The fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model codes E90 (saloon), E91 (estate, marketed as 'Touring'), E92 (coupé) and E93 (convertible). The model was introduced in December 2004,[8] 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.[9] It was also the first 3 Series to include the iDrive operating system, which consists of navigation, infotainment and essential vehicle functions.[10] 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,[11] it uses the BMW S65 naturally aspirated V8 engine and was produced in saloon, coupé and convertible body styles.[12]
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,[13] 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.[14] The saloon and estate were designed by Joji Nagashima.[15][16] Marc Michael Markefka designed the coupé and convertible.[17]
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. In the United States, the 325i was initially the top version (aside from the M3); for model year 2006 only, the 330i was available. This was replaced by the somewhat less powerful 328i for 2007.
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.[18]
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.[19][20][21] 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.[22] 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.
Engines
Petrol
Official specifications are as follows:[33] 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.[34]
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 (some of which are standard on higher models) include Xenon headlamps, automatic climate control, parking sensors, power-adjustable seats, satellite navigation, glass sunroof, heated front seats, Bluetooth and USB audio input.[35][36][37]
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.[38] It included items such as leather seats[39] 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.
M3 model
The M3 model was powered by the BMW S65 V8 engine and produced in saloon, 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 (WTCC), BMW built 2600 units of the 320si. The car featured N45 (N45B20S) engine producing 127 kW, 24bhp more than the regular 320i. It also featured revised suspension and 20% lower front bumper.[49]
335is
The 335is was produced in coupé and convertible models for the North American market, with approximately 4,500 units manufactured. The 335is uses a higher performance version of the N54 engine, which increases boost from 8.7 to 11.6 psi.[50] This results in 320 bhp and 332 lbft of torque, plus an overboost function raises torque to 370 lbft for up to 7 seconds. The 335is was positioned between the regular 335i (which had switched from the N54 to the N55 engine for the 2011 model year, both engines rated at 300 bhp) and the M3 in the BMW 3 Series coupé/convertible lineup.
For the 335is the transmission options were a 7-speed
Model year changes
2008 Facelift (LCI)
In September 2008, the facelift (LCI) versions of the saloon and estate 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 24 mm for some models 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.[53][54] The new 2009 – 2011 facelift (LCI) AWD models became known as "xDrive" models, unlike the previous 2006–2008 (pre-lci) AWD models, which were labeled as "xi" or "xd" 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
Safety
ANCAP
Euro NCAP
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,[57] and "Good" marks in six of the nine categories in the side impact test.[58] The IIHS also gave the 3 Series the Top Safety Pick award. The convertible is rated "Marginal" in side impacts,[59] 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.[63]
The E90 was produced in Germany (Leipzig, Munich and Regensburg) and in South Africa (Rosslyn).[64] Local assembly of complete knock-down (CKD) kits were used for cars sold in China, Egypt,[65] India,[2][66] Indonesia, Malaysia,[4] Mexico,
Sales
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.[76]
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.[77][78]
Units sold according to BMW's annual reports:[79]
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 (BTCC). The 2009 BTCC Drivers Championship was won by Colin Turkington using the E90 320si.
The transmission is 5-speed H-pattern manual, while the 6-speed sequential was optional. In 2010, some WTCC drivers used a 6-speed sequential, while the other WTCC drivers had an optional 5-speed h-pattern manual gearbox.
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 79 car[80][81] which failed to complete the race.[82]
Awards
- BBC's Top Gear Awards named the E90 as the "Ugliest Car of the Year 2005", describing it as "just 14 foot of car".
- In April 2006, the E90 was awarded the World Car of the Year title. The car was praised for its balance between performance and practicality, as well as between style and seriousness. The jury also praised the new diesel engines and the all-wheel-drive variants.[83]
- Car and Driver magazine listed the E90 on their Ten Best list eight consecutive times between 2006 and 2013.
- The E90 was named "Best New Sports Sedan" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards.
- It was Japan's Import Car of the Year for 2005–06.
- The British motoring magazine What Car? awarded it Car of the Year 2006. From 2006 to 2011, they also awarded it Compact Executive of the Year.
- In April 2011, the E90 335d saloon won the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year
References
- Bavarian Auto Group Bag-eg.com, 9 April 2010, retrieved 13 June 2010^
- David Gow. BMW unveils assembly plant in India The Guardian, 29 March 2007, retrieved 5 January 2017^
- BAMC profile www.bag-eg.com, retrieved 5 June 2010^