Its victory over vehicles from various car classes, such as the BMW 525i, Mazda MX-5, and Mercedes S500, as well as its immediate opponents, in 2006, earned it the titles of Executive Car of the Year and our overall Car of the Year awards. When it was time to award the trophies, we mentioned how the 320d was the ideal vehicle for any journey due to its silence. “We’d prefer the BMW every time,” a friend said. “An empty road, a city at rush hour, a long drive on the freeway.”
As the years passed, the praise persisted. In fact, during each of the eight years the E90 was on the market, it was awarded Best Executive Car. The little 3 Series also defeated the BMW 520d and Jaguar XF to win the championship in its final year.
So why did the E90 outperform competitors by a wide margin? because it raised the bar for refinement and driving enjoyment, two qualities that are rarely found in one vehicle. With 184 horsepower available, the 320d could sprint to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, and its combination of firm grip, intelligent steering, and outstanding body control assured it would remain surefooted – and enormous joy – when hurried through a winding B-road. It maintained BMW’s crucial driver appeal.
However, the most of the time, engine and road noise were muted, and in top gear, it could go practically silently at highway speeds. The BMW’s run-flat tires were its only flaw, making the ride a little rougher than that of its competitors.
There were further benefits as well. With average fuel efficiency of 49.6 mpg and CO2 emissions under 120 g/km, the 320d was economical to operate for both individual and business car drivers. With more space in the front and more legroom in the back than its predecessor, the E46, it was also quite practical.
Last but not least, the E90 was the first 3 Series to be equipped with BMW’s market-beating iDrive infotainment system. The same fundamental design principles that continue to give the system the advantage over competitors for usability were applied, but with a rotary controller rather than conventional buttons. In a test of more than 20 different brands, iDrive was shown to be our top-rated infotainment system just this year.
Therefore, I believe it is appropriate to name the giant-slaying E90 as the best automobile in our history in the year that the 3 Series celebrates its 45th birthday. This model helped BMW take the lead in the executive class by winning our award for executive car of the year eight times, eight times better than some larger models.
In This Article...
Which Should You Purchase?
In all honesty, and I don’t mean to sound unsure, they’re all excellent. The BMW 3 Series E9x series as a whole is excellent. The E90 had a superbly balanced chassis, all models continued to include BMW’s excellent hydraulic steering, and manual gearboxes were available on all of them.
Really, all you have to do is decide whatever model and values you want. The post-LCI BMW 335i is virtually unbeatable if power and performance are your top priorities.
Nico’s Choice: If it were up to me, I’d propose looking into post-LCI BMW 328i Coupes with manual transmissions. It is the final 3 Series with a normally aspirated engine and the final 3 Series coupe (switched to 4 Series Coupe with F3x-generation). Thus, a car with a manual transmission is not only unique to drive, but also easy to use, dependable, and, when equipped with a M Sport package, exceptionally attractive.
Better Than We Recall, the E90 3 Series — C&D Retro Review
The E90 BMW 3 Series was first viewed as the start of the brand’s slide from its perch atop the Ultimate Driving Machine. Compared to the E46 3 Series it replaced, it was bigger, heavier, more electrical, and more sophisticated. Fans were therefore understandably a little dubious of it. Customers adored it because it was so successful, but fans yearned for the simpler, more straightforward 3ers of old. That is, at least, what is said about the E90 nowadays. However, the E90 was still a fantastic driver’s car when it was new, as this 2009 Car and Driver review demonstrates.
I adore Car and Driver’s comparison tests from the past. They provide us a peek into the minds of automobiles that, while well-known to us today, were brand-new at the time. As a result, C&D was examining the E90 with new eyes, whereas today’s BMW aficionados reflect on the E90.
The E90 3 Series did indeed make its debut in 2006, but in 2009 it received an LCI update that significantly changed its engines and improved its appearance. C&D was incredibly impressed after that LCI.
The E90 BMW 328i is pitted against the Audi A4 2.0T, Acura TL SH-AWD, and Infiniti G37 in this comparison. Only the Audi had less power than the 3er, making it one of the least powerful vehicles in the test. The 328i was outperformed by the Infiniti in terms of performance and, although being much more expensive, lacked features that both the Infiniti and Acura possessed.
Even though the E90 BMW 328i had a number of drawbacks on paper, it nonetheless triumphed. Although not by much over the Infiniti, it still prevailed. So how did it succeed? BMW has a history of dominating comparison testing thanks to its precision handling and alluring yet modest styling. It is the finest overall car to drive in the test thanks to its smooth inline-six engine, superb manual transmission, crisp steering, and comfortable ride.
Therefore, enthusiasts should consider comparison studies like this to keep in mind that the E90 was actually a very nice automobile when they look back on it as sort of the beginning of the end for the E90.
BMW E90 Reliability
We can fairly conclude that the E90 3-series is a trustworthy automobile because most BMW enthusiasts regard it as one of the company’s most dependable models ever. A BMW E90 3-series from the years 2006–2011 without a turbocharger is perhaps a good choice.
Finding a used BMW with a known service history and one that has been maintained on time is crucial if you plan to purchase one. A well-kept E90 will provide a generally smooth ride with few to no unpleasant surprises.
Is the BMW 320i a decent vehicle?
The BMW 3 Series 320i xDrive receives our approval. The 320i xDrive is undoubtedly a fantastic vehicle, but its brothers with two-wheel drive outperform it due to the additional weight of the four-wheel drive system.
Which BMW, the 320i or 328i, is superior?
The 320i is a sensible option for those on a budget because it has the lowest price and the best fuel efficiency. More power, interior comforts, and safety features are available in the 328i.
Is a BMW 320i a quick vehicle?
I’m hoping to find a BMW that’s reasonably priced. I discovered the BMW 320i is a terrific value buy after conducting some research. Just make sure it has the power and speed I approve of. What is the BMW 320i’s top speed?
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The BMW 320i was a mainstay of the BMW portfolio for more than 40 years and was produced from 1975 to 2018. Despite being plush and comfy, the BMW 320i’s top speed in its later years varied between 143 and 148 mph, depending on who you ask.
The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the final generation of the BMW 320i produced 180 horsepower, which was a little underpowered but still did the job.
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Is maintaining a BMW 320i expensive?
Costs of BMW 320i auto maintenance and repairs A BMW 320i is expected to cost between $95 and $4055 to maintain and repair, with an average cost of $336.
What does the BMW E90 mean?
We’ll give you a quick crash course in the E90-gen 3er before we get into the intricacies so you can catch up before you invest any money. Beginning in 2006 and lasting until 2012, the E90-generation BMW 3 Series received a mid-cycle refresh (LCI) in 2009.
Although it is referred to as the E90-generation, that chassis code actually has a few different iterations. Standard designations for vehicles include “E90” for sedans, “E91” for five-door wagons, “E92” for two-door coupes, and “E93” for two-door convertibles. The same is true for M3 cars, as this generation of BMW has no M-specific chassis codes.
What are typical BMW 320i issues?
- Engine Cooling Unit. Overheating is a problem that many BMW owners frequently experience.
- Oil Spills.
- Under Braking, the steering wheel vibrates.
- Tail Lamp Unit
Is E90 superior to E46?
Finally, we’re getting to the genuine comparison of the two vehicles. The purpose of the aforementioned was to set up the remaining subjects. We will compare the E46 and E90 in general terms. However, there are numerous models and engines to choose from, as seen above. As a result, not every model will necessarily be covered by the generalizations. As an illustration, the E46 330i ZHP performs better than the E90 325i.
Nevertheless, the E90 excels in terms of performance overall. In comparison to the E46, the E90 has higher power, torque, and faster acceleration. The E90 transmissions also shift more smoothly and a little quicker. True performance aficionados, though, might prefer the manual transmissions. Although manuals are a declining breed, the E90 and E46 both have a wide selection of them.
Additionally, the E90 has a wide range of engine options. For the US market, BMW’s E46 is equipped with just straight-6 naturally aspirated engines. That may or may not be a good thing. especially considering how well regarded BMW’s inline-6 engines are. The E90s, however, come with a 4.0L V8 for the M3 and normally aspirated inline 6, single and twin turbo inline 6, and inline 6 engines. The E46 generation cannot compare to the power and performance of the N54, N55, and S65.
Has the BMW 320i a turbo?
The 2.0 L TwinPower Turbo engine in the BMW 320i produces 200 pound-feet of torque at more than 1,250 RPM and 180 horsepower at 5,000 RPM. The Auto Start-Stop feature and Brake Energy Regeneration will activate based on driving conditions to reduce fuel consumption. A 2.0 L turbo engine with a maximum output of 240 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque powers the BMW 328i. With eight gear ratios, the STEPTRONIC automatic transmission system is compatible with these small but potent engine blocks. Both vehicles also come with a six-speed manual transmission system as an alternative.
You can further customize the ride in the BMW 320i by using the Driving Dynamics Control. SPORT Mode can be activated to prepare the drivetrain for quick movements at high speeds. The Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Traction Control maintain the balance of the 320i sedan on curving or slick roads by monitoring and calibrating a number of factors. On uneven roads or unpaved paths, the car’s chassis is kept stable by a five-link rear suspension system. The twin-tube shock absorbers, which are pressurized with gas, also provide a quiet and comfortable ride in this high-end BMW sedan.
The 330i or the 320i is better.
The 320i and 330i differ significantly in how they approach BMW’s Ultimate Driving Machine philosophy. The 320i is intended to be an affordable luxury cruiser, but the 330i strikes a balance between that and more aggressive performance. Both vehicles offer a comfortable, sporty ride.