The first 3 series was introduced in 1975. This model received the code name E21 and was available with a four cylinder engine as 316, 318, 320 and 320i. In 1977 the six cylinder 320 and 323i replaced the 320 and 320i four cylinder. In 1979 the 3 series received a small face lift and in 1981 the 315 came available.
At the end of 1982 the new E30 3 series was introduced. It was available as four
cylinder 316 / 318i or as six cylinder 320i / 323i. In 1985 the 325i replaced the 323i and the 324d diesel came available. Also available now were the four wheel drive 325ix and the 320i / 325i Convertible.
At the end of 1987 the 3 series received a small face lift and BMW introduced the 324td turbo diesel and the 3 series Touring. In November 1990 the new E36 3 series came available. It had a M40 four cylinder in the 316i / 318i or the new M50 6 cylinder in the 320i / 325i. In 1991 BMW added
the 325td turbo diesel and in 1992 the Coupe came available.
A new Convertible was introduced in 1993 and all four cylinder models received the new M43 engine. Also new were the 316i Coupe and the 325tds turbo diesel Sedan.
At the end of 1993
BMW introduced the 316i / 318ti Compact and in 1994 the new four cylinder 318tds turbo diesel came available. The 328i replaced the 325i and the Convertible was now also available as four cylinder 318i and six cylinder 320i.
In 1995 the E36 Touring
replaced the E30 Touring and in 1996 a four cylinder 318is Sedan came available. The 316i Touring and a 323ti Compact were added a year later.
In 1998 BMW introduced the new E46 3 series. It was available as four cylinder 318i / 320d and
as six cylinder 320i / 323i / 328i. The 320d was a four cylinder diesel which replaced the old E36 six cylinder diesels.
In 1999 the Coupe and Touring came available and BMW introduced the 316i Sedan and the six cylinder 330d diesel. The new E46
convertible and a new 330i and 330ix four wheel drive will be introduced this year.
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