Footwell module (FRM) failure
Attaches to E9X at chassis level · Electrical · carried by 65 variants across 4 chassis
Overview
Footwell module (FRM) failure is a common fault recorded against E9X at chassis level, at any age. It shows up as headlights, indicators, windows, wipers and central locking stop working at once, usually right after a battery change or a jump start. Where it's documented, the repair runs €150–€700 (€150 for a specialist reflash if the module is recoverable; €500–700 replaced and coded, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be checked before you buy. 65 variants across 4 chassis in this database inherit it.
What happens
Symptom. Headlights, indicators, windows, wipers and central locking stop working at once, usually right after a battery change or a jump start.
Cause. The module's memory corrupts when supply voltage dips. It is the single most common electrical failure on this generation.
How to check it
Static checks
Test every window, both mirrors, the wipers, all exterior lights and the central locking before you drive. If any cluster of these is dead, this is why.
Engine off, ideally on a lift.
Every variant that carries this
| Variant | Chassis | Body | Years | Risk | Good buy | Cost as % of good buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318i N46 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2011 | R3 | €3,100 | 14% |
| 318i N46 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2011 | R3 | €3,300 | 13% |
| 320i N46 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2007 | R3 | €3,400 | 13% |
| 320i N46 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2007 | R3 | €3,600 | 12% |
| 320i N43 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R4 | €3,950 | 11% |
| 320i N43 | E91 | wagon | 2007–2011 | R4 | €4,200 | 10% |
| 320i N43 | E92 | coupe | 2007–2011 | R4 | €4,550 | 9% |
| 320i N43 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2011 | R4 | €4,450 | 10% |
| 323i N52 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2007 | R2 | €4,050 | 10% |
| 323i N52 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2007 | R2 | €4,300 | 10% |
| 323i N52 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2007 | R2 | €4,650 | 9% |
| 325i N52 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2007 | R2 | €4,750 | 9% |
| 325i N52 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2007 | R2 | €5,050 | 8% |
| 325i N52 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2007 | R2 | €5,450 | 8% |
| 325i N52 | E93 | convertible | 2007 | R2 | €5,350 | 8% |
| 325i N53 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R4 | €5,250 | 8% |
| 325i N53 | E91 | wagon | 2007–2012 | R4 | €5,550 | 8% |
| 325i N53 | E92 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €6,050 | 7% |
| 325i N53 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2013 | R4 | €5,900 | 7% |
| 328i N52 | E90 | sedan | 2006–2011 | R2 | €5,150 | 8% |
| 328i N52 | E91 | wagon | 2006–2012 | R2 | €5,450 | 8% |
| 328i N52 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2013 | R2 | €5,950 | 7% |
| 328i N52 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2013 | R2 | €5,750 | 7% |
| 330i N52 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2007 | R2 | €5,600 | 8% |
| 330i N52 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2007 | R2 | €5,950 | 7% |
| 330i N52 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2007 | R2 | €6,450 | 7% |
| 330i N53 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R4 | €6,000 | 7% |
| 330i N53 | E91 | wagon | 2007–2011 | R4 | €6,350 | 7% |
| 330i N53 | E92 | coupe | 2007–2011 | R4 | €6,900 | 6% |
| 330i N53 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2011 | R4 | €6,750 | 6% |
| 335i N54 | E90 | sedan | 2006–2010 | R4 | €7,350 | 6% |
| 335i N54 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2010 | R4 | €8,450 | 5% |
| 335i N54 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2010 | R4 | €8,250 | 5% |
| 335i N55 | E90 | sedan | 2010–2011 | R3 | €11,700 | 4% |
| 335i N55 | E92 | coupe | 2010–2013 | R3 | €13,450 | 3% |
| 335i N55 | E93 | convertible | 2010–2013 | R3 | €13,100 | 3% |
| 316d N47 | E90 | sedan | 2009–2011 | R5 | €4,200 | 10% |
| 316d N47 | E91 | wagon | 2009–2011 | R5 | €4,450 | 10% |
| 318d N47 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R5 | €4,100 | 10% |
| 318d N47 | E91 | wagon | 2007–2011 | R5 | €4,350 | 10% |
| 320d M47 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2007 | R3 | €3,800 | 11% |
| 320d M47 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2007 | R3 | €4,050 | 10% |
| 320d N47 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R5 | €4,400 | 10% |
| 320d N47 | E91 | wagon | 2007–2012 | R5 | €4,650 | 9% |
| 320d N47 | E92 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R5 | €5,050 | 8% |
| 320d N47 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2013 | R5 | €4,950 | 9% |
| 325d M57 | E90 | sedan | 2006–2010 | R2 | €5,200 | 8% |
| 325d M57 | E91 | wagon | 2006–2010 | R2 | €5,500 | 8% |
| 325d M57 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2010 | R2 | €6,000 | 7% |
| 325d N57 | E90 | sedan | 2010–2011 | R3 | €7,200 | 6% |
| 325d N57 | E91 | wagon | 2010–2012 | R3 | €7,650 | 6% |
| 325d N57 | E92 | coupe | 2010–2013 | R3 | €8,300 | 5% |
| 330d M57 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2008 | R2 | €5,950 | 7% |
| 330d M57 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2008 | R2 | €6,300 | 7% |
| 330d M57 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2008 | R2 | €6,850 | 6% |
| 330d M57 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2008 | R2 | €6,700 | 6% |
| 330d N57 | E90 | sedan | 2008–2011 | R3 | €8,500 | 5% |
| 330d N57 | E91 | wagon | 2008–2012 | R3 | €9,050 | 5% |
| 330d N57 | E92 | coupe | 2008–2013 | R3 | €9,000 | 5% |
| 330d N57 | E93 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R3 | €8,750 | 5% |
| 335d M57 | E90 | sedan | 2006–2010 | R3 | €6,900 | 6% |
| 335d M57 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2010 | R3 | €7,950 | 5% |
| M3 S65 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R4 | €35,700 | 1% |
| M3 S65 | E92 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €35,000 | 1% |
| M3 S65 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2013 | R4 | €30,800 | 1% |
The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.