The BMW E21 was the original BMW 3-Series automobile, produced from 1975 to 1983. It replaced the BMW 2002 and was succeeded by the BMW E30. Worldwide sales of the E21 topped 1.36 million, although the car was not particularly popular in the lucrative United States market.
Variants
* 315: The most economical model, introduced to the market in reaction to the second "oil crisis" in late 1979, with a 4-cylinder M10 1.6L engine and a single downdraft carburetor, 75 hp. 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 1.8L engine, 90 hp.
* 318: Slightly more powerful version (98 hp) with 1.8L engine.
* 318i: An upgraded version of the 316 featuring the M10 1.8L 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 hp.
* 320i: Upgraded version of 320 with an M10 engine; Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection, 125 hp.
* 320/6: Featured the new BMW 6 cylinder engine, the M20 2.0L, 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 hp, and replaced the 320i from 1979 on.
In non-USA markets, the 316/318/318i models were marked by single headlights, while the more upscale 320/323i models featured quad headlights.
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.
Companies such as Hartge, Alpina and AC Schnitzer offered aftermarket modifications for the E21.
A cabriolet conversion was offered by Karrosserie 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.
