The first series 3 (E21) was presented in 1975. The car looked a lot like the existing 5 series, but was a bit smaller. There were then the316, 318, 320 and 320i. They all had a gas engine. In 1977, the 323i was added and the 320i four-cylinder was replaced by the 320/6. The 320/6 and 323i were both six-cylinder engines. In 1980, was added the cheaper 315.
The E21 was available in two-door version and Baur TC (from Baur), a kind of convertible with a removable roof panel. Of this number, 4595 copies were produced.
In 1982, came the second generation, the E30. This car was immediately available in 2-door, 4-door and Baur TC versions. Initially, the line consisted of lines 316, 318i, 320i and 323i. Later, the 323i was replaced by the 325i. In 1986, it was the year of innovations. There was a four-wheel drive variant (325iX), a sporty version with a 2.3 liter 16V S14 (M3), a 1990cc version was also built for the Italian and Portuguese markets (320is) and a magnificent full convertible . In 1988, the facelift and at the same time the Touring, a family car. In 1991, the last sedans of the group worked and in 1994, the last Touring was manufactured. The convertible had already been replaced a year earlier.
In 1990, the third generation (E36) left the group. The coupe version was no longer a 2-door version of the original.