For half a century the three Collection has been BMW’s heartbeat—the automotive that pays the hire in Munich and units the model’s dynamic agenda. Greater than 20 million of them have discovered houses because the unique E21 bowed in 1975, making the 3er not simply BMW’s best-seller however the single hottest premium automotive on the planet. In a typical 12 months the three Collection household nonetheless delivers about 30 % of all BMW gross sales worldwide, an astonishing share for a single mannequin line in right now’s fragmented market.
Add the X3—a 3 Collection in mountain climbing boots—and the image will get even brighter. In 2023 the X3 truly edged out the sedan to develop into BMW’s high particular person nameplate, racking up properly over 350,000 models by itself. Seen collectively, the three Collection and X3 commonly account for near half of BMW’s international quantity, underwriting all the things 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 automotive followers—since its debut on the 1975 Frankfurt present. The primary-gen E21 took the nimble spirit of the 2002, added an out there straight-six, rear-wheel drive, and crisp steering, and immediately redefined what a “driver’s automotive” could possibly be.
By the 1982 E30, BMW had realized methods to give consumers selection. 4 doorways? Positive. All-wheel drive 325ix? Yep. A manufacturing facility 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 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 automotive to the highway, whereas VANOS variable timing let the straight-sixes breathe higher and rev tougher. The physique grew up, however drag went down, and the pillar-less Coupé nonetheless turns heads at Vehicles & Espresso.
Chris Bangle’s 1998 E46 balanced model and substance. Light-weight aluminum components trimmed fats; DSC stored you pointed the correct manner. Engine decisions 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 cut up the household: the sedan and wagon stayed 3 Collection; the Coupé and Convertible turned the 4 Collection. Turbocharging turned customary, an eight-speed ZF auto appeared, and later a plug-in hybrid proved that electrical help and old-school stability can coexist.
Right now’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 automotive may even again itself out of a decent spot by replaying its final 50 meters in reverse. Blue-sky tech made enjoyable.
Whereas it misses the guide transmission that every 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 could be larger and heavier, however there’s nonetheless an fanatic high quality to the automotive as we present in our most latest assessment.
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 may take pleasure in on a winding highway is even higher.
