- BMW's 3 Series has sold over 20 million units globally since its debut in 1975.
- Now in its seventh generation, the 3 Series includes sedan, Touring, M3 and PHEV variants.
- Each generation introduced technical milestones including six-cylinder engines and rear-biased handling.
BMW is raising a toast to five decades of its 3 Series: the dynamic mid-sizer that redefined everyday driving pleasure when it launched in 1975 and has sold over 20 million units since.
Now in its seventh generation, the 3 Series remains BMW’s most successful model and a symbol of precision, agility and engineering evolution.
The benchmark that became the blueprint
First seen at the 1975 Frankfurt International Motor Show, the original 3 Series was a bold successor to the BMW 02, offering rear-wheel drive, sharp handling, and, in a segment first, six-cylinder engines from 1977.
What began as a two-door sports sedan evolved into a full family of body styles and drivetrains, from Touring wagons to convertibles and even electrified variants. And yes, it also birthed the legendary M3.
From carburettors to curved displays
Each generation brought something new to the party. The second-gen car added four doors and debuted ABS and all-wheel drive. The third? A coupe and BMW’s first traction control system.
By the late 1990s, direct injection diesels and VANOS cam timing upped the ante, while the fourth-gen 3 Series saw the rise of common-rail diesel and Valvetronic petrol tech, plus a hardtop convertible.
Efficiency took centre stage in the 2000s. Lightweight chassis materials, regenerative braking, start-stop systems and turbocharged straight-sixes defined the fifth-gen lineup.
And it just kept snowballing: the sixth generation split the 3 and 4 Series lines, added head-up displays and a hybrid, and offered nearly a dozen engine choices.
Today’s seventh-gen model, launched in 2019 and refreshed in 2022 and 2024, embraces digitalisation.
BMW’s Curved Display, iDrive 8.5, intelligent personal assistant, and up to 101 km of electric-only range in plug-in hybrid form push the 3 Series into modern territory without losing its 50:50 weight balance or rear-drive DNA.
Race-bred, road-ready
Of course, no 3 Series retrospective would be complete without motorsport. From its 1977 Group 5 debut to the DTM-dominating M3 and Nurburgring-conquering diesel racers, the 3 Series has always had racing in its veins.
More recently, the M4 GT3 carried that tradition to Spa and the 'Ring, collecting silverware (and admirers) along the way.
As BMW continues to electrify and evolve, the 3 Series remains the constant: a versatile, engaging machine that balances sport, tech and tradition. Fifty years in, the 3 Series is still shaping the segment it helped create.
