The BMW 3 Collection is celebrating its fiftieth birthday, with greater than 18 million autos rolling off the manufacturing line throughout that point.
Starting life in Munich in 1975 as a two-door coupe, BMW expanded 3 Collection manufacturing to 18 crops throughout 13 international locations within the years following, with the favored mannequin ultimately accessible as a convertible, sedan, hatchback, and wagon.
Often called the E21, the primary 3 Collection launched in 1975, with nearly 1.37 million automobiles being produced up till late 1983.
But it surely was arguably the E30 that basically cemented the three Collection throughout the automotive zeitgeist, with almost 2.4 million autos made between 1982 and 1994 not solely in Germany but in addition South Africa – with manufacturing persevering with a few years after its successor launched to the world.
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It was the E30 that additionally noticed the launch of the M3, with its laser-sharp dealing with, which might find yourself turning into probably the most iconic efficiency automobiles of all time – partially, due to its vastly profitable marketing campaign in touring automotive classes and tarmac rally.
The E36 was an enormous step change for the three Collection, with the mannequin rising in measurement, whereas turning into extra luxurious and that includes expertise normally seen on a lot bigger limousines – and manufacturing rising to 2.7 million. It is up to now the one 3 Collection to have been produced within the US, alongside Germany and South Africa.
With this new era got here the E36 M3, which noticed the introduction of a straight-six engine for the primary time within the high-performance mannequin, providing comparable efficiency to some Porsche 911s of the identical interval – however costing roughly 30 per cent much less.
The success of the three Collection continued to rise within the late Nineteen Nineties, with the E46 – and significantly the M3 – critically praised for its experience, dealing with, construct high quality, and powertrains, leading to greater than 3.2 million autos produced over 9 years in Germany and South Africa.
The three Collection continued to evolve, with the E9X being the primary era to see the introduction of a turbocharged petrol engine with the 225kW/400Nm 335i and the primary to be produced in China alongside current German and South African manufacturing.
In the meantime, the E9X turned the primary and solely M3 to be fitted with a naturally aspirated V8, producing greater than 309kW and 400Nm at launch.
The sixth-generation noticed many firsts, being the primary 3 Collection to depart from the ‘E’ designation – being the F30 sedan and F31 wagon, amongst others – and the primary with accessible plug-in hybrid energy.
It was additionally the primary with out a coupe, which was spun off together with the convertible below the 4 Collection nameplate. Manufacturing continued in Germany, South Africa and China.
Unveiled in 2018, the G2X is the newest 3 Collection era on sale and is produced in Germany, China and Mexico.
BMW plans to introduce a brand new 3 Collection-sized i3 electrical automobile (EV) on its ‘Neue Klasse’ structure within the second half of 2026 – marking a shift for the German automaker when it comes to styling, expertise, and platforms – although it’s going to be offered alongside an overhauled combustion-powered mannequin with comparable styling.
