BMW 3-Series
| BMW 3 series |
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| BMW 3-Series |
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| Manufacturer: | BMW |
| Production: | May 1975 – present |
| Class: | Sedan |
| Body Styles: | 2-door coupe
2-door convertible
4-door sedan
5-door Touring |
| Engines: | E46 1.9 L I4 (M43TU)
E46 3.0 L I6 (M54)
E46 3.3 L I6 (S54) |
| Length: | E46 4471 mm |
| Width: | E46 1739 mm |
| Height: | E46 1415 mm |
| Curb weight: | E46 330i 3281 lb |
| Predecessor: | Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Audi A4
Jaguar X-Type |
| This article is part of the automobile series. |
The BMW 3-Series is a line of compact sedans manufactured by BMW since May 1975. It is successor to the 2002, retaining much of the 2002's chassis styling while adding a more powerful 2.0 liter 110 hp engine and other performance enhancements. The 3-Series was for some time the smallest of cars manufactured by BMW, although that place has recently been taken by the BMW 1-Series.
History
Social and marketing significance
From its sporting origins in 1975, the E30 generation, available in two- and four-door form, as well as a later in-house full convertible (replacing one developed by Baur of Germany), became a more formal range that was synonymous with the "yuppie" generation. Being an accessible prestige-badge car, the 3-series' reputation grew at this time. By the early 21st century, the E46 3-series, designed by American Chris Bangle, was the best-selling car of its size in the world, as commonplace in Asia and America as in Europe, while maintaining its prestige image. Indeed, while larger BMWs followed a more avant-garde Bangle style, there are indications that the future E90 will not be a radical departure from the current model.
Modern 3-Series vehicles
Current 3-Series models are based on the E46 chassis, which replaced the E36 specification in 1999. Models include:
- 318 Sedan
- 320i Sedan
- 320Ci Coupe
- 325i Sedan
- 330i Sedan
- 325xi 4WD Sedan
- 330xi 4WD Sedan
- 325Ci Coupe
- 325Ci Convertible
- 330Ci Coupe
- 330Ci Convertible
- 325i Sports Wagon
- 325xi 4WD Sports Wagon
