The BMW 3 Series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 Series and has been produced in seven generations.
The BMW E30 is the second generation of BMW 3 Series, which was produced from 1982 to 1994 and replaced the E21 3 Series. The model range included 2-door coupe and convertible body styles, as well as being the first 3 Series to be produced in 4-door sedan and wagon/estate body styles. It was powered by four-cylinder petrol, six-cylinder petrol and six-cylinder diesel engines, the latter a first for the 3 Series. The E30 325iX model was the first BMW to have all-wheel drive.
The third generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model code E36, and was produced by the German automaker BMW from 1990 to 2000. The initial models were of the four-door sedan body style, followed by the coupé, convertible, wagon ("Touring"), and eventually hatchback ("Compact").
The fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model code E46, which was produced by the German automaker BMW from 1997 to 2006, and was the successor to the E36 3 Series which ceased production in 2000. First introduced in November 1997, the E46 was available in sedan, coupé, convertible, station wagon and hatchback body styles. The latter has been marketed as the 3 Series Compact.
The fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model codes E90 (saloon), E91, E92 (coupé) and E93 (convertible). The model was introduced in December 2004, and produced by BMW until October 2013 and is often collectively referred to as the E90 or E9x.
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.
BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW AG that manufactures performance cars.
The BMW 3 Series Compact is a car which was produced from 1994 through 2004 by BMW. It is a 3-door hatchback version of the BMW 3 Series through two generations, for the E36 platform in 1993 and E46 platform in 2001. Unlike most hatchback competitors which were transverse engine front-wheel drive, the 3 Series Compact uses the longitudinal engine rear-wheel drive layout.
Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH & Co. KG is an automobile manufacturing company based in Buchloe, in the Ostallgäu district of Bavaria, Germany that develops and sells high-performance versions of BMW cars. Alpina works closely with BMW and their processes are integrated into BMW's production lines, and is recognized by the German Ministry of Transport as an automobile manufacturer, in contrast to other performance specialists, which are aftermarket tuners. The Alpina B7 is produced at the same assembly line in Dingolfing, Germany, as BMW's own 7 Series. The B7's twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 is assembled by hand at Alpina's facility in Buchloe, Germany, before being shipped to BMW for installation, and the assembled vehicle is then sent back to Alpina for finishing touches.
BMW xDrive is the marketing name for the all-wheel drive system found on various BMW models since 2003. The system uses an electronically actuated clutch-pack differential to vary the torque between the front and rear axles. Models with the DPC torque vectoring system also have a planetary gearset to overdrive an axle or rear wheel as required.
The BMW N55 is a turbocharged straight-six petrol (gasoline) engine that began production in 2009. The N55 replaced the BMW N54 engine and was introduced in the F07 5 Series Gran Turismo.
The sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series consists of the BMW F30, BMW F31 and BMW F34 compact executive cars. The F30/F31/F34 generation was produced from October 2011 to 2019 and is often collectively referred to as the F30.
Bimmerworld Racing is a sports car racing team and supplier of racing, performance, and replacement parts based in Dublin, Virginia, USA. The company focuses on the BMW brand of automobiles with a strong emphasis on road racing. The team first began racing professionally in the sprint-format SCCA World Challenge series before switching to the endurance-based IMSA/Grand-Am Sports Car Challenge. The team has also diversified into other forms of motorsport including NASA, BMW CCA Club Racing, SCCA, SpecE30, The One Lap of America, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, ChampCar, VLN, and PowerWheels Attack. The team and parts company is independently owned by founder James Clay.
5HP is ZF Friedrichshafen AG's trademark name for its five-speed automatic transmission models for longitudinal engine applications, designed and built by ZF's subsidiary in Saarbrücken.
The seventh generation of the BMW 3 Series range consists of the BMW G20 and BMW G21 compact executive cars. The G20/G21 has been in production since mid-October 2018 with a facelift in July 2022 and is often collectively referred to as the G20.
The Alpina B3 (F30/F31) and Alpina D3 (F30/F31) are high performance compact executive cars manufactured by German automobile manufacturer, Alpina. Based on the BMW 3 Series (F30), the B3 is available in saloon and wagon body styles. The car was officially launched at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
The Alpina B3 (E90) and Alpina D3 (E90) are a series of high performance compact executive cars manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Alpina from 2007 to 2013. Based on the BMW 3 Series (E90), the B3 and D3 were available in coupé, saloon, convertible and station wagon body styles. The B3 was officially unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.
The Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo, or Alpina B7, is the fifth generation of the high performance full-size luxury car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Alpina. Based on the BMW 7 Series (G12), the B7 Bi-Turbo was introduced at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Known as the B7 in North America, the car is the third B7 model to be imported to the United States. The Alpina B7 was discontinued in September 2022.
The Alpina B5 and D5 (F10) are a series of high performance executive cars manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Alpina from 2011 to 2016. Introduced at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the car is the second generation of the B5 and succeeds the B5 (E60). Based on the BMW 5 Series (F10), the car was available in saloon and wagon bodystyles.
The Alpina B3 S is a series of high performance compact executive cars manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Alpina from 2002 to 2006 based on the Alpina B3 developed from the BMW 3 Series (E46). The B3 S was available in coupé, saloon, convertible and station wagon body styles. The B3 S was introduced at the 2002 Paris Motor Show.
