How often do bmw bodies change?

[bmw3/5]

I am trying to familiarize myself with the bmw world. So, how often does bmw change their body styles exterior/interior? Specifically the 3 and 5 series. Thnks.

 

[Tom]

They do minor updates every two years, but the bigger changes come every 6 years.

 

[bmw3/5]

So what year(s) are the next bigger changes due for both series? and what are considered minor updates?

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

If you go by actual years it's every 6 years as Tom stated, going by model year I believe it's every 7. The E46 was 1999-2005 although the front end on the 99', and 00' models looks substantially different from the say 03' 04' 05' models.

The new 5 series was released in 2004 and the 3 series was just released for 2006. Minor changes are just a few more minor standard features being added or some chrome grills or a spoiler etc...

I think your question is if you buy a 3 or 5 series how long do you have to drive it untill it looks dated? I'd say another 4 years for the 5 series and another 6 for the 3 series, so you have plenty of time to get one and have the satisfaction of driving the newest model out.