History of the BMW 3 Series

MICKSİGARAGE.COM THE CAR PARTS EXPERTS M History of the BMW 3 Series 02 Series 1962-1977 Weight: 1009kg • The 02 Series was the predecessor to the the 3 series • The 130bhp 2002tii (touring internationale injected) is arguably the most dèsirablě model in the 02'series 1420 mm • The 2002 Turbo was launched in 1973 but due to the oil crisis a mere 1672 were produced. The Turbo had 170bhp and 180ft Ibs of torque. It was Europe's first turbocharged production car • Body styles available were 2 & 4 door saloons, hatchback (Touring), convertible and a 2 door coupe built by coachbuilders Karmann 4500 mm • The 3.0CSL was developed from the 02 series and went on to become extremely successful on the race track, winning the European Touring Car Championship every neinu Peterson Redman 25 • The aggressive aero package on the 3.0 CSL earned it the nickname The Batmobile Weight: 1010kg E21 1975-1982 • The first 3 Series, as we know it today, was introduced in 1975, replacing the 02 Series compáct executive saloon. 592 1380 mm • Over 1.63 million were produced Offered with a choice of four-cylinder engines in 1.6,1.8 and 2.0-litre capacities, the E21 also featured in-line six cylinder units of 2.0 and 2.3 litres. 4355 mm • Power outputs ranged from 90 to 143hp for the 323i. The latter managed 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds. • Featuring just two doors, the E21 was only offered by BMW as a saloon, though Stuttgart-based coachbuilder Baur made an unusual (but popular) convertible version dubbed the TopCabriolet. It featured removable roof panels and a folding rear roof section. 15 Jägermeifter Castrol • The Group 5 racing version of the BMW 320 replaced the ageing 3.0CSL & was knicknamed The Flying Brick' due to it's blocky aerodynamics E30 Weight: 1070kg 1981-1993 • The second generation and arguably most coveted of 3 Series today, the E30 has reăched near cult status among BMW fans. 1379 mm • Available as a two or four-door saloon, five-door estate (Touring) and a two-door convertible. Engine range encompassed everything from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder with 90hp to a 2.5-litre four cylinder in the M3 Evo III with 238hp. Six-cylinder models included the 320i, 323i and 325i with power ranging from 125- to 170hp 4491 mm Cecotto • BMW built over 2.3 million E30s in its 11 year production Wintershall Das Motorendi run. DEKRA • The E30 spawned the M3 in coupé and convertible guises. It gained unique, wider bodywork, a steeper rear window, lighter boot lid and rear spoíler, diffèrent suspension, brakes and the iconic 2.3-litre (latterly 2.5-litre) in-line four-cylinder engine to 3 WARSTEINER BES ES YOOAMA Ct BILSTEIN HOK/ REORO • The E30 M3 went on to win no less than 12 major Touring Car Championships globally between 1987 & 1991! ЕЗ6 Weight: 1260kg 1991-1998 • BMW's third-generation 3 Series continued the success of the E30 and was radically redesigned, offered in saloon, estate, coupé, convertible and three-door hat back five versions BMW sold nearly 2.75 million units. dubbed pact) body styles. Across all 13 mm • All but the Compact featured what BMW called its Z axle, a multi-link rear suspension that first featured in BMW's limited series Z1 roadster. 4432 mm • All engines bar the entry-level four-cylinder units gained double overhead camshafts, while from 1993 VANOS variable valve timing was introduced. • M3 models were offered in coupé, convertible and saloon guises, their 3.0-litre straight-six engine producing 286hp in standard form, the rare GT getting 295hp. It would'latterly increase in capacity to 3.2 litres for 321hp. • The standard M3 had a 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds, beating the majority of the Porsche 911 range at the time E46 Weight: 1285kg 1998-2006 • Based on the E36's underpinnings BMW concentrated not on increasing power for its fourth-generation 3 Series, but instead stiffness. 1415 mm • The E46 was said to be around 70 per cent stiffer than the E36. Despite this, it only increased in weight slightly, thanks to extėnsive use of áluminium in its suspension components. 4470 mm • It was offered in saloon, estate, convertiblę, compact and coupé guises. BMW recorded a massive 3.3 million sales. • An M3 model inevitably followed, using the same in-line 3.2-litre six-cylinder as the E36, but power was upped to 343hp. It was offered with either a standard manual gearbox or BMW's robotised manual called SMG. • The M3 spawned the now iconic M3 CSL; it featured a carbon-fibre roof, 17hp more power, less weight, revised suspension and the SMG transmission as standard. They've become hugely collectable, with prices to match E90 2005-2013 Weight: 1360kg • The E90 saw a number of new technologies added to the 3 Series, including turbocharged petrol engines, EfficientDynamics fuel-saving measures and a folding hard top fór the convertible. 1420 mm • Offered in saloon, Touring (estate), coupé and convertible body styles, each gained its own designation: the E91 estate, the E92 coupe and E93 for the convertible. 4525mm • Diesel engines would dominate sales. Despite this the E90 was štill a car noted for its agility and driver appeal, retaining the 3 Series' famed rear-wheel drive and 50/50 weight distribution. • The M3 would be offered in E90, E92 and E93 forms, all powered by a 4.0-litre V8 engine with 420hp. The coupé featured a carbon fibre roof similar to that of the E46 M3 CSL - unless you optioned a sunroof. • An M3 GTS was also offered, featuring a 450ohp, 4.4-litre V8 engine, a stripped-out interior and a 4.3-second 0-100km/h time. M • Like all M3's to date the E90 proved highly successful on the race track, namely in ĠT2 and GT4 endurance racing in the American Le Mans Championship F30 Weight: 1400kg 2012-Present • BMW's sixth generation 3 Series would get a new letter preceding it, the 2012 car gaining the F30 internal model designation. [1429 mm • The first 3 Series to be offered as a hybrid, the ActiveHybrid3, and BMW's 320d EfficientDynamics were shown to the world during the 2012 Olympics in London, as BMW were official sponsors. • The F30 was the first 3 Series to offer right-hand drive markets the option of four-wheel drive (called xDrive). 4624mm • The growth of diesel sales means the diesel range was as extensive as the petrol line-up (in Europe). The current 320d EfficientDynamics emits less than 100g/km of CO2 and an official combined economy figure of 74.3mpg (3.8 litres/100km) • Offered in saloon, estate and Gran Turismo styles. The latter (badged GT) gains a hatchback and focúses on improved interior space for rear passengers and luggage. The coupé and convertible models are officially separated from the 3 Series line now, badged 4 Series, though an M3 remains, powered by á turbocharged 3.0-litre six, with 431hp. W B.