BMW 3 Series (E90)
The fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model codes E90, E91, E92 and E93. The model was introduced in December 2004, and produced by BMW until October 2013 and is often collectively referred to as the E90, E9x, or occasionally, the E92.
The E92 335i was the first 3 Series model produced with a turbocharged petrol engine. It was also the first 3 Series to include the iDrive operating system, which consists of navigation, infotainment and essential vehicle functions. The E9x saw the introduction of run-flat tyres to the 3 Series range. Models with run-flat tires 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 saloon, coupé and convertible body styles.
Following the introduction of the F30/F31 3 Series in February 2012, the E90/E91 saloons and estates were phased out. However due to their later introduction, the E92/E93 coupés 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 saloon and estate were designed by Joji Nagashima. Marc Michael Markefka designed the coupé and convertible.The range was introduced in March 2005 for MY2005 with the saloon and estate body styles. The coupé was introduced in 2006 and the convertible was introduced in 2007, both for MY2007.
Significant cosmetic and mechanical changes were done to improve the design and performance compared to the previous generation. The E90 series is larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase, wider tracks, and a roomier interior.
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 North America. Optional equipment included a panoramic sunroof, which extends to the rear passenger area. Trim levels typically were similar to the E90 saloon, however the M3 was not produced in the estate body style.Several markets outside Europe only offered a small subset of models in the estate body style. In the United States and Canada, the only estate model available prior to 2007 was the 325xi, and then the 328i and 328xi from 2007 onwards. The Australian market received only a handful of models which included the 320i, 320d and 323i until the end of its production. No X-Drive models were ever sold in Australia of the E9x series.
Coupé (E92)
In July 2006, one year after the saloon 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 saloon 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 per cent larger than its E46 convertible predecessor, resulting in a 38 per cent 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:| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
| 316i | 04/2006-08/2011 | N45B16 straight-4 N.A | at 6,000 rpm | at 4,300 rpm |
| 316i | 09/2007–10/2011 | N43B16 straight-4 N.A | at 6,000 rpm | at 4,250 rpm |
| 318i | 09/2005–03/2007 | N46B20 straight-4 N.A | at 5,750 rpm | at 3,250 rpm |
| 318i | 09/2007–06/2012 | N43B20 straight-4 N.A. | at 6,000 rpm | at 4,250 rpm |
| 320i | 01/2005–03/2007 | N46B20 straight-4 N.A. | at 6,200 rpm | at 3,600 rpm |
| 320i | 09/2007–06/2012 | N43B20 straight-4 N.A | at 6,700 rpm | at 4,250 rpm |
| 320si | 05/2006–08/2007 | N45B20 straight-4 N.A. | at 7,000 rpm | at 4,250 rpm |
| 323i | 01/2005–03/2007 | N52B25 straight-6 N.A. | at 5,800 rpm | at 3,500–5,000 rpm |
| 323i | 09/2007–10/2010 | N52B25 straight-6 N.A. | at 6,000 rpm | at 4,000 rpm |
| 325i | 01/2005–08/2007 | N52B25 straight-6 N.A. | at 6,500 rpm | at 2,750–4,250 rpm |
| 325i | 01/2005–08/2007 | N52B30 straight-6 N.A. | at 6,500 rpm | at 2,750–4,250 rpm |
| 325i | 09/2007–06/2012 | N53B30 straight-6 N.A. | at 6,100 rpm | at 2,400–4,200 rpm |
| 328i | 09/2007–10/2011 | N52B30 straight-6 N.A. | at 6,500 rpm | at 2,750 rpm |
| 330i | 02/2004–03/2007 | N52B30 straight-6 N.A. | at 6,600 rpm | at 2,500–4,000 rpm |
| 330i | 2006-2007 | N52B30 straight-6 N.A. | at 6,650 rpm | at 2,750–4,000 rpm |
| 330i | 02/2006–10/2007 | N52B30 straight-6 N.A. | at 6,600 rpm | at 2,750–4,000 rpm |
| 330i | 03/2007–10/2011 | N53B30 straight-6 N.A | at 6,700 rpm | at 2,750–3,000 rpm |
| 335i | 09/2006–02/2010 | N54B30 straight-6 twin-turbo | at 5,800 rpm | at 1,300–5,000 rpm |
| 335i | 03/2010–06/2012 | N55B30M0 straight-6 twin-scroll turbo | at 5,800 rpm | at 1,200–5,000 rpm |
| M3 | 09/2007–07/2013 | S65B40 V8 N.A. | at 8,300 rpm | at 3,900 rpm |
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 naturally aspirated engines.
In North American, South American, Australian and Malaysian markets the N53 was not used, instead the entire model range continued to use its predecessor, the N52 engine.
In some areas of the United States, the 328i was powered by the BMW N51 straight-six engine and sold as a SULEV model.
In some parts of the world, 4-cylinder models continued to use the N46 engine as the local fuel quality is incompatible with the N43 engine.
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.
Wheels
The BMW E90+ has a 5x120 bolt pattern with wheel sizes ranging from 16 inch to 20 inch in diameter. There have been 49 original wheel styles produced for this model.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' varied 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.
The 'Performance Power Kit' was introduced for the 335i and was available for installation at BMW dealerships, it included a tune that boosted engine output for the 335i to & for automatic transmission vehicles and for manual transmission vehicles, an overall gain of &, BMW claim their engineers have tested and designed these Performance Power Kits in such a way that equipped vehicles would not sacrifice reliability or fuel consumption, the result was a claimed 0.2 second decrease in 0 to times, the kit was available for both N54 & N55 335i vehicles, it was easily verified if a vehicle was equipped with the PPK as during installation stickers that read "BMW Performance Power Kit" were placed near the air intake on all equipped vehicles, the N55 equipped 335i vehicles also featured added exhaust burbles included as part of the PPK tune, also included in the PPK was the addition of an extra radiator, higher performance fans on the main radiator and better air flow ducts in attempt to deal with any extra heat caused by the tuning.