BMW 3 Series (E90): four body styles and the V8 M3

The fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series spread across four model codes: the E90 saloon, the E91 Touring estate, the E92 coupé and the E93 convertible. It introduced iDrive and run-flat tyres to the range and became the only 3 Series generation whose M version used a V8. It was also the last 3 Series sold with naturally aspirated engines throughout.

BMW 3 Series (E90) at a glance

Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the E90; the German article was not available.

History of the BMW 3 Series (E90)

Development and launch

The design was frozen in mid-2002, about 30 months before production began. Joji Nagashima designed the saloon and estate, Marc Michael Markefka the coupé and convertible. The saloon and Touring came first, launched on 5 March 2005 for the 2006 model year, with the coupé following in July 2006 and the convertible in 2007. The car was larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase, wider tracks and more interior room. In North America the 330i was the top model at first, the 325i was offered for 2006 only and was replaced by the 328i for 2007.

Body styles

The saloon was facelifted for the 2009 model year and ended production after 2011. The Touring, sold as the Sports Wagon in North America, could be ordered with a panoramic sunroof reaching over the rear seats, and never received an M version; some markets took only a few variants, with Australia limited to the 320i, 320d and 323i and no xDrive cars at all. The E92 coupé had more visual distance from the saloon than earlier generations, with L-shaped tail-lights, more steeply raked headlights, smaller side windows and frameless doors. It was the last coupé sold as part of the 3 Series before the body style moved to the 4 Series, and it outlived the saloon, running to the end of the 2013 model year. The E93 convertible was the first BMW with a retractable hardtop; its side windows were 30% larger than the E46 convertible’s, and the Comfort Access option allowed the roof to be operated from the key fob.

Engines and chassis

Every later 3 Series used turbocharged engines across the range, which makes the E90 family the last naturally aspirated 3 Series. The N53 six was not sold in North America, South America, Australia or Malaysia, where the older N52 continued, and some United States cars used the N51 in SULEV form; in markets with unsuitable fuel the four-cylinder models kept the N46. The front suspension used MacPherson struts with aluminium hub carriers and aluminium lower links forming a virtual pivot point, a layout previously reserved for the 5, 7 and 8 Series. The rear used a five-link multi-link arrangement on a fabricated steel subframe, and run-flat tyres meant there was no spare wheel.

Design and features

• iDrive: the first 3 Series with the central controller and screen, covering navigation, infotainment and vehicle settings.
• Run-flat tyres: introduced across the range, removing the spare wheel and its well.
• Four body styles: saloon, estate, coupé and convertible under one generation.
• V8 M3: the S65 engine, the only M3 without a six-cylinder.
• Hardtop convertible: the E93 was BMW’s first car with a folding metal roof.

BMW 3 Series (E90) versions

• E90 saloon (2005–2011): the first body style on sale, facelifted for 2009.
• E91 Touring (2005–2012): estate with optional panoramic roof, no M version.
• E92 coupé (2006–2013): frameless doors, two rear seats, sold until the end of the 2013 model year.
• E93 convertible (2007–2013): retractable hardtop with key-fob operation.
• M3 (2007–2013): S65 V8 in saloon, coupé and convertible form.

The E90 replaced the E46 3 Series, and the V8 M3 is covered in the BMW M3 article. The bigger saloon of the same years is the 5 Series (E60), and more cars are in the BMW collection.

Sources

• BMW 3 Series (E90), English Wikipedia: development, body styles, engines, suspension