BMW 3 Series

bmw 3 series

2007 Models

Convertible

Advertise

History of BMW

Bayerische Motoren Werke or in English, Bavarian Motors Works is a manufacturer or high end luxury motor cars. It currently advertises itself under the slogan, 'The Ultimate Driving Machine', and is widely considered one the best makers of executive vehicles throughout the world. It was founded by engine maker Karl Friedrich Rapp under the company name of Rapp Motors and primarily manufactured aeroplane engines.

In 1917 Rapp Motors morphed into the now legendary BMW. The company logo is the distinctive blue and white roundel or circle was chosen for the similarity in colour to the Bavarian flag which is also blue and white in colour. It is also said to represent a rotating white propeller on in a blue sky, which is debated in some corners as this theory was introduced after BMW chose it for its company masthead.

After world war one, Germany was banned from producing aircraft, so BMW turned its attentions to railway brakes for over a year and in 1919 started to make motorcycle engines and in 1924 made its first full motorcycle, the R32. The major technological advance BMW made with R32 was the introduction of a drive shaft, as all motorcycles of the time still used a chain drive for the rear wheel. In 1928 the company bought out the car manufacturer Austen Seven, for whom they had been making the engine on the Dixi for a year and this became the BMW 3/15, the first production BMW car.

History of the BMW 3 series car

The 3 series was first introduced in the car market in May 1975 as a successor to the vastly popular 2002. It was, and still is to this day, an entry level compact executive luxury motor vehicle. Although it managed to keep a lot of the styling from 2002, its power plant was increased. The engine on the new 3 series was an improved 2.0 litre with 110 horsepower and also had further technical enhancements. From its release in 1975, the 3 series was synonymous with the yuppie generation. It was an accessible prestige badge, and unlike other prestige makers like Rolls Royce, Daimler and Jaguar, it was priced to be more affordable to new money earners.

There have been many models under the formal range of the 3 series and was the smallest car available from BMW for almost thirty years. The very first model 3 series was a two door car and was in production from 1975 to 1983 and was named the E21 and had a factory authorised convertible produced by Baur. The front of 3 series E21 was dominated by the now trademarked kidney grille which covered the front radiator cover which also had the company roundel above it, which is now synonymous with all BMW's, not just the 3 series. Due to the success of the 3 series in Europe production of this model in the United States began in 1977 and also ran until 1983.

History of BMW 3 series models

Since its inception in 1975, the BMW 3 series has had many models under it badge. First, as mentioned above was the BMW 3 series E21 which was in production until 1983. The next production BMW 3 series was the 316 which was manufactured from 1975 to 1979 and had a 1.6l engine capable of 75 break horsepower. Also in production at the same time was the 320 which was a two litre and had 109 horses under the bonnet but only stayed in production until 1977. This was also available as a 1.8 which had 98 bhp. In 1977 came the injection version of 320, the BMW 3 series 320i. This was firing with 125 bhp and stay in production until 1983.

In 1978 a more powerful engine was introduced, the 2.3l 145 break horse power BMW 3 series 323i. It was manufactured until 1983. In 1980 the new 316 was re-introduced and was produced up until 1983. It had a 1.8l engine capable of 98bhp. The following the 315 was launched which had a smaller 1.6 engine turning into 75 break horse power. All the above models where badged as BMW 3 series giving potential owners a good range to choose from when looking for an executive luxury car as their chosen ride. BMW and the 3 series has since gone on from strength to strength keeping with vast improvement in the range due to technical and mechanical improvements in the last twenty five years or so. It is a status symbol now to own a BMW 3 series.

In search of used cars and award winning service? Visit AvailableCar.com.