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BMW E90 3 Series buyer's guide
2006–2013 · 325i / 325xi, 330i / 330xi, 328i / 328xi / xDrive, 335i / 335xi / xDrive, 335i / xDrive, 335is, 335d (N52, N54, N55, M57)
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Engines by year Model-year changes Known problems Other issues Warranty extensions Recalls Inspection checklist Red flags Which to buy Specs Paint codes Coding Ownership costs Production Sources
Models and engines by year
| Model | US model years | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| 325i / 325xi | 2006 | N52 |
| 330i / 330xi | 2006 | N52 |
| 328i / 328xi / xDrive | 2007–2013 | N52 |
| 335i / 335xi / xDrive | 2007–2010 | N54 |
| 335i / xDrive | 2011–2013 | N55 |
| 335is | 2011–2013 | N54 |
| 335d | 2009–2011 | M57 diesel |
US-market models. Chassis codes: E90, E91, E92, E93. Not sure which one you have? The VIN check decodes year, model and engine.
Model-year changes
| Model year | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Launch. The sedan came first (325i and 330i with the N52 inline-six, also as xi all-wheel drive). The coupe and convertible followed.13,14 |
| 2007 | The 328i (N52) and 335i (N54 twin-turbo, 300 hp) replace the 325i and 330i.13,15 |
| 2009 (sedan and wagon) | LCI facelift from September 2008: new bumpers, lights, mirrors, trunk lid, wider kidney grilles and hood lines. All-wheel-drive models are renamed xDrive (they were "xi").14,13 |
| 2011 (coupe and convertible) | Coupe and convertible LCI (production from about March 2010). The 335i switches from the N54 to the single-turbo N55. The 335is (N54, 320 hp, coupe and convertible, manual or DCT) is added for North America.14,13,15 |
| 2012–2013 | The sedan and wagon are replaced by the F30/F31 after MY2011. The coupe and convertible run through MY2013.14 |
US model years unless noted. "LCI" (Life Cycle Impulse) is BMW's name for a mid-cycle facelift.
Known problems and when they show up
Mileages are what the cited shops, specialists and owner forums report. They are typical ranges, not predictions for any one car.
N52 engine
325i / 325xi (2006), 330i / 330xi (2006), 328i / 328xi / xDrive (2007–2013) · N52 bulletins
| Problem | When it shows up | What to know | Repair prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric water pump and thermostat | about 60,000–100,000 miles | Overheating and limp mode. Replace the thermostat at the same time.1,2,3 | N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat |
| VANOS solenoids | about 70,000–130,000 miles | Rough cold idle, loss of power and codes 2A82/2A87.1,2 | VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) |
| Hydraulic lifter tick | usually 50,000 miles and up; 2008 and earlier | A tick on cold starts. It is annoying rather than harmful. BMW changed the lifters and head in December 2008, which fixed it.1 | No price yet |
| Valve cover and oil filter housing gasket leaks | about 60,000–100,000 miles | Oil smell and residue on top of the engine. A leaking oil filter housing can soak the belt.2,1 | No price yet |
N54 engine
335i / 335xi / xDrive (2007–2010), 335is (2011–2013) · N54 bulletins
| Problem | When it shows up | What to know | Repair prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric water pump and thermostat | about 60,000–100,000 miles; failures before 50,000 are reported | The electric pump usually fails without warning and the engine overheats quickly. Specialists suggest replacing the thermostat with it.4,5,6 | No price yet |
| High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) | any mileage; most common on early cars | Long cranks, stumbling and stalling. BMW extended HPFP coverage to 10 years/120,000 miles on 2007–2010 N54 cars, and later pumps are more reliable. That extension has expired on almost all cars by age.4,5 | N54 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement |
| Piezo fuel injectors | any mileage | Misfires and rough running. BMW revised the injector many times; owners treat index 11 and 12 as the reliable versions. BMW extended injector coverage to 10 years/120,000 miles on some cars.5,4,7 | No price yet |
| Turbo wastegate rattle | from about 40,000 miles, often by 80,000 | A metallic rattle off-throttle or on cold start. Rattle alone is mostly noise, but a failed wastegate means new turbos.5,4 | No price yet |
| Valve cover and oil filter housing gasket leaks | about 60,000–100,000 miles | Oil from a leaking oil filter housing can soak the drive belt. A belt that shreds can be pulled into the front main seal.5 | No price yet |
| VANOS solenoids | around 100,000 miles | Rough idle and cam timing faults.5 | VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) |
N55 engine
335i / xDrive (2011–2013) · N55 bulletins
| Problem | When it shows up | What to know | Repair prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valve cover and gasket leak | about 60,000–100,000 miles | Burning-oil smell and oil on the spark plug wells. The plastic cover can also crack, so it is often replaced together with the gasket.8,9,10 | N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV) Owners paid: indie shop $930–$1,625 · dealer $1,450–$2,076 |
| Oil filter housing gasket leak | about 50,000–130,000 miles | Oil drips onto the belt and tensioner. Fix it before the belt is damaged.8,9,10,11 | N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) Owners paid: indie shop $648–$763 |
| Electric water pump and thermostat | usually before 100,000 miles; reported failures range from about 30,000 to over 120,000 | Fails suddenly, often with no warning, then overheats.8,9,10 | N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat |
| Plastic charge pipe | can crack at any age, even at stock boost; about 40,000–90,000 miles (60,000–150,000 km) per EngineScope | Sudden loss of boost and a whoosh under load.8,10 | N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement |
| Oil pan gasket | usually past 100,000 miles | Expensive labor because the subframe must be lowered.8 | N55 oil pan gasket Owners paid: indie shop $1,588–$1,900 |
| VANOS solenoids | around 120,000 miles | Rough idle and cam timing faults.8 | VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) |
M57 engine
335d (2009–2011)
| Problem | When it shows up | What to know | Repair prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swirl flaps (early diesels) | Grosvenor recommends replacing aluminum flaps every 60,000 miles or 4 years | Autocar's specialists say the intake swirl flaps on early diesel X5s can break up, and a revised version still failed.12 | No price yet |
| Injectors, turbo actuator, DPF | high-mileage diesels | Poor starting and rough running can be injectors. Smoke can be a failing electronic turbo actuator. High-mileage diesels can suffer expensive DPF failure.12 | No price yet |
Known E90 issues beyond the engine
Valvetrain tick and VANOS on N52 cars. Lifter tick and VANOS faults, made worse by long oil intervals. See the N52 section below.16
Six-speed automatic. Reviewers find the six-speed automatic dated next to later ZF eight-speeds. It isn't a known failure point, but test it for harsh or slow shifts.13
Warranty extensions and service campaigns 36
Warranty extensions (36)
- SIB 01 20 16 Electrical system service information Electrical system service information on BMW E46/E70/E71/E72 and other models (2006–2014); BMW extended coverage for eligible cars. Warranty extension · May 2026
- SIB 01 07 22 Fuel tank warranty extension Fuel tank warranty extension on BMW F22/F23/F30/F31 and other models (2012–2021); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Oct 2024
- SIB 01 09 19 Fuel injectors warranty extension Fuel injectors warranty extension on BMW G01/G11/G12/G30 and other models (2009–2019); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Nov 2023
- SIB 01 19 18 Component specific limited warranty extension Component specific limited warranty extension on BMW G20/E60/E90/E92 and other models (2009–2019); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · May 2022
- NHTSA 10212779 Component and Issue Specific Limited Emission Warranty Extension Component and Issue Specific Limited Emission Warranty Extension on BMW G20/E90/E92/E93 and other models (2012–2021); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Apr 2022
- SIB 64 06 13 Air conditioning warranty extension Air conditioning warranty extension on BMW G20/E90/E92/E93 and other models (2012–2021); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Nov 2021
- SIB 11 03 17 Timing chain warranty extension Timing chain warranty extension on BMW E84/E89/E92/E93 and other models (2011–2018); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Oct 2021
- SIB 11 02 21 Electrical class-action settlement Electrical class-action settlement on BMW E84/E89/E92/E93 and other models (2012–2018); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Sep 2021
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 01 26 18 Steering warranty extension Steering warranty extension on BMW E90/E92/E93/F22 and other models (2012–2018); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jun 2020
- SIB 01 16 18 Airbag class-action settlement Airbag class-action settlement on BMW E46/E53/E70/E71 and other models (2006–2015); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Jan 2019
- SIB 84 06 18 Horn warranty extension Horn warranty extension on BMW G01/G11/G12/G30 and other models (2011–2018); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Mar 2018
- SIB 01 10 14 VANOS warranty extension VANOS warranty extension on BMW E60/E70/E82/E88 and other models (2009–2013); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Feb 2018
- SIB 11 11 16 Turbocharger warranty extension Turbocharger warranty extension on N20 engines (2012–2013); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Feb 2018
- SIB 01 01 18 Seat warranty extension Seat warranty extension on BMW E46/E60/E61/E83 and other models (2006); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jan 2018
Showing 15 of 36.
Filed by BMW with NHTSA. Extensions usually follow the car to later owners and can reimburse earlier repairs; a BMW dealer can confirm by VIN.
NHTSA safety recalls 19
- Recall 24V608: water pump, plug connector 228I, 328I, 428I, 528I, X1, X3, X4, X5, Z4, 2012–2018. BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 201
- Recall 24V513: driver air bag module 325I, 328I, 330I, 335D, 335I, 2006–2012. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
- Recall 20V017: inflator module 1 SERIES M, 128I, 135I, 325I, 328I, 330I, 335D, 335I, 335IS, M3, X1, X3, X5, X6, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, 2006–2015. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Recall 19V472: fuses and circuit breakers 328I, 335D, M3, 2008–2012. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
- Recall 19V273: crankcase (PCV) 325I, 330I, 525I, 530I, Z4, 2006. 0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles.
- Recall 14V428: air bags 325I, 330I, M3, 2006.
- Recall 18V314: fuses and circuit breakers 335D, 2010–2011. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade over time, possibly resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
- Recall 17V683: crankcase (PCV) 128I, 328I, 525I, 528I, 530I, X3, X5, Z4, 2007–2011. 0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles.
- Recall 17V676: wiring 325I, 328I, 330I, 335D, 335I, 335IS, M3, 2006–2011. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
- Recall 17V428: occupant classification 325I, 330I, 525I, 530I, 550I, 2006. BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats.
- Recall 17V067: constant velocity joint 1 SERIES M, 135I, 335D, 335I, 535I, 535I GRAN TURISMO, 550I GRAN TURISMO, 740I, 740LI, Z4, 2011–2012. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
- Recall 16V071: inflator module 1 SERIES M, 128I, 135I, 325, 328, 330, 335, M3, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, X5 SAV, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, X6 SAC, 2006–2015. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Showing the 12 newest of 19.
Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. A recall may cover only some cars from a year, and it may already have been done on yours. Check by VIN →
Test drive and inspection checklist
- Run the VIN for open recalls. Open safety recalls are free at any BMW dealer. Check on NHTSA's site or our recall page before you buy.17
- Scan for stored fault codes with a BMW-capable tool. A generic OBD reader misses most BMW modules. Specialist guides recommend a BMW-level scan (ISTA or similar) to catch faults that have been cleared from the dash but still stored.18,19
- Start it from cold. Ask the seller not to warm the car up first. Chain rattle, VANOS rattle, lifter tick and rough idle show most clearly in the first seconds after a cold start.18,20,16
- Ask a BMW dealer about warranty extensions and campaigns. Several BMW warranty extensions follow the car, not the owner, and some reimburse earlier repairs. A dealer can check the VIN. The list for this chassis is below.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a BMW specialist. A few hundred dollars for an independent BMW specialist is the usual advice, especially for M cars and high-mileage turbo engines.21,18
- 335i (N54): ask about the high-pressure fuel pump and injectors. Look for long cranking, stumbling under load, and wastegate rattle on lift-off. BMW extended coverage on the N54 HPFP and injectors (see the engine section).13
- All E9x cars use hydraulic power steering. Check for fluid leaks at the pump, reservoir and lines, and listen for whine at full lock.15
Engine items to listen and look for are in the known problems section.
Service-history red flags
- Oil changes only at the long computer interval. Several guides advise changing oil more often than the onboard service indicator (CBS) suggests, especially with lots of city driving.16,22
- Gaps in the records around known failure mileages. If the engine section below lists a job that usually comes due at the car's mileage, ask for the invoice. A missing record isn't proof it wasn't done, but it is a negotiating point.
- Tuned or "deleted" cars. Tunes, emissions deletes and removed parts complicate warranty claims and inspections and raise wear on turbo cars. Ask, and look for aftermarket intakes, downpipes and charge pipes.
- N52: ask for records of Electric water pump and thermostat; VANOS solenoids; Hydraulic lifter tick; Valve cover and oil filter housing gasket leaks.
- N54: ask for records of Electric water pump and thermostat; High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP); Piezo fuel injectors; Turbo wastegate rattle; Valve cover and oil filter housing gasket leaks; VANOS solenoids.
- N55: ask for records of Valve cover and gasket leak; Oil filter housing gasket leak; Electric water pump and thermostat; Plastic charge pipe; Oil pan gasket; VANOS solenoids.
- M57: ask for records of Swirl flaps (early diesels); Injectors, turbo actuator, DPF.
Which E90 to look for
Lower-maintenance pick: N52 328i. BMWTuning calls the N52 cars the best bet for most enthusiasts and generally cheaper to maintain and repair. BMWBlog's editor picks a post-LCI 328i coupe with a manual.15,13
Most performance: 335i/335is. BMWBlog says the N54 335i "might not be worth the headache" unless the fuel pump has been replaced. BMWTuning suggests budgeting an extra $3,000–$5,000 after buying an N54 car. Both call the 2011+ N55 335i a better balance.13,15
Rare option: 335d diesel sedan. BMWBlog notes the US-only-as-a-sedan 335d (3.0 L turbo diesel, 265 hp, 425 lb-ft) as special but hard to find.13
These are the views of the cited reviewers and specialists, not a ranking of our own.
E90 specs
BMW's US figures we have on file run from 215 hp (325i) to 320 hp (335is Coupe), with 0-60 mph as quick as 5.0 s.
A manual gearbox was offered in model years 2006–2013 (EPA listings). Full E90 specs: every US engine, transmission and drive by year →
Factory paint and option codes
Paint colors BMW of North America listed for the E90 in the ordering and pricing guides we read:
| Code | Color | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | Alpine White | 2009–2011 |
| 354 | Titanium Silver Metallic | 2009–2011 |
| 475 | Black Sapphire Metallic | 2009–2011 |
| 668 | Jet Black | 2009–2011 |
| 896 | Blue Water Metallic | 2009–2011 |
| A13 | Atlantic Blue Metallic | 2009–2010 |
| A17 | Mojave Metallic | 2009–2011 |
| A35 | Monaco Blue Metallic | 2009–2010 |
| A39 | Barbera Red Metallic | 2009–2010 |
| A51 | Montego Blue Metallic | 2009–2011 |
| A52 | Space Gray Metallic | 2009–2011 |
| A53 | Platinum Bronze Metallic | 2009–2011 |
| A61 | Crimson Red | 2009–2011 |
| A81 | Tasman Green Metallic | 2009–2011 |
| 381 | Le Mans Blue Metallic | 2010–2011 |
| A76 | Deep Sea Blue Metallic | 2011 |
| A82 | Vermilion Red Metallic | 2011 |
| A96 | Mineral White Metallic | 2011 |
70 option codes are listed for the E90 in the same guides. Search them.
Only model years covered by the guides we could obtain are shown.
Coding
The coding apps' own lists show 141 settings that owners can change on the E90 with a phone and an OBD adapter, in areas such as Tail gate/Rear lid, Doors/windows, Daytime running light, Convenient opening/closing, Welcome Lights, Window cleaning. 111 come from BimmerCode's list and 30 more appear only in Carly's list.
Ownership costs
Routine maintenance: oil service prices by engine size, published BMW Value Service prices (brakes, spark plugs) from 16 US dealers, and the E90 maintenance schedule. Most E90 models: 6-cylinder (N52, N54, N55): $119.99 Value Service tier; 335d diesel and M3 are "Other".
Repairs we price that apply to the E90
| Repair and owner-reported prices |
|---|
| N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) Owners paid: indie shop $648–$763 |
| N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV) Owners paid: indie shop $930–$1,625 · dealer $1,450–$2,076 |
| N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat |
| N55 oil pan gasket Owners paid: indie shop $1,588–$1,900 |
| VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) |
| N55 ignition coils (all six) |
| N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement |
| N54 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement |
"Owners paid" is the middle 50% of sourced owner prices across chassis with the same engine. Each job page reprices for your ZIP.
By model year
| Year | Models and engines | NHTSA recalls | Warranty extensions | Repairs we price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 325i / 325xi N52 330i / 330xi N52 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
| 2007 | 328i / 328xi / xDrive N52 335i / 335xi / xDrive N54 | 7 | 14 | 3 |
| 2008 | 328i / 328xi / xDrive N52 335i / 335xi / xDrive N54 | 7 | 12 | 3 |
| 2009 | 328i / 328xi / xDrive N52 335i / 335xi / xDrive N54 335d M57 diesel | 7 | 15 | 3 |
| 2010 | 328i / 328xi / xDrive N52 335i / 335xi / xDrive N54 335d M57 diesel | 9 | 15 | 3 |
| 2011 | 328i / 328xi / xDrive N52 335i / xDrive N55 335is N54 335d M57 diesel | 11 | 17 | 8 Priciest: N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV), owners paid up to $2,076 (dealer, middle 50%) |
| 2012 | 328i / 328xi / xDrive N52 335i / xDrive N55 335is N54 | 11 | 26 | 8 Priciest: N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV), owners paid up to $2,076 (dealer, middle 50%) |
| 2013 | 328i / 328xi / xDrive N52 335i / xDrive N55 335is N54 | 6 | 26 | 8 Priciest: N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV), owners paid up to $2,076 (dealer, middle 50%) |
Recalls and warranty extensions are counted when their published model-year range includes that year. Each one may cover only some cars, so check by VIN. Repairs counted are the ones whose engine was offered that year.
Production
| What | Units | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth-generation 3 Series sold, 2005–2013 sum of yearly unit sales in BMW annual reports | 3,076,085 | Wikipedia |
| Sedan (E90) | 1,825,549 | Wikipedia |
| Touring (E91) | 617,929 | Wikipedia |
| Coupe (E92) | 376,232 | Wikipedia |
| Convertible (E93) | 256,375 | Wikipedia |
Figures are copied as each source publishes them (retrieved October 18, 2026). "Sold" figures are BMW's reported sales, not production counts. Where we add numbers up, they come from one source. We leave out anything that hasn't been published.
Sources
- BMWTuning: 7 most common N52 problems
- Euro Premium Parts: N52 engine guide
- AmpAuto: N52 problems
- FCP Euro: definitive guide to the N54
- BMWTuning: N54 FAQ
- BMWTuning: 8 most common N54 problems
- BMW: N54 fuel injector warranty extension to 10 yr/120k mi, via NHTSA
- BMWTuning: N55 FAQ
- BMWTuning: 5 most common N55 problems
- EngineScope: N55 reliability
- r/F30: how long has your N55 lasted?
- Autocar: used car buying guide, BMW X5 (E70)
- BMWBlog: E90 3 Series buyer's guide
- Wikipedia: BMW 3 Series (E90)
- BMWTuning: E90 buyer's guide
- carsales: buying a used E90 3 Series
- NHTSA recall lookup by VIN
- The Stable: E92 M3 buyer's guide
- Euro Premium Parts: E60 M5 reliability guide
- carsales: buying a used F30 3 Series (2015–20)
- Road & Track: E46 M3 buyer's guide
- Drive-My: E60 5 Series buying guide (six-cylinder petrol)
Retrieved 2026-10-18. Bulletins and recalls come from NHTSA filings; owner prices come from the public posts linked on each job page.