The BMW 3 Series first hit the market in 1977, giving it a full 40 years on the road. During that time, it has passed through various generations, always maintaining a reputation for its high quality and good performance. When it first arrived, the BMW 3 Series was a replacement for the BMW 02 Coupe, and it is now amongst the most popular autos from the brand.
First Generation: E21
The first generation of the BMW 3 Series was the E21, beginning production in 1976 and arriving as a 1977 model year. The U.S. market initially only got the 320i. This two-door sedan was agile with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 110 horsepower. The auto was efficient thanks to the Bosch K-Jetronic fuel-injected engine. It measured 54.3 inches high, 63.4 inches wide, and 171.5 inches long with a 100.9-inch wheelbase. It had rear-wheel drive and was instantly a hit.
Second Generation: E30
The second generation was in the United States between 1983 and 1993, which is also when it gained popularity worldwide. It began with the BMW 318i with its 1.8-liter 4-cylinder. That engine got 101 horsepower and took 11.6 seconds to reach 60 mph. In terms of cosmetics and overall style, it was very similar to the outgoing 320i, but it had aerodynamic tweaks that emphasized body strength, justifying a higher price tag. The 325e came soon after, with a 2.7-liter 6-cylinder borrowed from the 528e. This two-door had 121 horsepower and a zero-to-60 time of 8.9 seconds. 1985 saw a new four-door variation.
Third Generation: E36
Eisbach Studios Pasing, February 2015;
The E36 was the third generation of the BMW 3 Series, in the U.S. from 1991 to 1999. The four-door saloon became the flagship body style, and it got a “dolphin shape” exterior styling plus a 50:50 weight distribution. This generation got the 325i with a 3.0-liter DOHC 6-cylinder and aluminum head for 189 horsepower. It began with a sedan for the 1992 model year with a coupe arriving for 1993 and a convertible for 1994. This generation included 318, 323, 325, and 328 models plus numerous upgrades regarding technology and design, including improved tire traction and handling on rough roads.
Fourth Generation: E46
The fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series was the E46, which was sold in the United States between 1998 and 2006. At this point, the BMW 3 Series was amongst the most popular in the country and around the world. The fourth generation was slightly larger, adding 1.5 inches in length and one inch to the wheelbase of the E36. All American models used a 6-cylinder engine, although output varied based on model and other specifics. The 328i had a 2.8-liter with 193 horsepower, and the 323 had a 2.5-liter with 170 horsepower. The 6-cylinder had a lighter aluminum block, dual resonance intake, and other improvements. Then, the 3 Series wagon arrived in 2000.
More Recent Generations
The fifth generation of the 3 Series began with the E90 in 2002, followed by the E91, E92, and E93. The sixth generation in 2012 brought on the F30, F31, and F34, along with a larger size to enhance interior room. The F30 got a new 2-liter 4-cylinder with 240 horsepower, showing how far automotive technology had come.
