For half a century the three Collection has been BMW’s heartbeat—the automobile that pays the lease in Munich and units the model’s dynamic agenda. Greater than 20 million of them have discovered houses because the authentic E21 bowed in 1975, making the 3er not simply BMW’s best-seller however the single hottest premium automobile on the planet. In a typical yr the three Collection household nonetheless delivers about 30 % of all BMW gross sales worldwide, an astonishing share for a single mannequin line in immediately’s fragmented market.
Add the X3—a 3 Collection in climbing boots—and the image will get even brighter. In 2023 the X3 truly edged out the sedan to change into BMW’s prime particular person nameplate, racking up nicely over 350,000 models by itself. Seen collectively, the three Collection and X3 often account for near half of BMW’s world quantity, underwriting every part from carbon-fiber M vehicles to Neue Klasse EV analysis. In different phrases, if the three Collection is BMW’s coronary heart, the X3 is its second lung—take away both, and the entire organism struggles to breathe.
The three Collection has powered BMW—and automobile followers—since its debut on the 1975 Frankfurt present. The primary-gen E21 took the nimble spirit of the 2002, added an accessible straight-six, rear-wheel drive, and crisp steering, and immediately redefined what a “driver’s automobile” may very well be.
By the 1982 E30, BMW had realized give patrons alternative. 4 doorways? Certain. All-wheel drive 325ix? Yep. A manufacturing unit cabrio, a Touring wagon, and naturally the unique M3, whose 2.3-liter 4 helped it seize touring-car titles world wide. The three Collection was now not one mannequin—it was a full lineup, all nonetheless laser-focused on dealing with and suggestions.
The 1990 E36 moved the sport on once more. A brand new multi-link rear suspension caught the automobile to the street, whereas VANOS variable timing let the straight-sixes breathe higher and rev more durable. The physique grew up, however drag went down, and the pillar-less Coupé nonetheless turns heads at Automobiles & Espresso.
Chris Bangle’s 1998 E46 balanced type and substance. Light-weight aluminum elements trimmed fats; DSC saved you pointed the precise method. Engine selections ranged from fuel-sipping diesels to the legendary high-revving S54 within the M3—an engine nonetheless talked about in hushed tones by lovers.
In 2005 the E90 ushered in “EfficientDynamics.” Magnesium-block sixes, twin-turbo energy, brake-energy regeneration, and stop-start tech all arrived years earlier than rivals caught up. It additionally gave us the primary folding-hardtop Convertible and the V8-powered E92 M3 with its carbon-fiber roof.
The 2012 F30 break up the household: the sedan and wagon stayed 3 Collection; the Coupé and Convertible turned the 4 Collection. Turbocharging turned commonplace, an eight-speed ZF auto appeared, and later a plug-in hybrid proved that electrical help and old-school steadiness can coexist.
At this time’s G20/G21 (launched 2019, refreshed 2022-24) retains the custom alive. A slick 0.23 drag coefficient, curved dual-screen sprint with iDrive 8.5, and powertrains from mild-hybrid diesels to a 374-hp M340i and a 330e plug-in with as much as 100 km of electrical vary. Stroke-dependent dampers clean the trip, whereas the automobile may even again itself out of a good spot by replaying its final 50 meters in reverse. Blue-sky tech made enjoyable.
Whereas it misses the guide transmission that each one different 3ers have had, the G20 nonetheless has a few of that very same magic that we noticed within the E21 all these years in the past. It might be greater and heavier, however there’s nonetheless an fanatic high quality to the automobile as we present in our most current overview.
The numbers inform a part of the story: greater than 20 million offered over seven generations. However the magic is in how each 3er—whether or not a humble 316 or a carbon-roof M3 Touring—delivers that very same clear steering really feel, balanced chassis, and grin-inducing vitality. Fifty years on, the benchmark remains to be the benchmark, proving that progress is nice however progress you possibly can get pleasure from on a winding street is even higher.
