BMW E3
BMW E3
The BMW E3, produced from 1968 to 1977, was a luxurious full-size sedan that solidified BMW’s status as a luxury manufacturer. Sales were low for these, thus worth preserving, so find a good parking spot for winter storage.
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2500 (1968–1973)
The 2500 was the first model in the E3 series, introduced in 1968. It featured a 2.5-liter inline-six engine producing 148 horsepower and 159 lb-ft of torque. This model accelerated from 0-60 mph in 9.9 seconds.
2800 (1968–1971)
Launched simultaneously with the 2500, the 2800 boasted a 2.8-liter inline-six engine generating 168 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. This powerful sedan achieved a 0-60 mph time of 9.2 seconds, showcasing its enhanced performance over the 2500.
3.0L Introduced
3.0S (1971–1974)
In 1971 the 3.0S was introduced as a successor to the 2800, featuring a 3.0-liter inline-six engine. This powerplant produced 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, allowing the 3.0S to reach 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds.
3.0Si (1971–1975)
Launched alongside the 3.0S, the 3.0Si model featured a fuel-injected version of the 3.0-liter inline-six engine. The upgraded engine produced 200 horsepower and 211 lb-ft of torque, enabling the 3.0Si to achieve a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds.
Bavaria (1971–1974)
The Bavaria was a North American-exclusive model based on the 3.0S. Its 3.0-liter inline-six engine produced 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, matching the 3.0S in performance. The Bavaria’s 0-60 mph time was 8.7 seconds.
3.0SA (1973–1975)
Launched in 1973, the 3.0SA was an automatic variant of the 3.0S, featuring a three-speed automatic transmission. Equipped with the same 3.0-liter inline-six engine, it produced 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0SA’s 0-60 mph time was slightly slower at 9.3 seconds due to the automatic transmission.
3.0SBav (1974–1975)
Specifically for the North American market, was the 3.0SBav automatic version of the Bavaria.. With the same 3.0-liter inline-six engine, it produced 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time for the 3.0SBav was 9.3 seconds, identical to the 3.0SA.
BMW 2.5CS (1974–1975)
A short-lived 2.5CS was introduced with the 2.5-liter inline-six engine from the 2500, producing 148 horsepower and 159 lb-ft of torque. This model had a 0-60 mph time of 9.9 seconds.
BMW Larger Engine Variants
BMW 3.3L (1974–1975)
The 3.3L was a luxury-oriented model with an extended wheelbase for additional rear passenger space. It featured a 3.3-liter inline-six engine that produced 190 horsepower and 209 lb-ft of torque. The 3.3L’s 0-60 mph time was 8.9 seconds, offering a balance of luxury and performance.
BMW 3.3Li (1975–1977)
In contrast, the 3.3Li was the fuel-injected version of the 3.3L, designed to offer increased performance. With the upgraded engine, it produced 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The 3.3Li achieved a 0-60 mph time of 7.9 seconds, making it one of the fastest E3 models.
BMW E3 Sales
- 2500 :: 21,495
- 2800 :: 7,974
- 3.0S :: 9,473
- 3.0Si :: 4,593
- Bavaria :: 17,934
- 3.0SA :: 3,127
- 3.0SBav :: 1,203
- 2.5CS :: 1,095
- 3.3L :: 1,265
- 3.3Li :: 1,710
Final Thoughts
The E3 series showcased the brand’s dedication to performance, engineering, and style. Although production ceased in 1977, the E3’s legacy lives on in BMW’s ongoing commitment to producing luxurious, high-performance vehicles.
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