BMW 3-Series (E21) 1975 - 1983
| Years Produced | 1975 - 1983 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.6-Liter l-4 |
| Horsepower | 90 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 92 lb/ft @ 4000 rpm |
| 0-60 Mph | 13.8 sec |
| 1/4 Mile | Not Added Yet |
| Top Speed | 100 mph |
| Fuel Economy | Not Added Yet |
| Transmission | 5 speed Manual,4 spe |
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BMW 3-Series (E21) 1975 - 1983
Overview
The BMW E21 is the first BMW 3-Series compact executive car, produced by the German automaker BMW from 1975 to 1983. The E21 3-Series was the immediate successor to the BMW 2002 and was succeeded by the BMW E30.
The design of the BMW E21 3-Series resembles some styling cues frund on the BMW E12 5 Series. Paul Bracq, Director of Design at BMW from 1970 to 1974 is credited with the base styling of the E21 3-Series, in 1975 Claus Luthe replaced Bracq ant took over a head design in the project. Wilhelm Hofmeister is credited with drawing the forward wedge of the C-pillar, that became a design strong point in the first 3-Series.
Variants
The entry level model was the 315 that was introduced by the Germans as a response to the the second "oil crisis" in late 1979. The BMW 315 featured a 1.6 liter straight 4 with a single downdraft carburetor and developed some 75 horse power.
Among the intermediate models there were the BMW 316 with a M10 1.8 L engine developing 90 hp, the BMW 318 with the same engine but slightly more powerful at 98 hp. In 1979 BMW launched the 318i that featured a Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system. More power you could’ve get from the BMW 320 that had the same M10 engine and a Solex 2-barrel downdraft carburetor and developed 109 hp, this model was also upgraded in ’79 with the Bosch Injectors and developed 125 hp.
For the North American market BMW “cooked” the 320is. It was introduced in 1980 and offered as standard Recaro seats, a rear antiroll bar, limited-slip differential, cross-spoke wheels, a larger-diameter front antiroll bar and a special front air dam.
Top of the line was the 323i that featured the M20 2.0 liter engine with and Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection matted to a 5 Speed manual gearbox with overdrive and developed a whooping 143 horse power. The stopping power for this “beast” were and four-disc power-assisted brakes.
Before BMW launched the 3-Series ‘M’, there were three companies the offered performance cars based on the BMW E21 3-Series, the three companies were Hartge, Alpina and AC Schnitzer.
Hartge offered two models the Hartge H3 323i and the H3S 335i. The Hartge 323i was primarily built to customer specifications, among the options there were the 180 hp upgrade for the engine, bodywork and upgraded 5 speed gearbox. The second Hartge 335i was offered with a engine swap right from the BMW 635CSI, Harge modified the 6 cylinder 3.5 liter engine to produce only 204 hp, downtuning it from 215 hp to mer regulation in CO2 emissions. In 1982 thanks to head, valves, camshaft and exhaust manifolds, the power was upgraded to 240 hp so the 335i could do 150 mph and a 0-62 time of only 6 seconds.
Alpina offered the B6 2.8 this also had a transplanted engine but from the 528i, the 2.8 L M30 engine. Alpina also fitted forged Mahle pistons, modified the combustion chambers, and used a Zenith-Pierburg-DL fuel injection system. These moods raised engine output from 177 hp to approximately 200 hp.
Karosserie Baur GmbH offered a cabriolet version of the BMW E21. The top was composed of a targa roof and an independent rear soft top. The Baur E21 Cabriolet entered production in 1978 and was sold throughout the BMW dealer nework.
Some safety was offered by the rounded and padded edges and control elements within the interior of the car.
Additional Information
In total the BMW E21 3-Series was produced in 1,364,039 examples according to Oswald, Werner (1. August 2001). Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 4. As for the sales BMW conducted a case study in 1980 trough Europe and concluded that 31 % of all E21 sold were 320i, followed by the 316 with 27 %, 318 with 24 % and last 323i with 18 %. Also they conclude that 77 % of the owners bought the car for it’s performance, 65 % for its handling and 64 % for its appearance and almost all of the questioned stated that their next car will be another BMW.
At the end of its production life in 1983, the E21 was joined in the compact-executive by the other two German rivals the Audi 80 and the new Mercedes-Benz 190E.
In 1977 BMW introduced the E21 3-Series in Motorsport with a Group5 modified 320, replacing the BMW 3.0 CSL. The Group 5 car was powered by a Formula Two engine that was tuned by BMW Motorsport and developed 300 horse power. The car got the “Flying Brick” nickname due to its blocky shaped body.