BMW 3 Series (E90)

The BMW E90 series is the fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars, including saloon, estate, coupé and coupé cabriolet configurations. A high-performance BMW M3 version of the E90, E92, and E93 is available as well.
The E90 had broad appeal, and was BMW's highest selling model of the time and the highest selling luxury car in the US and Canada. It has multiple body styles and engine choices that offers a wide range of performance levels including the M3 which is based on the E90. To accommodate this variety of roles the E90 is equipped with a fully independent suspension including aluminium MacPherson struts in the front, and steel 5-link Multi-link suspension in the back. Front brakes have much more stopping power than rear brakes, and one feature of the E90's suspension was to allow very large, high performance front brakes. Also, the use of steel designed to provide high strength for casting applications allowed BMW to greatly reduce the weight and cost of the rear suspension, in addition, the rear axle can be completely pre-assembled and adjusted with the brake system and suspension.

The E90 also introduced run-flat tyres to the 3 Series range. Consequently, cars with run-flats are not equipped with a spare tyre. While these theoretically improve performance and handling, run-flats sometimes cost more to replace and can give a harsher ride.

The saloon model was the first model sold of the 5th generation BMW 3 series. Debuting in the US in 2005 as a 2006 model, the E90 came in two trims, the 325i/xi and 330i/xi models. Later, the 3 Series lineup received an engine boost with the debuts of the 2007 328i/xi and 335i/xi models, the 335i/xi receiving the new 3.0L twin-turbo inline-6 engine.

With the introduction of the pre face-lifted 2006 E90 body style we see an evolution to a more modern car with sharp lines, edgy corners, and a contemporary interior. The new 3 Series has proved not to be as controversial as redesigns of the 2002 E65 7 Series, and 2004 E60 5 Series, possibly due to the fact that it is BMW’s top selling model. Most of the round corners, and traditional interior of the is replaced with sharp edges. This is evident in a sharp line running across the dashboard, a long crease spanning the length of the car running through the door handles, and sharp edges in the bumpers, and side skirts. The indicator lamps are now housed in the same unit as the head lamp. The top of the kidney grilles have two flat pieces of chrome attached to the bonnet. Side view mirrors are no longer tinted blue and have changed to an oval shape. The arch of the roofline is not quite as symmetrical as the and is slightly flat on top. The rear end has taken on the controversial shape of a “bangle butt”. Tail lamps are now red, and no longer have amber turn signals side repeaters and front indicator lamps are now clear and not amber. Mid-range models have chrome inserts in the kidney grilles, a chrome strip outlining the side windows, 1-inch-larger wheels on sport models, and "angel eye" bi-xenon HID projector head lamps; base models lack these minor exterior upgrades.

The interior has sharp lines running across a boxy dashboard. A wide, rectangular piece of trim runs across the dashboard which encloses the air con vents. Push button ignition with a key fob has replaced the traditional turn-key ignition. The centre console contains a swooping piece of trim with ash tray inserts that run from the arm rest to the dashboard. Radio/climate control is integrated into a more boxy frame. Optional I-Drive is now housed flush in the top of dashboard. Two somewhat flimsy pop-out cup-holders protrude out of the passenger side of the dashboard. The door panels have a-symmetrical lines; the door trim has moved to below the leather-stitched arm rests that swoop downward. Window/Lock buttons have moved from the center console to the doors for front occupants. Aluminium Door handles have taken on a twisted and contemporary shape. Cruise control buttons have been moved from the steering wheel face to a stalk behind it.

The Canadian 3 Series followed the US very closely, and also had an additional trim in the entry-level 323i RWD sedan, which takes over from the 1997 BMW 320i and its 168 hp 2.2-litre inline six, which was in turn preceded by the 1997 BMW 318i 138 hp inline four. Its 2.5L inline-6 engine produced 174 hp for the 2006 model year and then 200 hp for 2007 onwards. With an MSRP of $35.200 for the 2006 model year, the 323i is priced the same as the BMW 128i, making them the least-expensive vehicles in the BMW Canadian lineup. As the base model in 3 Series lineup in Canada, the 323i does not have available or optional; Xenon headlamps, fog lamps, automatic climate control, power-adjustable seats, satellite navigation, premium audio, and Dakota leather upholstery. The 323i also only has a six-speaker audio system and 16-inch alloy wheels. The 2006-7 model year 323i did not have an engine block heater available—though one can be retrofitted—without this ignition in extremely cold weather are problematic. The 323i received fog lamps for 2008, automatic climate control for 2009, and 17-inch alloy wheels for 2010. Amenities like a glass sunroof, heated front seats, Bluetooth, and USB input are options on the 323i that are standard on the more expensive 3 Series trims. Facing heavy competition from the more-recently refreshed Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW Canada released the 2011 BMW 323i Luxury Edition with an MSRP of $37.650, including $3.500 of upgrades including automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, electric front seats, Bluetooth and USB compatibility, and an electric glass sunroof.

In 2002, Norbert Reithofer and Development Chief Burkhard Goeschel started an initiative to halve the time it took to reach full production of the next generation 3-series from six months to three.

First marketed in March 2005, the car quickly became BMW Group's best-selling motorcar worldwide, and by the end of the year 229.900 vehicles had been delivered.

The E90 saloon was replaced by the all-new F30 in February 2012 for the 2012 model year. The E91 estate has been redesigned for the 2013 model year.

The E92/E93's redesign is slated to debut in Spring of 2013 as 2014 models, at which time BMW will re-designate these as a BMW 4 Series.

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