Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, or BMW as they are more commonly known, has been producing vehicles since 1916. Over the decades they have seen immense popularity as a group, with European sales alone rocketing from 699,400 in 1998 to 1,373,970 in 2006 according to AutoIntell.
The most popular of all of BMW cars is without doubt the 3 series range, with the 2005 annual report produced by the company showing that the 3 series range of cars was the best selling in its entire class.
Divided up into five generations, the 3 series has evolved substantially over its 35 year history, with the cars getting bigger and more powerful in each and every generation.
1. First generation. The generation that started everything, the very first BMW 3 series was produced on 2 May 1975 and production ran for 8 years until 1983. Available in simply a 2 door saloon or 2 door convertible, it was labeled as an entry level luxury car. The largest engine the first generation saw was of a 2 litre size and it was one of only two generations to offer a 3 speed automatic gearbox.
2. Second generation. The popularity of the second generation 3 series is evident in the fact that this generation was the one that was produced by BMW for the longest, for 12 years from 1982 to 1994.
The engines on the second generation were split between 4 cylinders on the M10, M40 and M42 and 6 cylinders on the M20 and M21, with a mixture of petrol and diesel amongst the models.
3. Third generation. The second longest produced generation of the 3 series, production on this line started in 1991 and did not finish until 2000. This generation is regarded by many as being the most successful for BMW, leading the way for the fourth and fifth generations to take off and be as successful as they were and still are today.
With the exception of the first generation, this range of 3 series were the only ones available without a four wheel drive option, only offered through the BMW dealers with front engine with rear wheel drive.
4. Fourth generation. Entering production in 1998 and lasting until 2005, the fourth generation BMW 3 series was a particular success, each year achieving a place in the 10 Best Cars list created by Car and Driver Magazine.
13 different engine types were made available when this generation was produced, ranging from a 1.8 litre to a 3 litre turbo diesel (the fourth generation is the only generation when a 1.6 litre engine was not offered), many of which came with a 6 speed gearbox.
5. Fifth generation. The latest line of cars in the BMW 3 series began production in 2005 and covers a range of different styles, from 2 door coupe to a 4 door saloon and there is a choice of 12 various engine options.
This fifth generation of the 3 series has maintained the popularity that the series has, with the Economic News stating that with sales figures of over 58,000 through all of the BMW dealers in the UK in 2007, the 3 series was one of the top ten most popular cars in the country.
Author Resource:-
Jardine Motors Group UK operates a large portfolio of specialist franchises of the world's most prestigious marques, including BMW dealers.
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