One of my earliest motoring memories is of being shoehorned into the back of a third-generation BMW 3 Series in the mid-1990s. I was more than a decade away from getting behind the wheel myself, but the orange glow of the neatly numbered dials and buttons on the dashboard was mesmerising; the soft, cushioned, wraparound leather in the back seats comforting. On the outside, its crisp, chiselled lines exuded sporty sophistication. It was an experience that crystallised my love of cars.
Since the 3 Series first came about in 1975, it’s gone on to sell more than 20 million models, dominating the premium, mid-size car market in China, Europe and the USA. It’s been the backbone of middle-class motoring for half a century, appealing to everyone from performance car fanatics to families, while living by the strapline “sheer driving pleasure”. In the words of BMW’s former board member, Dr Ian Robertson, it’s “the benchmark for dynamics, efficiency and design – a true legend”.
From left: a first-generation BMW E21 (1975-1983), a fourth-generation E46 (1997-2006) and a second-generation E30 (1982-1994)
It was the ultimate driving machine
Frank Sytner, BMW dealership-group founder and 1988 British Touring Car Champion
