E90 · 3 Series

What the BMW E90 Is

The BMW E90 is the four-door sedan body style of the fifth-generation 3 Series, and for many enthusiasts it represents the sweet spot of BMW's small sedan lineage. Sold in the US market from 2007 to 2010, the E90 blended classic rear-wheel-drive dynamics with a modern, tech-forward cabin and available xDrive all-wheel drive. It shares its era and much of its engineering philosophy with BMW's larger cars of the period, and you can trace that lineage through the brand's BMW DNA.

Models & Body Styles in This Generation

DreamBMW lists 14 US-market E90 models, spanning the volume sedans, diesel, all-wheel-drive variants, low-emission SULEV editions, and the high-performance flagship. Notable entries include:

• 328i Sedan and 328i xDrive Sedan (plus 328xi, SULEV, and South Africa variants)
• 335i Sedan and 335i xDrive Sedan (plus 335xi)
• 335d Sedan — the turbodiesel torque champion
• M3 Sedan — the only V8-powered M3 sedan ever built

The E90 designation specifically covers the sedan; coupe, wagon, and convertible variants of this generation wore their own codes.

Engines & Drivetrains Offered

The E90 lineup delivered one of BMW's strongest engine rosters. The 328i used the naturally aspirated inline-six, while the 335i introduced the celebrated twin-turbocharged N54 — a 3.0-liter powerhouse that made the 335i a tuner favorite. Later cars adopted the single-turbo N55. The 335d brought a torque-rich turbodiesel, and the M3 stood apart with its high-revving S65 V8. Buyers could pair many models with rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive, and both manual and automatic transmissions were offered.

What It's Like to Own & Buy

The E90 remains a rewarding daily driver with genuine sporting credentials. Before buying, decode any car's build with our VIN decoder to confirm engine, drivetrain, and factory options.

Strengths

• Sharp, balanced chassis with excellent steering feel
• Strong, tunable engines — especially the turbocharged sixes
• Wide model range from efficient sedans to the V8 M3

Points to Watch

• Turbocharged N54 cars can require attention to fuel pumps and injectors
• Routine cooling-system and gasket maintenance is important on aging sixes
• M3 S65 models demand disciplined servicing

Shoppers cross-shopping BMW's larger sedans of the same era should also review the E60 5 Series and its E61 touring counterpart.