BMW E90 range
 |
| Manufacturer |
BMW |
| Production |
2005–present |
| Predecessor |
BMW E46 |
| Class |
Entry-level luxury car / Compact executive car |
| Layout |
FR layout or AWD |
| Platform |
BMW E90 (Sedan)
BMW E91 (Wagon)
BMW E92 (Coupe)
BMW E93 (Convertible) |
| Engine(s) |
Otto and diesel engines
I4, I6,V8
1.6-4.0 L, 85-309 kW |
| Transmission(s) |
6-speed manual
6-speed automatic
7-speed DCT[1] |
| Wheelbase |
2,760 mm (108.7 in) |
| Length |
4,520 mm (178.0 in)
4,580 mm (180.3 in) (E92/E93) |
| Width |
1,817 mm (71.5 in)
1,782 mm (70.2 in) (E92/E93) |
| Height |
1,421 mm (55.9 in)
1,395 mm (54.9 in) (E92/E93) |
| Curb weight |
1,425 kg (3,140 lb) to 1,840 kg (4,100 lb) (320si and 330d convertible respectively) |
The BMW E90 automobile platform is the fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of entry-level luxury/compact executive cars. The car is also available as a station wagon/estate (designated as E91), coupé (E92) and coupé cabriolet (E93). A high performance BMW M3 version of the E90, E92, and E93 is also available. It is the successor to the E46 platform, and was launched in March 2005.
In 2002, Head of Production Norbert Reithofer and Development Chief Burkhard Goeschel halved the standard BMW time it took to reach full production of the E90 from six months to three.[2] First marketed in March 2005, it had quickly become BMW Group's best selling automobile worldwide by the end of the year with 229,900 vehicles delivered.[3]
E46 comparison
The E90 sedan is 49 mm (1.9 in) longer, 78 mm (3.1 in) wider and 9 mm (0.4 in) taller than its predecessor. The wheelbase is longer by 35 mm (1.4 in). In previous 3 Series models, space for passengers and luggage were common criticisms, however, BMW made significant improvements to the poor leg and headroom in those previous models. BMW's brochure even highlights, 'Now long legs can be enjoyed even by the people who have them'. Large amounts of aluminium were used in the body work and suspension in an attempt to keep the weight close to previous models; however the E90 weighs between 50 lb (23 kg) and 150 lb (68 kg) more than comparable older models. The N54B30 engine is made of aluminum, while the N51 and N52 engines largely consist of magnesium. The piston sleeves are steel and have copper coating.
The E90 also introduced run-flat tires to the 3 Series range. Consequently, cars with run-flats are not equipped with a spare tire. While these theoretically improve performance and handling, run-flats cost much more to replace and give a harder ride.
Engines
| Version |
Engine |
Power |
| 316i |
1.6 L |
116 PS (114 hp/85 kW)
122 PS (120 hp/90 kW) |
| 318i |
2.0 L |
129 PS (127 hp/95 kW)
143 PS (141 hp/105 kW) |
| 320i |
2.0 L |
150 PS (148 hp/110 kW)
170 PS (168 hp/125 kW) |
| 320si |
2.0 L |
173 PS (171 hp/127 kW) |
| 323i |
2.5 L |
177 PS (175 hp/130 kW)
191 PS (188 hp/140 kW) |
| 325i |
2.5 L
3.0 L |
218 PS (215 hp/160 kW) |
| 328i |
3.0 L |
233 PS (230 hp/171 kW) |
| 330i |
3.0 L |
258 PS (254 hp/190 kW)
272 PS (268 hp/200 kW) |
| 335i |
3.0 L |
306 PS (302 hp/225 kW) |
| M3 |
4.0 L |
420 PS (414 hp/309 kW) |
| 318d |
2.0 L |
122 PS (120 hp/90 kW)
143 PS (141 hp/105 kW) |
| 320d |
2.0 L |
163 PS (161 hp/120 kW)
177 PS (175 hp/130 kW) |
| 325d |
3.0 L |
197 PS (194 hp/145 kW) |
| 330d |
3.0 L |
231 PS (228 hp/170 kW) |
| 335d |
3.0 L |
286 PS (282 hp/210 kW) |
The 2007 Canadian 323i came equipped with a 2.5L 200 bhp (149 kW/203 PS) engine. An engine block heater is not available -- though one can be retrofitted -- for the E90, making extremely cold weather starts problematic.
Body styles and models
Sedan (E90)
The sedan (saloon) model of the 3 series was the first model sold of the 5th generation BMW 3 series. Debuting in 2006, the E90 came in two trims in the US, the 325i and 330i models. Later, the US E90 received an engine boost with the debuts of the 2007 328i/x and 335i/x models.
BMW released an M3 model of the E90 sedan for the 2008 model year. The M3 features a more powerful engine and aggressive M styling. The E90 M3 also separated itself from the standard E90 by utilizing the E92 coupe's front headlights and kidney grill design.
BMW updated the E90 sedan for the 2009 model year with minor changes comprising of new kidney grilles, a new front bumper, new headlamps, new wing mirrors, new tail lamps which return to the classic BMW L-shape, a larger boot lid, and updated iDrive with a web browser. Certain models have their rear track increased by 24mm. The 330d gets the new BMW N57 all-aluminum diesel engine with a variable geometry turbocharger,[4] and will develop 245PS. The E90 M3 only received the new rear design and iDrive system from the E90 2009 model year facelift.
Touring (E91)
The Sports Wagon (Touring) model of the 3-Series is available with both rear-wheel drive and xDrive AWD. BMW updated the E91 touring for the 2009 model year with the same changes as the E90 (see Sedan section above).
Coupé (E92)
The two-door coupé model of the 3-Series became available in August 2006. It is also the first BMW coupé offered with xDrive. The new car's body is now its own design and no longer derived from the sedan minus two doors unlike its predecessors.
All E92s also come standard with Xenon HID headlights and "retractable seatbelt helpers" that extend from the B pillar to hand you the seatbelt when the key fob is in the ignition and the door is closed. The coupé is longer and narrower than its E90 counterpart. The E92 comes with 320i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 320d, 325d, 330d, 335d and 330xd models (availability of certain models depends on region; diesels not available to the US market until 2008). The 335i Coupe will be the first non-M BMW to get the M DCT transmission.[1]
BMW released an M3 model of the E92 coupe for the 2008 model year. Along with the same powerful engine and similar aggressive M styling found in its E90 counterpart, the E92 M3 has a black carbon fiber roof.
Cabriolet (E93)
For the first time for BMW, the popular 3 Series convertible is no longer available with a folding soft top. Instead, the traditional fabric has been replaced with a 3 piece, folding metal hardtop roof. The new Coupé-cabriolet is also the center of many new technological advancements for BMW as well as the recipient of many existing safety and performance technologies that have been improved upon for the new model. The new 3 Series convertible improves upon BMWs "Comfort Access" option, by allowing the user to completely raise and lower the folding roof by simply pressing and holding the respective buttons on the key fob.
Special edition
The 320si is a special homologation version, built in order to qualify the car for the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).[5] It was released in 2006 and limited to 2,600 units. The 320si uses a modified 4 cylinder engine (N45) different from the standard 320i (N46). Modifications include an increased redline to 7,300 rpm, a shortened stroke (by 2 mm), an increased bore (by 1 mm) and a higher compression ratio (11.0:1). The engine is mostly hand built and does not have Valvetronic, decreasing the number of moving parts. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 8.1 seconds and acceleration in fourth gear from 80 km/h (50 mph) to 120 km/h (75 mph) takes 7.7 seconds compared with a standard 320i which achieves them in 9.0 and 9.1 seconds respectively. Fourth gear acceleration is comparable to that of the 325i which achieves the 80 to 120 km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.
Facelift
Awards
- In April 2006, the E90 was awarded the World Car of the Year title by a jury of 46 international automotive journalists. 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.[6]
- Car and Driver magazine listed the E90 3-series on their Ten Best list for the 16th time in 24 years of the list's publication.
- The E90 was named "Best New Sports Sedan" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards.
- Top Gear voted it as the ugliest car in 2005, and couldn't be bothered to put it on The Cool wall.
Gallery
References
External links
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