The oldest E90 BMW 3 Collection you should buy at this time is now over 20 years outdated. Its 2005 debut date doesn’t fairly make it a basic in most jurisdictions, but it surely’s nicely on its approach. That additionally implies that there’s nonetheless time to select up one earlier than they begin turning into licensed basic automobiles — and priced accordingly. And because of an awesome number of powertrains to select from, enduring type, and a plentiful provide (BMW offered over 3 million examples of the E9X chassis globally), it’s nearly inconceivable to speak about good fanatic picks in 2026 with out mentioning the E90.
Execs: Nice Mannequin Combine, Good Steering, Enduring Seems
The E90 and its coupe, convertible, and wagon (Touring) counterparts — E92, E93, and E91, respectively — had one of many hardest acts to observe in automotive historical past. The E46 BMW 3 Collection was by all accounts an unbelievable chassis. The automotive’s charms aren’t misplaced even many years later. However one space the place the E90 was greater than a match for the E46 was selection. The E90 provided all the identical physique types because the E46 and likewise provided a feisty turbocharged inline-six creating north of 300 horsepower in fashions sporting 335i badging. What’s extra, you could possibly decide up a number of completely different diesel fashions, together with a 335d mannequin with torque in extra of 400 pound-feet. That’s to say nothing of a number of tweaks and particular fashions that got here out through the automotive’s lifecycle — just like the notably superb 335is.
Regardless which model of the E90 you’re contemplating, although, one factor stays static: wonderful steering. The E90 was the final 3 Collection to make use of old-school hydraulic power-assisted steering, in lieu of the electrical unit used throughout the business at this time. In an ironic twist, the E90 was by no means thought-about notably enticing in-period. However at this time, its balanced styling — notably within the grille space — looks like the proper dose of throwback.
Cons: Turbo Mannequin Reliability, Minimal Benefits Over the E46
The E90 BMW 3 Collection’ greatest drawbacks come by means of comparability to, maybe predictably, the E46 3 Collection. The turbocharged fashions — notably the early N54 fashions — make prodigious energy, however aren’t sometimes as sturdy because the naturally aspirated fashions and every thing discovered underneath the hood of the E46 3er. It’s a trade-off, and little question one some are completely happy to make, but it surely’s there nonetheless. Whereas settling for a non-turbo mannequin just like the 325i or 330i looks like a logical development, there’s then one other downside. The less complicated, lighter, and arguably higher trying E46 3 Collection is maybe a extra endearing worth. That stated: a well-kept E46 is often fairly a bit pricier than the same E90 — no less than for now. So relying on the mannequin, there may nonetheless be a good worth proposition.
E90 Reliability in 2026
The E90 is kind of a blended bag of reliability, and all of it comes right down to which powertrain you choose. All-wheel drive automobiles clearly have extra transferring components, so there’s extra to interrupt. The identical rule holds true for N54 fashions — which function with two turbochargers — and N55, single-turbo fashions. Diesel variations have their very own set of issues, primarily surrounding the emissions gear. In any other case, you gained’t be buying and selling a lot by way of reliability in comparison with the E46 and older E36 BMW 3 Collection automobiles. In any case, the N52 engine underneath the hood of the 328i and different naturally-aspirated fashions is blueprinted from the sooner M54 and M52 engines. One other good factor concerning the E90 is that, usually, the long run high quality problems with the Nineties have largely disappeared — i.e., you gained’t actually have to fret a lot about failing window regulators and headliners in these automobiles, in contrast to the sooner automobiles.
Verdict: Purchase an E90 in 2026?
The E90 represents one in all only a few “basic” BMWs which are nonetheless an awesome worth in 2026. Completely you should purchase one, notably if you happen to aren’t hung up on the styling of the sooner automobiles. With such all kinds of fashions and trims to select from and big manufacturing numbers, the E90 is arguably one of the vital accessible fashions within the model’s historical past. Go discover a good one and revel in — 2026 could be very removed from being too late.
