The fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model codes E90 (saloon), E91 (estate, marketed as 'Touring'), E92 (coupé) and E93 (convertible).

[9] It was also the first 3 Series to include the iDrive operating system, which consists of navigation, infotainment and essential vehicle functions.

Introduced in 2007,[11] it uses the BMW S65 naturally aspirated V8 engine and was produced in saloon, coupé and convertible body styles.

Compared with previous generations of the 3 Series, the coupé has more external styling differences to the saloon models.

These include the tail-light design (L-shaped on the coupe), more steeply angled headlights and smaller side windows.

As per its E46 predecessor, the doors of the coupe are longer and have frameless door windows, the rear seat holds two passengers (compared with a three-person bench for the saloon) with a rear centre console tray and the front seatbelts are on motorised arms that extend from the B-pillar to hand the seatbelts to the driver and/or passenger.

[28] The BMW 3 Series convertible was often priced higher than direct rivals, however reviewers have praised its passenger/boot space (even with the roof down), driving dynamics, weight and chassis rigidity.

In North American, Australian and Malaysian markets the N53 was not used, instead the entire model range continued to use its predecessor, the N52 engine.

In some areas of the United States, the 328i was powered by the BMW N51 straight-six engine and sold as a SULEV model.

Optional features (some of which are standard on higher models) include Xenon headlamps, automatic climate control, parking sensors, power-adjustable seats, satellite navigation, glass sunroof, heated front seats, Bluetooth and USB audio input.

[45][47][48][46] The M3 model was powered by the BMW S65 V8 engine and produced in saloon, coupe and convertible body styles.

To satisfy homologation requirements for the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), BMW built 2600 units of the 320si.

[49] The 335is was produced in coupé and convertible models for the North American market, with approximately 4,500 units manufactured.

Styling changes included front and rear bumpers, wing mirrors, headlights, taillights, boot lid, wider kidney grilles and revised crease lines for the bonnet.

The Euro NCAP noted the poor pedestrian protection awarding 4 points out of 36, reporting the 3 Series was "very disappointing" in this measure.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 3 Series a "Good" overall rating in both the frontal and side impact crash tests.

[60] In November 2017, BMW recalled 672,000 3 Series cars from model years 2006–11 with climate control system electronic components at risk of overheating, due to faulty blower motor wiring.

[62] In 2002, Norbert Reithofer and Development Chief Burkhard Goeschel started an initiative to halve the time it took to reach full production of the next generation 3 Series from six months to three.

[64] Local assembly of complete knock-down (CKD) kits were used for cars sold in China, Egypt,[65] India,[2][66] Indonesia, Malaysia,[4] Mexico,[67] Thailand[68] and Russia.

The E92 Art Car entered the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans race, with Andy Priaulx (GB), Dirk Müller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE) driving the number 79 car[80][81] which failed to complete the race.