Market Segment:
Compact Executive Sports Coupe
Positioning:
Premium, performance-oriented, sporty coupe with advanced technology and all-wheel drive capability.
Key Competitors:
Audi A5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, Infiniti G37 Coupe, Lexus IS Coupe (though less direct).
Driving Dynamics:
Renowned BMW handling, balanced chassis, responsive steering, and the added traction of xDrive.
Design:
Sleek, timeless coupe styling with the distinctive BMW kidney grille and Hofmeister kink.
Powertrain:
Smooth and powerful inline-six engine paired with a sophisticated automatic transmission.
Interior Quality:
High-quality materials, driver-focused cockpit, and comfortable seating for four.
Instrument Cluster:
Includes detailed explanations of all gauges, warning lights, and indicator symbols.
Driver Controls:
Covers operation of steering wheel controls, climate control, infotainment system, seat adjustments, lighting, and wipers.
Infotainment System:
Details on iDrive system, navigation, audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB/Auxiliary inputs.
Climate Control:
Explains manual and automatic climate control functions, air conditioning, heating, and defrosting.
Safety Systems:
Information on airbags, seatbelts, ABS, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
Lighting System:
Operation of headlights, taillights, interior lighting, fog lights, and adaptive headlights (if equipped).
Wipers Washers:
Operation of front and rear wipers, washer systems, and rain sensor functionality.
Locks Windows:
Operation of central locking, power windows, and sunroof.
Fuel System:
Fuel filler door operation, fuel recommendations, and fuel economy information.
Wheels Tires:
Tire pressure recommendations, spare tire/tire repair kit information, and wheel specifications.
Driving Operations:
Starting and stopping the engine, gear selection, parking brake, cruise control.
Emergency Procedures:
Information on what to do in case of a breakdown, towing, jump-starting, and using hazard lights.
Maintenance Schedules:
Recommended service intervals for oil changes, filter replacements, brake checks, and other routine maintenance.
Basic Checks:
Instructions for checking fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid), tire pressure, and lights.
Tire Pressure Monitoring:
Explanation of the TPMS system and how to reset it after pressure adjustments.
Jump Starting:
Step-by-step guide for safely jump-starting the vehicle.
Changing A Tire:
Instructions for changing a flat tire using the provided tools.
Refueling:
Correct procedure for opening the fuel filler door and selecting the correct fuel type.
Fuse Replacement:
Location and identification of fuse boxes and procedures for replacing blown fuses.
Wiper Blade Replacement:
Instructions for replacing worn wiper blades.
Adjusting Mirrors:
How to adjust interior and exterior mirrors for optimal visibility.
Depth Level:
Comprehensive Owner Information
Focus:
Operation, features, basic maintenance, and troubleshooting for the owner.
NHTSA Front Impact:
5-Star Rating
NHTSA Side Impact:
5-Star Rating
IIHS Top Safety Pick:
Yes
Stability Control:
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Traction Control:
Automatic Stability Control and Traction (ASC+T)
Braking System:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Brake Fade Compensation.
All Wheel Drive:
xDrive AWD System
Airbags:
Front airbags, front side-impact airbags, front and rear head protection system (side curtain airbags).
Seatbelts:
Three-point inertia-reel seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters.
Child Seat Anchors:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system.
Tire Pressure Monitoring:
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Infotainment System:
BMW iDrive system with a central control knob and display.
Display Size:
8.8-inch color display.
Audio System:
Standard BMW Professional Radio with CD player, MP3 capability, and AUX input. Optional Harman Kardon surround sound system.
Adaptive Headlights:
Optional Xenon Adaptive Headlights that swivel with steering input.
Parking Assistance:
Optional Park Distance Control (PDC) with front and rear sensors.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control system.
Bluetooth:
Optional Bluetooth mobile phone integration with USB audio interface.
Usb Aux:
Standard AUX input, optional USB audio interface.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 15,000 miles or 12 months, based on BMW's Condition Based Service (CBS) system, which monitors driving conditions. However, manual recommends checking oil level regularly between services.
Brake Fluid Change:
Recommended every 2 years.
Coolant Change:
BMW Long-Life Coolant, typically replaced at major service intervals or as indicated by CBS.
Air Filter Replacement:
Recommended every 30,000 miles or as indicated by CBS.
Cabin Filter Replacement:
Recommended every 15,000 miles or annually.
Spark Plug Replacement:
Typically around 60,000 miles for the N52 engine.
Engine Oil Type:
BMW Long-Life 01 (LL-01) or Long-Life 04 (LL-04) approved synthetic oil, typically 5W-30 or 0W-30.
Engine Oil Capacity:
6.5 US quarts (6.2 liters) with filter change.
Coolant Type:
BMW Blue Long-Life Coolant (Ethylene Glycol based).
Transmission Fluid Type:
BMW ATF 6 (Dexron VI compatible) for automatic transmission.
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 4 P
Power Steering Fluid Type:
BMW Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin CHF 11 S or equivalent).
Common Issues Engine:
Oil leaks from valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, and oil pan gasket. Potential for the water pump and thermostat to fail (often electric components).
Common Issues Cooling System:
Plastic coolant expansion tank can become brittle and crack. Electric water pump failure.
Common Issues Electronics:
Idrive system glitches, sensor failures (e.g., ABS sensors, camshaft position sensors).
Common Issues Suspension:
Wear in control arm bushings, sway bar links, and ball joints due to age and mileage.
Common Issues Interior:
Creaks and rattles from interior trim, wear on leather seats, and malfunctioning seat motors.
Brand Reputation:
BMW has a long-standing reputation for building sporty, driver-focused luxury vehicles with excellent engineering.
E92 Introduction:
The E92 generation of the 3 Series Coupe was introduced in 2006 as a replacement for the E46 Coupe.
E92 Design:
Characterized by a more sculpted and aggressive design compared to its predecessor, featuring a longer hood and shorter overhangs.
E92 Powertrain Updates:
The 328i model transitioned from the E46's M54 engine to the N52 inline-six, offering improved performance and efficiency.
Production Years E92:
2006-2013
Manufacturing Location:
Mainly Dingolfing, Germany.