The BMW 3 Series traces it’s roots back to 1966, with the arrival of the 2002. The new range of compact saloon cars, known as the ‘new class sedans’ would bring affordable luxury motoring to the masses in the form of the 1600 and 1602.
Powered by a 1.6 litre petrol engine and weighing just 960kg, these little cars were both popular and capable.
Simultaneously, BMW’s director of product planning and the designer of the M10 engine both improved their personal 1600-2 BMWs by adding a 2.0 litre engine.
Upon realising they had both done the same thing, a plan was quickly put together and the pair presented their proposal to manufacture a 2.0 litre 1600… which would become a sporting version of the car, known as the 2002.
With 99hp or closer to 118hp with the dual carburettor high compression set up, the car was an instant hit.
The BMW 2002 first saw use in motorsport in 1968, although the Motorsport badge would follow a few years later…
In 1975 the 1600/2000 models were replaced by the all new 3 series, chassis code E21.
E21 Generation (1975-82)
There wouldn’t be a specific sporting version of the E21, but the fruity 323i topped the range with a 0-60mpg time of 8.7 seconds and 118mph top speed.
Inn 1986 the E21 gave way to the E30, which would grow the 3 series range by introducing a saloon and estate, where the E21 only offered coupe and cabriolet body styles.
E30 Generation (1982-90)
BMW wanted to take this new E30 3 Series racing in the German Touring Car series, and to do so they needed to implement the car enthusiasts two very favourite words… homologation special.
5,000 highly tuned 3 Series were produced by BMW’s Motorsport division, the first 3 Series to wear the M3 badge.
With a high revving, 192hp version of the S14 4 cylinder engine, the car was capable of 146mph (in countries where a catalytic converter wasn’t required… Sorry America!)
Available as a coupe (and a small number of convertibles), the 2.3 or 2.5 litre E30 M3 cars are some of the most desirable collector classics in the current market, seeing meteoric price rises in recent years. The shape, the styling, the engine and the simple but completely engaging drive meant that Sports Car International ranked the E30 M3 as their number 6 top Sports Car of the 1980s.
E36 Generation (1990-1997)
As the 1980s gave way to the 1990s, the E30 was replaced by the E36.
A bigger, heavier car for a new generation of buyers, the more sophisticated E36 built on the success of the M3 with three body styles.
Launched in 1992, it was first offered with the S50 3.0 litre straight six before the S52 3.2 litre took over in 1995.
Early three litre cars pushed 282hp, while later cars with the 3.2 were more like 316hp. With a manual gearbox, six cylinders and that fantastic, iconic sound, these still rank as some of the most drivable BMWs ever built.
Although the E36 M3 offers more power, more speed and more acceleration than an E30, there is one area where it’s still lagging behind… values! The E30 leads the way in terms of collectibility, but the E36 can’t be too far behind.
E46 Generation (1997-2004)
1998 saw the introduction of the E46, a bigger, wider, heavier version of the 3 Series that would take BMW into the millennium.
With an S54 3.2 litre engine, the E46 M3 was rated at 338hp in both coupe and cabriolet form… Like the E30 (and unlike the E36) there was no E46 M3 Saloon, as BMW didn’t want to steal sales from the E39 M5. But that’s really another story.
The E46 would last almost a decade, replaced in 2007 by the E90, E92 and E93.
E9x Generation (2004-2011) (E90/E91/E92/E93)
This new generation of 3 series was the first to use different chassis designations for coupe (E92), convertible (E93) and saloon (E90).
For the fist time, the M3 moved away from the 6 cylinder straight six format, much to the dismay of a committed band of purists and keyboard warriors. The 3.0 litre S65 V8 engine was a masterstroke, and despite the mumblings from a noisy corner of the automotive community, the car was heralded as one of the greatest drivers cars of all time.
The V8 engine would only last as long as the E90/92/93 generation 3 Series, with the F80 hitting the road in 2014.
F3x Generation (2011-2018) (F30/F31/F34/F35)
Where the E series M3 introduced the world to the first V8 powered M3, the F80 would cause even more of a stir with another BMW first… the M3 went turbocharged.
With a S55 3.0 litre twin turbo straight six, powered was now up to 425hp with 0-60 times between 3.9 seconds and 4.1 depending on the gearbox.
The F80 3 series would only be available as a saloon – BMW now split the cars between Coupe and Saloon with the introduction the 4 Series. We all know it’s a 3 Series Coupe but apparently BMW decided enough was enough and alas… There is now no such thing as an M3 Coupe!
G2x Generation (2018-present) (G20/G21/G28)
In 2020 the F80 was replaced by the G80, bringing with it the controversial new BMW front grille. For many of us, the new design language that BMW are now following is vomit inducing, but once the two gaping holes are split by a numberplate the latest M3 becomes much easier on the eye.
Once again the F80 uses a twin-turbocharged straight six, this time with 473hp or 503hp in Competition form.
For most car enthusiast, the M3 is the undeniable super saloon, a car to covet in any of it’s variants. It’s hard to argue that the E30 M3 is the most desirable of the bunch, but the pure lunacy and noise of the V8, and the sheer drivability of the early 3.0 litre E36 have to top the table for us here at Wizard.
Which is your favourite fast 3 Series of all? The diminutive 323i with the gorgeous lines of the early E21? The iconic E30? The much maligned and under appreciated E36? The brute E46 with it’s flared arches and wide stance, or the E92 V8…? Something more modern? Tell us in the comments!
We currently have a beautiful V8 powered M3 Coupe in the showroom….
Although like all desirable classic German coupes… It won’t hang around for long.
