BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series
Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Production	1975–present
Body and chassis
Class	Entry-level luxury car
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW 02 Series

BMW 3 Series (E21)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door saloon 2-door cabrio
Layout	FR

BMW 3 Series (E30)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door saloon 2-door convertible 4-door saloon 5-door touring
Layout	FR (most models) F4 (325iX only)
Related	BMW Z1

BMW 3 Series (E36)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible 4-door saloon 5-door touring
Layout	FR
Related	BMW Z3 BMW Compact

BMW 3 Series (E46)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible 4-door saloon 5-door touring
Layout	FR (most models) F4 (xi models)
Related	BMW X3 BMW Compact

BMW 3 Series (E90/E91/E92/E93)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible 4-door saloon 5-door touring
Layout	FR (most models) F4 (xi models)
Related	BMW X3

BMW 3 Series (F30/F31)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door touring 5-door fastback
Layout	FR (most models) F4 (xDrive models)
Related	BMW F32/F33 BMW F34

The BMW 3 Series is an entry-level luxury car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 Series and has been produced in six different generations.

The first generation of 3 Series was only available as a 2-door sedan, however the model range has since expanded to include a 4-door sedan, 2-door convertible, 2-door coupé, 5-door station wagon and 5-door hatchback body styles. In 2013, the coupé and convertible models started to be badged as 4 Series, therefore the 3 Series range no longer includes these body styles.

The 3 Series is BMW's best-selling model, accounting for around 30% of the BMW brand's annual total sales (excluding motorbikes). The BMW 3 Series has won numerous awards throughout its history.

The M version of the 3 series, M3, debuted with the E30 M3 in 1988.

BMW released its E21 in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis, nearly doubling BMW's worldwide auto sales figures in three years.

The model codes for the six generations of the 3 Series are:

The E21 was released as 316, 318 and 320 models, to replace the 02 Series.

Most E21s were sold as 2-door compact saloons, however a Baur cabriolet was also available. Initially, the E21 was powered by a 4-cylinder engine, with a straight-6 engine added to the line-up in 1977.

The E30 was initially produced in the 2-door sedan body style. In following years, the 4-door sedan, convertible and estate ("touring") body styles were added. The E30 models were powered by a range of 4-cylinder and straight-6 engines, and for the first time a diesel engine was used in the 3 Series.

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Wikipedia