BMW 3 Series E90, E91, E92 and E93 buying guide

2005 to 2013. An E90 suits a buyer who wants a well balanced rear drive sedan and is ready to pay for specialist servicing.

Big jobs

N46 four cylinder timing chain and Valvetronic. The N46 in the 318i and 320i has timing chain and tensioner rail, Vanos and Valvetronic motor faults, oil leaks and worn rings or stem seals.
N43 and N53 piezo injectors and coils. The direct injection N43 and N53 suffer misfires and running problems from piezo injectors, coil packs and the NOx sensor.
N47 diesel timing chain and fuel pump. The N47 diesel has its timing chain at the back of the engine, and a failing high pressure pump can fill the fuel system with metal swarf.
Accessory belt tensioner. A wobbling alternator belt tensioner or a worn engine mount can let the belt come off, get behind the crank pulley and be forced past the oil seal into the engine.

N52 six cylinder leaks, Vanos oil supply and water pump. The N52 cooks its cam cover and oil filter housing gaskets, worn cam bearing ledges can cut Vanos oil pressure, and the electric water pump is a common precautionary replacement.
Electric steering lock. An orange steering wheel symbol means a steering lock fault, and a red one means it is locked and the car cannot be driven.
ABS module and rear trigger rings. ABS modules are a common fault, especially on six cylinder cars, and rusted trigger rings on the rear CV joints also cause ABS warnings.
Differential noise and rear subframe rust. The diff on the 318i and 320i is noisy and flaky, and rear subframe rust is common on early cars from harsh climates.

Researched 2026-11-04. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.