The images below are taken from the 2009 3-series product training manual, prepared by BMW Group University.
Note the "power-dome" like bulge running down the hood. New alloy wheel designs are also available but it is unclear if the same designs will be adopted in our local ASEAN region markets.
Image from OneShift.Headlamp housings now feature a "ribbed structure" for a more 3D-like effect for the turn indicators. Daytime running lights will also make their debut on the 3er.
Tail-lamps gets LED treatment as well. Image from OneShift.
On the interior, all the door panels have been improved with adjustments to their specific placement and angle for greater ergonomics. On the safety front, anti-whiplash injury active headrest will be fitted as standard items.
i-Driver controller have also been improved, with a more intuitive user-interface. This should address many of the gripes users have against the earlier generation i-Drive units.
Earlier this year, when the new MD of BMW Group Malaysia Geoffrey Briscoe came onboard, (replacing Wolfgang Schlimme who has returned to BMW Group AG), he did made some statements suggesting that more diesel variants of BMW models will be introduced. It is quite likely that 330d will be introduced here as well, now that road tax on privately owned diesel cars have been reduced in both Singapore and Malaysia. As for our local fuel quality, well that's another topic altogether. What I can say is that BMW sells far less cars than Toyota. Also, the usage pattern of a Hilux is very different from a Bimmer 3. I guess it's a case of "manageable warranty claims."
Also, owners of diesel powered SCR (selective catalytic reduction) equipped cars need to keep a close eye on their service schedules. The car would not start if the AdBlue tank (BMW calls it DEF - Diesel Exhaust Fluid) runs out of urine, I mean urea. The service interval for DEF module is around 20,000km.
You really have to be a complete idiot to see this on the screen. The on-board computer flashes a warning at T-1000 miles (1600+km) before the AdBlue tank runs dry.
Related link :
BMW 3-series facelift images.
3 comments:
From my experiences BMW Malaysia they managed their warranty pretty well, got a 5 year old e46 gearbox replaced with a new one at no charge without much hassle. But of course you gotta get your Beemer from authorized BMW Malaysia-lah.
correction.
authorized BMW Malaysia dealer-lah
Well I am not casting doubts on BMWs warranty. Warranty is a bit of a risk management area. I know Toyota does not bring its higher end 3.0-litre common rail diesel engines partly due to concerns on our local fuel quality. Some companies who sell less cars might be willing to manage it. There are various ways manufacturers can do to reduce the risks - i.e. lower service intervals, more stringent inspections at lower intervals, etc. But personally I will not be fully confident that these high precision clean diesel engines are suitable for use our local market until a more conservative company like Toyota is willing to OK it. A 0.5% failure rate for a lower volume company might only translate to a couple tens of cases. But for a company that sells 100,000 units a year that is going to be quite a large number of claims.
Post a Comment