Condor Articles

If you were to ask a member of the general public (whether they are a car person or not) to picture an old or vintage BMW in their mind, they would most likely think of a BMW E30. As one of BMW’s most famous models, E30's have crossed over from being fun transportation and a worthy track car, to a pop culture icon due to its use in film and TV, success on the racetrack, unmistakable styling, and the fact that it is a joy to drive.

The sliding scale of which BMW will be the last "collectible" car is a topic as trite as the day is long. One group of traditional purists will say it stops at the E30, only to be met with a younger generation of people who have slides of the STW E36 touring cars dancing through their social media feeds. Even still, a combination of those groups will stop to appreciate a well-sorted E46 M3 for its modernity and daily usability.

BMW's line of 3 Series cars has been a favorite of drivers, motorsports enthusiasts, and racers for over 45 years. Starting with the E21 back in 1975, the 3 Series has proven to be a perfect blend of comfort and performance on the street and track, and The E9x is no exception.

The early 2000s were a real sweet spot for performance cars. All auto manufacturers, and especially BMW, were utilizing new technology to create cars that were more powerful, comfortable, and safer than ever before. This time period saw the incorporation of more electronic components such as computers and modules, but also the retention of some of the analog features that many drivers preferred, which makes them the perfect blend of new and old.  

BMW’s first production car arrived more than a century ago, and ever since, BMWs have been known for their perfect blend of comfort and handling. It wasn’t long after their first cars hit the road that BMW became a popular choice for driving enthusiasts and race car drivers due to their quality construction, superior performance, lightweight body, and the fact that they are easy to modify with performance upgrades.

BMW's fifth-generation 3 Series arrived in 2005 to replace the much-loved E46. This new model consisted of the E90 sedan, E91 station wagon, E92 coupe, and E93 convertible. These four body styles collectively make up what is known to BMW enthusiasts as the E9x 3 Series. The new 3 Series platform introduced several firsts, including a turbocharged engine found in the 335i and a naturally aspirated V8 in the New M3. The E9X also carried on BMW Motorsports' success in GT, Endurance, and Touring Car racing. It was the last 3 Series model with an "E" designation and was replaced by new 3 and 4 Series models by 2013.  

The BMW E36 3 Series has become one of the more desirable< BMW models for drivers and enthusiasts in recent years. Launched as the replacement for the E30 3 Series in 1990, the E36 was a success from the beginning. While maintaining the tradition of four or six-cylinder engines in front of the driver, and cars available in coupe, sedan, convertible, and wagon configurations, the E36 also brought BMW’s visual styling into the modern age while still having a distinct BMW look. It featured updated aerodynamics, a multi-link rear suspension and was ranked highly by the motoring press during its production run.

For decades BMW has utilized a McPherson Strut style front suspension on some of its most popular cars, including the legendary 3 Series. This design utilizes a single lower control arm that is attached to the body by a strut assembly that includes a telescoping shock absorber which is dampened by a spring. The rear suspension on some generations like the e30, e36 & E46 feature a trailing arm-style multi-link setup that also features a shock absorber and spring, but they are not part of a single assembly. The whole point of this style of suspension is to keep the car from bottoming out while under a load, but not to be so stiff that the ride is unbearable. This suspension setup has allowed BMWs to be some of the most comfortable cars on the road, while also making them well-handling and responsive cars when driven hard and pushed to the limit on the track.  

The BMW 3 series has been a favorite with automotive enthusiasts worldwide ever since it was first introduced in 1975 as a replacement for the 2002 model. That first generation 3 Series, the E21, provided the same excellent handling and feel of the 2002, but with updated styling to the exterior and interior which helped bring BMW into a more modern age. This first 3 Series model was only available in two-door coupe form with styling cues such as the Hofmeister kink (the C-pillar and rear side window’s shape) and options for six or four cylinders which would continue with second and third-generation 3 Series models. The E21 also enjoyed success in competition ranging from local autocross competitions and club racing to International Endurance and Sportscar Racing, but it would be the second-generation 3 Series, the E30, that really put BMW on the map when it comes to motorsports.