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  4. I (E21)

BMW 3-series I (E21) photos

1975 — 1983 · sedan, coupe, convertible
46
photos
41
specifications
74–141
hp
9.5 s
best 0–100

Photos

46
BMW 3-series I (E21), coupe, white, side view — photo 62556 87
Art Car by Roy Lichtenstein (E21) 1977 Side view of a two-door racing coupe against a dark studio background. The car features a pop-art livery with dot patterns and wavy colored lines, equipped with widebody aerodynamic elements, a prominent front splitter, a massive rear wing, and multi-spoke center-lock racing wheels.
BMW 3-series I (E21), coupe, white, front three-quarter view — photo 62555 73
Art Car by Roy Lichtenstein (E21) 1977 A vintage two-door racing car with extreme widebody aero kit, prominent front splitter, and large rear wing, finished in an artistic pop-art livery featuring Ben-Day dots and colorful sweeping lines, shot in a studio with a dark background.
BMW 3-series I (E21), coupe, white, side view — photo 62554 78
Art Car by Roy Lichtenstein (E21) 1977 Side view of a vintage two-door racing coupe against a light studio backdrop. The vehicle features a widebody aero kit, extended wheel arches, a massive rear wing, a window safety net, and gold multi-spoke deep-dish race wheels, wrapped in a distinctive pop-art livery featuring Ben-Day dots and stylized landscape imagery.
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62553 74
Art Car by Roy Lichtenstein (E21) 1977
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62552 80
Art Car by Roy Lichtenstein (E21) 1977
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62551 74
320i turbo gruppe 5 (E21)
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62550 69
320i turbo gruppe 5 (E21)
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62549 72
320i turbo gruppe 5 (E21)
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62548 68
320i turbo gruppe 5 (E21)
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62547 44
320i turbo gruppe 5 (E21)
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62543 88
3-series E21
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62542 72
3-series E21
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62541 80
315 (1981-1983)
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62540 85
318i Baur Topcabriolet (E21) 1980-1982
BMW 3-series I (E21) photo 62539 73
323i Coupe (1978-1983)

About this generation

The original 3 Series that created the compact executive class and introduced BMW's driver-centric dashboard.

Replacing the beloved 02 Series in 1975, Paul Bracq's E21 introduced the world to the 3 Series designation. Available exclusively as a two-door sedan (and rare Baur cabriolet), it featured a sharp shark-nose grille and pioneered the famous driver-angled center console layout.

The E21 gained legendary status when smooth six-cylinder M20 engines were fitted into the 320/6 and fuel-injected 323i models. With its lively rear-wheel drive chassis and lightweight construction, the E21 established the foundation for BMW's ultimate driving machine ethos.

Specifications

41 in 2 body styles

2-door Sedan E21 25 specifications

4355 mm171.5 in
Length
1610 mm63.4 in
Width
1380 mm54.3 in
Height
2563 mm100.9 in
Wheelbase
404 l14.3 cu ft
Trunk
Petrol
315
74hp(55 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 14.8 s
1981–1983
Torque
110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
Top speed
154 km/h (96 mph)
Displacement
1573 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B16
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1020 kg (2249 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
316
89hp(66 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 13.8 s
1975–1980
Torque
123 Nm (91 lb-ft)
Top speed
160 km/h (99 mph)
Displacement
1573 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B16
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1010 kg (2227 lb)
Fuel tank
52 l (13.7 gal US)
316
89hp(66 kW)
1.8 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 12.5 s
1980–1982
Torque
140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
Top speed
163 km/h (101 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1020 kg (2249 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
316
89hp(66 kW)
1.8 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 12.5 s
1980–1982
Torque
140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
Top speed
163 km/h (101 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1020 kg (2249 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
316
89hp(66 kW)
1.8 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 14.2 s
1980–1982
Torque
140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
Top speed
158 km/h (98 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1050 kg (2315 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
318
97hp(72 kW)
1.8 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 11.9 s
1975–1980
Torque
143 Nm (105 lb-ft)
Top speed
165 km/h (103 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1020 kg (2249 lb)
Fuel tank
52 l (13.7 gal US)
318
97hp(72 kW)
1.8 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 13.5 s
1975–1980
Torque
143 Nm (105 lb-ft)
Top speed
160 km/h (99 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1050 kg (2315 lb)
Fuel tank
52 l (13.7 gal US)
320i
101hp(75 kW)
1.8 l 5-speed manual RWD
1979–1983
Torque
136 Nm (100 lb-ft)
Top speed
169 km/h (105 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1115 kg (2458 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
320i
101hp(75 kW)
1.8 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1979–1983
Torque
136 Nm (100 lb-ft)
Top speed
164 km/h (102 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1140 kg (2513 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
318i
103hp(77 kW)
1.8 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 11.5 s
1980–1982
Torque
152 Nm (112 lb-ft)
Top speed
171 km/h (106 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1020 kg (2249 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
318i
103hp(77 kW)
1.8 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 11.5 s
1980–1982
Torque
152 Nm (112 lb-ft)
Top speed
173 km/h (107 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1030 kg (2271 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
318i
103hp(77 kW)
1.8 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 12.8 s
1980–1982
Torque
152 Nm (112 lb-ft)
Top speed
168 km/h (104 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1050 kg (2315 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
320
107hp(80 kW)
2.0 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 11.2 s
1975–1977
Torque
157 Nm (116 lb-ft)
Top speed
170 km/h (106 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1030 kg (2271 lb)
Fuel tank
52 l (13.7 gal US)
320
107hp(80 kW)
2.0 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 12.8 s
1975–1977
Torque
157 Nm (116 lb-ft)
Top speed
165 km/h (103 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1060 kg (2337 lb)
Fuel tank
52 l (13.7 gal US)
320i
109hp(81 kW)
2.0 l 4-speed manual RWD
1976–1979
Torque
152 Nm (112 lb-ft)
Top speed
175 km/h (109 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1100 kg (2425 lb)
Fuel tank
52 l (13.7 gal US)
320i
109hp(81 kW)
2.0 l 3-speed automatic RWD
1976–1979
Torque
152 Nm (112 lb-ft)
Top speed
170 km/h (106 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1125 kg (2480 lb)
Fuel tank
52 l (13.7 gal US)
320/6
121hp(90 kW)
2.0 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 10.7 s
1977–1982
Torque
160 Nm (118 lb-ft)
Top speed
181 km/h (112 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1115 kg (2458 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
320/6
121hp(90 kW)
2.0 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 10.7 s
1979–1982
Torque
160 Nm (118 lb-ft)
Top speed
181 km/h (112 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1130 kg (2491 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
320/6
121hp(90 kW)
2.0 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 12.3 s
1977–1982
Torque
160 Nm (118 lb-ft)
Top speed
176 km/h (109 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1140 kg (2513 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
320i
123hp(92 kW)
2.0 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 9.9 s
1975–1977
Torque
172 Nm (127 lb-ft)
Top speed
182 km/h (113 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1030 kg (2271 lb)
Fuel tank
52 l (13.7 gal US)
320i
123hp(92 kW)
2.0 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 9.9 s
1976–1977
Torque
172 Nm (127 lb-ft)
Top speed
182 km/h (113 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1040 kg (2293 lb)
Fuel tank
52 l (13.7 gal US)
320i
123hp(92 kW)
2.0 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 11.2 s
1975–1977
Torque
172 Nm (127 lb-ft)
Top speed
177 km/h (110 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1055 kg (2326 lb)
Fuel tank
52 l (13.7 gal US)
323i
141hp(105 kW)
2.3 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 9.5 s
1977–1979
Torque
190 Nm (140 lb-ft)
Top speed
190 km/h (118 mph)
Displacement
2316 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B23
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1110 kg (2447 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
323i
141hp(105 kW)
2.3 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 9.5 s
1979–1982
Torque
190 Nm (140 lb-ft)
Top speed
190 km/h (118 mph)
Displacement
2316 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B23
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1135 kg (2502 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
323i
141hp(105 kW)
2.3 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 10.7 s
1977–1982
Torque
190 Nm (140 lb-ft)
Top speed
185 km/h (115 mph)
Displacement
2316 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B23
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1135 kg (2502 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)

Tap a card to see all specs

Baur TopCabriolet E21 Baur TC1 16 specifications

4355 mm171.5 in
Length
1610 mm63.4 in
Width
1380 mm54.3 in
Height
2563 mm100.9 in
Wheelbase
404 l14.3 cu ft
Trunk
Petrol
315
74hp(55 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 15.4 s
1981–1981
Torque
110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
Top speed
152 km/h (94 mph)
Displacement
1573 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B16
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1070 kg (2359 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
316
89hp(66 kW)
1.6 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 14.3 s
1978–1980
Torque
123 Nm (91 lb-ft)
Top speed
158 km/h (98 mph)
Displacement
1573 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B16
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1060 kg (2337 lb)
Fuel tank
52 l (13.7 gal US)
316
89hp(66 kW)
1.8 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 12.8 s
1980–1981
Torque
140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
Top speed
161 km/h (100 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1070 kg (2359 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
316
89hp(66 kW)
1.8 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 12.8 s
1980–1981
Torque
140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
Top speed
161 km/h (100 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1080 kg (2381 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
316
89hp(66 kW)
1.8 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 14.4 s
1980–1981
Torque
140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
Top speed
156 km/h (97 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Curb weight
1095 kg (2414 lb)
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
318
97hp(72 kW)
1.8 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 12.5 s
1978–1980
Torque
142 Nm (105 lb-ft)
Top speed
165 km/h (103 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
318
97hp(72 kW)
1.8 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 14.5 s
1978–1980
Torque
142 Nm (105 lb-ft)
Top speed
160 km/h (99 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
318i
103hp(77 kW)
1.8 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 11.5 s
1980–1981
Torque
152 Nm (112 lb-ft)
Top speed
171 km/h (106 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
318i
103hp(77 kW)
1.8 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 11.5 s
1980–1981
Torque
152 Nm (112 lb-ft)
Top speed
173 km/h (107 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
318i
103hp(77 kW)
1.8 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 13.5 s
1980–1981
Torque
152 Nm (112 lb-ft)
Top speed
166 km/h (103 mph)
Displacement
1766 cc
Cylinders
4
Engine
M10B18
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
320/6
121hp(90 kW)
2.0 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 10.7 s
Torque
160 Nm (118 lb-ft)
Top speed
181 km/h (112 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
320/6
121hp(90 kW)
2.0 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 10.7 s
1979–1981
Torque
160 Nm (118 lb-ft)
Top speed
181 km/h (112 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
320/6
121hp(90 kW)
2.0 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 12.3 s
Torque
160 Nm (118 lb-ft)
Top speed
176 km/h (109 mph)
Displacement
1990 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B20
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
323i
141hp(105 kW)
2.3 l 4-speed manual RWD 0–100 9.5 s
1978–1979
Torque
205 Nm (151 lb-ft)
Top speed
190 km/h (118 mph)
Displacement
2316 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B23
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
323i
141hp(105 kW)
2.3 l 5-speed manual RWD 0–100 9.5 s
1979–1981
Torque
205 Nm (151 lb-ft)
Top speed
190 km/h (118 mph)
Displacement
2316 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B23
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)
323i
141hp(105 kW)
2.3 l 3-speed automatic RWD 0–100 10.9 s
Torque
205 Nm (151 lb-ft)
Top speed
185 km/h (115 mph)
Displacement
2316 cc
Cylinders
6
Engine
M20B23
Aspiration
naturally aspirated
Fuel tank
58 l (15.3 gal US)

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