Review: BMW E90 3-Series sedan (2005-11)

Review: BMW E90.I 3-Series sedan (2005-08)

Overview

Released in May 2005, the BMW E90 Mk.I (E90.I) 3-Series was a compact executive sedan. Manufactured in Rosslyn, South Africa, the rear-wheel drive E90 sedan range initially consisted of the 320i and 330i models, with the 325i following in August. The range was further expanded in June 2006 with the introduction of the 320d and 323i. In December 2006, the 330i was effectively replaced by the 335i. Please note that the E90 M3 has been reviewed separately.

Dimensions and body

Compared to the BMW E46 3-Series Sedan , the E90 3-Series sedan was 49 mm longer (at 4520 mm), 78 mm wider (1817 mm), 6 mm taller (1421 mm) and had a 35 mm longer wheelbase (2760 mm). Furthermore, a new joint and crossbar design for the vehicle’s load-bearing structure contributed to a 25 per cent increase in body stiffness.

Suspension

The BMW E90 3-Series had double wishbone front suspension and independent, five-link rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the BMW E90 3-Series sedan included dual front airbags, front side (hip/thorax) airbags, full length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, cornering brake control, traction control, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners and load limiting front seatbelts. Furthermore, the M3 was equipped with active front seat head restraints.

The E90 3-Series was also fitted with two-stage Brake Force Display tail-lights, while the stability control system for the six-cylinder models included dry-braking of the brake discs on wet roads, Brake Standby (pre-aligning the brake linings), a Start-Off Assistant to prevent rolling back on hills and anti-dive control when applying the brakes slowly.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2005 BMW E90 320d sedan received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.65 out of 37. In the offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver and a slight risk of lower leg injury for the front passenger. In the side impact test, there was a slight risk of serious abdomen injury for the driver.

Features: BMW E90 3-Series

Standard features for the BMW E90 320i and 320d included 16-inch steel wheels with runflat tyres, a six speaker sound system with a CD player and MP3-compatibility, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, combination cloth/leather trim, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, push-button start, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, tyre pressure monitoring and immobiliser.

The 320i and 320d Executive variants were further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, Dakota leather upholstery, front fog lamps, footwell lights and courtesy lights.

Beyond this, the 323i added rear parking sensors, while the 325i featured 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-disc CD player, power adjustable front seats with driver’s seat memory settings, cruise control (with downhill braking), 60/40 split and folding rear seats with ‘through loading’, a height adjustable driver’s seat and an electrochromatic rear view mirror.

The 330i was distinguished by its 17-inch alloy wheels, ten speaker stereo, BMW’s ‘Business’ satellite navigation system, iDrive, directional bi-xenon headlights with washers, front parking sensors and power adjustable front seat lumbar support; the 335i added BMW’s ‘Professional’ satellite navigation system, steering wheel gearshift paddles, TV tuner and voice recognition.

3-Series M Sport package

The 3-Series sedan was also available with an optional M Sport package which included 17-inch ‘M’ light alloy wheels with ‘M Sport’ suspension, contoured sports seats, an ‘M Sport’ steering wheel, anthracite headlining, brushed aluminium interior trim, Satin Chrome window and mirror frame finishes and an ‘M Sport’ aerodynamics package including front and rear air dams and side sill covers.

June 2007: 3-Series sedan update

In June 2007, the range underwent a minor update, as standard featured were extended to include BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’ proximity key with keyless start, rear parking sensors, an electrochromatic interior mirror, 60/40 split and folding rear seats with ‘through loading’ to the boot and an adjustable front armrest fitted across the range. The 325i was also fitted with BMW’s ‘Business’ satellite navigation system; modifications to its engine also produced more power and better fuel economy.

2007 3-Series Luminance edition

To coincide with the June 2007 update, there was a limited run of ‘Luminance’ edition models – these three hundred sedans featured high-grade Merino leather seats and unique paint, wheel and interior trim combinations.

Review: BMW E90.II 3-Series sedan (2008-10)

Overview

Released in November 2008, the E90 Mk.II (E90.II) 3-Series sedan range had improved equipment levels, a revised range and styling. As part of the update, the 320i and 320d Executive editions became the entry-level models as the ‘standard’ 320i and 320d discontinued. The 330d was released in June 2009.

Visually, the E90.II 3-Series sedan could be identified by its revised head- and tail-lights, larger grille and new bonnet, boot lid, bumpers and side skirts. Where fitted, the bi-xenon headlights also incorporated LED indicators and the iDrive system had programmable ‘favourite’ buttons.

Safety equipment

Compared to its BMW E90.I predecessor, standard safety equipment was improved with the introduction of active front seat head restraints.

Features

Standard features for the BMW E90.II 3-Series were extended to include a USB stereo input, on-board computer with 80GB hard drive, interior lights (footwells and door handles) and exterior courtesy lights. Furthermore, the 335i was fitted with BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system which had an 8.8-inch colour monitor with 3D relief maps, a DVD drive, an integrated 80GB hard drive and a new iDrive controller.

The 330d was similarly equipped to the 335i, but was fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, BMW’s ‘Business’ satellite navigation system and omitted the 335i’s TV tuner and voice recognition system.

EfficientDynamics

From November 2009, the BMW 330d and 335i were fitted with BMW’s ‘Brake Energy Regeneration’ (which varied alternator output to recharge the battery when the vehicle was braking or coasting) and electric power steering.

Review: BMW E90.III 3-Series sedan (2010-11)

Overview

Released in May 2010, the BMW E90 Mk.III (E90.III) 3-Series sedan range introduced minor changes. The ‘Executive’ variants were discontinued and all models had a variant type which indicated their level of features. As such, the 320d, 320i and 323i models were ‘Lifestyle’ editions; the better-equipped 325i and 330d were ‘Exclusive’; and the 335i was the ‘M Sport’ edition. Furthermore, the previously twin-turbocharged 335i was fitted with a single turbocharger, though power and torque outputs remained the same.

Features

Standard features for each of the E90.III 3-Series sedan models were substantially the same as their E90.II counterparts, but the editions were distinguished by various cosmetic highlights. As such, the Lifestyle editions featured 17-inch light alloy wheels, door sill inserts and a ‘Chrome Line’ exterior package, including a chrome-finished decorative bar in the lower front bumper. The Exclusive editions featured ‘star-spoke’ 17-inch alloy wheels, while the ‘M Sport’ had ‘M’ light-alloy wheels with M Sport suspension, contoured sports seats, an ‘M’ leather steering wheel and ‘M’ aerodynamic package.

Related links

• Press Kit: BMW E90.III 3-Series (January 2010)
• Wikipedia.org: BMW E90 3-Series