Manufacturer BMW Class Entry-level luxury car | Production 12/2004 – 10/2012 | |
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Assembly Germany: Leipzig
Germany: Munich
Germany: Regensburg
China: Shenyang (BBA)
Egypt: 6th of October City (BAG)
India: Chennai (BMW India)
Indonesia: Jakarta (Gaya Motor)
Malaysia: Kulim (Inokom)
Malaysia: Shah Alam (AMIM)
Mexico: Toluca (BMW Mexico)
Russia: Kaliningrad (Avtotor)
South Africa: Rosslyn (BMW SA) Body style 4-door sedan (E90)
5-door wagon (E91)
2-door coupé (E92)
2-door cabriolet (E93) Layout FR layout
F4 layout (Xi and Xd models) | ||
The BMW E90/E91/E92/E93 series is the fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of entry-level luxury cars, and was produced from 2004 to 2013. The body styles of the range are:
Contents
- Development process
- Sedan E90
- Wagon E91
- Coup E92
- Cabriolet E93
- M3 version
- 320si 20052006
- 335is 20112013
- 2008 Facelift LCI
- 2010
- N54 fuel pump failures
- Suspension
- Options
- Safety
- IIHS
- Production
- Production period
- Units sold
- Motorsports
- Awards
- References
Due to the separate model codes for each body style, the term "E9X" is sometimes used to describe this generation of the 3 Series.
The range was introduced in 2004 with the sedan and estate body styles. The coupe was introduced in 2006 and the cabriolet was introduced in 2007. In 2012, the E90/E91 sedans and wagons were replaced by the F30/F31 models. However, the E92/E93 coupes and cabriolets remained in production until 2013, when they were replaced by the F32/F33 models.
In 2007, the 335i became the first 3 Series model to be sold with a turbocharged engine. The E9X also saw the introduction of run-flat tyres to the 3 Series range. Consequently, cars with run-flats are not equipped with a spare tyre.
The E90/E92/E93 M3 was powered by the S65 v8 engine. It was released in 2007 and was produced in sedan, coupe and cabriolet body styles.
Development process
The design for the fifth generation 3 Series was frozen in mid-2002, approximately 30 months before the start of production.
The sedan and Touring were designed by Joji Nagashima, and the coupe and cabriolet were designed by Marc Michael Markefka. The wagon was designed by Christoph Nordmann.
Sedan (E90)
The sedan model was the first model sold of the 5th generation BMW 3 series. It was released in 2005 (as a 2006 model year) with the 318i, 320i, 320si, 323i, 325i and 330i models. In later years, the following sedan models were added: 316i, 320d, 325d, 328i, 330d, 335i, 335d and M3.
Optional features (some of which are standard on higher models) include Xenon headlamps, fog lamps, automatic climate control, power-adjustable seats, satellite navigation, premium audio, Dakota leather upholstery, glass sunroof, heated front seats, Bluetooth and USB audio input. In 2011, the BMW 323i Luxury Edition was released, which included an automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, electric front seats, Bluetooth and USB compatibility, and an electric glass sunroof.
This would be the last 3-Series to offer a naturally aspirated engine with the N52B30 (used in the 328i) and the S65B40 (used in the M3).
Wagon (E91)
The E91 wagon body style is known as the 3 Series Touring or Sports Wagon. Optional equipment included a panoramic sunroof, which extends to the rear passenger area.
Trim levels typically were similar to the E90 sedan, however there was no M3 variant of the E91. As per the E90, powertrains used a range of petrol and diesel I-6 and I-4 engines, paired with RWD and/or xDrive AWD. Markets such as the United States and Canada, however, offered but a small subset of their already limited E90 trims. In these two markets, only the 325xi with AWD was available prior to 2007, and only the 328i in RWD and xDrive AWD forms was offered from 2007 onwards.
Coupé (E92)
The coupe body style of the fifth generation 3 Series became available in August 2006 (as a 2007 model year), one year after the saloon. The E92 is available in the 316i, 318i, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335is, 335xi, 320d, 320xd, 325d, 330d, 330xd, 335d, M3, and M3 GTS. This would be the last model to include the coupe and convertible as a part of the 3 Series; for the sixth generation (F32/F33/F36) onwards, these body styles changed to being marketed as the 4 Series.
The coupe has significant differences to the sedan, compared with previous generations. Differences include the tail-light design (L-shaped on the coupe), more steeply angled headlights and smaller side windows. The coupe door panels are also longer, it seats two passengers in the rear instead of the three-person bench, and also includes a rear centre console tray.
The coupé also features frameless doors like its E46 predecessor. There are also retractable arms that extend from the B-pillar to hand the seat belt to the driver and/or passenger when the key fob is in the ignition and the door is closed.
Cabriolet (E93)
The 3 Series cabriolet is the first model in BMW's lineup with a 3-piece folding aluminium hard-top roof, instead of the cloth roof used by previous models. The E93 was one of first retractable hardtops in its price range. Other manufacturers have since produced similar retractable hardtop convertibles, such as the Lexus IS C and Infiniti G37 convertible. The "Comfort Access" option allows the roof to be raised and lowered using the key fob.
Overall visibility is up 38 percent, thanks to the side windows which are 30 percent larger, compared to the E46 3 Series Cabriolet.
The BMW 3 Series convertible was often priced higher than direct rivals, however reviewers have praised its passenger/boot space (even with the roof down), driving dynamics, weight and chassis rigidity.
M3 version
The M3 version was powered by the BMW S65 V8 engine and produced in sedan, coupe and cabriolet body styles.
320si (2005–2006)
To satisfy homologation requirements for the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), BMW built 2600 units of the 320si.
BMW WTCC works driver Andy Priaulx won two of his three consecutive World Championships in the 320si E90 as well as four other drivers achieving over 35 wins in the championship since the cars release. The BMW 320si is used by a few teams in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Colin Turkington won the 2009 BTCC Drivers championship using the BMW 320si.
335is (2011–2013)
The 335is was produced in coupé and convertible models for the North American market. It sat between the regular 335i and the M3 in the model line-up, and approximately 6,300 units were produced. The 335is uses a higher performance version (N54T) of the N54 engine from the 2006-2013 335i, which increases boost from 8.7 to 11.6 PSI. This results in 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, plus an overboost function raises torque to 370 lb-ft for up to 7 seconds.
The 335is has stiffer engine mounts and an upgraded cooling system, with a heavy-duty radiator fan and two heat exchangers, one an engine oil cooler, the other a secondary coolant radiator. To accommodate these heat exchangers, which are located ahead of each front wheel, the 335is has larger air openings, similar to the M3. Fog lights were removed from the coupé version to allow for the openings, although they remain on the convertible version. In addition, the 335is is equipped with a revised, high-flow exhaust system, with the twin exhaust pipes finished in matte black, and a rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser-style piece.
Transmission options were a 7-speed double clutch transmission (DCT) with launch control (Same DCT transmission as the M3 but with different software programming) or a 6-speed manual transmission controlled by a short-throw "M" stick. The manual transmission has a heavy-duty clutch with more holding power than the regular 335i.
Interior upgrades include a thicker, "M" steering wheel, "M" steel pedals, standard sport seats, "M" door sills, and textured aluminium trim with "335is" badging on dash and in instrument cluster. Exterior differences are black kidney grills, and "Style 313" split-five spoke "M" wheels in 18-inch or 19-inch size.
2008 Facelift (LCI)
In September 2008, the facelift (LCI) versions of the Saloon and Estate were released as 2009 models. Compared to typically subtle BMW LCI changes, these changes were relatively extensive.
Mechanical changes included an increase in rear track of 24 mm (0.94 in) for some models, a power increase for the 320d from 177 to 184 PS (135 kW; 181 bhp) 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.
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 Saloon and Estate models. The 316d estate model was added, as was the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition saloon.
Mechanical changes included compliance with the EU5 emission standard, EU6 emission compliance (optional) 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.
N54 fuel pump failures
Some E90/E91/E92/E93 models using the N54 engine experienced high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) problems.
Suspension
At the front, aluminium MacPherson struts are used. The rear suspension is a steel 5-link Multi-link suspension.
Options
Options could be ordered individually (such as Xenon headlights and audio upgrades) 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, bluetooth and universal garage opener.
The Cold Weather package includes headlight washers, heated front seats and split/folding rear seats.
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 148 mph (238 km/h).
The Technology package includes iDrive, navigation, keyless entry ("Comfort Access"), selectable driving modes ("M Drive"), HD radio and Electronic Damping Control.
Safety
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 (IIHS) 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.
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.
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 Car and Driver's 10Best.
The E90 had broad appeal, and was BMW's highest selling model of the time and the highest selling luxury car in the US and Canada.
Production period
The production dates for each model are as follows:
Units sold
Units sold according to BMW's annual reports:
Motorsports
The E92 Art Car entered the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans race, with Andy Priaulx (GB), Dirk Müller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE) driving the number 78 car which failed to complete the race.