This year, the BMW 3-Series celebrates its 40th anniversary. What started as an affordable-ish coupe has now become a leading light of the sports sedan category.
Today the market is teeming with family friendly, relatively affordable, pleasingly sporting, luxury sedans, coupes and wagons from premium brands. The C-Class, A4, IS, Q50, ATS and others owe a debt of gratitude to the BMW 3-Series for creating this category.
First generation (E21): 1975 to 1982
Replacing the 2002, the first 3-Series was available only as a two-door coupe, although there was a factory approved convertible made by Baur. With minimal front overhangs, a longitudinal engine and rear-wheel drive, the E21 laid down the mechanical template which was remained largely unchanged since.
Stylistically, the E21 also featured the Hofmeister kink — formed by the triangular wedge taken out from the trailing corner of the rear side window — which was eponymously named after its designer, Wilhelm Hofmeister.
All E21 3-Series cars were powered by in-line 4- and 6-cylinder engines. Most models conformed to BMW’s naming scheme, where, for example, the 320 would feature a 2-litre engine and the 318 had a 1.8-litre motor.
Second generation (E30): 1982 to 1993
The second-gen E30 will probably hold the title of the longest lived 3-Series model from here until eternity. With the addition of a four-door sedan, the E30 took 3-Series truly mainstream. In addition, there were also coupe, convertible and wagon body styles offered.
All-wheel drive was offered for the first time in the E30, as was a diesel option.
E30 M3: 1986 to 1992
Also making its debut in the E30 was the M3 performance model — we won’t cover every M3 model here, we’ll save that for another feature. Offered as a coupe and a convertible (in Europe only), the M3 featured a wider track, flared arches, 2.3- and 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engines, and many other changes.
Raced on- and off-track, the M3 burnished the 3-Series’ growing sports credentials.
Third generation (E36): 1991 to 1998
The E36 3-Series gained the Z-axle rear suspension system first used on the Z1. The E36 was again available as a sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible.
Late in its life, the E36 spawned the E36/5 3-Series Compact. Aiming for a youthful, slightly less moneyed market, BMW chopped off much of the 3-Series’ boot, used doors with framed windows and fitted a rear hatch. To help with cost and packaging, the Compact reverted to the simpler and cheaper semi-trailing arm rear suspension from the previous generation 3-Series.
Fourth generation (E46): 1998 to 2006
The last ever 3-Series to be unified under model code, the E46 was sold as a sedan, wagon, coupe, convertible and 3-door Compact hatch.
The Compact hatch was replaced in 2004 by the 1-Series, which would eventually be made in 3- and 5-door forms.
Fifth generation (E90/E91/E92/E93): 2004 to 2013
The fifth generation 3-Series was the first to feel the hand of BMW’s controversial chief designer, Chris Bangle. Given the overall importance of the 3-Series to BMW’s sales and revenue, the fifth generation 3-Series featured the mildest interpretation of Bangle’s stylistic ideals, with flame surfacing toned down and whale tails absent.
This generation also marked the first and only time that the 3-Series included 4-, 6- and 8-cylinder engine options, the latter coming courtesy of the M3’s 4-litre V8. With the 335i, the 3-Series also got its first taste of turbocharged petrol action.
Sixth generation (F30/F31/F34): 2004 to 2013
In its sixth and most current iteration, the car that started it all is no more: the 3-Series coupe. Instead, BMW has decided to rename the 3-Series derived coupe and convertible as the 4-Series, so that all of the company’s coupes, convertibles and higher priced derivatives have even numbered prefixes, while the more mainstream models stick with odd numbers.
The V8 option offered by the M3/M4 is no more too. With the switch turbocharged motors across the entire range, 4-cylinder engines again dominate the 3- and 4-Series ranges. And now, after a mid-life update, the sixth-gen 3-Series now kicks off the lineup with a 3-cylinder turbo.
Did we leave any fascinating tidbits out? Let us know about your favourite 3-Series and facts you might have up your sleeve in the comments section below.
