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BMW 3 Series E90 (2005–2012)

4.0/5
Reliability score Good
Email-verified reliability report

Model and generation reliability insights from verified owners. Variants are selected when adding reviews.

4 Verified owner reports

Every report is validated by email.

Most reported affected parts

View all parts
1
Starter motor
1 reports
2
Clutch
1 reports
3
Suspension / shock absorbers
1 reports

Engine reliability summary

Petrol

Engine Score Reports Common issues
316i (122 Hp) (N45B16) 4.0 4 Starter motor, Clutch, Suspension / shock absorbers
318i (129 Hp) (N46B20B) No reports 0 No issues reported
318i (129 Hp) Steptronic (N46B20) No reports 0 No issues reported
318i (143 Hp) (N43B20A) No reports 0 No issues reported
Show 42 more engines
318i (143 Hp) Steptronic (N43B20A) No reports 0 No issues reported
320i (150 Hp) (N46B20B) No reports 0 No issues reported
320i (150 Hp) Steptronic (N46B20B) No reports 0 No issues reported
320i (170 Hp) (N43B20A) No reports 0 No issues reported
320i (170 Hp) Steptronic (N43B20A) No reports 0 No issues reported
320si (173 Hp) (N45B20) No reports 0 No issues reported
323i (200 Hp) (N52B25) No reports 0 No issues reported
323i (200 Hp) Steptronic (N52B25) No reports 0 No issues reported
325i (218 Hp) (N53B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
325i (218 Hp) (N53B30U0) No reports 0 No issues reported
325i (218 Hp) (N52B25A) No reports 0 No issues reported
325i (218 Hp) Steptronic (N53B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
325i (218 Hp) Steptronic (N53B30U0) No reports 0 No issues reported
325i (218 Hp) Steptronic (N52B25A) No reports 0 No issues reported
325i (218 Hp) xDrive (N53B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
325i (218 Hp) xDrive (N53B30U0) No reports 0 No issues reported
325i (218 Hp) xDrive Steptronic (N53B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
325i (218 Hp) xDrive Steptronic (N53B30U0) No reports 0 No issues reported
325xi (218 Hp) (N52B25A) No reports 0 No issues reported
328i (230 Hp) (N52B30) No reports 0 No issues reported
328i (230 Hp) Steptronic (N52B30) No reports 0 No issues reported
328i (230 Hp) xDrive (N52B30) No reports 0 No issues reported
328i (230 Hp) xDrive Steptronic (N52B30) No reports 0 No issues reported
328xi (230 Hp) (N52B30) No reports 0 No issues reported
328xi (230 Hp) Steptronic (N52B30) No reports 0 No issues reported
330i (258 Hp) (N52B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330i (258 Hp) Steptronic (N52B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330i (272 Hp) (N53B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330i (272 Hp) Steptronic (N53B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330i (272 Hp) xDrive (N53B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330i (272 Hp) xDrive Steptronic (N53B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330xi (258 Hp) (N52B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330xi (258 Hp) Steptronic (N52B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
335i (306 Hp) (N55B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
335i (306 Hp) (N54B30) No reports 0 No issues reported
335i (306 Hp) Steptronic (N55B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
335i (306 Hp) Steptronic (N54B30) No reports 0 No issues reported
335i (306 Hp) xDrive (N55B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
335i (306 Hp) xDrive (N54B30) No reports 0 No issues reported
335i (306 Hp) xDrive Steptronic (N55B30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
335i (306 Hp) xDrive Steptronic (N54B30) No reports 0 No issues reported
335xi (306 Hp) (N54B30) No reports 0 No issues reported

Diesel

Engine Score Reports Common issues
316d (115 Hp) (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
318d (122 Hp) (M47D20TU2) No reports 0 No issues reported
318d (143 Hp) (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
318d (143 Hp) Steptronic (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
Show 25 more engines
320d (163 Hp) (M47D20TU2) No reports 0 No issues reported
320d (163 Hp) DPF Steptronic (M47D20TU2) No reports 0 No issues reported
320d (177 Hp) (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
320d (177 Hp) DPF Steptronic (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
320d (177 Hp) Steptronic (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
320d (177 Hp) xDrive (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
320d (177 Hp) xDrive Steptronic (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
320d (184 Hp) (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
320d (184 Hp) Steptronic (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
320d (184 Hp) xDrive (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
320d (184 Hp) xDrive Steptronic (N47D20C) No reports 0 No issues reported
325d (197 Hp) (M57D30TU2) No reports 0 No issues reported
325d (197 Hp) Steptronic (M57D30TU2) No reports 0 No issues reported
325d (204 Hp) (N57D30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
325d (204 Hp) Steptronic (N57D30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330d (231 Hp) (M57D30TU2) No reports 0 No issues reported
330d (231 Hp) DPF Steptronic (M57D30TU2) No reports 0 No issues reported
330d (245 Hp) (N57D30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330d (245 Hp) Steptronic (N57D30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330d (245 Hp) xDrive (N57D30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330d (245 Hp) xDrive Steptronic (N57D30A) No reports 0 No issues reported
330xd (231 Hp) (M57D30TU2) No reports 0 No issues reported
330xd (231 Hp) DPF Steptronic (M57D30TU2) No reports 0 No issues reported
335d (265 Hp) Steptronic (M57D30TU2) No reports 0 No issues reported
335d (286 Hp) Steptronic (M57D30TU2) No reports 0 No issues reported

Owner reviews

Verified owner Verified
BMW 3 Series E90 316i (122 Hp) Sedan 156,000 km

Problem: Starter Motor

Issue: Starter motor has been problematic for some time during startup.

Verified owner Verified
BMW 3 Series E90 316i (122 Hp) Sedan Mileage unknown

Problem: Clutch

BMW 316i 1991 classic car, incredibly robust, simple yet reliable mechanics. 122,000 km driven. Apart from the clutch slave cylinder, no breakdowns.

Pros: BMW 316i 1991, Classic car, Extremely robust, Simple but reliable mechanics, 122,000 km driven, No breakdowns (except clutch)
Cons: Clutch slave cylinder issue
Verified owner Verified
BMW 3 Series E90 316i (122 Hp) Sedan 113,000 km

Very Good - 3 Series E90

Perfect aesthetics, comfortable, spacious, and very good soundproofing. Engine with 122 hp is a bit underpowered. Ignition coils replaced at 100,000 km.

Pros: Perfect aesthetics, Comfortable, Spacious, Very good soundproofing
Cons: 122 hp engine a bit underpowered, Ignition coils replaced at 100,000 km
Verified owner Verified
BMW 3 Series E90 316i (122 Hp) Sedan 60,000 km

Problem: Suspension

Beautiful car, in my opinion better than the F30 and still stylish, especially with the FL LED taillights. It has go-kart-like handling with 17-inch wheels and good engine sound insulation.

Pros: It's gorgeous! To my eyes, more beautiful than the F30 and still not outdated, especially the facelift with LED taillights., Go-kart-like handling with 17-inch wheels., Engine sound insulation.
Cons: N43 1.6 engine a bit underpowered., Suspension a bit stiff., No folding rear seat in mine.

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