Cheap BMW 3 Series Sump

The E46 ran from 1998 to 2006 and the E90 from 2005 to 2012, and although there is a small overlap in production years these are entirely different generations with different engines, so a sump from one will not fit the other. Fitment follows the engine code, not the generation badge, so you need to match the exact engine code shown on your V5 or a VIN check. Supply that code to the breaker and they can confirm compatibility straight away.

A 2008 car sits in the E90 generation (2005–2012), while a 2013 model is in the F30 generation (2012–2019), so these are different platforms and the sump will not simply swap over. Even where engine families overlap between generations, ancillary and mounting details can differ, so confirm directly with the breaker using the engine codes from both cars rather than relying on the year alone.

No; the sump is specific to the engine, not the chassis, and the 320d uses a diesel engine while the 325i uses a petrol unit, so these sumps are not interchangeable. Always match by engine code — the 320d and 325i share the same E90 bodyshell but that has no bearing on whether mechanical engine components will fit. Give your engine code to the breaker to make sure you get the right part.

No — SE, Sport, M Sport and other trim grades on the BMW 3 Series do not affect which sump the car takes, because the sump is determined entirely by the engine fitted, not the trim level. You may find cosmetic differences between cars at these trim levels, but underneath the bonnet the same engine code means the same sump. Confirm the engine code from your V5 or a VIN check and pass it to the breaker.

The F30 generation ran from 2012 to 2019 with a facelift in 2015, and in many cases the same engine carried across that facelift, which would mean the same sump. However, there were running production changes within the F30 lifespan that could affect ancillary and mounting details, so you should confirm compatibility with the breaker using the engine codes from both the donor and recipient cars rather than assuming the facelift year alone is the deciding factor.

Not necessarily; BMW used several different 2.0-litre petrol engine families across different models and generations, and sumps are not universal even within the same fuel type and displacement. The engine code is what really matters here — a sump designed for one engine code may have different dimensions, baffling or mounting points compared with another 2.0 petrol unit. Check your V5 for the exact engine code and provide it to the breaker before purchasing.