended its position as Australia's favourite maker of both Large and Medium SUVs, with the LandCruiser and LandCruiser Prado each winning their category again this year.

Mazda took a hat-trick of wins among the Light, Small and Medium Car categories, with its popular 2, 3 and 6 models. While the Mazda3 and Mazda6 defended their position as most popular in their categories, the great new Mazda2 model pipped Toyota's Yaris for the top spot in the Light Car category this year.

The Holden Commodore is once again Australia's most popular Large Car, holding out the new Ford Falcon and bigger, better Honda Accord for the prize. It's the sixth year running that the big Aussie sedan has won most buyers' attention!

Volkswagen again won the People's Choice Award for its Eos coupe-convertible in the Sports Car category, after winning it for the first time last year.

The all-new Subaru Forester managed to beat Compact SUV contenders the likes of Honda CR-V for this year's award among a hard-fought category.

Land Rover won the Luxury SUV category for the second consecutive year, though this time with the Discovery 3.

Kia was also a repeat winner with the Carnival/Grand Carnival pairing, taking out the Peoplemover category again this year.

Australia's favourite Luxury Car is again the BMW 3 Series, which attracted most buyer interest this year over the likes of the Lexus IS 250 and an all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Toyota also picked up wins in our Commercial vehicle categories, for both Light Commercial Car with HiLux, and the award for Light Commercial Van with HiAce.

The Carsales Network People's Choice Awards, run by Australia's number one automotive website, carsales.com Ltd, are unique in Australia as the only popular poll of car buyers' favourite vehicles.

Votes are collected from the Carsales Network's wide spectrum of websites, including Australia's number one auto site, carsales.com.au, CarPoint.com.au and Redbook.com.au, as well as leading new car shopping destinations, DiscountNewCars.com.au and PrestigeNewCars.com.au.

From November 1, 2007 to October 31 2008, every time a Carsales Network user placed an enquiry to purchase on one of these sites, the enquiry counted as a vote in the 2008 Carsales Network People's Choice Awards.

[JamieA]

It will be interesting to see how this translates to sales though - I see a lot of the new C Classes getting around these days. I think last time I saw segmented VFACTS information, the C and the 3 were neck and neck.

[mmmmQuattro]

Originally Posted by KingClifton

After having an HSV for the last 2 years I forgot how much smaller the 3-series/A4 size cars are.

No, you mean how much larger the HSV is