Official Release: During the course of more than three and a half decades, the face of the BMW 3 Series has constantly evolved. Designers have always managed to incorporate dynamics, innovation and aesthetics into a harmonious, modern and future-oriented overall concept, whilst at the same time preserving traditional values. As a result, each BMW 3 Series has retained its unmistakable brand identity and can be identified as a BMW at very first glance. However, the roots of the BMW Series reach back as far as the 1960s….
As a manufacturer of sporty, elegant sedans, BMW had at that time already developed a characteristic profile. With a notchback body design, front-mounted engines and rear-wheel drive, a basic principle was established back then (BMW 1500/2000) that still prevails to this very day. With the arrival of the BMW 1600 in 1966, the 2-door 02 Series, which produced such famous models as the 1600ti or the 2002tii, was launched on to the automotive market and eventually replaced by the BMW 3 Series.
With BMW preparing to release it’s latest 3 Series, now’s a great time to look back what the history of the most important model in BMW’s history. The story starts in 1975 with the E20…
With BMW readying both its new 3 Series (F30) and the M3 DTM car, folks at BMW PR have decided it’s a good time to take a look back at the racing history of the model.
Official Release: Over the 5 generations since its launch, the BMW 3 Series has enjoyed a most impressive career. This applies to its market success, but also especially to its career in motorsports. During the past 35 years, the 3 Series models with their characteristic compact dimensions, dynamic engines and sporty suspension have contributed considerably towards dynamic performance and the brand’s excellent reputation on the racetrack. With such attributes, BMW’s midrange model is ideally suited for successful use in motorsports in particular. With its return in 2012 to the DTM, a top motorsport category, BMW intends to replicate its earlier successes with the BMW M3 DTM now currently under development.
You know it must be time for a new 3 Series if BMW is publishing press releases like this. Regardless of why it’s a great read through the history of the car that has been the stalwart of the brand for over 30 years now. And it’s a fascinating glimpse into engine tech over the years.
Official Release: For 36 years now, the BMW 3 Series has profited more than almost any other model series from its fascinating drive technology. During a period spanning five generations, BMW 3 Series engines have time and time again been pioneers of innovative technology and milestones in engine construction. As a result, the four and six-cylinder power units, each of them having been the most modern of their time, have created the basis for the success of the internationally coveted, sporty midrange series. And what’s more: with its dynamic and consistently highly efficient drive technology, the BMW 3 Series became the founder of a new category of sports-oriented vehicles and, at the same time, a bestseller within the premium segment. With each new model, the series was able to expand this position even as more and more competitors began to adopt the concept of sporty, compact premium segment sedans.
GQ columnist (and one of this authors favorite authors) Jamie Kitman recently wrote a piece on what he has termed the ‘slow-car movement’. It’s an idea that takes some of the principles of the slow food movement and translates them into what many of us have been doing for years; driving our asses off in well worn (barely) vintage cars. It’s a simple concept and one I can articulate very well within my own garage.
Compare my ’88 535is to the new 535i for instance. Even with a manual and sports package the modern 5er doesn’t stand a chance in getting my attention if I want to actually drive. But if I simply want to be transported in effortless style with technology catering to my every whim I’d choose the 2011 5 Series. The difference comes down to involvement in the car and in the process of driving. There is little question that the new 5 Series is faster in every way imaginable. It’s safer, it stops better (way better) and will carry four in a level of comfort not even imagined in 1988. It is a better car in all the modern ways of measuring success.
Our friends at Jalopnik are featuring the venerable M10 4 cylinder as their Engine of the Day. As you may or may not know the M10 was designed by noted engineer and race driver Baron Alex von Falkenhausen. Yes (as Jalopnik mentions) that is a helluva a name. In between designing engines you’d expect someone named Baron Alex von Falkenhausen to fly zeppelins and slay large game. What he did do was to go against BMW bosses and design a 1.5L (instead of the asked for 1.3L that was eventually expanded to 2.0L. Here’s more from Wikipedia:
As BMW M12, the engine is also one of the most successful engines in racing. Starting with the European Touring Car Championship, it was also used in Formula 2 and in the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft, where it was turbocharged by Paul Rosche according to FIA Group 5 rules.
Courtesy of Bring a Trailer we have another rare and limited edition BMW Alpina, this time for sale on Roadfly. This example also just happens to be signed by famous German racer and test driver Hans Stuck.
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We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: E21 3 Series, E30 3 Series, E36 3 Series, E46 3 Series, E90 3 Series, F30 3 Series Jan 13th, 2012 2 Comments 
