Not many cars can match the style and driving experience of the BMW 3-series.
It’s a small sporty car with a strong engine riding on a classic rear-wheel drive platform.
The fifth-generation 3-series comes as a rear- or all-wheel drive sedan (E90), wagon (E92), coupe (E92) or a rear-wheel drive-only convertible (E93). All body styles are available with a manual transmission.
The 3-series interior is sporty-tight and nicely-finished. Front seats are very comfortable on long trips. Crash-test ratings are pretty good. Overall, it’s a well-built car, but ownership costs could be expensive. Is this a good reason to pass on this ultimate driving machine? What model years and which engine is more reliable? Let’s look closely.
 2007 BMW 3-series interior.
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Model line-up: For the 2006 model year, the US 3-series line-up consisted of the 325i and performance-oriented 330i sedan and wagon; the coupe and convertible carried over from the previous generation (E46). For 2007, the 325i and 330i were replaced by 328i and twin-turbo 335i and the fifth-generation coupe and convertible were added. The 335d turbo-diesel was added for 2009. Out of curiosity we checked the European market. The most widely available E90 model in the UK and Germany is the 320d with the 2.0L diesel engine and a manual transmission.
2007 BMW 3-series inline-6 N52 engine.
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N52 Engine: The North-American 323 (Canada only), 325, 328 and 330 models come with the N52 inline-6 engine. The Canadian 323i has the 2.5L version (N52B25), while the 325i, 328i and 330i models come with the different versions of the 3.0L N52B30 engine (UL, M1 and OL respectively).
The N52 is a lightweight high-tech motor with 4 valves per cylinder, variable intake valve lift and variable timing. Its aluminum cylinder block is incased into a magnesium shell. It comes with hollow camshafts and electric water pump. This engine has a maintenance-free timing chain; there is no timing belt. Overall it’s a solid performer.
The difference in horsepower between models is achieved by different compression ratio, intake manifold design and computer tuning. The 2006 BMW 325i (215 hp) and the 2007-2011 BMW 328i (230 hp) have a single-stage intake, while the 2006 BMW 330i (255 hp) comes with the 3-stage DISA intake manifold. Does this mean that you can add more power to 325i or 328i by upgrading to the 3-stage intake and re-flashing the engine computer? Read more below.
BMW N54 twin-turbo engine. Photo: BMW
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N54 Engine: The 306-hp 3.0L direct-injected inline-6 N54 powers the high-performance BMW 335i for 2007-2010 model years. The N54 has a pair of small low-boost (8.8 psi) turbocharges, each powered by three cylinders (123 and 456).
Fuel is injected directly into cylinders by high-pressure piezo fuel injectors. Due to its complex design, the N54 could be expensive to maintain when out of warranty, but it has a lot more power. The stock 335i can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 5 seconds.
Fuel Economy: The diesel-powered 335d is very fuel-efficient (36 MPG or 6.5 L/100 km on the highway) and can get up to 435 miles to a tank, however, it’s very rare on the used car market. The two most common for the US market models, 328i and 335i get 18/28 and 17/26 mpg city/highway respectively on premium gasoline.
2011 BMW Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe.
One of only 20 sold in the US. Photo: BMW |
BMW M3: For the 2006, the E46 M3 carried over. The 4-th generation E9x M3 became available for 2008, as a sedan, coupe or convertible. The M3 has rear-wheel drive and comes with the naturally-aspirated 414-hp 4.0L V8 S65 engine. The 0 to 60 mph time is around 4.5 seconds. The M3 comes with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.
Pros: Styling, excellent handling, comfortable ride, strong engine, rich interior, condition-based maintenance remainder, variety of available mods and enthusiast support, plenty of owner forums and do-it-yourself information.
Cons: Requires premium gasoline, expensive to maintain, potentially-costly problems, tight interior space, run-flat tires, no spare.
2008 BMW 335i Coupe Photo: BMW
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Overall: It’s not a secret that a used BMW will be more expensive to maintain than a Honda or Toyota, which means you have to have spare cash available. Opting for a certified pre-owned (CPO) BMW is a good idea, however, as of 2015, only the 2011 models qualify. An aftermarket extended warranty with good coverage is another option.
The twin-turbo 335i will probably need more expensive repairs in the long run, while the 2009-plus 328i is more reliable according to Consumer Reports. A repair shop that specializes in BMW is your best option for servicing. If you like working on your car, finding DIY information won’t be a problem, thanks to a large amount of BMW enthusiasts.
Overall, the 3-series is an excellent car to drive. If you know what to expect and ready to deal with potentially expensive repairs, there is no other reason why it should be overlooked. We strongly recommend to have the vehicle inspected by an independent dealer or BMW specialist before purchase. After an inspection, ask a mechanic what problems to expect in the future.
Common problems:
Electronic steering lock is one of the trouble areas mostly in the 2006 and some 2007 models. Initially the yellow or red steering lock warning light might come on and the steering lock can take some time to unlock intermittently. Eventually the lock mechanism may fail completely, preventing the car from starting. The BMW recommended repair involves replacement of the steering column, which could be costly. Plenty of repair information is available online. Some owners report that reprogramming solved the issue. Try googling ELV E90 repair.
Faulty exhaust side hydraulic valve lifters (HVA) can cause a ticking noise after the engine is warmed up in some 2006-2008 models with the N52 engine. Some owners report the noise temporarily disappeared after a long highway drive or switching to different type of engine oil. As per one of the BMW service bulletins (SIB), the 12 exhaust side lifters must be replaced with updated parts. In some cases the cylinder head also had to be replaced to completely resolve the problem. Some owners choose to live with the problem rather than spend money on repairs.
A failed electric water pump can cause overheating. Another symptom could be the radiator fan staying on at high speed for a long time. This repair should be done as soon as possible, as overheating can cause more engine problems down the road. Usually a thermostat is recommended to be replaced along with the water pump.
Oil leaks are very common. The most common reported source is the valve cover gasket, and the oil filter housing gasket. Transmission pan and the connector sleeve may leak too.
A failed ignition coil may cause the engine to misfire and run rough. Ignition coil replacement is not very expensive. If the spark plugs haven’t been replaced in a while, it might be a good idea to replace the spark plugs too.
In the N54 engine, the high pressure fuel pump is a commonly-mentioned problem. The symptoms include long starting time (long crank), reduced engine power and Service Engine Soon light. However there was a recall in 2010 and according to some sources, the warranty has been extended.
Sticky door handles are often mentioned. Some owners report that sticky door handles can be resolved by lubricating them.
A failing blower fan motor can produce a squeaking noise. Some owners were able to get rid of the problem by lubricating the motor bearings.
A blown fuse can cause the power lock function to stop working, although in many cases, it could be caused by a failing door lock actuator that will need to be replaced.
Other issues include faulty VANOS solenoids, leaking headlight washer jets, cracked rubber cooling system hoses and suspension bushings, faulty window regulators.