BMW 3-Series

BMW's compact line since 1975, the 3-Series, covered a broad range by juggling engines and body styles on a rear-drive chassis. It was the entry-level of all BMWs since the beginning of time through 2004 in Europe and 2007 in North America.

During the E30 generation (1984-1991), there were originally two engine sizes for the coupe (318i and 325e) and one for the sedan (325e). In 1985, the smaller 318i was made available for the sedan as well.

In 1986, the 318i engine size was increased to a 325 for both the coupe and sedan, while the 325e coupe was renamed as "325es".

A convertible was added to the lineup in 1987, containing a new 325iC engine size, which was also made available as the "325i" for the coupe and sedan at that time.

In 1988, the 325 and 325e merged to just one engine size (325). Plus, the coupe got two new ones: 325iX (all-wheel drive) and M3.

The 325 engine was dropped for 1989, leaving behind just the rear-wheel drive 325i. A new 325is coupe and all-wheel drive 325iX sedan were also released.

Year-to-year changes[]

1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	Discontinued
N/A				318ti					1999
318i 4DR Sedan								323i 4DR Sedan	2000
318is 2DR Coupe							323is 2DR Coupe		1999
318i 2DR Convertible		N/A	318i 2DR Convertible			N/A	323i 2DR Convertible		1999
325i 4DR Sedan					328i 4DR Sedan				2000
325i 2DR Coupe	325is 2DR Coupe				328is 2DR Coupe				1999
325i 2DR Convertible					328i 2DR Convertible				1999
M3 2DR Coupe	N/A			M3 2DR Coupe					1999
N/A						M3 4DR Sedan		N/A	1998
N/A							M3 2DR Convertible		1999

1991[]

The least expensive 318i sedan (entry-level until 1995) was powered by a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine and competed with other compact sedans like Honda's Accord, Toyota's Camry and Infiniti's G20. The same car with upgraded suspension, fancier interior and a 2.5-liter inline Six was the 325i. It competed with Volvo's front-drive 850 and the Mercedes-Benz C280.

There was also a more expensive 2-door coupe built on the same wheelbase that sacrificed rear headroom for style, and a convertible version of the coupe. The convertible was available with either the Four (318iC) or the 2.5-liter Six (325iC). The coupe was had with the 4-cylinder as the 318iS and M3, or with the 6-cylinder as the 325iS. A bigger 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine with 192 horsepower, called the M3, was also made for the coupe.

The 3-series was very highly rated by car enthusiasts and quite sophisticated, but despite its high price, such expected features as limited-slip differential, metallic paint, and even cruise control were options on many models. Also optional was AST traction control. The convertible was available for ordering with an optional rollover protection system featuring dual roll bars that shoot up behind the rear seats if the car threatens to flip over.

The 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine was introduced this model year for all three body styles, replacing the 325 for the coupe and sedan.

1992[]

The M3 and all-wheel drive 325iX were dropped when the E36 generation began starting this model year.

1993[]

The 318iC convertible was temporarily unavailable in the U.S. market for this year.

1994[]

A new 189-horsepower 325iC was introduced in 1994.

1995[]

In 1995, two new models were introduced: the 318Ti and the M3.

The M3 was a high-performance model that featured a fancy leather interior, heavy-duty suspension, racy bodywork, 17-in. alloy wheels with 235/40ZR17 tires and a top speed of 137 mph at a price $3600 more than a regular 325i. It competed with the Mazda RX-7, Lexus SC 300, Ford Mustang GT, Camaro Z-28 and other high-performance sport coupes.

BMW's least expensive model was the 318ti hatchback, deliberately priced close to $20,000. The little 318ti competed with such cars as the Acura Integra and Ford Probe.

1996[]

All 318i models were powered by a new 1.9-liter 4-cylinder engine with more torque for better acceleration than the 1995 models' 1.8-liter. New for 1996 was the sporty 318ti Club Sport, which carried a performance-oriented suspension, high-performance tires, foglights and special trim inside and out.

Standard this year on the 318i were cruise control, a valet/cup holder built into the console and a 200-watt 10-speaker sound system. A Harmon-Kardon sound system was optional. The 328i models were the same but had a new 2.8-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. Among the new 328i features were a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control and a clever locking system that would allow you to close the windows from outside the car by using the driver's-side door lock.

1999[]

For 1999, the 318ti was the last model available within the E36 generation.

As for all the other models, they began a new generation of the 3-Series, called the E46. Each body style got a same bigger engine than the 1998 models, the 323i, replacing the 318i. All engines remained mostly unchanged through 2000.

Retail prices[]

4DR Sedan[]

Model year(s)	Engine size	Drive	List price	Destination charge	Effective date
1991	1.8L	RWD	$19,900	$375	February 10, 1991
1991	2.5L	RWD	$26,400	$375	February 10, 1991
1991	2.5L	AWD	$31,900	$375	February 10, 1991
1992	1.8L	RWD	$22,900	$375	October 13, 1991
1992	2.5L	RWD	$27,990	$375	October 13, 1991
1993	1.8L	RWD	$23,710	$405	December 1, 1992
1993	2.5L	RWD	$29,650	$405	December 1, 1992
1994	1.8L	RWD	$24,675	$450	Q1 1994
1994	2.5L	RWD	$30,850	$450	Q1 1994
1995	1.8L	RWD	$24,975	$470	October 1, 1994
1995	2.5L	RWD	$31,450	$470	October 1, 1994
1995	1.8L	RWD	$25,600	$570	May 22, 1995
1995	2.5L	RWD	$32,450	$570	May 22, 1995
1996	1.9L	RWD	$25,680	$570	November 1, 1995
1996	2.8L	RWD	$32,900	$570	November 1, 1995
1997	1.9L	RWD	$25,950	$570	July 27, 1997
1997	2.8L	RWD	$32,900	$570	July 27, 1997
1997	3.2L (M3)	RWD	$39,380	$570	July 27, 1997

2DR Coupe[]

Model year(s)	Engine size	Drive	List price	Destination charge	Effective date
1991	1.8L	RWD	$21,500	$375	February 10, 1991
1991	2.5L	RWD	$25,600	$375	February 10, 1991
1991	2.5L	AWD	$31,100	$375	February 10, 1991
1991	2.3L (M3)	RWD	$35,900	$375	February 10, 1991
1992	1.8L	RWD	$23,600	$375	February 9, 1992
1992	2.5L	RWD	$29,100	$375	February 9, 1992
1993	1.8L	RWD	$24,810	$405	December 1992
1993	2.5L	RWD	$30,950	$405	December 1992
1994	1.8L	RWD	$25,800	$450	Q1 1994
1994	2.5L	RWD	$32,200	$450	Q1 1994
1995	3.0L (M3)	RWD	$35,800	$470	June 19, 1994
1995	1.8L	RWD	$26,675	$470	October 1994
1995	2.5L	RWD	$32,850	$470	October 1994
1995	1.8L (318ti)	RWD	$19,900	$570	December 8, 1994
1995	1.8L	RWD	$27,200	$570	May 22, 1995
1995	2.5L	RWD	$33,500	$570	May 22, 1995
1995	3.0L (M3)	RWD	$37,950	$570	May 22, 1995
1996	1.9L (318ti)	RWD	$20,560	$570	November 1, 1995
1996	1.9L	RWD	$27,700	$570	November 1, 1995
1996	2.8L	RWD	$32,990	$570	November 1, 1995
1997	1.9L (318ti)	RWD	$21,390	$570	July 27, 1997
1997	1.9L	RWD	$27,700	$570	July 27, 1997
1997	2.8L	RWD	$32,990	$570	July 27, 1997
1997	3.2L (M3)	RWD	$39,380	$570	July 27, 1997

2DR Convertible[]

Model year(s)	Engine size	List price	Destination charge	Effective date
1991	2.5L	$34,550	$375	February 10, 1991
1992	1.8L	$28,870	$375	October 13, 1991
1992-1993	2.5L	$36,320	$375-405	October 13, 1991
1994	1.8L	$29,900	$450	Q1 1994
1994	2.5L	$38,800	$450	Q1 1994
1995	1.8L	$31,050	$470	October 1994
1995	2.5L	$39,600	$470	October 1994
1995	1.8L	$32,000	$570	May 22, 1995
1995	2.5L	$40,900	$570	May 22, 1995
1996	1.8L	$32,750	$570	November 1, 1995
1996	2.8L	$41,390	$570	November 1, 1995
1997	1.9L	$33,150	$570	July 27, 1997
1997	2.8L	$41,390	$570	July 27, 1997