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Five Generations of the BMW 3-Series

2011-BMW-3-Series-Coupe-Convertible-40small

2011 BMW 3-Series Coupe and Coupe-Cabriolet

The BMW 3 Series is a line of compact luxury sedan manufactured by BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the legendary 2002, retaining much of that car's styling. The 3 Series was for some time the smallest car line manufactured by BMW, although that place was in 2004 taken by the BMW 1 Series. The 3 series is BMW's best selling automobile, accounting for nearly 40% of all automobiles sold by the company in 2005.

The BMW 3 Series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 Series and has been produced in seven generations.

The first generation of the 3 Series was only available as a 2-door saloon; the model range expanded to include a 4-door saloon, 2-door convertible, 2-door coupé, 5-door estate, 5-door liftback ("Gran Turismo") and 3-door hatchback body styles. Since 2013, the coupé and convertible models have been marketed as the 4 Series, styles no longer included in the 3 Series.

The 3 Series is BMW's best-selling model, accounting for around 30% of the BMW brand's annual total car sales,[1] and has won numerous awards throughout its history.

The M version of the 3 series, M3, debuted with the E30 M3 in 1986.[2]

First generation (E21; 1975)[]

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The E21 replaced the 02 Series and was initially available as a 2-door sedan (also described as coupé).[3]

At launch, all models used carburetted 4-cylinder engines; however, fuel-injected models were introduced in late 1975 and 6-cylinder engines were added in 1977. A cabriolet body style – manufactured by Baur – was available from 1978 to 1981.

Second generation (E30; 1982)[]

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On introduction in 1982, the E30 was produced solely in the 2-door sedan body style. Four-door sedan models were introduced in 1983, convertibles were introduced in 1985 and estate ("Touring") models were introduced in 1987.

The E30 was the first 3 Series to be available in wagon and 4-door sedan body styles. It was also the first 3 Series to offer a diesel engine, and all-wheel drive was introduced to the 3 Series range with the 325iX model. The BMW Z1 roadster was based on the E30 platform.

The first BMW M3 was built on the E30 platform. The E30 M3 is powered by the high-revving S14 four-cylinder petrol engine, which produced 175 kW (Expression error: Unexpected < operator. hp·h) in its final European-only iteration.[4]

Third generation (E36; 1990)[]

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The E36 was sold in the following body styles: sedan, coupé, convertible, wagon (marketed as "Touring"), and hatchback (marketed as "3 Series Compact"). The Compact model, which was smaller than the traditional 4-door sedan version, was powered by the BMW's four-cylinder engines developed during the 1990s.

The E36 was the second 3 Series to be offered in a hatchback body style. It was also the first 3 Series to be available with a 6-speed manual transmission (in the 1996 M3), a 5-speed automatic transmission, and a four-cylinder diesel engine. The multi-link rear suspension was also a significant upgrade compared with previous generations of the 3 Series.

The M3 model is powered by the S50 and S52 straight-six engines. It was sold in coupé, sedan and convertible body styles.

The BMW Z3 roadster and coupe models were based on the E36 platform.

Fourth generation (E46; 1997)[]

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The E46 was sold in the following body styles: sedan, coupé, convertible, wagon (marketed as "Touring"), and hatchback (marketed as "3 Series Compact").

The E46 generation introduced various electronic features to the 3 Series, including satellite navigation, electronic brake-force display, ASC/DSC, rain-sensing wipers, LED tail-lights, and Xenon headlights.[5][6][7][8] All-wheel drive, last available in the E30 3 Series, was reintroduced for the E46. It was available for the 325xi and 330xi sedan/wagon models.[9][10] The E46 generation came with the M52TU/M54 engines with dual Vanos (variable valve timing) and came with a GM 5 speed Automatic (5L40E), ZF 5 speed Manual (S5-31), Getrag 5 speed Manual (S5D-250G), ZF 6 speed Manual (GS6-37BZ/DZ), and ZF 6-speed Automatic Manual (SMG) (GS6S37BZ).[11][12][13][14][15]

The M3 version of the E46 was powered by the S54 straight-six engine and was available in coupé and convertible body styles (other than that, it was powered with the M52 or M54 in non-M3 cars). The transmissions available were a 6-speed manual or the 6-speed "SMG-II" sequential manual gearbox.[4]

Fifth generation (E90/E91/E92/E93; 2004)[]

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The fifth generation 3 Series was produced in the sedan, wagon, coupé and cabriolet body styles. Due to the separate model codes for each body style, the term "E9X" is sometimes used to describe this generation of the 3 Series.

In 2006, the 335i became the first 3 Series model to be sold with a turbocharged gasoline engine. The E90 also saw the introduction of run-flat tires to the 3 Series range. Consequently, cars with run flats are not equipped with spare tires.

The E90/E92/E93 M3 was powered by the BMW S65 V8 engine. It was released in 2007 and was produced in sedan, coupe, and cabriolet body styles.

Production of the fifth-generation BMW 3 Series ended in 2013.

Sixth generation (F30/F31/F34/F35; 2011)[]

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The F30/F31/F34/F35 has been produced in the sedan (after-Wartburg-Motorwagen, BMW Dixi 4-door sedan, BMW 3/15 DA-1 4-door sedan, BMW 3/15 DA-2 4-door sedan, BMW 3/15 DA-3 Wartburg 4-door sedan, BMW 3/15 DA-4 4-door sedan, BMW 3/20 4-door saloon, BMW 309 4-door sedan, BMW Isetta 250 4-wheel microcar, BMW Isetta 300 4-wheel microcar, BMW 600 Limo, BMW 700 4-door sedan, BMW 1600-2 / 1602 4-door sedan, BMW 2002 4-door sedan, BMW 1802 4-door sedan, BMW 1502 4-door sedan, BMW E21 4-door sedan, BMW E30 4-door sedan, 1990-1996 BMW E36 4-door sedan, 1996–1998 BMW E36 4-door sedan, 1998–2001 BMW E36 4-door sedan, 1997-2001 BMW E46 4-door sedan, 2001-2005 BMW E46 4-door sedan, 2005-2008 BMW E90 4-door sedan, and 2008–2010 BMW E90 4-door sedan), coupé, convertible, station wagon and 5-door hatchback ("Gran Turismo") body styles. A long-wheelbase sedan is also available in China, The F30/F31/F34/F35 competed against the Alfa Romeo Giulia (952), 2011-2014 Acura TSX, Acura TLX (2014—2020), Audi A4 B8 (2012–2015), Audi A4 B9, Buick Regal CXL, Cadillac ATS, Genesis G70, 2010-2015 Infiniti G Line (V36), Infiniti Q50, Jaguar XE, 2010-2012 Lexus IS XE20, 2013-2019 Lexus IS XE30, 2011-2015 Mercedes-Benz W204, Mercedes-Benz W205, Volvo S60 (Typ Y20), and Saab 9-3 (2013-2014).

For the F30/F31/F34 series, the coupe and convertible models were produced from the 2013 year until 2014 when they were split from the 3 Series, redesigned, and sold as the BMW 4 Series. A new body style was introduced into the 3 Series range: the 3 Series Gran Turismo, a long-wheelbase hatchback.[16][17][18]

In 2016, a plug-in hybrid drivetrain was first used in the 3 Series, in the 330e model.[19] Also in 2016, a 3-cylinder engine was used for the first time in a 3 Series.

The M3 version (designated F80, the first time an M3 has used a separate model designation) was released in 2014 and is powered by the S55 twin-turbo straight-6 engine.

Production ended in 2019 with the end of F31 Touring production in June.[20][21]

Seventh generation (G20/G21/G28; 2018)[]

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The BMW 3 Series (G20) was unveiled at the 2018 Paris Motor Show on 2 October 2018. The official images of the vehicle were revealed a day prior to its unveiling. The seventh generation of the 3 Series is also offered as a station wagon.[22] The more powerful M3 and M3 Competition variants were delivered globally starting in 2021. The G20 is the first 3 Series generation to bring an M3 Touring to market.[23] Since 2022, it gained a battery electric version exclusive for the Chinese market as the i3, sharing its powertrain with the globally marketed i4. A facelift was revealed in May 2022, and launched in select markets in November 2022, for the 2023 model year.

M versions[]

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The M3 is the most performance oriented version of the 3 Series. It is designed and developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M.

M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46, E90/E92/E93, and F30 (designated F80) 3 series and have been marketed with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles. Upgrades over the "standard" 3 Series automobiles include more powerful and responsive engines, improved handling/suspension/braking systems, aerodynamic body enhancements, lightweight components, and interior/exterior accents with the tri-color "M" (Motorsport) emblem.

The last M3 coupé was produced in Germany on 5 July 2013, replaced by the F82/F83 M4 coupé and convertible starting with the 2015 model year,[24][25] but the M3 name remains in use for the sedan version. The new generation M3 was reintroduced in 2021, codenamed G80 from the 7th generation 3 Series (G20). The M3 represented above (The F80) was powered by a BMW S55 engine producing 317 kW (431 PS) at 7,600 rpm.[26]

In June 2022, BMW revealed the first BMW M3 Touring, codenamed G81. Based on the seventh generation 3 Series, it marks the first time a BMW M Touring model reached the market.[27] The touring version of the M3 contains the same engine and interior setup as the M3 sedan, but extends the roof line to become a wagon.[28]

Awards and recognition[]

The 3 Series has been on Car and Driver magazine's annual 10 Best list 22 times, from 1992 through 2014, making it the longest-running entry in the list.[29] In their December 2009 issue, Grassroots Motorsports magazine named the BMW 3 Series as the second-most important performance car built during the previous 25 years. In January 2021, the BMW 330e M Sport (M Sport Pro Package) was named Executive Car of the Year by What Car? magazine.[30] What Car? awarded the 3 Series five stars out of five in its review of the car.[31]

The plug-in hybrid version of the car was the UK's best-selling plug-in hybrid car of 2021 having achieved 10,979 new registrations throughout the year, beating the Mercedes A-Class by over 4,000 registrations.[32]

Production and sales[]

Year Production Sales
Europe[33] U.S.*
1980 25,771
1981 28,927
1982 35,190
1983 33,602
1984 30,868
1985 53,927
1986 61,822
1987 58,897
1988 34,914
1989 21,738
1990 22,825
1991 29,002
1992 38,040
1993 45,594
1994 46,287
1995 50,146
1996 50,248
1997 337,800[34] 216,866 52,472
1998 376,900[34] 247,786 57,520
1999 454,000[34] 304,983 77,138
2000 509,007[34] 330,604 89,681
2001 533,952[34] 343,991 103,227
2002 561,249[34] 350,606 115,428
2003 528,358[34] 320,029 111,944
2004 449,732[34] 269,216 106,549
2005 434,342[34] 244,886 106,950
2006 508,479[34] 289,597 120,180
2007 555,219[35] 295,063 142,490
2008 474,208[36] 251,334 112,464
2009 397,103[37] 198,610 90,960
2010 399,009[38] 183,122 100,910
2011 384,464 161,614 94,371
2012 406,752 175,022 99,602
2013 500,332[39] 200,604 119,521
2014 480,214[40] 168,275 142,232
2015 444,338[41] 143,023 140,609
2016 411,844[42] 144,561 106,221
2017 409,005 129,053 99,083
2018 366,475[43] 106,991 75,957
2019 358,643[44] 124,537 73,287
2020 381,416[45] 118,369 50,937[46]
2021 72398[47]
2022 67354[48]
2023 84,774[49]

*Figures since 2013 includes the BMW 4 Series

See also[]

References[]

  1. "2010 BMW Group Annual Report". BMW AG. http://geschaeftsbericht.bmwgroup.com/2010/gb/files/pdf/en/BMW_Group_AR2010.pdf. 
  2. "BMW 3 Series". Edmunds.com. 22 January 2009. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=66153. 
  3. "BMW E21 3 Series specs". http://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/BMW/M58/E21-3-Series. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "BMW M3 E30 2.5i (238Hp) EVO II". http://automobilio.info/en/BMW/M/M3-E30/2.5i-%28238Hp%29-EVO-II/14785. 
  5. Pretorius, Martin. "BMW 3 Series E46 4th Generation 1999-2006 Review". CarBUZZ. https://carbuzz.com/cars/bmw/3-series-e46-4th-gen#facelift. 
  6. "2000 BMW E46 M3 Review" (in en). http://www.topspeed.com/cars/bmw/2000-bmw-e46-m3-review-ar10614.html#main. 
  7. "BMW E46 3 Series Buyer's Guide". http://www.reveuro.com/buyers-guide/bmw/3-series/e46.html. 
  8. "BMW 3 Series (E46) – 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005" (in en-us). https://www.autoevolution.com/cars/bmw-3-series-e46-2002.html#aeng_bmw-3-series-e46-2002-316i-5at-115-hp. 
  9. "BMW E46 3 Series". http://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/BMW/M804/E46-3-Series. 
  10. "BMW E46 3 Series Touring". http://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/BMW/M808/E46-3-Series-Touring. 
  11. "List of BMW engines". Engine Specs. https://www.engine-specs.net/bmw-engines. 
  12. "3' E46 330Ci Manual Transmission GS6S37BZ (SMG)". https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BN53-USA-08-2000-E46-BMW-330Ci&diagId=23_0928. 
  13. "3' E46 323Ci Manual Transmission S5D 250G". https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BM33-USA-06-2000-E46-BMW-323Ci&diagId=23_0116. 
  14. "3' E46 330Ci Manual transmission GS6-37BZ/DZ". https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BN53-USA-08-2000-E46-BMW-330Ci&diagId=23_0918. 
  15. "3' E46 330Ci Manual Transmission S5D320Z". https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BN53-USA-08-2000-E46-BMW-330Ci&diagId=23_0121. 
  16. "3 series GT configurations". http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2016-bmw-3-series-gran-turismo-detailed-42038/amp. 
  17. "2017 BMW 3-series Gran Turismo". June 2016. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/2017-bmw-3-series-gran-turismo-photos-and-info-news. 
  18. "2018 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo Review". https://www.edmunds.com/bmw/3-series-gran-turismo/2018/review/. 
  19. "2016 BMW 330e Plug-In Hybrid First Drive". https://www.autoblog.com/2016/01/28/2016-bmw-330e-plug-in-hybrid-first-drive-review/. 
  20. "BMW spendet letzten produzierten 3er Touring" (in de). https://www.carzoom.de/info/bmw-spendet-letzten-produzierten-3er-touring/. 
  21. "BMW 3 Series Touring Set To Debut At 2019 Geneva Motor Show" (in en-us). 19 October 2018. https://carbuzz.com/news/bmw-3-series-touring-set-to-debut-at-2019-geneva-motor-show. 
  22. "New 3 Series Touring Revealed". 12 June 2019. https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/new-3-series-touring-revealed/46863/. 
  23. "The first-ever BMW M3 Touring." (in en). https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0399336EN/the-first-ever-bmw-m3-touring?language=en. 
  24. "BMW M3 Celebrating 20 Years of a Sporting Legend". 2008-02-27. http://www.worldcarfans.com/10605017186/bmw-m3-celebrating-20-years-of-a-sporting-legend. 
  25. "BMW M3 – The Evolution of the Benchmark". clubsportiva.com. 2012-02-27. http://www.clubsportiva.com/blog/bmw-m3-the-evolution-of-the-benchmark/. 
  26. "BMW M3 and BMW M4.". 2020-09-17. https://www.bmw-m.com/en/topics/magazine-article-pool/bmw-m3-f80-and-bmw-m4-f82.html#:~:text=The%20S55B30%20engine%20of%20the,of%20the%203.0%20litre%20motor.. 
  27. "The first-ever BMW M3 Touring.". 2022-06-22. https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0399336EN/the-first-ever-bmw-m3-touring?language=en. 
  28. "BMW M3 Touring.". https://www.bmw-m.com/en/all-models/overview-m-and-m-performance/bmw-m3-competition-touring/2022/bmw-m3-competition-touring-with-m-xdrive.html. 
  29. "2009 10Best Cars – 10Best Cars/Best/Worst Lists/High Performance/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver". Car And Driver. 23 March 2008. http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/best_worst_lists/2009_10best_cars_10best_cars+page-2.html. 
  30. "Car of the Year Awards 2021: Executive Car of the Year". https://www.whatcar.com/news/car-of-the-year-awards-2021-executive-car-of-the-year/n22437. 
  31. "BMW 3 Series Review 2021". https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91. 
  32. "SMMT – Car Registrations". smmt.co.uk. https://www.smmt.co.uk/vehicle-data/car-registrations/. 
  33. "BMW 3-series European sales figures" (in en-US). 2014-01-27. https://carsalesbase.com/europe-bmw-3-series/. 
  34. 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 34.6 34.7 34.8 34.9 "BMW (Rover) Sales & Production Databook". Automotive Intelligence. 9 June 2007. http://www.autointell.com/european_companies/BMW/business-figures/BMW-business-figures-1997-2006-WB.xls. 
  35. "Annual Report 2007". BMW Group. https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/ir/downloads/en/2008/hv/2007-BMW-Group-Annual-Report.pdf. 
  36. "Annual Report 2008". BMW Group. https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/ir/downloads/en/2008/2008-BMW-Group-Annual-Report.pdf. 
  37. "Annual Report 2009". BMW Group. https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/ir/downloads/en/2009/2009-BMW-Group-Annual-Report.pdf. 
  38. "Annual Report 2010". BMW Group. https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/ir/downloads/en/2010/2010-BMW-Group-Annual-Report.pdf. 
  39. LLC, BMW of North America. "BMW Group U.S. Reports December and 2013 Sales". http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bmw-group-us-reports-december-and-2013-sales-238625731.html. 
  40. "Annual Report 2014". BMW Group. https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/ir/downloads/en/2014/2014-BMW-Group-Annual-Report.pdf. 
  41. "Annual Report 2015". BMW Group. https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/ir/finanzberichte/pdf/en/12784_GB_2015_en_Finanzbericht.pdf. 
  42. "Annual Report 2016". BMW Group. https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/ir/downloads/en/2017/GB/2016-BMW-Group-Annual-Report.pdf. 
  43. "Annual Report 2018". BMW Group. https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/ir/downloads/en/2019/gb/BMW-GB18_en_Finanzbericht_190315_ONLINE.pdf. 
  44. "BMW Group Annual Report 2019". https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/ir/downloads/en/2020/gb/BMW-GB19_en_Finanzbericht.pdf. 
  45. "BMW Group Report 2020". https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/dam/grpw/websites/bmwgroup_com/ir/downloads/en/2021/bericht/BMW-Group-Bericht-2020-EN.pdf. 
  46. "BMW of North America Reports Q4 2020 and Full Year 2020 U.S. Sales Results.". 5 January 2021. https://apnews.com/press-release/business-wire/business-marketing-and-advertising-corporate-news-north-america-new-jersey-e94fb64f47d74515981a53204f7f8e2a. 
  47. "BMW of North America Reports Q4 2021 and Full Year 2021 U.S. Sales Results.". https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0363602EN_US/bmw-of-north-america-reports-q4-2021-and-full-year-2021-u-s-sales-results?language=en_US. 
  48. "BMW of North America Reports Q4 2022 and Full Year 2022 U.S. Sales Results.". https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0407207EN_US/bmw-of-north-america-reports-q4-2022-and-full-year-2022-u-s-sales-results?language=en_US. 
  49. "BMW of North America Reports Q4 2023 and Full Year 2023 U.S. Sales Results.". https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0438942EN_US/bmw-of-north-america-reports-q4-2023-and-full-year-2023-u-s-sales-results?language=en_US#:~:text=In%20the%20fourth%20quarter%20of,332%2C388%20vehicles%20sold%20in%202022.. 

External links[]


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