BMW 3 Series (E90)


The fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series consists of the BMW E90, BMW E91, BMW E92 and BMW E93 compact executive cars. The E90/E91/E92/E93 was produced from December 2004 to 2013 and is often collectively referred to as the E90 or E9x.
The E9x was the first 3 Series sold with a turbocharged petrol engine. The E9x family also saw the introduction of run-flat tyres to the 3 Series range. Cars with run-flats are not equipped with a spare tyre.
The E90/E92/E93 M3 is the only generation of M3 to be powered by a V8 engine. Introduced in 2007, it uses the BMW S65 naturally aspirated V8 engine and was produced in sedan, coupe and convertible body styles.
Following the introduction of the F30/F31 3 Series in February 2012, the E90/E91 sedans and wagons were phased out. However, the E92/E93 coupes and convertibles remained in production through the 2013 model year, after which they were replaced by the F32/F33 4 Series models.

Development and launch

The design for the fifth generation 3 Series was frozen in mid-2002, approximately 30 months before the start of production. The sedan and wagon were designed by Joji Nagashima. Marc Michael Markefka designed the coupé and convertible.
The range was introduced in March 2005 for MY2006 with the sedan and wagon body styles. The coupé was introduced in 2006 and the convertible was introduced in 2007, both for MY2007.

Body styles

Sedan (E90)

The sedan model was the first model sold of the E90/E91/E92/E93 3 series, being launched on 5 March 2005 for the 2006 model year. Production continued until a facelift revision was made for the 2009 model year. Production of the E90 concluded after the 2011 model year, succeeded by the F30 for 2012.

Touring (E91)

The E91 wagon/estate models were marketed as 'Touring' in Europe and 'Sports Wagon' in the North America. Optional equipment included a panoramic sunroof, which extends to the rear passenger area. Trim levels typically were similar to the E90 sedan, however the M3 wasn't produced in the wagon body style.
Several markets outside Europe only offered a small subset of models in the wagon body style. In the United States and Canada, the only wagon model available prior to 2007 was the 325xi, and then the 328i and 328xi from 2007 onwards.

Coupé (E92)

In August 2006, one year after the sedan was introduced, the E92 coupé body style was unveiled.
Compared with previous generations of the 3 Series, the coupé has more external styling differences to the sedan models. These include the tail-light design, more steeply angled headlights and smaller side windows. As per its E46 predecessor, the doors of the coupe are longer and have frameless door windows, the rear seat holds two passengers with a rear centre console tray and the front seatbelts are on motorised arms that extend from the B-pillar to hand the seatbelts to the driver and/or passenger.
The E92 was the last generation to include coupé body styles as a part of the 3 Series range. For later generations, these body styles are marketed as the 4 Series. Despite the E90/E91 being phased out for the F30/F31 after the 2011 model year, the E92/E93 continued through the 2013 model year. It was then succeeded by the F32/F33 for the 2014 model year.

Convertible (E93)

The E93 convertible was BMW's first model to use a retractable hardtop, instead of the cloth roof as previously used. The E93 was one of first retractable hardtops in its price range. The "Comfort Access" option allows the roof to be raised and lowered using the key fob. The E93's side windows are 30 percent larger than its E46 convertible predecessor, resulting in a 38 percent increase in visibility.
The BMW 3 Series convertible was often priced higher than direct rivals, however reviewers have praised its passenger/boot space, driving dynamics, weight and chassis rigidity.

Engines

Petrol

Official specifications are as follows:
ModelYearsEnginePowerTorque
316i2005–2013N45B16
inline-4
316i2007–2013N43B16
inline-4
318i2005–2007N46B20
inline-4
318i2007–2013N46B20
inline-4
318i2007–2013N43B20
inline-4
320i2005–2007N46B20
inline-4
320i2007–2011N46B20
inline-4
320i2007–2013N43B20
inline-4
320si2005–2007N45B20
inline-4
323i2005–2007N52B25
inline-6
323i2007–2013N52B25
inline-6
325i2005–2007N52B25
inline-6
325i2007–2013N53B30
inline-6
328i2007–2013N52B30
inline-6
330i2005–2007N52B30
inline-6
330i2007–2013N52B30
inline-6
330i2007–2013N53B30
inline-6
335i2006–2009N54B30
twin-turbocharged inline-6
335i2009–2013N55B30
turbocharged inline-6
335is2011–2013N54B30
twin-turbocharged inline-6
M32007–2013S65B40 V8
M3 GTS2010–2011S65B44 V8

Since the following generation of 3 Series used turbocharged engines for the entire model range, the E90/E91/E92/E93 was the last 3 Series to be available with a naturally aspirated engine.
In some areas of the United States, the 328i was powered by the BMW N51 inline-six engine and sold as a SULEV model.

Diesel

Suspension

At the front, MacPherson struts with an aluminum hub carrier and aluminum dual lower links forming a virtual pivot point are used. This design was previously used on all 5, 7 and 8 series BMW models.
The rear suspension is a 5-link Multi-link suspension, with fabricated steel subframe, fabricated steel control arms, and cast iron carrier. This design is designated "HA 5" by BMW.

Equipment

Optional features include Xenon headlamps, automatic climate control, parking sensors, power-adjustable seats, satellite navigation, glass sunroof, heated front seats, Bluetooth and USB audio input.
Optional equipment could be ordered individually or combined into packages. Optional interior colours, known as BMW Individual, were also available at extra cost.
The contents of the 'Premium Package' varies according to model year and market. It included items such as leather seats with power adjustments, memory seat function, lumbar support, auto-dimming mirrors, a digital compass, auto-folding exterior mirrors, BMW Assist w/Bluetooth, and universal garage opener.
The 'Cold Weather Package' includes headlight washers, heated front seats and split/folding rear seats with a ski bag.
The 'Sports Package' includes a leather 3-prong sports steering wheel, sports front seats, 18-inch wheels, sports suspension and an increase in the speed limiter to.
The 'Technology Package' includes iDrive, navigation, keyless entry, selectable driving modes, HD radio and Electronic Damping Control.

M3 model

The M3 model was powered by the BMW S65 V8 engine and produced in sedan, coupe and convertible body styles.

Alpina models

The Alpina B3 and D3 models were based on the E90/E91/E92/E93. The B3 was powered by turbocharged 6-cylinder petrol engine and the D3 was powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine.

Special Editions

320si

To satisfy homologation requirements for the FIA World Touring Car Championship, BMW built 2600 units of the 320si.

335is

The 335is was produced in coupé and convertible models for the North American market. Its position in the model lineup was between the regular 335i and the M3, and approximately 4,500 units were produced. The 335is uses a higher performance version of the N54 engine, which increases boost from. This results in and of torque, plus an overboost function raises torque to for up to 7 seconds.
Transmission options were a 7-speed double clutch transmission with launch control or a 6-speed manual transmission. The manual transmission has an upgraded clutch compared to the regular 335i.
Other changes compared to the 335i include stiffer engine mounts, a higher-flow exhaust system, an upgraded cooling system, a different steering wheel, sport seats and "335is" badging on dash and in the instrument cluster. Exterior differences are larger air openings in the front bumper, a rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser-style piece, black kidney grills, and 18-inch or 19-inch "Style 313" wheels.

Model year changes

2008 Facelift (LCI)

In September 2008, the facelift versions of the sedan and wagon were released for the 2009 model year. Compared to typically subtle BMW LCI changes, these changes were relatively extensive.
Mechanical changes included an increase in rear track of for some models, a power increase for the 320d from and the N57 engine replacing the M57 for the 330d model.
Styling changes included front and rear bumpers, wing mirrors, headlights, taillights, boot lid, wider kidney grilles and revised crease lines for the bonnet.
The new 2009 - 2011 facelift AWD models became known as "xDrive" models, unlike the previous 2006-2008 AWD models, which were labeled as "xi" models. The new xDrive models received xDrive badges on the bumper and both the right and left sides right below the side marker lamps.
For the interior, crash-activated head restraints were added to the front seats, the optional "Professional" navigation system was updated, iDrive was updated and the resolution of the display was increased.

2010

For the 2010 model year, the Sport, Lifestyle and Exclusive Edition were introduced for sedan and wagon models. The 316d wagon model was added, as was the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition sedan.
Mechanical changes included compliance with the EU5 emission standard, EU6 emission compliance for the 320d and 330d models, power increases for the 318d, 320d, 325d and 330d models, the N54 engine in the 335i being replaced by N55 engine, and additional features for BMW ConnectedDrive.

Safety

Adult Occupant:
Child Occupant:
Pedestrian:

The Euro NCAP noted the poor pedestrian protection awarding 4 points out of 36, reporting the 3 Series was "very disappointing" in this measure.

IIHS

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the 3 Series a "Good" overall rating in both the frontal and side impact crash tests. The 3 Series received "Good" marks in all six of the frontal crash test categories, and "Good" marks in six of the nine categories in the side impact test. The IIHS also gave the 3 Series the Top Safety Pick award. The convertible is rated "Marginal" in side impacts, making the 3 Series convertible the lowest rated vehicle currently sold in its class in IIHS tests.
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Rear Driver:
Side Rear Passenger:
Rollover:

Recalls

In November 2017, BMW recalled 672,000 3 Series cars from model years 2006–11 with climate control system electronic components at risk of overheating, due to a faulty blower motor.

Production

In 2002, Norbert Reithofer and Development Chief Burkhard Goeschel started an initiative to halve the time it took to reach full production of the next generation 3 Series from six months to three.
The E90 was produced in Germany and in South Africa. Local assembly of complete knock-down kits was used for cars sold in China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and Russia.
The production dates for each body style are as follows:
First marketed in March 2005, the car quickly became BMW Group's best-selling car worldwide, and by the end of the year 229,900 vehicles had been delivered.
The BMW E90 series was the best-selling luxury car in Canada and the United States. The 2006 E90 marked the 15th consecutive year that the 3 Series was named on Car and Driver's 10Best.
Units sold according to BMW's annual reports:
YearTotalSedan E90Wagon E91Coupé E92Convertible E93Notes
2005256,981229,93227,049--Sedan launched in March, wagon introduced in September.
2006463,820336,232105,48322,105-Coupé introduced in September.
2007555,135310,194102,39989,57252,970Convertible launched in March.
2008474,208246,23193,19179,24855,538
2009397,103219,85084,60154,85237,800
2010399,009242,83174,00846,35835,812
2011384,464240,27972,05439,33232,799
2012112,707-59,14429,52524,038F30 Sedan launched.
201332,658--15,24017,418F30 Touring launched in autumn 2012.
Total3,076,0851,825,549617,929376,232256,375

Motorsports

BMW WTCC works driver Andy Priaulx won the 2006 and 2007 World Touring Car Championships in the 320si E90, and four other drivers achieved over 35 wins in the championship.
The E90 320si was used by several teams in the British Touring Car Championship. The 2009 BTCC Drivers Championship was won by Colin Turkington using the E90 320si.
The E92 Art Car entered the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans race, with Andy Priaulx, Dirk Müller and Dirk Werner driving the number 78 car which failed to complete the race.

Awards