33 Series Guy
Home / E90
Generation Hub · Sedan

BMW E90

2005 – 2011 · The Sedan

The four-door E90 was the volume 3 Series — the one most people actually bought and drove every day. Smooth N52 sixes, the legendary turbocharged N54/N55 in the 335i, and the S65-powered M3 sedan. It shares its mechanicals with the E92 coupe, E91 Touring and E93 convertible, so most DIY here applies across the family. Looking at a coupe, Touring or convertible? Head to the E92 / E9x hub.

Years
2005–2011
Body
Sedan (E90)
Engines
N52 · N54 · N55 · N20 · S65
Layout
RWD (AWD xDrive)
Status
Modern used / rising

Start Here

New to the E90, or shopping for one? The engine is the decision — start with this.
Problems by Engine

E90 Common Problems by Engine

How reliable each E90 sedan really is — N52, N54, N55, N20, the diesels and the S65 M3, the issues they share, and which engine to buy.

Read the guide →

Buying the Sedan

Choosing trims, engines and a good example — the part that's genuinely sedan-specific.
Engine Choice

328i vs 335i — Which to Buy

The smooth, reliable N52 328i versus the fast, tunable N54/N55 335i — the core decision on the sedan, with a full staged inspection.

Read guide →
Buyer's Guide

E90 Sedan Buyer's Guide

A sedan-specific walkthrough — 325i/328i/330i/335i trims, xDrive, options and the staged inspection that matters on a four-door.

Read guide →
Comparison

Sedan vs Coupe — Which E9x?

E90 four-door practicality versus the E92 coupe's style — doors, the M3, values and what it means to live with each.

Read guide →
M3 · S65 V8

E90 M3 Sedan

The four-door S65 V8 M3 — the practical M car. What's unique to the sedan and what it shares with the coupe.

Read guide →

The Engines

Engine deep-dives — shared with the rest of the E9x range, since the sedan uses the same units.
335i Problems
N54 vs N55, problem by problem
N54 Guide
Which failures actually matter
M3 (S65 V8)
Rod bearings, throttle actuators
Best Oil by Engine
LL-01 5W-30, M3 10W-60
335i Tuning
The N54/N55 power ladder
Maintenance Cost
Service & real ownership costs

DIY & Service

The hands-on jobs — written once and shared across every E9x body, your sedan included.
Water Pump & Thermostat
The defining E9x job + bleed
Oil Change
Done right, by engine
Front Brakes
Pads, rotors & wear sensor
Spark Plugs
Right gap & interval by engine
Oil Leaks
Valve cover & filter housing
Air Filters
Cabin & engine, under 30 min
Other Body Styles

Coupe, Touring or Convertible?

The E92 coupe, E91 Touring and E93 convertible share the E90's engines and mechanicals. Head to the E9x hub for those bodies and the coupe-specific buyer's guide and tuning.

Go to the E92 / E9x hub →

Guides for Every BMW

Generation-agnostic buyer's guides that apply to your E90 too.
DIY Tools
The kit every BMW owner needs
Engine Oil
The right spec by engine family
OBD2 Scanners
Codes & battery registration
Floor Mats
All-weather & cargo liners
Detailing Kit
Brake dust, swirls & leather
Dash Cam
Protection & parking mode
Phone Mount
Magnetic, vent & bracket
LED Bulbs
Interior, plate & canbus
Tires
All-season, summer & winter
Car Covers
Indoor & outdoor
Battery Tender
AGM trickle charger
Microfiber & Wash
Swirl-free wash kit
Replacement Battery
AGM & registration
BimmerCode
Coding & hidden features
Dragy GPS Meter
0-60, ¼-mile & lap timing
All Generations
E30 → G20