What engine does the BMW E90 330i use?

The pre-LCI E90 330i uses the BMW N52B30 naturally aspirated 3.0-litre inline-six with Valvetronic variable valve lift and double-VANOS, producing 258 PS (190 kW / 254 hp) at 6,600 rpm and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) at 2,500 rpm. European 330i examples from September 2007 onward use the N53B30 direct-injection inline-six instead; North-American and Australian cars stayed on the N52B30 throughout the pre-LCI window.

What are common problems on the BMW E90 330i?

The most documented failure modes on the N52-powered E90 330i are the valve cover gasket (90,000–145,000 mi onset on the early magnesium cover), oil filter housing gasket seepage, electric water pump failure between roughly 60,000 and 120,000 miles, VANOS solenoid contamination causing rough idle around the 70,000–80,000-mile mark, and DISA-valve plastic-shaft fracture. The double-joint front control arm bushings also wear at roughly 70,000 miles.

How does the BMW E90 330i differ from the E60 530i?

Both cars use the same BMW N52B30 inline-six but in different chassis: the E90 330i is the compact-executive 3 Series sedan (around 1,525 kg curb weight, smaller wheelbase), while the E60 530i is the larger executive 5 Series sedan (about 1,610 kg). State-of-tune is essentially the same N52B30; the difference in character comes from chassis weight, gearing, and suspension geometry rather than from the engine itself.

Facts · Grounding Page

BMW E90 330i

Verified 2026-05-19

BMW E90 330i is the rear-wheel-drive 3.0-litre naturally-aspirated inline-six sedan variant of the fifth-generation BMW 3 Series (E90), powered by the BMW N52B30 with Valvetronic and double-VANOS, produced 2005–2007 and sold primarily in North America (model year 2006) and right-hand-drive markets including Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore before being replaced by the N54-powered 335i or, in Europe, the N53-powered 330i LCI.

BMW E90 330i sits in the Compact executive RWD sedan, BMW 3 Series fifth generation (E90 pre-LCI) segment.

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BMW E90 330i: Core Facts

BMW E90 330i · Core Facts

Manufacturer: BMW AG
Generation: E90
Body style: sedan
Drivetrain: rwd
Production years: 2005–2007
Hosts engine: BMW N52
Common problems: BMW N52-VALVE-COVER-GASKET
Segment: Compact executive RWD sedan, BMW 3 Series fifth generation (E90 pre-LCI)

BMW E90 330i: Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the BMW E90 330i use?

The pre-LCI E90 330i uses the BMW N52B30 naturally aspirated 3.0-litre inline-six with Valvetronic variable valve lift and double-VANOS, producing 258 PS (190 kW / 254 hp) at 6,600 rpm and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) at 2,500 rpm. European 330i examples from September 2007 onward use the N53B30 direct-injection inline-six instead; North-American and Australian cars stayed on the N52B30 throughout the pre-LCI window.
What are common problems on the BMW E90 330i?

The most documented failure modes on the N52-powered E90 330i are the valve cover gasket (90,000–145,000 mi onset on the early magnesium cover), oil filter housing gasket seepage, electric water pump failure between roughly 60,000 and 120,000 miles, VANOS solenoid contamination causing rough idle around the 70,000–80,000-mile mark, and DISA-valve plastic-shaft fracture. The double-joint front control arm bushings also wear at roughly 70,000 miles.
How does the BMW E90 330i differ from the E60 530i?

Both cars use the same BMW N52B30 inline-six but in different chassis: the E90 330i is the compact-executive 3 Series sedan (around 1,525 kg curb weight, smaller wheelbase), while the E60 530i is the larger executive 5 Series sedan (about 1,610 kg). State-of-tune is essentially the same N52B30; the difference in character comes from chassis weight, gearing, and suspension geometry rather than from the engine itself.

BMW E90 330i: Distinction

BMW E90 330i is not the BMW E46 330i (predecessor fourth-generation 3 Series, M54B30 engine, 2000–2006); not the BMW E90 335i (twin-turbocharged N54B30, 306 hp, same E90 platform but a different powertrain entirely); not the BMW E90 330xi (xDrive all-wheel-drive variant on the same N52B30 engine, approximately 80–100 kg heavier); and not the post-LCI European E90 330i (2007–2011, N53B30 direct-injection, port injection replaced by spray-guided DI).