BMW Knowledge Base

Body Styles and Timeline

The BMW E90 is the fifth generation of the 3 Series and one of the best-selling BMW lines in Germany to this day. Across eight model years, BMW built the sedan (E90), Touring (E91), Coupe (E92), and Convertible (E93) — each with four-cylinder gasoline engines, naturally aspirated and turbocharged inline-sixes, and diesels.

G20 Engines

On the G20, the check engine light (MKL) most often comes from a saturated OPF (B48/B58), an AdBlue system fault (B47/B57), or early NOx sensor failure.

BMW F20 Engines and Their Weak Spots

F20 jerking comes from the timing chain or the injectors (PSA technology) on the N13, ignition coils on the N20, and rarely injectors or ignition coils on the B47/B48.

What’s Behind the Jerking

On the E90, jerking almost always comes from the HPFP or the injectors on the N54, from ignition coils and injectors on the N53, and from failing injectors or timing chain stretch on the N47.

Causes of Coolant Loss

Coolant loss on the E60 often comes from the electric water pump (N52/N54), the expansion tank, or — on the N62 — the coolant separator in the V.

BMW F20 118d (N47 / B47 Engines)—Overview

The F20 118d is the best-selling diesel 1er and the compact, frugal everyday choice. Early cars run the N47 with its familiar flywheel-side timing chain; from the 2015 LCI they moved to the more modern B47 modular engine.

Platform Strengths and Weaknesses

The G20 is the current BMW 3 Series generation, running B-module engines exclusively, a mild hybrid (from 2020), and the ZF 8HP. Failures are far rarer than on the F30; focus points: B58 coolant loss, NOx sensors, AdBlue on the 320d/330d, and iDrive updates.

BMW E9x Body Styles: E90, E91, E92, E93

The E9x range (E90 sedan, E91 Touring, E92 coupe, E93 convertible) is considered a durable 3 Series generation, but depending on the engine it has clearly documented weak spots: the N47 timing chain on the flywheel side, the N53 high-pressure pump, N54 wastegate rattle, VANOS, crankcase ventilation, and rear subframe cracks.

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