BMW 3 Series E90 4-door Sedan (2005–2011): Unleashing Style and Performance

I still remember the first time I slid into a BMW 3 Series E90 4-door Sedan on a drizzly Tuesday, somewhere outside Munich. Grey sky, wet roads, perfect conditions to find out if the legend still lived in the steering rack. Within a mile I knew: it does. The E90’s hydraulic steering talks like an old friend, the chassis treads that perfect line between supple and taut, and the car shrinks around you in a way most modern premium sedans simply don’t. It’s the kind of luxury sedan that makes you take the long way home without telling anyone why.

History of the BMW 3 Series E90 4-door Sedan

Launched in 2005 as the fifth-gen 3 Series, the E90 sedan picked up where the beloved E46 left off and turned the wick up. It brought crisper lines, a stiffer body, and a broader engine range. In 2009 came the LCI facelift—cleaner headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, and a much-improved iDrive interface (if you’ve used both, you know the difference).

Engines? Plenty. In North America you’ll commonly find the 328i (230 hp, 200 lb-ft) and the 335i with the twin-turbo N54 (300 hp, 300 lb-ft). The 330i (255 hp) had a brief but glorious run early on, and xDrive all-wheel drive was available on various trims. The E90 M3 sedan—yes, also “E90”—packed a 4.0-liter V8 (414 hp) and remains the only V8 M3 ever built. Transmissions ranged from a sweet-shifting 6-speed manual to a 6-speed auto; the M3 got a 6-speed manual or a lightning-quick 7-speed DCT.

Numbers aside, the E90 felt special the moment you turned the wheel. On rough roads I noticed it keeps its poise without losing conversation through the rim. It’s comfy enough for a Friday-night dinner run, yet happy to do a dawn blast up your favorite backroad. That duality is the 3 Series thing—and the E90 has it in spades.

Why the BMW 3 Series E90 Still Shines

• Steering feel: old-school hydraulic with genuine feedback.
• Chassis balance: neutral, playful, confidence-inspiring.
• Engines with character: silky inline-sixes, from the creamy N52 to the punchy N54 twin-turbo.
• Real-world usability: decent rear legroom, proper trunk, easy to park.
• Quiet enough to hear your kids arguing in the back—ask me how I know.

Living With the BMW 3 Series E90 4-door Sedan

Day to day, this luxury sedan feels like wearing your favorite pair of boots—supportive, broken-in, and ready for anything. After a week of school runs and late-night grocery dashes, a few quirks stood out. The cupholders are better than the E46’s (low bar), but still feel delicate. Early iDrive (pre-2009) can be a little laggy. And the standard run-flat tires make the ride a touch brittle over city seams—swap to non-run-flats and the suspension magic comes alive.

On a long freeway haul, the 328i hums at low revs and returns around 28 mpg highway if you’re gentle. The 335i does mid-20s on the highway, then forgets all about economy when the turbos spool. You can load the trunk for a weekend in the mountains, or a spontaneous Home Depot run when “we’re just looking” somehow becomes “we need five bags of mulch.” It’s that kind of car—practical without being boring.

BMW 3 Series E90 vs. Its Rivals

Parts and Accessories for the BMW 3 Series E90

I’ve learned the hard way that a good set of floor mats saves you hours of cleanup—especially if you commute through slush season. To keep your 3 Series feeling fresh, AutoWin stocks tailored accessories that actually fit. I tried their mats in an E90 tester after a muddy photo shoot; hose them off, back in the car, job done.

Highlights I recommend:

• Tailored floor mats: protect the carpet, elevate the cabin look, and don’t slide around.
• Trunk liners: for those “we only needed one plant, I swear” weekends.
• All-weather options: for snow states or beach runs with sandy feet.

AutoWin: Your Source for Premium Floor Mats

If you’re hunting for well-made, E90-specific mats, AutoWin is an easy win. Their tailored sets fit snugly and survive the daily grind—kids, pets, coffee, you name it. I tossed a muddy stroller in the back of our test car and the mats shrugged it off. Have a look at the range and pick a style that suits your cabin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 2011 BMW 3 Series an E90?

Yes. The 2011 sedan is an E90 (the coupe is E92, the convertible E93, and the wagon E91).

Is the E90 3 Series a good car?

Absolutely—especially if you value steering feel and balance. The 328i is the dependable pick; the 335i is the fast one. The M3 is a bucket-list car. Just buy on condition and with service history.

What years are E90?

2005–2011 for the sedan, with a 2009 LCI update that brought styling tweaks and a better iDrive system.

Is the 2011 BMW 335i E90 or E92?

If it’s a sedan, it’s E90. If it’s a coupe, it’s E92. Same year, different body style.

What should I look for when buying a used E90?

• Service records for water pump/thermostat and common oil leaks.
• On 335i, proof of injector/HPFP updates; smooth idle and strong, consistent boost.
• Check iDrive (if equipped) for lag; 2009+ systems are quicker.
• Inspect for bent wheels/harsh ride from run-flats; budget for new tires if needed.

Bottom line? The BMW 3 Series E90 4-door Sedan remains a sweet spot in the luxury sport-sedan world—refined enough for a Miami night out, engaging enough for an early Sunday blast. Keep a good one maintained, add a set of properly fitted BMW mats from AutoWin, and you’ll remember why we fell in love with the 3 Series in the first place.