- Refined and free-revving six-cylinder petrol engines
- Frugal turbo-diesel engines
- Excellent dynamics
- Accurate steering has great feel
- Run-flat tyres compromise ride quality
- Sports suspension for 335i lacks compliance
- For 2007-11 E92 320d, crankshaft sprocket teeth may damage the timing chain
- For the E92 335i with the N54 engine, reports of High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) failure
Review: BMW E92.I 3-Series coupe (2006-10)
Overview
Released in October 2006, the BMW E92 Mk.1 (E92.I) 3-Series coupe was a compact executive coupe. Manufactured in Germany, the rear-wheel drive 3-Series coupe range initially consisted of the 325i and 335i models, with the 323i following in December. In November 2009, the range was further expanded with the introduction of the 320d and 330d.
Please note that the E92 M3 Coupe has been reviewed separately.
Dimensions and body
Compared to the E46 3-Series coupe , the E92 3-Series coupe was 92 mm longer (at 4580 mm), 25 mm wider (1782 mm), 26 mm taller (1395 mm) and had a 35 mm longer wheelbase (2760 mm). The E92 bodyshell was also stiffer, partly due to a new joint and crossbar design for the vehicle’s load-bearing structure.
Suspension
Like the E90 3-Series sedan on which it was based, the E92 3-Series Coupe had double wishbone front suspension and independent, five-link rear suspension.
| Engine | Years | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 320d | 2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 (N47 D20T0) | 2009-10 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
130 kW at 4000 rpm | 350 Nm at 1750-3000 rpm |
| 323i | 2.5-litre petrol I6 (N52 B25) | 2006-09 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
140 kW at 5900 rpm | 230 Nm at 3500-5000 rpm |
| 325i | 2.5-litre petrol I6 (N52 B25) | 2006-10 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
160 kW at 6500 rpm | 250 Nm at 2750-4000 rpm |
| 330d | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I6 (N57 D30O0) | 2009-10 | 6sp auto | 180 kW at 4000 rpm | 520 Nm at 1750 rpm |
| 335i | 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol I6 (N54 B30) | 2006-08 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
225 kW at 5800 rpm | 400 Nm at 1300-5000 rpm |
| 2009-10 | 6sp man., 7sp DCT |
225 kW at 5800 rpm | 400 Nm at 1300-5000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the E92 3-Series Coupe included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, cornering brake control, traction control, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners and front seatbelt load limiters.
Features
Standard features for the 320d and 323i included 17-inch alloy wheels with runflat tyres, a six speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary inputs, dual zone climate control air conditioning, Dakota leather upholstery, power adjustable front seats with driver’s seat memory settings, cruise control (with downhill braking), Bluetooth connectivity, bi-xenon headlights with washers, front and rear fog lights, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, 12 volt power outlet, trip computer, tyre pressure monitoring, tinted windows and an immobiliser. The 325i was further equipped with a six-disc CD player, BMW’s ‘Business’ satellite navigation system with a 6.5-inch display and contoured sports seats.
Beyond this, the 330d added an eight speaker stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, front parking sensors, front seat power lumbar adjustment, directional headlights, front parking sensors, cargo net and voice recognition. The 335i also featured 18-inch alloy wheels with sports suspension and larger brakes, high beam assist and BMW’s ‘Professional’ satellite navigation system with an 8.8-inch display and TV tuner.
3-Series M Sport
From November 2007, an ‘M Sport’ package was available for certain models; it included 18-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, more supportive seats, leather steering wheel and gearshift, alloy-look interior highlights, anthracite headlining and M aerodynamics package (larger front air intakes, side skirts and modified rear bumper).
EfficientDynamics
From May 2009, the 335i was fitted with BMW’s ‘Brake Energy Regeneration’ which controlled alternator output to charge the battery when the vehicle was braking or coasting; the 330d and 320d folowed with these ‘EfficientDynamics’ technologies when released in November 2009.
Review: BMW E92.II 3-Series coupe (2010-13)
Overview
Released in June 2010, the E92 Mk.II (E92.II) 3-Series coupe range introduced mechanical and styling updates. Ride quality was also improved with the introduction of spring-disc damping valves (replacing coil spring valves) in all models except the 335i. A six-speed manual transmission was introduced for the 320d and the 335i’s 3.0-litre six cylinder engine was fitted with a single twin-scroll turbocharger which provided improved fuel economy, yet though peak power and torque outputs remained unchanged.
Visually, the E92.II 3-Series coupe could be identified by its bi-xenon headlights with four light rings which would glow during daytime driving, completely red L-shaped LED tail-lights, a new bonnet, front and rear bumpers, side skirts, more prominent grille and silver-finished lower air dam bars.
Inside, there was a new three-spoke steering wheel and entertainment functions accessible from the BMW ‘ConnectedDrive’ menu.
EfficientDynamics
As part of the E92.II update, both the 320d was fitted with ‘Auto Start-Stop’ which could shut down the engine when the vehicle was stationary. The 325i was also fitted with BMW’s ‘Brake Energy Regeneration’.
| Engine | Years | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 320d | 2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 (N47 D20) | 2010-13 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
135 kW at 4000 rpm | 380 Nm at 1900-2750 rpm |
| 325i | 2.5-litre petrol I6 (N52 B25) | 2010-13 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
160 kW at 6500 rpm | 250 Nm at 2750-4000 rpm |
| 330d | 3.0-litre turbo-diesel I6 (N57 D30O0) | 2010-13 | 6sp auto | 180 kW at 4000 rpm | 520 Nm at 1750 rpm |
| 335i | 3.0-litre turbo petrol I6 (N55 B30) | 2010-13 | 6sp man., 7sp DCT |
225 kW at 5800 rpm | 400 Nm at 1200-5000 rpm |
Features
Compared to their E92.I predecessors, standard features were extended to include a USB stereo input; the 325i and 330d also received BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’ proximity key.
Beyond this, the 335i was solely available as an ‘M Sport’ variant, which featured 19-inch double-spoke alloy wheels with ‘M Sport’ suspension, an ‘M’ sports steering wheel, aluminium trim highlights, BMW Individual anthracite headlining, ‘M Sport’ door sills and an aerodynamic bodykit; the 335i was also fitted with LED daytime driving lights.
March 2012: 3-Series Coupe update
From March 2012 production, all 3-Series Coupes and Convertibles were to be fitted with adaptive bi-xenon headlights with LED elements. Standard features were also revised as the 320d was fitted with BMW’s ‘Business’ satellite navigation system, proximity key ( ‘Comfort Access’), adaptive headlights and high beam assist. Beyond this, the 325i was further equipped with 18-inch light-alloy wheels, the ‘Professional’ satellite navigation system and electrochromatic door mirrors; the 330d and 335i models also gained a Harman Kardon sound system.
February 2013: High-Line variants
From February 2013, all variants other than the M3 were offered as High-Line variants. As such, standard features were extended to include 18-inch Star Spoke alloy wheels, BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system, power adjustable front seats with memory settings, front parking sensors, and electrochromatic interior and exterior mirrors; for models with automatic and double clutch transmissions, steering wheel gearshift paddles were also fitted as standard. Beyond this, the 325i was fitted with 19-inch Star Spoke alloy wheels.
Related links
- Press Kit: BMW E92.II 3-Series Coupe (January 2010)
- Specifications: BMW E92.II 3-Series Coupe (February 2013)
- Wikipedia.org: BMW E90 3-Series
