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BMW E90 3 Series common problems & repair costs

2006–2013 · 325i/328i/330i/335i sedan, coupe and convertible (N52, N54, N55). The repairs that come up most on the E90, the symptoms owners describe, and what each costs at a dealer or an independent shop.

Last updated

At a glance

ProblemEngineIndependent shopDealer
N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG)N55$610–$760
owners paid $648–$763		$1,492–$1,970
N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV)N55$1,225–$1,547
owners paid $930–$1,625		$2,017–$2,557
owners paid $1,450–$2,076
N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostatN52, N54, N55$758–$1,259$1,841–$2,250
VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust)N20, N52, N54, N55, B46/B48, B58$549–$703$973–$1,199
N55 ignition coils (all six)N55$355–$789$1,064–$1,299

Estimates are national averages; each repair page re-prices for your ZIP. "Owners paid" is the middle of the real prices we sourced. Buying a E90? Run the pre-purchase VIN check →

N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG)

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Oil on the serpentine belt / tensioner pulley (belt can shred)
  • Burning-oil smell after driving
  • Oil on the coolant hose at the cylinder head
  • Oil seeping down the front of the engine

Which cars and when

2011–2018 335i/435i/535i/640i, X3/X4 35i, X5/X6 35i, M235i/M2 (N55), 135i (2011–12)

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 160k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

  • SIB 11 01 20 Oil filter housing cracking Oil filter housing cracking on BMW G01/G02/G05/G07 and other models (2012–2021); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jun 2021
  • SIB 11 14 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E90/E92/E93/F30 and other models (2012–2017); BMW shared service information. Service bulletin · Jan 2016
  • SIB 11 13 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E60/E84/E89/E90 and other models (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Aug 2015
  • SIB 11 05 15 N20 and N55 Engine N20 and N55 Engine on N20/N55 engines (2011–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015

N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG): prices, 15 sourced quotes →

N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV)

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Oil leak at the valve cover edge; burning oil smell
  • Rough idle / misfire, whistling at idle (failed PCV — integrated in the cover)
  • Oil in the spark plug wells

Which cars and when

2011–2018 335i/435i/535i, X3/X4/X5/X6 35i, M235i, 135i (2011–12)

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 85k mi, 90k mi, 107k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV): prices, 14 sourced quotes →

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat

N52, N54, N55 (3.0L 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Coolant temperature warning / 'Engine hot' message
  • Reduced power, electric fan running hard
  • Water pump fault codes; sudden failure can leave the car stranded

Which cars and when

2006–2018 328i/335i/535i, X3/X5 (E70/F15) 35i, 135i/M235i, Z4 (E89)

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 56k mi, 91k mi, 165k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices, 8 sourced quotes →

VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust)

N20, N52, N54, N55, B46/B48, B58

Symptoms owners report

  • Rough or unstable idle, especially cold
  • Loss of low-end power
  • Check-engine light with camshaft timing faults (e.g. P0010–P0015 range)
  • Worse fuel economy

Which cars and when

Most 2006+ BMW 4- and 6-cylinder gas engines

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

Related BMW bulletins

  • SIB 11 02 08 VANOS reduced power VANOS reduced power on BMW E46/E60/E61/E70 and other models (2006–2015); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Sep 2020
  • NHTSA 10162395 VANOS rattle VANOS rattle on N55 engines (2006–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2019
  • NHTSA 10162416 VANOS reduced power VANOS reduced power on N54 engines (2006–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2019
  • 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

VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust): prices, 1 sourced quotes →

N55 ignition coils (all six)

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Flashing check-engine light and a misfire you can feel, often under load or on cold starts
  • Misfire fault codes for one cylinder (BMW codes 29CD–29D2, OBD P0301–P0306)
  • Rough or shaky idle
  • Engine power reduced message after a misfire
  • The misfire follows the coil when it is swapped to another cylinder

Which cars and when

2011–2016 F30 335i, F32 435i, F10 535i, E90/E92 335i (2011+), F25 X3 35i, F15 X5 35i and other N55 cars. Priced here for the F30 335i.

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

Related BMW bulletins

  • SIB 12 24 05 Ignition coils misfire Ignition coils misfire on BMW E90/E92/E93 models (2007–2010); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Nov 2010

N55 ignition coils (all six): prices, 0 sourced quotes →

BMW warranty extensions that list the E90

If a car qualifies, the listed repair may be free. Check eligibility for the VIN with a BMW center.

More for the E90

E90 repair costs E90 maintenance schedule & costs All E90 service bulletins

Sources: the owner posts linked on each repair page, BMW service bulletins filed with NHTSA (public data), and our estimates. Not affiliated with BMW.

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