The BMW 3 Series turns 40 (with video)

En 1975 the propeller brand launched the first BMW Serie 3, the E21, since then 40 years have passed over 6 generations in which it has become a regular on our roads, also being its first generations highly rated classics by car enthusiasts.

En Actualidad Motor We cannot ignore this important date, and we join the celebration. Because 40 years don't happen every day, and even less so in the automotive sector, today we review the 40 years of history of the BMW 3 Series.

3 E21 Series

The first of the Series 3 arrived on the market in 1975 in the form of two door sedan. Although in principle it was not very successful, since his design was somewhat ahead of its time, the introduction of 6L engines and a restyling in 79 made it gain market presence.

It had some quirks that made it unique. Its front changed according to the mechanics it assembled. It could be with a headlight on each side of the front, for the more conventional versions, or with double headlights in the case of the most powerful: the 320 and 320i. In addition, it was never officially marketed as a cabrio, but prestigious German coachbuilders close to the Bavarian brand made their own E21 cabrio, being Baur the best known.

3 E30 Series

El 3 E30 Series It was a before and after in the history of the model, since it would lay the necessary foundations to turn it into a heavyweight. In 82 it went on sale only in a two-door sedan body. At the same time, Baur, among others, began to manufacture its cabriolet version again, until then little changed compared to the E21.

A lack of initial success prompted BMW in 1983 to make a life or death decision to salvage the situation: launch a 3 series with 4-door bodywork. Little did they imagine the success that this would entail and that it would become the axis of their good commercial results. Overcome the crisis, in 1985 the 3 Series cabrio received an official BMW bodywork that was also manufactured by Baur, and most importantly: it was presented the first BMW M3, which with a clearly sporty aesthetic on the 2-door body, equipped with a 2.3 engine with 200 hp. In 1987 the family body, called Touring, joined.

3 E36 Series

In 90 the generational change arrived, with a new direction. The first to arrive was the sedan, followed in 92 by the coupé, in 93 by the convertible and in 94 by the Touring. The main innovation of the generation also arrived in 94, the Series 3 Compact.

It would not be until 96 when the expected one would arrive new M3, arriving in both coupé and sedan forms. Its 3.2-liter block was offered in two different powers: 286 and 321 CV. The E36 began to stop being produced in 98, lasting that cessation until 2000 when the Compact was replaced by its counterpart of the new generation.

3 E46 Series

The E46 was the fruit of the hard design work of Chris bangle and his team, a job so well done that even today, 17 years after its launch doesn't seem outdated compared to its rivals at the time, and even less if we are faced with a restyling unit, produced since the end of 2001.

In the E46 there is a noticeable premium style, with qualities and equipment consistent with this designation. The body structure is very similar to that of the E36: ​​sedan, family, coupe, cabrio and Compact. As for the M3, it was available in coupe or cabrio, producing a power of 343 HP. The most gourmets had the M3 CSL within reach, even more exclusive, with a reduced weight and a power of 360 HP.

Series 3 E90, E91, E92 and E93

The first of the changes in this generation was the internal name, which goes from a common one to one for each body. In 2005 the E90 was presented, followed gradually by the rest of the bodies. this time there was no compact model, since BMW removed it from the 3 Series, giving rise to the first 1 Series, the E87, which would be much more successful than the compact.

With the arrival of this new generation there were again changes in the M3. It was available in both saloon and coupe bodywork, thus opening up a wide range of possibilities. On this occasion the heart that gave life to the most radical of the Series 3 was a 4.0 V8 what yielded 420 hp of power.

3 F10 Series

In 2011 the current generation would arrive, very transgressive compared to its predecessor, containing the most radical changes since the arrival of the E30. Just by looking at it we will realize that something in the design has changed, it is no longer signed by Bangle, but by Van Hooydonk. In addition, its structure changes follows from the coupé and cabriolet models, which will integrate the new 4 Series, also welcomes new variants, such as the Series 3 GT.

Therefore, as you already know, the M3 name currently falls on a saloon, which coinciding with the anniversary has just received a facelift, just like the 3 Series Sedan and Touring.

Source – BMW