Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Bmw 3 Series shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Bmw 3 Series offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Bmw 3 Series at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Bmw 3 Series? Wrong! If the Bmw 3 Series is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Bmw 3 Series then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Bmw 3 Series? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Bmw 3 Series and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Bmw 3 Series wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Bmw 3 Series then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Bmw 3 Series site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Bmw 3 Series, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Bmw 3 Series, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox Automobile|image=|name=BMW 3 Series|manufacturer=BMW|class=Entry-level luxury / [Compact executive car, [Germany
Regensburg, Germany
Rosslyn, South Africa
Kalingrad, Russia,[BMW X3

-->

The BMW 3 Series is an entry-level luxury / compact executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It was the successor to the BMW New Class. The 3 Series was for some time the smallest car line manufactured by BMW (exempting the BMW-owned MINI), although that place was in 2004 taken by the BMW 1 Series. The 3 Series is BMW's best selling automobile, accounting for nearly 40% of all automobiles sold by the company in 2005..The 3 Series is the best selling foreign luxury sedan in the United States — 98,000 vehicles were sold in 2005.

Social and marketing significance From its sporting origins, the 3 Series success has led BMW to become one of the most recognized brands in the world, in league with Coca-Cola, IBM, The Four Seasons, and American Express. Being an accessible prestige-badge car, the 3 Series' reputation grew from its humble beginnings, winning numerous awards and honors throughout the automotive world. By the early 21st century, the E46 3 Series was the best-selling car of its segment (premium middle class cars),as commonplace in Asia and America as in Europe, while maintaining its prestigious brand and image.

The 3 series has also maintained BMW's racing heritage. The BMW M version of the 3 series, BMW M3, debuted in the 1980's as an industry first "track ready" luxury sports car. Marketed as a daily driver and a track ready race car, the M3 grew in popularity quickly. This has furthered the 3 series brand awareness as a class-leading "sport sedan".

History In the late 1960s, performance car enthusiasts in the U.S. had limited options. There were small 2-seater sports cars like the British MG. And there were Detroit-made muscle cars with big V-8 engines offering a lot of power, but little else. Few Americans had ever heard the name BMW.

Then in 1968, an article appeared in Car & Driver magazine, raving about an unassuming little automobile: the BMW 2002. This was a car Americans had never seen, and a glimpse of what Europeans already enjoyed. It accelerated like a muscle car, but it was light and fuel-efficient. It was agile like a sports car, but it had four quite comfortable seats and legroom. The 2002 embodied for Americans an entirely new concept: the sports sedan. And it laid down track that BMW has been running on ever since. Historically, BMW got its start in the American market in New York City, thanks to an Austrian named Max Hoffman.

Max Hoffman, often referred to as the "father" of the import car business, was a famous New York Car Dealer/Importer who is largely responsible for the US sports car resurgence of the 40's and 50's. He imported sports cars to the US and made them available after WW II. Hoffman helped sponsor amateur sports car racing in the US and encouraged the European manufacturers to respond to the emerging US sports car market. Hoffman influenced BMW product marketing (as well as other German made cars )in the US for many years.

The success of the 2002 led to the founding of BMW North America in 1975. And shortly thereafter a new model was introduced that furthered this concept of performance and practicality – the BMW 3 Series. This new model was a direct descendant of the 2002. The 3 series is the most successful of BMW models, a trend that will likely continue well into the future.Through model evolution, the 3 series has expanded upwards and outwards – but for BMW, the 3 Series remains the defining car and the benchmark against which all future designs will be judged.

3 Series vehicles can be largely differentiated by the underlying platform:

E21 {{Infobox Automobile generation|image=|name=E21|production=1975–1983|layout=FR layout|engine=1.6 L [BMW M10#M41 Straight-4
1.6 L BMW M10#M41 Straight-4
1.8 L BMW M10#M10B18 Straight-4
1.8 L BMW M10#M42 Straight-4
2.0 L BMW M10#M64 Straight-4
2.0 L BMW M10#M10B20 straight-4
2.0 L BMW M20#M20B20 I6
2.3 L BMW M20#M20B23 I6
2.0 L BMW M10#M43/1 Straight-4
1.8 L BMW M10#M42 Straight-4|body_style=2-door coupe
2-door convertible-->The E21 line was produced from 2 May, 1975 (1977 in the USA) through 1983. Originally a replacement for the BMW New Class coupe, the first 3-Series was a 2-door model only. The BMW New Class would be replaced by the BMW 5 Series. A factory authorised cabrio version was built by Karosserie Baur.

Models:

E30 {{Infobox Automobile platform|name=BMW E30|image=|manufacturer=BMW|successor=[BMW E36
|class=[Entry-level luxury car / Large family car|body_style=2-door coupé
2-door convertible
4-door sedan
5-door station wagon, |engine=[Straight-4, Straight-6
1.6-3.2 L, 73-236 kW|transmission=|similar=Alfa Romeo 75
Audi 80
Lancia Prisma
Saab 900
Mercedes-Benz W201-->

The E30 was sold from 1982 through 1991 in sedan form, through 1993 in convertible form. The E30's introductory price of USD18,210 was nearly double that of the E21 just 7 years earlier, but the availability of a six cylinder engine and 4-door body style (in 1984) earned sales. The torquey "eta" six in the 325e produced 121 hp (90 kW), but met the strict emission standards of the time. The E30 was the most powerful compact BMW offered in the United States since the BMW 2002.

The lineup was joined in 1985 by the high-output 325i and 325is. Though the engine displacement was reduced to 2.5 Liter, output was up to 168 Horsepower (125 Watt#Kilowatt) as the company focused on performance rather than economy. The rev limit for the new motor was raised from 5000 rpm to 6500 Revolutions per minute, as a shorter stroke was employed with the new motor.

The 325is was an upgrade from the standard 325i, as some new features were added to the car as standard. These included the full electrics package, BMW sports seats, black roof-liner, BMW M-technic II body kit, BMW 14 inch BBS wheels and a Close Ratio gearbox. Other features also found on the 325is were options, however over time, some have been mistaken for standard features. These options include a Limited Slip Differential (LSD), leather interior, sunroof and BMW 15 inch BBS wheels. Options differed on vehicles produced in the United States.
An all wheel drive version, the 325ix, joined the lineup for 1986. The four-cylinder 318 was dropped in 1985, but was brought back with a new, 1.8L DOHC motor (M42B18) for 1991.

In 1989, BMW introduced the touring version of the E30. It was very popular during its production up to 1994. It was available with a 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 or 2.5 liter engine. The 325i touring was also available with 4WD.

The most powerful American BMW E30 in 1989 came in the form of the BMW M3. It used a 192 hp (143 kW) BMW S14 straight-4 with a multi-valve head adapted from the BMW M88 six and Bosch fuel injection.



E36 {{Infobox Automobile generation|image=|name=E36|production=1991–2000|layout=Front-engine design, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive|platform=[BMW E36
2-door [convertible
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
2-door hatchback-->Also known as the "Dolphin shape." The E36 was sold from 1991 through 1998. It employed the "Z-axle" multilink suspension in the rear which had been proven in the BMW Z1. DOHC engines were used across the range, with VANOS variable valve timing introduced in 1993.



The four-door E36 was sold from Autumn, 1991, in the United States but the E30 coupes were retained until well into 1992. The E36 convertible was delayed until 1994. The hatchback 318ti Compact was introduced in 1995, was very popular in Europe, but it was not very successful in North America. The BMW Compact was identical to the regular E36 sedan from front bumper to A-Pillar. Everything else was unique, namely its rear semi-trailing arm suspension, based off the old E30, instead of the Z-Axle Multilink employed in all other E36's. The Z3 and M Coupe have similar rear suspension setups as well.The "Touring" station wagon was sold in Europe from 1995, but was not offered in the United States.

The 2.5 L BMW M50#M50B25 used in the 325 models was replaced in 1996 with the 2.8 L BMW M52#M50B28, creating the 328 line. Another 2.5 L engine, the BMW M52#M50B25, was reintroduced for 1998 but the cars were sold as 323 rather than 325.

The 4-door 3 Series models were replaced after 1998 in the US, while the 2-door models lasted through 1999.

Models:

E46 {{Infobox Automobile generation|image=|name=E46|production=1998–2005|layout=Front-engine design, rear-wheel drive / All-wheel drive
2.8 L [I6
3.0 L I6
5-speed [Manual transmission|wheelbase=|length=Sedan:
Wagon:
Convertible & Coupe: |width=Sedan & Wagon:
Convertible & Coupe: |height=Sedan:
2000-02 325i Wagon:
2000-02 325xi Wagon:
Convertible:
Coupe:
xi Sedan: |related=BMW M3
BMW X3
2-door [convertible
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon--> )

The E46 chassis began to replace the E36 specification for 1998. Only the 4-door sedans were updated that year. The E36 coupé and [station wagon models lasted one more year until the E46 replacements arrived for model year 2000. The 2.8 L cars were called 328 while 2.5 L cars got the confusing 323 name. The new BMW M54 engines appeared for 2001; with the new 3.0 L 330 replacing the 328, BMW renamed the 2.5 L car the 325. Also in 2001, the BMW Compact 3-door version appeared on the European market, but it was replaced in 2004 by the BMW 1 Series. During the second half of 2005 the E46 sedan and touring were phased out in favour of the new BMW E90. The E46 coupé and convertible remain in production well into 2006. The E46 Coupe & Convertible used a "ci" (standing for coupe/injection) instead of "i".

Models:

Diesel models:


E90 {{Infobox Automobile generation|image=|name=E90|production=2006–present|layout=Front-engine design, rear-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
3.0 L [I6
3.0 L I6
3.0 L I6
3.0 L I6
[BMW X3
2-door [convertible
4-door sedan
4-door [station wagon-->The E90 is the new body style available from MY2006 to present, and is available as the sport sedan (E90), sport wagon (E91), sport coupe (E92), and sport coupe convertible (E93). The E90 series is completely re-engineered from the E46, including changes to motor choices, transmission, the passenger compartment comfort, suspension technology, as well as a host of High-Tech features and options.

Currently, four engine options are offered, two being part of the new 'N' series of BMW inline engines featuring a host of new technologies. Technological innovations such as lightweight magnesium/aluminum construction, electric water pump, Valvetronic (steplessly variable valve timing), and Double-VANOS variable valve timing all contribute to produce a lighter and more powerful motor than its predecessor, but yield a 15% increase in fuel economy. The E90 also marks BMW's return to Turbo Technology with the introduction of the E92 coupe. The N54 engine produces and torque.

The E90 series also marks another first for BMW -- a retractable hard top convertible.

Note:For the US market, the MY 2006 325i and 330i are both powered by the same 3.0 L N52 engine, but the 330i features revised engine software and improved intake and exhaust systems to produce an additional 40 hp (255 vs. 215). MY2007 marks a motor change to increase the power from the motors, therefore a change to the badging of the vehicles. Canada also gets a 323i model which has a detuned 2.5 L gasoline-injected inline-six producing 200 hp (149 kW). The new 335i uses a twin-turbo powerplant, also seen on the 5 series models.

The 3-Series is manufactured at plants in South Africa and Germany.

Models:

In US:

Awards The 3 Series has been on Car and Driver magazine's annual Car and Driver Ten Best list 16 times, from 1992 through 2007, making it the longest running entry in the list . The E90 was named "Best New Sports Sedan" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards. Also, it was awarded the World Car of the Year at the New York Auto Show in 2006.

Racing The E36 320d won the 24 Hours Nürburgring in 1998.

The E46 3-Series is the car that won Andy Priaulx and BMW Team UK the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in 2005 World Touring Car Championship season.The E90 3-series repeated this feat in 2006.This is a highly advertised achievement of BMW. The WTCC is one of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's three World Championships (along with Formula One and the World Rally Championship).The 3-Series' rear-wheel drive layout and its proven dynamics have both been attributed to its victory, though in Touring Car Racing, as almost every other motor sport, much of the skill is with the driver and their team tactics.

's BMW 320si (E90) during the 2006 World Touring Car Championship season.Most of the time, the 3-Series cars in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and other touring car championships have been penalised for being rear wheel drive and thus having better grip. In midway of 2002 European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) season, FIA decided to make new rules to compensate front-wheel drive layouted car being so victorious and added extra 15 kg ballast to front-wheel drive cars (Alfa Romeo 156) and rear-wheel drive cars (BMW) was reduced 15 kg. The 320si has been penalised in the WTCC for this reason to keep the sport competitive with the rest of the grid (Ford Focus, Chevrolet Lacetti, SEAT Leon, Alfa Romeo 156) being front-wheel drive. Despite these ballast weight penalties, the 320si's of the British, German and Italian/Spanish teams continually win races and points with their skilled drivers. Today the WTCC series has a rolling start to eliminate the better grip that rear-wheel drive cars have in starts.

The BMW 3-Series is currently used in both the SCCA Pro Racing Speed World Challenge Touring Car Series and the Grand American Road Racing Series. In the final 2006 Grand Am standings, BMW finished second in the manufacturer's standings in both the Grand Sport and Street Tuner classes, and Turner Motorsport prepped E46 BMWs won the driver's and team championships.

3 Series in the UK United Kingdom imports of the original BMW 3 Series began in early 1976, at a time when Britain's own cars held the vast majority of the market share. The fact that this 3 Series was only ever available with two doors also counted against it, but sales soon picked up and by 1980 it was firmly established as one of the most popular upmarket medium sized saloons available. It offered levels of quality and driver enjoyment that the likes of the Triumph Dolomite were no match for. Its upmarket image also appealed to other motorists than those who bought "sporty" saloons, as it attracted buyers who might have been expected to choose something along the lines of a Ford Cortina or Vauxhall Cavalier. It was a common sight on Britain's roads well into the 1990s, and those remaining today have achieved collector's status.

The second generation 3 Series arrived in Britain during the summer of 1983, and had soon developed into a much wider range than its predecessor. Buyers could now choose a four-door saloon, two-door coupe, five-door estate or two-door convertible. It was soon firmly established as the most popular car in the new "compact executive" sector, fighting off fierce competition from the likes of the Audi 80, Mercedes-Benz 190E and Saab 900. It is still a common sight on Britain's roads today, 17 years after the end of saloon and coupe production and 14 years after the demise of the estate and convertible.

The third incarnation of the 3 Series reached British showrooms early in 1991, and continued where its predecessor left off. The launch of a three-door hatchback in 1994 further expanded the already wide and impressive range, and it remained firmly established as the compact executive market leader in spite of the arrival of new competitors like the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C Class and Rover 600. The majority of those registered in the UK are still on the road, though some have been modified by so-called Chav owners to create a downmarket style which seems out of place on a car that was once so admired.

British buyers gained their first examples of the fourth generation 3 Series in late 1998, with coupe, cabriolet and estate models arriving the 1999, and the Compact hatchback in 2000. This generation of the 3 Series was similarly successful, and in 2003 it broke into the top 10 sales charts for the very first time - impressively outselling the established Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra.

The fifth generation 3 Series became available on the British market in late 2005, and sales figures for both this and the previous version meant that it was Britain's 10th best selling model range in 2005. It inherited its predecessor's qualities, and this time offered an all-new design which owed little (if anything) to earlier 3 Series models. In 2006 it was Britain's eighth best selling car, once again outselling the Mondeo and Vectra.

Notes External links

{{Infobox Automobile|image=|name=BMW 3 Series|manufacturer=BMW|class=Entry-level luxury / [Compact executive car, [Germany
Regensburg, Germany
Rosslyn, South Africa
Kalingrad, Russia,[BMW X3

-->

The BMW 3 Series is an entry-level luxury / compact executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It was the successor to the BMW New Class. The 3 Series was for some time the smallest car line manufactured by BMW (exempting the BMW-owned MINI), although that place was in 2004 taken by the BMW 1 Series. The 3 Series is BMW's best selling automobile, accounting for nearly 40% of all automobiles sold by the company in 2005..The 3 Series is the best selling foreign luxury sedan in the United States — 98,000 vehicles were sold in 2005.

Social and marketing significance From its sporting origins, the 3 Series success has led BMW to become one of the most recognized brands in the world, in league with Coca-Cola, IBM, The Four Seasons, and American Express. Being an accessible prestige-badge car, the 3 Series' reputation grew from its humble beginnings, winning numerous awards and honors throughout the automotive world. By the early 21st century, the E46 3 Series was the best-selling car of its segment (premium middle class cars),as commonplace in Asia and America as in Europe, while maintaining its prestigious brand and image.

The 3 series has also maintained BMW's racing heritage. The BMW M version of the 3 series, BMW M3, debuted in the 1980's as an industry first "track ready" luxury sports car. Marketed as a daily driver and a track ready race car, the M3 grew in popularity quickly. This has furthered the 3 series brand awareness as a class-leading "sport sedan".

History In the late 1960s, performance car enthusiasts in the U.S. had limited options. There were small 2-seater sports cars like the British MG. And there were Detroit-made muscle cars with big V-8 engines offering a lot of power, but little else. Few Americans had ever heard the name BMW.

Then in 1968, an article appeared in Car & Driver magazine, raving about an unassuming little automobile: the BMW 2002. This was a car Americans had never seen, and a glimpse of what Europeans already enjoyed. It accelerated like a muscle car, but it was light and fuel-efficient. It was agile like a sports car, but it had four quite comfortable seats and legroom. The 2002 embodied for Americans an entirely new concept: the sports sedan. And it laid down track that BMW has been running on ever since. Historically, BMW got its start in the American market in New York City, thanks to an Austrian named Max Hoffman.

Max Hoffman, often referred to as the "father" of the import car business, was a famous New York Car Dealer/Importer who is largely responsible for the US sports car resurgence of the 40's and 50's. He imported sports cars to the US and made them available after WW II. Hoffman helped sponsor amateur sports car racing in the US and encouraged the European manufacturers to respond to the emerging US sports car market. Hoffman influenced BMW product marketing (as well as other German made cars )in the US for many years.

The success of the 2002 led to the founding of BMW North America in 1975. And shortly thereafter a new model was introduced that furthered this concept of performance and practicality – the BMW 3 Series. This new model was a direct descendant of the 2002. The 3 series is the most successful of BMW models, a trend that will likely continue well into the future.Through model evolution, the 3 series has expanded upwards and outwards – but for BMW, the 3 Series remains the defining car and the benchmark against which all future designs will be judged.

3 Series vehicles can be largely differentiated by the underlying platform:

E21 {{Infobox Automobile generation|image=|name=E21|production=1975–1983|layout=FR layout|engine=1.6 L [BMW M10#M41 Straight-4
1.6 L BMW M10#M41 Straight-4
1.8 L BMW M10#M10B18 Straight-4
1.8 L BMW M10#M42 Straight-4
2.0 L BMW M10#M64 Straight-4
2.0 L BMW M10#M10B20 straight-4
2.0 L BMW M20#M20B20 I6
2.3 L BMW M20#M20B23 I6
2.0 L BMW M10#M43/1 Straight-4
1.8 L BMW M10#M42 Straight-4|body_style=2-door coupe
2-door convertible-->The E21 line was produced from 2 May, 1975 (1977 in the USA) through 1983. Originally a replacement for the BMW New Class coupe, the first 3-Series was a 2-door model only. The BMW New Class would be replaced by the BMW 5 Series. A factory authorised cabrio version was built by Karosserie Baur.

Models:

E30 {{Infobox Automobile platform|name=BMW E30|image=|manufacturer=BMW|successor=[BMW E36
|class=[Entry-level luxury car / Large family car|body_style=2-door coupé
2-door convertible
4-door sedan
5-door station wagon, |engine=[Straight-4, Straight-6
1.6-3.2 L, 73-236 kW|transmission=|similar=Alfa Romeo 75
Audi 80
Lancia Prisma
Saab 900
Mercedes-Benz W201-->

The E30 was sold from 1982 through 1991 in sedan form, through 1993 in convertible form. The E30's introductory price of USD18,210 was nearly double that of the E21 just 7 years earlier, but the availability of a six cylinder engine and 4-door body style (in 1984) earned sales. The torquey "eta" six in the 325e produced 121 hp (90 kW), but met the strict emission standards of the time. The E30 was the most powerful compact BMW offered in the United States since the BMW 2002.

The lineup was joined in 1985 by the high-output 325i and 325is. Though the engine displacement was reduced to 2.5 Liter, output was up to 168 Horsepower (125 Watt#Kilowatt) as the company focused on performance rather than economy. The rev limit for the new motor was raised from 5000 rpm to 6500 Revolutions per minute, as a shorter stroke was employed with the new motor.

The 325is was an upgrade from the standard 325i, as some new features were added to the car as standard. These included the full electrics package, BMW sports seats, black roof-liner, BMW M-technic II body kit, BMW 14 inch BBS wheels and a Close Ratio gearbox. Other features also found on the 325is were options, however over time, some have been mistaken for standard features. These options include a Limited Slip Differential (LSD), leather interior, sunroof and BMW 15 inch BBS wheels. Options differed on vehicles produced in the United States.
An all wheel drive version, the 325ix, joined the lineup for 1986. The four-cylinder 318 was dropped in 1985, but was brought back with a new, 1.8L DOHC motor (M42B18) for 1991.

In 1989, BMW introduced the touring version of the E30. It was very popular during its production up to 1994. It was available with a 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 or 2.5 liter engine. The 325i touring was also available with 4WD.

The most powerful American BMW E30 in 1989 came in the form of the BMW M3. It used a 192 hp (143 kW) BMW S14 straight-4 with a multi-valve head adapted from the BMW M88 six and Bosch fuel injection.



E36 {{Infobox Automobile generation|image=|name=E36|production=1991–2000|layout=Front-engine design, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive|platform=[BMW E36
2-door [convertible
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
2-door hatchback-->Also known as the "Dolphin shape." The E36 was sold from 1991 through 1998. It employed the "Z-axle" multilink suspension in the rear which had been proven in the BMW Z1. DOHC engines were used across the range, with VANOS variable valve timing introduced in 1993.



The four-door E36 was sold from Autumn, 1991, in the United States but the E30 coupes were retained until well into 1992. The E36 convertible was delayed until 1994. The hatchback 318ti Compact was introduced in 1995, was very popular in Europe, but it was not very successful in North America. The BMW Compact was identical to the regular E36 sedan from front bumper to A-Pillar. Everything else was unique, namely its rear semi-trailing arm suspension, based off the old E30, instead of the Z-Axle Multilink employed in all other E36's. The Z3 and M Coupe have similar rear suspension setups as well.The "Touring" station wagon was sold in Europe from 1995, but was not offered in the United States.

The 2.5 L BMW M50#M50B25 used in the 325 models was replaced in 1996 with the 2.8 L BMW M52#M50B28, creating the 328 line. Another 2.5 L engine, the BMW M52#M50B25, was reintroduced for 1998 but the cars were sold as 323 rather than 325.

The 4-door 3 Series models were replaced after 1998 in the US, while the 2-door models lasted through 1999.

Models:

E46 {{Infobox Automobile generation|image=|name=E46|production=1998–2005|layout=Front-engine design, rear-wheel drive / All-wheel drive
2.8 L [I6
3.0 L I6
5-speed [Manual transmission|wheelbase=|length=Sedan:
Wagon:
Convertible & Coupe: |width=Sedan & Wagon:
Convertible & Coupe: |height=Sedan:
2000-02 325i Wagon:
2000-02 325xi Wagon:
Convertible:
Coupe:
xi Sedan: |related=BMW M3
BMW X3
2-door [convertible
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon--> )

The E46 chassis began to replace the E36 specification for 1998. Only the 4-door sedans were updated that year. The E36 coupé and [station wagon models lasted one more year until the E46 replacements arrived for model year 2000. The 2.8 L cars were called 328 while 2.5 L cars got the confusing 323 name. The new BMW M54 engines appeared for 2001; with the new 3.0 L 330 replacing the 328, BMW renamed the 2.5 L car the 325. Also in 2001, the BMW Compact 3-door version appeared on the European market, but it was replaced in 2004 by the BMW 1 Series. During the second half of 2005 the E46 sedan and touring were phased out in favour of the new BMW E90. The E46 coupé and convertible remain in production well into 2006. The E46 Coupe & Convertible used a "ci" (standing for coupe/injection) instead of "i".

Models:

Diesel models:


E90 {{Infobox Automobile generation|image=|name=E90|production=2006–present|layout=Front-engine design, rear-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
3.0 L [I6
3.0 L I6
3.0 L I6
3.0 L I6
[BMW X3
2-door [convertible
4-door sedan
4-door [station wagon-->The E90 is the new body style available from MY2006 to present, and is available as the sport sedan (E90), sport wagon (E91), sport coupe (E92), and sport coupe convertible (E93). The E90 series is completely re-engineered from the E46, including changes to motor choices, transmission, the passenger compartment comfort, suspension technology, as well as a host of High-Tech features and options.

Currently, four engine options are offered, two being part of the new 'N' series of BMW inline engines featuring a host of new technologies. Technological innovations such as lightweight magnesium/aluminum construction, electric water pump, Valvetronic (steplessly variable valve timing), and Double-VANOS variable valve timing all contribute to produce a lighter and more powerful motor than its predecessor, but yield a 15% increase in fuel economy. The E90 also marks BMW's return to Turbo Technology with the introduction of the E92 coupe. The N54 engine produces and torque.

The E90 series also marks another first for BMW -- a retractable hard top convertible.

Note:For the US market, the MY 2006 325i and 330i are both powered by the same 3.0 L N52 engine, but the 330i features revised engine software and improved intake and exhaust systems to produce an additional 40 hp (255 vs. 215). MY2007 marks a motor change to increase the power from the motors, therefore a change to the badging of the vehicles. Canada also gets a 323i model which has a detuned 2.5 L gasoline-injected inline-six producing 200 hp (149 kW). The new 335i uses a twin-turbo powerplant, also seen on the 5 series models.

The 3-Series is manufactured at plants in South Africa and Germany.

Models:

In US:

Awards The 3 Series has been on Car and Driver magazine's annual Car and Driver Ten Best list 16 times, from 1992 through 2007, making it the longest running entry in the list . The E90 was named "Best New Sports Sedan" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards. Also, it was awarded the World Car of the Year at the New York Auto Show in 2006.

Racing The E36 320d won the 24 Hours Nürburgring in 1998.

The E46 3-Series is the car that won Andy Priaulx and BMW Team UK the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in 2005 World Touring Car Championship season.The E90 3-series repeated this feat in 2006.This is a highly advertised achievement of BMW. The WTCC is one of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's three World Championships (along with Formula One and the World Rally Championship).The 3-Series' rear-wheel drive layout and its proven dynamics have both been attributed to its victory, though in Touring Car Racing, as almost every other motor sport, much of the skill is with the driver and their team tactics.

's BMW 320si (E90) during the 2006 World Touring Car Championship season.Most of the time, the 3-Series cars in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and other touring car championships have been penalised for being rear wheel drive and thus having better grip. In midway of 2002 European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) season, FIA decided to make new rules to compensate front-wheel drive layouted car being so victorious and added extra 15 kg ballast to front-wheel drive cars (Alfa Romeo 156) and rear-wheel drive cars (BMW) was reduced 15 kg. The 320si has been penalised in the WTCC for this reason to keep the sport competitive with the rest of the grid (Ford Focus, Chevrolet Lacetti, SEAT Leon, Alfa Romeo 156) being front-wheel drive. Despite these ballast weight penalties, the 320si's of the British, German and Italian/Spanish teams continually win races and points with their skilled drivers. Today the WTCC series has a rolling start to eliminate the better grip that rear-wheel drive cars have in starts.

The BMW 3-Series is currently used in both the SCCA Pro Racing Speed World Challenge Touring Car Series and the Grand American Road Racing Series. In the final 2006 Grand Am standings, BMW finished second in the manufacturer's standings in both the Grand Sport and Street Tuner classes, and Turner Motorsport prepped E46 BMWs won the driver's and team championships.

3 Series in the UK United Kingdom imports of the original BMW 3 Series began in early 1976, at a time when Britain's own cars held the vast majority of the market share. The fact that this 3 Series was only ever available with two doors also counted against it, but sales soon picked up and by 1980 it was firmly established as one of the most popular upmarket medium sized saloons available. It offered levels of quality and driver enjoyment that the likes of the Triumph Dolomite were no match for. Its upmarket image also appealed to other motorists than those who bought "sporty" saloons, as it attracted buyers who might have been expected to choose something along the lines of a Ford Cortina or Vauxhall Cavalier. It was a common sight on Britain's roads well into the 1990s, and those remaining today have achieved collector's status.

The second generation 3 Series arrived in Britain during the summer of 1983, and had soon developed into a much wider range than its predecessor. Buyers could now choose a four-door saloon, two-door coupe, five-door estate or two-door convertible. It was soon firmly established as the most popular car in the new "compact executive" sector, fighting off fierce competition from the likes of the Audi 80, Mercedes-Benz 190E and Saab 900. It is still a common sight on Britain's roads today, 17 years after the end of saloon and coupe production and 14 years after the demise of the estate and convertible.

The third incarnation of the 3 Series reached British showrooms early in 1991, and continued where its predecessor left off. The launch of a three-door hatchback in 1994 further expanded the already wide and impressive range, and it remained firmly established as the compact executive market leader in spite of the arrival of new competitors like the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C Class and Rover 600. The majority of those registered in the UK are still on the road, though some have been modified by so-called Chav owners to create a downmarket style which seems out of place on a car that was once so admired.

British buyers gained their first examples of the fourth generation 3 Series in late 1998, with coupe, cabriolet and estate models arriving the 1999, and the Compact hatchback in 2000. This generation of the 3 Series was similarly successful, and in 2003 it broke into the top 10 sales charts for the very first time - impressively outselling the established Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra.

The fifth generation 3 Series became available on the British market in late 2005, and sales figures for both this and the previous version meant that it was Britain's 10th best selling model range in 2005. It inherited its predecessor's qualities, and this time offered an all-new design which owed little (if anything) to earlier 3 Series models. In 2006 it was Britain's eighth best selling car, once again outselling the Mondeo and Vectra.

Notes External links



BMW UK : Homepage
Information on BMW cars. ... Everything you need to research your new BMW, from independent road test reports to an on-line car configurator.

BMW UK : BMW 3 Series Convertible Model overview
Everything you need to research your new BMW. Prices, standard and optional equipment, technical specifications and independent road tests.

BMW 3 Series Review | BMW 3 Series Saloon | BMW 320d M Sport Saloon ...
BMW 320d M Sport Saloon Car Review - with detail on BMW 3 Series Saloon car prices, insurance group, specification, Road test videos and pictures. Buy and sell new and used BMW 3 ...

BMW 3 Series Cars | BMW 3 Series Saloon | BMW 3 Series Coupe | BMW 3 ...
Read news and review of BMW 3 series convertible, coupe, saloon and touring car at Auto Trader – buy new and used BMW 3 series car with auto Trader UK

BMW 3 Series on eBay, also, BMW, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time ...
Find BMW 3 Series in the , BMW , Cars , Cars, Parts Vehicles category on eBay.co.uk. ... BMW 3 Series 325Ci SE Coupe 2 doors Manual Petrol (2002) Item number: 380031688236

BMW 3 Series on eBay, also, BMW, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time ...
Find BMW 3 Series in the , BMW , Cars , Cars, Parts Vehicles category on eBay.co.uk. ... BMW 3 Series 320td ES Compact Hatchback 3 doors Manual Diesel (2003) Item number ...

BMW | 3 Series | Car | New | Used | Information | Sale | History
history of the bmw 3 series car with information and impartial reviews of all the models throughout the range plus buy or sell yours privately and browse cars for sale.

BMW 3 Series models : Overview
Featuring a sedan, convertible, coupé and touring body form, the BMW 3 Series continues the tradition of athletic, compact cars.

Used 3 Series BMW, 3 Series In Stock Now
Used 3 Series BMW from Cooper BMW, online search for the 3 series of your choice from a company you can trust, large stock of approved 3 series now online.

BMW 3 Series - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The BMW 3 Series is a entry-level luxury car / compact executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It was the successor to the 2002 coupe, and has now ...

 

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