Any well-adjusted top flyer would know that resting on your achievements isn't such a good idea. Likewise, we weren't surprised that barely two years into its new run, the hugely capable 3 Series has been given a once-over.

After all, there's always competition from Mercedes' C-Class, the undeniably competent Audi A4 and at the other end of the spectrum, the Lexus IS, and so on.

Exterior design

BMW aimed for the appearance of the new 3 Series Saloon to be more dynamic and muscular all round. Athletically taut-looking surfaces were an order, and instructions were to endow the overall design with something bursting with performance potential.

Currently, this new model looks as if it's squatting on the asphalt with a new, wider track. BMW claims that the modifications to the front, side and rear were aimed to give a single brushstroke-like effect, as well as emphasising its width.

Starting from the front, arrow-like character lines diverge from the engine compartment lid and the front apron. The enlarged air inlets trace an upward sweep towards the outside. The track of the front axle has been widened by 6 mm, and the rear axle by 24 mm by means of a new wheel carrier.

Its signature double kidney is now deeper and with new, chromed and contoured edges. A more technical-looking headlamp design gives way to more graphically looking signal indicators. In oblique orientation, it seems to contribute to the impression of width.

The corona rings on its headlamps are now used as daytime running lights when used in conjunction with bi-xenons, and with halogen ones, they act as parking lights.

Its side profile is undoubtedly flatter than before, with three main lines. The first one runs back from the front wheels via the side skirt to the rear, where it tapers off just before the rear wheel arches in the surrounding spaces. While present in the outgoing E90, it is now more emphasised, and placed higher up on its sides.

The second one is your "typical" line that gives every BMW its signature character. This one runs from the upper area of the front wheel arches and stretches as far as the rear lights, while the third acts as the supporting shoulder element that blends into the rear.
The side mirrors have been given a new shape now that's noticeably squarer and bulkier than on the previous versions, which shared similar profiles to those on their M models.

The dual section L-shaped rear light clusters take cues from the front headlamps, and are now subdivided in a more horizontal fashion. Needless to say, they utilise LED bulbs.

Twelve paint finishes are available, with the individualisation program now including metallic Space Grey, Bluewater and Tasman colours. There are nine optional light alloy rims, six of which are new designs.

Interior

Whether you love or hate BMW's iDrive, it's still going to be there, and it now has a bigger 8.8-inch screen sitting on the instrument panel. The main dial on the console has been grouped with four buttons that BMW says will simplify overall operation.

A new 80-gigabyte hard drive will also hold all your music files, and can be transferred via means of a CD, USB, or MP3 player. We love the matt-chrome finish on the start/stop button and rotary knobs. BMW letterings on newly designed entry sills are in chrome gloss with steel inserts.

The chrome-surround instruments now feature a finer, more accurate chrono-scale, while the matching iDrive Controller has a smaller control unit, and is supplemented by a few buttons that are grouped around it, allowing better access to the most important menu items.

The central console offers a larger storage compartment that comes with an AUX-IN and power socket, with a special recess for your MP3 player. The ergonomic armrests also appears to have changed, and BMW claims that the operating panel for the window lifts and mirror adjustment has been moved back two centimetres on the driver's side for better access.

As for individualisation options, eleven colours are available for those Dakota leathers, with three new ones on the menu (Oyster, Saddle Brown and Red Brown.) New trims include gloss-finish decor strips in Diamond Black and Space Grey, as well as more traditional finishes like the fine-grain, brushed aluminium and walnut with horizontal grain.

Engines, 2009

As usual, the 306 bhp, 335i will remain the top performing, "non-M" 3 Series that money can buy. It generates that sort of power at 5,800 rpm from 2,979 cubic centimetres of capacity. A maximum torque of 400 Nm is available between 1,300 and 5,000 rpm, and given a promising experience in this car with last year's model, customers can continue to look forward to near-zero levels of turbo lag from the engine's relatively small, twin turbochargers that pressurise three cylinders each.
Performance figures from BMW are pegged at 5.8 seconds for 0-100 km/h acceleration, with a maximum speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). Combined fuel consumption remains at 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres on the EU test cycle.

A 323i and 325i with engine capacities of 2,497 cc, is rated at 190 bhp (5,900 rpm) and 218 bhp at 6,500 rpm respectively. Torque figures work out to be 230 Nm from 3,500-5,000 rpm for the 323i and 250 Nm from 2,750-4,250 rpm for the higher-state-of-tune 325i.

The entry level, four-cylinder 320i remains as the 3 Series staple, with a surprisingly capable 156 bhp at 6,400 rpm and 200 Nm at 3,600 rpm.

All cars are mated to the excellent ZF six-speed automatic transmission that we've perceived to have minimal torque converter slip. An elusive (for now) seven-speed, double-clutch self-shifter might be available, starting with 335i in the future.

BMW's test data suggests that the new transmission, which comes with a sport mode and paddle shifters, will see the 335i hitting 100 km/h 0.1 seconds faster than the manual, and 0.3 seconds faster than the automatic 335i.

Chassis and safety

The new five-link rear axle is a strong, single unit for BMW's high-power, high-torque engines. The front, dual-arm tension strut axle comes with a beefier stabiliser, and is largely made of aluminium. BMW's active steering continues to be an optional.

Six airbags, three-point automatic belts and headrests on all seats, ISOFIX child seat mounts on the rear seats, and crash-active headrests that reduce risk of injury to the cervical spine, are all standard safety items on the new 3 Series.

Part of the active safety items includes new adaptive headlights, which swivel in the direction of the turn, with data being derived from the steering angle, yaw rate and the road speed of the vehicle. At low speeds, a turning light comprising one of the two inside headlamps is activated before each turning manoeuvre.

Well for sure, the new car will continue pulling in the crowd it has been receiving for quite some time, although there's an increased amount of competition from other premium brands. Will it hold its ground then? Find out in the near future, when we get our hands on the new BMW 3 Series.