In the year 2008, the BMW Series engine range is presenting itself as more diverse and efficient than ever before in its 33-year history. There is a choice of five petrol and diesel engines for both the Saloon and the Touring model. The performance spectrum ranges from 105 kW/143 bhp for the BMW 318i and the BMW 318d to 225 kW/306 bhp for the 335i.

The most significant commonality of all featured power units is the exceptionally favourable balance between performance and fuel consumption. All models in the BMW 3 Series have better fuel economy and emission levels than their immediate rivals in each of their respective performance classes - and some of them even considerably better driving dynamics.

33 years of efficient dynamics.

Efficiency and dynamics - these two characteristics have been the hallmarks of the BMW 3 Series for 33 years now. Even the first generation of the medium class saloon managed to spark enthusiasm with a sporty performance untypical of its segment in those days and at the same time convinced with exceedingly high fuel economy. Today the BMW 3 Series owes its exceptional position predominantly to the current BMW EfficientDynamics measures which are standard features on all models.

Engines with an exceptionally high degree of efficiency, intelligent energy management inside the vehicle, lightweight construction and optimised aerodynamics are the result of a development strategy to achieve better driving dynamics coupled with a reduction in fuel consumption. BMW engine designers have considered themselves bound to this principle for some time now.

It is precisely for this reason that the success story of the BMW 3 Series from 1975 to this day has been influenced by numerous innovations from which both performance and fuel economy have profited. One example above all clearly demonstrates how fast drivetrain engineering has developed and how significant these changes have become over period of time: Whilst a BMW 324d of the year 1985 with an output of 63 kW/86 bhp had a fuel consumption of 6.9 litres of diesel over a distance of 100 km on an EU average, the latest top of the range 3 Series diesel model, the BMW 335d with a precisely 200 bhp higher output, today even burns 0.2 litres less diesel over the same distance!

Milestones in BMW 3 Series engine development:

1975: World premiere of the BMW 3 Series featuring four four-cylinder engines.
1977: BMW 323i and BMW 320/6 - the first six-cylinder models in the BMW 3 Series.
1982: Presentation of the second generation of the BMW 3 Series.
1984: BMW 325e with a six-cylinder eta engine for particularly good fuel economy.
1985: Premiere of the BMW 324d, the first diesel-powered model in the BMW 3 Series.
1989: Introduction of four-valve technology to high volume production with the launch of the BMW 318is.
1990: Launch of the third generation of the BMW 3 Series.
1992: VANOS featured in the BMW M3 and six-cylinder versions of the BMW 3 Series Coupe.
1994: BMW 318tds with the first four-cylinder diesel engine in the BMW 3 Series.
1995: Six-cylinder petrol engines with aluminium crankcase.
1998: Launch of the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series.
2000: Six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines each with a 3-litre cubic capacity.
2001: BMW presents throttle-free load control VALVETRONIC featured on the four-cylinder engine of the BMW 316ti compact.
2004: BMW 320Cd Convertible - the first open top BMW to feature a diesel engine.
2005: Presentation of the fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series, new six-cylinder petrol engines with a composite magnesium-aluminium crankcase.
2007: BMW 335i Coupe with Twin Turbo and High Precision Injection. Direct petrol injection for lean burn operation in the six-cylinder models BMW 330i and BMW 325i as well as the four-cylinder models BMW 320i and BMW 318i, four-cylinder diesel with aluminium crankcase and third-generation Common-Rail Injection.
2008: Five models from the BMW 3 Series with a CO2 emission level of between 123 and 131 grams per km.

Progress in figures:

1985: BMW 324d, six-cylinder diesel, 63 kW/86 bhp, 6.9 litres/100 km (average in an EU test cycle).
2008: BMW 335d, six-cylinder diesel, 210 kW/286 bhp, 6.7 litres/100 km.
1994: BMW 318tds, four-cylinder diesel, 66 kW/90 bhp, 5.9 litres/100 km.
2008: BMW 318d, four-cylinder diesel, 105 kW/143 bhp, 4.7 litres/100 km.
1978: BMW 323i, six-cylinder petrol engine, 105 kW/143 bhp, 7.9 litres/100 km (measured at a constant speed of 100 km/h).
2008: BMW 330i, six-cylinder petrol engine, 200 kW/272 bhp, 7.2 litres/100 km.
1985: BMW 325e, six-cylinder petrol engine, 90 kW/122 bhp, 8.4 litres/100 km.
2008: BMW 330i, six-cylinder petrol engine, 200 kW/272 bhp, 7.2 litres/100 km.
2001: BMW 316ti compact, four-cylinder petrol engine with VALVETRONIC, 85 kW/115 bhp, 6.9 litres/100 km.
2008: BMW 318i, four-cylinder petrol engine with High Precision Injection, 105 kW/143 bhp, 5.9 litres/100 km.