BMW 3 Series - E21

BMW E21 is the platform designation for the first BMW 3 Series compact executive car, produced by the German automaker BMW from 1975 to 1983.

Development and Early History

Paul Bracq, Director of Design at BMW from 1970–1974, is credited with setting the design direction of the E21 3 Series, while Wilhelm Hofmeister is credited with first drawing the small forward wedge at the base of the C-pillar, a strong design trait of the first 3 Series. In 1975 Claus Luthe replaced Bracq and became the owner of the project.

In July 1975, BMW’s Board of Management first presented this new model series in the Munich Olympic Stadium for public appraisal. The frontal view of the new car was dominated by the BMW trademark kidney grille standing out clearly from the radiator cover. The styling of the new car bore a resemblance to the BMW E12 5 Series.

The wedge shape of the two-door model was distinctive, extending all the way to the unusually high rear end. In response to criticism of the tail design, a black plastic trim panel between the tail lights was added. The car's styling was otherwise well received.

The suspension incorporated rack and pinion steering and McPherson strut suspension at the front, and semi-trailing arm type independent suspension at the rear. The power assisted brakes were discs on the front wheels, while the rear wheels had drum brakes.

Initially, a Getrag four-speed manual was the standard transmission fitment. Five-speed Getrag gearboxes were fitted as standard in the 323i and others in later years, but were available at the car's release as an option, with gear ratio sets favoring either performance or economy. Alternatively, purchasers could opt for the ZF 3 HP-22 three-speed automatic transmission.

The cockpit design of the E21 marked the introduction of a new design concept, with the center console angled towards the driver. This feature has become part of BMW’s interior design philosophy for many years. As a sign of passive safety, all edges and control elements within the interior were rounded off and padded.

At the E21's release, three models were available: with 316 (1.6 litre), 318 (1.8 litre) and 320 (2.0 litre) versions of the BMW M10 four cylinder engine. To draw clear visual distinction within the new model series, the 320 models came with dual headlights, while the 316 and 318 had single round headlights.

At the end of 1975, the 320i was introduced; the engine was fitted with Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection, delivering 125 bhp on premium grade gasoline.

At introduction in the German market, the entry-level 316 retailed at DM 13 600, the 318 sold for DM 14 420, and the two 2.0 L models went for DM 15,330 and DM 17,400 respectively.

BMW E21 Model Range

• 315: The most economical model, introduced to the market in reaction to the second "oil crisis" in late 1979, with a 4-cylinder M10 1.6 L engine and a single downdraft carburetor, 75 bhp (56 kW). More spartan than the other E21 models, it was the last E21 to be built and shared production with the E30.
  
• 316: The original 3-series base model with M10 1.8 L engine, 90 bhp.
  
• 318: Slightly more powerful version (98 bhp) with 1.8 L engine.
  
• 318i: An upgraded version of the 316 featuring the M10 1.8 L engine fitted with a Bosch fuel injection system, introduced in 1979 as successor to the carburetted 318.
  
• 320: Featured an M10 four-cylinder engine with a Solex 2-barrel downdraft carburetor, 109 bhp.
  
• 320i: Upgraded version of 320 with an M10 engine; Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection, 125 bhp.
  
• 320/6: Featured the new BMW 6 cylinder engine, the M20 2.0 L, and a Solex 4-barrel downdraft carburetor; replaced the 320/4 from 1979 on.
  
• 323i: Featuring the M20 and Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection, the 323i was the top model of the line, 143 bhp, with 4 disk power assisted brakes, power steering as an option, 5 speed economic gearbox after 1980, 5 speed dogleg sport gearbox as an option and limited slip differential (25%) also as an option.

BMW E21 Variants

• USA market variants featured different headlights to the European and other export versions.
  
• The 320i was available in the United States market and was remarkably different from the European models. Department of Transportation (DOT) safety regulations required larger bumpers, different headlight sets, and DOT marker lamps on the sides.
  
• Adapting the engines to meet US exhaust emissions regulations resulted in smaller engine in the 320i (downgraded to 1.8 L) and less horsepower output compared to the European market versions.
  
• Companies such as Hartge, Alpina and AC Schnitzer offered aftermarket modifications for the E21. For example, Alpina offered the B6 2.8. Introduced at the IAA in 1978, it was produced from March 1978 until January 1983. Only 533 units were built. The B6 2.8 transplanted the 2.8 L M30 engine from the 528i model into the 323i. Alpina fitted forged Mahle pistons, modified the combustion chambers, and used a Zenith-Pierburg-DL fuel injection system. These modifications raised engine output from 177 bhp to approximately 200 bhp.
  
• A cabriolet conversion was offered by Karosserie Baur GmbH, based on regular E21 models. The cabriolet conversion was composed of a targa roof and an independent rear soft top. Production of the Baur TopCabriolet began in 1978, and were sold via the BMW dealership network. All TopCabriolets included the BMW warranty. A total of 4,595 vehicles were manufactured before production ended in 1981.

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