01 · Überblick
Four body styles and one V8
The E90 model line replaced the E46 in spring 2005, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. The design was created under the direction of Chris Bangle, with the actual design by Joji Nagashima.
The first model was the E90 Sedan, launched on 5 March 2005. The E91 Touring followed in September 2005, the E92 Coupé in July 2006, and the E93 Convertible in March 2007. Coupé and Convertible are four-seaters, Sedan and Touring five-seaters. The Coupé differs visually much more from the Sedan than in the predecessor: smaller side windows, different front headlights, wider tail lights in BMW’s typical L-shape.
Two innovations define the model line’s interior: the driver-oriented cockpit gave way to a straight dashboard, and for the first time in the 3 Series, an iDrive system was used to control navigation, climate control and audio.
At the top stands the M3 with a newly designed V8. It appeared in autumn 2007 initially only as a Coupé, followed in spring 2008 by the four-door Sedan and the Convertible. The S65B40 revs to over 8,000 rpm — it is the last naturally aspirated engine in an M3, after which came forced induction.
02 · Historie
Eight years of the 3 Series
From the Sedan in 2005 to the last M3 in July 2013.
- 03/2005 Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. The E90 Sedan reaches the market on 5 March.
- 09/2005 The E91 Touring follows.
- 2006 The 320si appears as a homologation model for the World Touring Car Championship, limited to 2,600 units. The Coupé E92 arrives in July.
- 03/2007 The E93 Convertible completes the model line.
- 2007 The M3 with the newly designed V8 appears in autumn, initially only as a Coupé.
- 2008 In spring, the M3 range is expanded with the four-door Sedan, followed by the Convertible.
- 2013 Production ends in July. Successors are the F30 and F31, with the Coupé becoming the 4 Series F32.
03 · Modellübersicht
The models of the E9x family
An overview of the range of four body styles E90, E91, E92 and E93. The figures are compiled from the overviews on the four body style pages; there, they are listed in detail with all trim levels and production periods. Not every model was available in every body style — the 335is, for example, only as a Coupé and Convertible, the 320si only as a Sedan.
Quelle: Werks- und Literaturangaben · geprüft
Technische Daten anzeigen — komplette Modellmatrix
| Modell | Motor | Hubraum | Leistung | Bauzeit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318i | N46B20, ab 09/2007 N43B20 | 1.995 cm³ | 129 PS (95 kW), ab 09/2007 143 PS (105 kW) | 2005–2011 |
| 320i | N46B20, ab 09/2007 N43B20 | 1.995 cm³ | 150 PS (110 kW) | 03/2005–10/2011 |
| 320si | Vierzylinder | 1.995 cm³ | 173 PS (127 kW) | 2006, limited to 2,600 units |
| 325i | N52B25 | 2.497 cm³ | 218 PS (160 kW) | 03/2005–09/2007 |
| 330i | N52B30 | 2.996 cm³ | 258 PS (190 kW) | 03/2005–09/2007 |
| 335i | N54B30 | 2.979 cm³ | 306 PS (225 kW), 400 Nm from 1,300 rpm | 2006–03/2010 |
| 335is | N54B30 | 2.979 cm³ | 320 hp (235 kW), overboost up to 502 Nm | from spring 2010 |
| 318d | N47D20 | 1.995 cm³ | 143 PS (105 kW) | ab 09/2007 |
| 320d | M47TU2D20 | 1.995 cm³ | 163 PS (120 kW) | 03/2005–2007 |
| 325d | M57TU2D30 UL | 2.993 cm³ | 197 PS (145 kW) | 2006–03/2010 |
| 330d | M57TU2D30 OL | 2.993 cm³ | 231 PS (170 kW) | 2005–09/2008 |
| 335d | M57TU2D30 TOP | 2.993 cm³ | 286 PS (210 kW), automatic only | 2006–2011 |
| M3 | S65B40 | 3.999 cm³ | 420 PS (309 kW) at 8,300 rpm | 09/2007–07/2013 |
04 · Karosserievarianten
Karosserievarianten
Sedan (E90)
Market launch on 5 March 2005, five-seater. The first model of the line.
Touring (E91)
From September 2005, five-seater. At BMW, the estate has been called Touring since the E30.
Coupé (E92)
From July 2006, four-seater. Visually set apart from the Sedan much more clearly than in the E46: smaller side windows, different front headlights, wider L-shaped tail lights.
Convertible (E93)
From March 2007, four-seater, with retractable hardtop.
05 · Motoren
The S65 — the last naturally aspirated engine in the M3
The M3's V8 is the only eight-cylinder engine BMW ever built for an M3, and at the same time the model line's last naturally aspirated engine.
S65B40 · 3.999 cm³ · 420 PS — M3 geprüft
Eight-cylinder V-engine with 3,999 cc. 420 PS at 8,300 rpm and 400 Nm at 3,900 — the rated output thus sits higher in the rev range than in any other M3 engine. Zero to a hundred in 4.9 seconds, official consumption 12.4 litres, curb weight 1,680 kilograms. Built from September 2008 to July 2013.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Bauart | Eight-cylinder V-engine, naturally aspirated |
| Hubraum | 3.999 cm³ |
| Leistung | 309 kW (420 PS) at 8,300 rpm |
| Drehmoment | 400 Nm at 3,900 rpm |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,9 s |
| Verbrauch | 12,4 l/100 km |
| Leergewicht | 1.680 kg |
| Bauzeit | 09/2008–07/2013 |
Wikipedia DE data table on the E90 model line
2.996 cm³ · 218 PS — 325i geprüft
The classic six-cylinder petrol engine of the first series. 218 PS at 6,500 rpm, 250 Nm between 2,750 and 4,250, zero to a hundred in 7.0 seconds, top speed 245 km/h. As the 325xi with all-wheel drive, 7.5 seconds and 242 km/h at 1,615 instead of 1,505 kilograms.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Hubraum | 2.996 cm³ |
| Leistung | 160 kW (218 PS) at 6,500 rpm |
| Drehmoment | 250 Nm at 2,750–4,250 rpm |
| 0–100 km/h | 7,0 s (325xi: 7,5 s) |
| Höchstgeschwindigkeit | 245 km/h (325xi: 242 km/h) |
| Leergewicht | 1.505 kg (325xi: 1.615 kg) |
| Bauzeit | 01/2005–08/2007 |
Wikipedia DE data table on the E90 model line
2,979 cc with two turbochargers — 335i plausibel
The 335i closed the gap to the M3 with twin-turbo forced induction. It was the first turbocharged petrol engine in the 3 Series since the 2002 turbo — and the car with which BMW reintroduced turbocharging into the volume line.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Bauart | Inline six-cylinder with twin-turbo forced induction |
| Hubraum | 2.979 cm³ |
| Einordnung | closes the gap between the 330i and the M3 |
Wikipedia DE on the E90 model line; please check the exact output figure by model year against the vehicle registration document
06 · Schwachstellen
Reliability & Weak Points
- With the M3’s S65, the connecting rod bearing shells are the well-known issue. A car without proof of replacement is a calculable but expensive risk.
- The N43 in the 320i from 2007 works with stratified charge. Injectors and NOx sensors are the typical cost items, along with ignition coils.
- With the 335i and the early N54, the high-pressure pump and injectors are known weak points. Later N55 engines are less problematic here.
- In the E93 Convertible, the top hydraulics and the water drains are wear points. Moisture in the boot is a warning sign.
- Rust is not a mass issue in this generation, but does occur on the rear wheel arches and at the exhaust tips, especially on early-built cars.
07 · Technik
Four body styles, two characters
Cockpit and controls
The 320si as a homologation model
Turbo and xDrive
The last naturally aspirated M3
Technische Daten — Achsübersetzungen & Getriebe
- Body styles
- Sedan (E90), Touring (E91), Coupé (E92), Convertible (E93)
- Seats
- Sedan and Touring five, Coupé and Convertible four
- Design
- under Chris Bangle, design by Joji Nagashima
- Controls
- iDrive for the first time in the 3 Series, straight dashboard instead of driver-oriented cockpit
- All-wheel drive
- xDrive for 325xi, 330xi, 335xi, 320xd and 330xd
- Homologation model
- 320si, limited to 2,600 units
- M3 engine
- S65B40, 3,999 cc V8, 420 PS at 8,300 rpm, 400 Nm at 3,900 rpm
- M3 curb weight
- 1,680 kg
- Production period
- spring 2005 to July 2013
08 · Topmodelle
Topmodelle
Four body styles, two limited series and three race cars. Each has its own subpage.
M3 (E90/E92/E93)
The only V8 M3: 420 PS, three body styles, basis for the GTS and CRT.
Zur Unterseite →
E90 Sedan
2005 to 2011, World Car of the Year 2006. With over 1.8 million units, the model line's most-built body style.
Zur Unterseite →
E91 Touring
2005 to 2012. 460 to 1,385 litres of load capacity — and the only body style in the model line for which there was no M3.
Zur Unterseite →
E92 Coupé
2006 to 2013, built exclusively in Regensburg. Basis for the M3, M3 GTS, GT2, GT4 and the DTM race car.
Zur Unterseite →
E93 Convertible
2007 to 2013. The first BMW ever with a retractable hardtop — three-piece, made of steel, open in 22 seconds.
Zur Unterseite →
M3 GTS
2010, 150 or 135 units. 4.4 litres instead of 4.0, 450 PS, 305 km/h, roll bar and fire extinguisher fitted from the factory.
Zur Unterseite →
M3 CRT
2011, 67 units. The only M3 with the 4.4-litre V8 and four doors, with a carbon bonnet and aramid honeycomb core.
Zur Unterseite →
M3 GT2
Factory race car 2009 to 2012. Overall win at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring in 2010, five titles in the American Le Mans Series.
Zur Unterseite →
M3 GT4
Customer racing car, orderable ready-to-race from February 2009 for €120,000 net.
Zur Unterseite →
M3 DTM
BMW's return to the DTM in 2012 after twenty years — and all three titles in the first year alone.
Zur Unterseite →
09 · M GmbH
The M3 with the V8
The M3 of this generation appeared in autumn 2007 initially only as a Coupé. In spring 2008, the four-door notchback was added, followed by the Convertible. This made the M3 available as a Sedan for the first time since the E36 — and never again in this form afterwards.
The engine is the newly designed S65B40: an eight-cylinder V-engine with 3,999 cc, 420 PS at 8,300 rpm and 400 Nm at 3,900. Zero to a hundred takes 4.9 seconds, curb weight is 1,680 kilograms.
Two things make the car historic: it is the only V8 an M3 has ever had, and the last naturally aspirated engine in the model line. The successor F80 came with turbocharging.
10 · Motorsport
Tourenwagen-Weltmeisterschaft
BMW entered the model line in the World Touring Car Championship. The homologation basis was the 320si, a production model with a two-litre four-cylinder engine, created specifically for this purpose and limited to 2,600 units.
The pattern is an old one at BMW: a production car is created so that a race car may compete. In the E30 it was the M3, here it is the 320si — except that the 320si remained an inconspicuous four-cylinder in everyday use, which is why to this day it is barely recognised as what it actually is.
11 · Kaufberatung
What matters: engine choice and documentation
Today the E90 is an affordable car in all variants except the M3. That is exactly where the trap lies: running costs differ more between the engines than the purchase prices do.
For the M3, request the history of the connecting rod bearing shell replacement. Without proof, the replacement should be factored into the price.
On the 320i from 2007 and on the 335i, have the injectors checked and the fault memory read out.
On the Convertible, operate the top several times and check the drains.
Check the rear wheel arches and exhaust tips for rust, especially on cars built up to 2008.
On the 320si, check the papers and equipment carefully — with 2,600 units built, documentation pays off, and confusion with a standard 320i is possible.
The 325i of the first series is the most uncomplicated E90. The M3 is this generation's collector's car — the only V8 M3 and the last naturally aspirated one.
12 · Die Konkurrenz
The Competition
Audi A4 (B7/B8)
The volume rival in the class, with quattro and, from 2007 in the B8 generation, significantly improved. Those who wanted all-wheel drive usually bought Audi rather than xDrive.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204)
From 2007, tuned for more comfort. The C 63 AMG with 6.2-litre V8 was the direct answer to the M3 — with more displacement and lower revs.
Audi RS 4 (B7)
2006 to 2008, with 4.2-litre V8 and 420 PS — the same output as the M3, but with all-wheel drive. The S65's real technical rival.
13 · Galerie
Bilder
Four body styles, plus the race cars of the World Touring Car Championship.
Andere BMW 3er Generationen
5 Baureihen mit E-Nummer, von 1975 bis 2013.
14 · Quellen
Belege & Literatur
The primary source for production periods, body variants, engine codes and performance figures is the German-language Wikipedia entry on the E90 model line. Where a power output figure varies by model year, this is noted in the text. Image sources and licences are from Wikimedia Commons.