BMW E3

BMW
BMW 2500 (1968-1971)
E3
Sales designation:	2500/2800 / 2.8 / 3.0 / 3.3 / Bavaria
Production period:	1968-1977
Class :	Upper class
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Petrol engines : BMW M30 (2.5–3.3 liters, 110–147 kW)
Length:	4700-4800 mm
Width:	1750 mm
Height:	1450 mm
Wheelbase :	2692-2792 mm
Empty weight :	1360-1515 kg
Previous model	BMW 3200 S.
successor	BMW E23

The car, known internally as the E3 , was a full- size model from BMW that appeared on the market in autumn 1968. The cars with six-cylinder in - line engines were the successors to the "Baroque Angel" BMW 3200 S with V8 engine discontinued in 1964 .

The E3 was also the first vehicle from BMW with the factory code designation “ E ” and was to compete against the S-Class from Daimler-Benz ( Mercedes-Benz W 108 , W 109 and W 116 ) and the KAD series from Opel.

The successor to the E3 was the first 7 series of the type E23 presented in May 1977 .

Model history

General

Rear view

With the “New Class”, the four-door BMW 1500 (Type 115) , BMW came onto the market in 1961 after massive economic difficulties at the end of the 1950s with a new middle class series. The program was expanded downwards in 1966 with the two-door vehicles of the 02 series ( type 114 ). Both of these model series were very successful, so that by the mid-1960s the economic problems were overcome and the passenger car range could again be supplemented with a luxury sedan, the E3 models initially known as the "Large Class".

This resulted in the BMW E3. The vehicle has a straight, rather sporty body. Innovations were the double round headlights and the six-cylinder in-line engines of the type M30 , which were structurally based on the four-cylinder "New Class". The round double headlights were later used in all BMW models and for many years were the hallmarks of the brand. The six-cylinder engines were also used in later models with changes and enjoy a good reputation in the trade press. Some sources state that the engines were initially designated with the identifier M06. A more sporty chassis set-up distinguishes the BMW E3 from conventional luxury class vehicles. The performance is relatively good due to the slightly more compact body compared to the competition and the resulting weight advantage.

Presentation and model variants

In 1968 the BMW E3 was first presented as the BMW 2500 and BMW 2800 (replaced by the BMW 2.8 L in 1974). The mixture was initially prepared in two register carburetors . In 1971 the BMW 3.0 S followed with a higher engine output thanks to more displacement. The range of mixture preparations in the BMW 3.0 Si has been supplemented by an intake manifold injection . The second E3 series, available from summer 1971, was characterized by small external changes. In addition to other rims, with the elimination of the side grilles in the C-pillar, the forced ventilation of the interior was relocated to the slots next to the rear window. The radiator grille was matt black instead of chrome-plated, the rear lights got a different division of the light chambers, and additional trim strips were introduced, which were placed on the fold at the level of the belt line and continued over the trunk lid on the larger-displacement models.

In addition to the well-known six-cylinder engines, larger machines were also being developed. Some even ran on test benches. These included eight-cylinders between four and five liters of displacement and an approximately five-liter twelve-cylinder V-engine that developed around 227 kW (310 hp). On a trial basis, an eight-cylinder was installed in a coupé from the E9 series in 1973 . This approximately 205 kW (280 PS) car was driven by Bernhard Osswald , who was the Chief Development Officer at the time, as a company vehicle.

In August 1974, a new body variant with a wheelbase extended by 100 mm was presented in the BMW 2.8 L and the BMW 3.0 L ; At the same time, the vehicle interior was given a higher quality finish. At the same time - only for the long version - a new engine variant with more displacement was introduced with the BMW 3.3 L , which later with manifold injection and slightly reduced displacement, but significantly reduced consumption than the BMW 3.3 Li compared to the BMW 3.0 Si, although no more power, but offered a better torque curve .

With the sedan, they went one step further and in the same year put the V12 in a BMW 3.0 L. This had to be lengthened by 80 mm in the front area so that the machine could fit into it. The vehicle reached almost 240 km / h. About five of the large twelve-cylinder were made by hand; however, after the first oil crisis in 1973/74 , BMW decided not to use it in the large sedans and coupes.

Model name

There is no separate, coherent model name for the vehicles of this model series, only the engine size is given as the model name. However, since the BMW vehicles in the smaller vehicle classes do not overlap in the engine range with the displacement sizes of the BMW E3, it is possible to clearly distinguish them from these. The BMW E3 designed by Wilhelm Hofmeister is divided into the following basic models:

• BMW 2500 (cubic capacity in cm³)
• BMW 2800 (from 1974 BMW 2.8)
• BMW 3.0 (cubic capacity in liters)
• BMW 3.3

The type designations were, in some cases combined, supplemented with letters afterwards, which indicate higher engine power ("S" - Sport), intake manifold injection ("i" - injection) or the extended wheelbase in connection with higher-quality equipment ("L" - long Luxury).

• 

  2500, rear view (1971–1977)

• 

  BMW 2800 (1971-1973)

• 

  BMW 3.0 S (1971-1977)

• 

  BMW Bavaria (US model, 1973)

• 

  BMW 3.0 L (1974-1977)

• 

  3.3 Li, side view

Engines

model	Displacement (tax formula)	power	Torque	compression	Top speed	Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h	Time for a kilometer
2500	2494 (2478) cm 3	110  kW (150  hp ) at 6000 min -1	211  Nm at 3700 min -1	9.0: 1	190 km / h (184 km / h)	10.4 seconds	31.7 seconds
2800 2.8 L	2788 (2769) cm 3	125 kW (170 hp) at 6000 min -1	235 Nm at 3700 min -1	9.0: 1	200 km / h (193 km / h) 195 km / h (188 km / h)	9.4 seconds 9.7 seconds	30.6 seconds 31 seconds
3.0 S 3.0 L	2985 (2966) cm 3	132 kW (180 hp) at 6000 min -1	255 Nm at 3700 min -1	9.0: 1	205 km / h (198 km / h) 200 km / h (193 km / h)	8.4 seconds 9.1 seconds	29.9 seconds 30.2 seconds
3.0 Si	2985 (2966) cm 3	D-Jetronic (71-75): 147 kW (200 hp) at 5500 min -1 L-Jetronic (75-77): 143 kW (195 hp) at 5500 min -1	272 Nm at 4300 min −1 267 Nm at 4300 min −1	9.5: 1 9.0: 1	211 km / h (D-Jetr.) 208 km / h (L-Jetr.)	7.8 seconds 8.2 seconds	28.9 seconds 29.2 seconds
3.3 L	3299 (3277) cm 3	140 kW (190 hp) at 5500 min -1	294 Nm at 3700 min -1	9.0: 1	207 km / h (201 km / h)	8.7 (10.5) seconds	29.7 seconds
3.3 Li	3210 (3188) cm 3	147 kW (200 hp) at 5500 min -1	285 Nm at 4250 min -1	9.0: 1	208 km / h (more than 200 km / h)	8.5 (10.5) seconds	29.4 seconds

* All engines were six-cylinder - line engines of the type BMW M30 .

* The maximum speed or acceleration in brackets applies to vehicles with automatic transmission.

* The 3.3 L and 3.3 Li vehicles were equipped with an automatic transmission as standard; a manual gearbox was only available on special request.

Production numbers

The BMW E3 was produced in a total of around 190,000 vehicles.

Existence in Germany

The stock of BMW E3s is listed according to manufacturer (HSN) and type code numbers (TSN) in Germany according to the Federal Motor Transport Authority . Types with less than 100 vehicles are not shown. Until 2007, the inventory included the number of vehicles registered as well as the number of temporary shutdowns. Since 2008, the inventory has only included "flowing traffic" including the seasonal license plates.

HSN / TSN	model	kW	1.1.2005	1.1.2006	1.1.2008	1.1.2009	1.1.2010	1.1.2011	1.1.2012	1.1.2013	1.1.2014	1.1.2015
0005/357	2500	110	333	336	300	316	289	285	276	275	260	254
0005/358	2800	125	103	102
0005/370	3.0 p	132	109	113	101	110	110	118	117	114	112	115
source

Special versions

On the basis of a 2500, Carrozzeria Bertone designed the two-seater concept vehicle Bertone-BMW 2800 Spicup in 1969 , which had an electrically operated hardtop and was being discussed as a potential successor to the BMW 507 .

Based on a 2800 and a 3.0 S, the Italian designer Pietro Frua built a fastback coupé in 1971 and 1972.

Web links

Commons : BMW E3  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• BMW E3 website: The BMW E3 Limousine Club
• Der SPIEGEL: Code name E3 from August 11, 2005 (June 23, 2017 still available).

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Hanns-Peter Rosellen: The white-blue miracle. Seewald Verlag, Stuttgart 1983.
2. ↑ The number of passenger cars on January 1, 2005 by manufacturer and type with selected features. (PDF) In: Statistische Mitteilungen des Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, special issue 4 for series 2, January 1, 2005. Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, May 2005, p. 13 , archived from the original on March 18, 2006 ; accessed on October 5, 2015 . 
3. ↑ The number of passenger cars on January 1, 2006 by manufacturer, trade name, selected features and displacement classes. (PDF) In: Statistische Mitteilungen des Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, special issue 4 for series 2, January 1, 2006. Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, June 2006, pp. 89, 90 , archived from the original on October 9, 2006 ; accessed on October 5, 2015 . 
4. ↑ The number of passenger cars on January 1, 2008 by manufacturer, trade name, selected features and displacement classes. (PDF) In: Statistische Mitteilungen des Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt FZ 2, January 1, 2008. Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, June 2008, pp. 94, 95 , accessed on October 5, 2015 . 
5. ↑ The number of passenger cars on January 1, 2009 by manufacturer, trade name, selected features and cubic capacity. (PDF) In: Statistical Communications of the Federal Motor Transport Authority FZ 2, January 1, 2009. Federal Motor Transport Authority, July 2009, pp. 100, 101 , accessed on October 5, 2015 . 
6. ↑ The number of passenger cars on January 1, 2010 by manufacturer, trade name, selected features and cubic capacity. (PDF) In: Statistische Mitteilungen des Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt FZ 2, January 1, 2010. Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, July 2010, pp. 99, 100 , accessed on October 5, 2015 . 
7. ↑ The number of passenger cars on January 1, 2011 by manufacturer, trade name, selected features and cubic capacity. (PDF) In: Statistische Mitteilungen des Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt FZ 2, January 1, 2011. Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, July 2011, pp. 104, 106 , accessed on October 5, 2015 . 
8. ↑ The number of passenger cars on January 1, 2012 by manufacturer, trade name, selected features and cubic capacity. (PDF) In: Statistische Mitteilungen des Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt FZ 2, January 1, 2012. Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, July 2012, pp. 108, 110 , accessed on October 5, 2015 . 
9. ↑ Passenger car inventory on January 1, 2013 by manufacturer, trade name and selected features. (PDF) In: Statistische Mitteilungen des Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt FZ 2, January 1, 2013. Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, July 2013, pp. 16, 20 , accessed on October 5, 2015 . 
10. ↑ Passenger car inventory on January 1, 2014 by manufacturer, trade name and selected features. (PDF) In: Statistische Mitteilungen des Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt FZ 2, January 1, 2014. Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, July 2014, pp. 18, 22 , accessed on October 5, 2015 . 
11. ↑ Passenger car inventory on January 1, 2015 by manufacturer, trade name and selected features. (PDF) In: Statistische Mitteilungen des Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt FZ 2, January 1, 2015. Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, July 2015, pp. 17, 22 , accessed on October 5, 2015 . 
12. ↑ BMW 2800 GTS Coupé (1969–1971), BMW 3.0 S Coupé (1972). Retrieved April 2, 2018 .