1975 - The first 3 series was introduced. This model received the code name E21 and was available with a four cylinder engine as 316, 318, 320 and 320i. 1977 - The six cylinder 320 and 323i replaced the 320 and 320i four cylinder. 1979 - The 3 series received a small face lift. 1981 - The 315 came available. 1982 - At the end of 1982 the new E30 3 series was introduced. It was available as four cylinder 316 / 318i or as six cylinder 320i / 323i. 1985 - The 325i replaced the 323i and the 324d diesel came available. Also available now were the four wheel drive 325ix and the 320i / 325i Convertible. 1987 - At the end of 1987 the 3 series received a small face lift and BMW introduced the 324td turbodiesel and the 3 series Touring. 1990 - In November the new E36 3 series came available. It had a M40 four cylinder in the 316i / 318i or the new M50 6 cylinder in the 320i / 325i. 1991 - BMW added the 325td turbodiesel. 1992 - The Coupe came available. 1993 - A new Convertible was introduced and all four cylinder models received the new M43 engine. Also new were the 316i Coupe and the 325tds turbodiesel Sedan. At the end of 1993 BMW introduced the 316i / 318ti Compact. 1994 - The new four cylinder 318tds turbodiesel came available. The 328i replaced the 325i and the Convertible was now also available as four cylinder 318i and six cylinder 320i. 1995 - The E36 Touring replaced the E30 Touring. 1996 - A four cylinder 318is Sedan came available. 1997 - The 316i Touring and a 323ti Compact were added. 1998 - BMW introduced the new E46 3 series. It was available as four cylinder 318i / 320d and as six cylinder 320i / 323i / 328i. The 320d was a four cylinder diesel wich replaced the old E36 six cylinder diesels. 1999 - The Coupe and Touring came available and BMW introduced the 316i Sedan and the six cylinder 330d diesel. 2000 - The new E46 convertible and a new 330i and 330ix four wheel drive came available. 2001 - No exterior changes but some small engine updates. The 320i will receive a new 2.2 litre M54 engine wich will have 170 HP. A 325i with 193 HP will replace the 323i and the 328i is no longer available. New is the 330i with 231 HP and a four wheel drive 330ix sedan and touring. Also new is the Compact wich will be introduced around September 2001.
