BMW 3 Series (E90) Guides, Photos and Videos

The fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series consists of the BMW E90 (sedan version), BMW E91 (wagon version, marketed as 'Touring'), BMW E92 (coupe version) and BMW E93 (convertible version) compact executive cars. The E90/E91/E92/E93 was produced from 2004 to 2013 and is often collectively referred to as the E90 or E9x.

The E9x was the first 3 Series sold with a turbocharged petrol engine. The E9x family 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 is the only generation of M3 to be powered by a V8 engine. Released in 2007, it uses the BMW S65 naturally aspirated V8 engine and was produced in sedan, coupe and convertible body styles.

Following the introduction of the F30/F31 3 Series in 2012, the E90/E91 sedans and wagons began to be phased out. However, the E92/E93 coupes and convertibles remained in production until 2013, when they were replaced by the F32/F33 4 Series models.

The design for the fifth generation 3 Series was frozen in mid-2002, approximately 30 months before the start of production. The sedan and wagon were designed by Joji Nagashima, and the coupe and convertible were designed by Marc Michael Markefka.

The range was introduced in 2005 with the sedan and wagon body styles. The coupe was introduced in 2006 and the convertible was introduced in 2007.

The sedan model was the first model sold of the E90/E91/E92/E93 3 series, being launched on 5 March 2005.

The E91 wagon/estate models were marketed as 'Touring' in Europe and 'Sports Wagon' in the North America. 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 model in the wagon body style.

Several markets outside Europe only offered a small subset of models in the wagon body style. In the United States and Canada, the only wagon model available prior to 2007 was the 325xi, and then the 328i and 328xi from 2007 onwards.

In August 2006, one year after the sedan was released, the E92 coupé body style was released.

Compared with previous generations of 3 Series, the coupé has more external styling differences to the sedan models. These include the tail-light design (L-shaped on the coupe), more steeply angled headlights and smaller side windows. As per its E46 predecessor, the coupe doors are longer and have frameless door windows, the rear seat holds two passengers (compared with a three-person bench for the sedan) 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 (and convertible) body styles as a part of the 3 Series range. For later generations, these body styles changed to being marketed as the BMW 4 Series.

The E93 convertible was BMW's first model to use a retractable hardtop (folding metal roof), 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 percent larger than its E46 convertible predecessor, resulting in a 38 percent increase in visibility.

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.

Official specifications are as follows:

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 a naturally aspirated engine.

At the front, aluminium MacPherson struts are used. The rear suspension is a steel 5-link Multi-link suspension.

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.

Optional equipment could be ordered individually or combined into packages. Optional interior colours, known as BMW Individual, were also available at extra cost.

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