3 Series

Model Overview

The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. Successor to the BMW New Class, it has been produced in six different generations and in five different body styles. It is BMW’s best-selling model, accounting for around 30% of the BMW brand’s annual total sales (excluding motorbikes).
BMW 3 Series

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BMW released its E21 in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis, nearly doubling BMW’s worldwide auto sales figures in three years. The 3 Series has also maintained BMW’s racing heritage. The M version of the 3 Series, M3, debuted in 1988.

There have been six generations; their respective chassis codes are:

BMW E21 – (1975–1983) 3 Series

BMW E30 – (1983–1991) 3 Series

BMW E36 – (1991–2000) 3 Series

BMW E46 – (1999–2006) 3 Series

BMW E90 – (2005–2011/EUR, 2006–2011/US) 3 Series saloon

BMW E91 – (2005–2011/EUR, 2006–2011/US) 3 Series Touring (Sports Wagon)

BMW E92 – (2007–2011) 3 Series Coupé

BMW E93 – (2007–2013) 3 Series Convertible

BMW F30 – (2012–) 3 Series saloon

BMW F31 – (2012–) 3 Series Touring (Sports Wagon)

3 Series Events

3 Series News

Technical material and resources

From the Straight Six archive

Gallery

Contacts

Chair: 
Simon Maskell
E30 Model Rep:
Neil McDonald
F30/1/4 Model Rep:
Position Vacant
M3 Model Rep:
Position vacant
E21 Model Rep:
Kyri Nicolaou
E46 Model Rep:
Simon Maskell
E36 Model Rep:
Mischa Falkenau
F30/31/34 Model Rep:
Katie Littler
E90-E93 Model Rep:
Julian Pickering

Specifications List

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