BMW E21 and E0 in comparison: How BMW's 3 Series has evolved

The BMW 3 Series is without a doubt one of BMW's most successful and significant model lines. Since its launch in 1975, it has defined the mid-size segment and is now synonymous with sporty driving dynamics, premium quality, and innovative technology. The first two generations—the BMW E21 and the BMW E30—laid the foundation for its long-term success. While the E21 paved the way for the 3 Series, the E30, with its numerous technical innovations and variants, provided the final breakthrough. We want to compare the two models and highlight the technical differences.

The year 1975 was a turning point in the development history of BMW. The E21 not only replaced the previous 02 Series, but also marked the birth of the 3 Series. However, the first step was to fill the large footsteps of the 02 Series and further improve BMW's financial situation. Initially, however, customers were not very enthusiastic. The E21 seemed like a small copy of the new 5 Series (E12). The four-cylinder engines were too unsporting for the fans, even though the engineers had done everything right: reduced development costs, used proven technology, and made the body more spacious. The top model, the 323i, followed two years later. Despite initial customer skepticism, the E21 achieved success at the end of its production run. 1,364,039 vehicles built. This makes it the first BMW model to exceed the million mark.

The BMW E30 followed in 1982 as the second generation of the 3 Series. Compared to the E21, the Bavarian manufacturer equipped it with a whole range of improvements and enhancements. They had by then recognized that the 3 Series still had a lot of potential. The E30 is significantly more versatile. It was available not only as a two-door sedan, but in several different body styles. The engineers extensively refined the technology and expanded the model range with new engine variants. On top of that, for the first time in BMW's history, there was a vehicle with all-wheel drive – the 325iX. This was intended as the answer to Audi's Quattro. The new variety was aimed at the different needs of customers. This, along with the wide range of engines, made the second 3 Series a strong competitor in the compact segment. And the development work paid off, because by 1994, BMW had produced around 2.34 million E30s.

The E21 was equipped with a range of four-cylinder (M10) and later also six-cylinder (M20) engines. It started with the four-cylinder engines in the 316, 318, 320, and 320i. In the fall of 1977, the 320/6 appeared, featuring the first six-cylinder in the 3 Series. The "i" in the model name stands for "Injection" in the E21 and E30, i.e., the models with fuel injection. In vehicles without the "i", a carburetor takes care of the mixture preparation. The top model in the series was the 323i with its 2.3-liter engine and 143 hp. It is the most powerful model in the E21 segment. A striking feature of the 323i is the double tailpipe on each side. This gives the 3 Series a sporty look and is, incidentally, the only model with tailpipes on the right and left. The E21's engines were fundamentally designed for reliability and efficiency, although the six-cylinder models certainly offered sporty performance. This changed with the second generation.

With the E30, BMW continued the engine range of its predecessor and significantly expanded it. The four-cylinder M10 engines were still available, while the six-cylinder models gained significantly more power thanks to improved fuel mixture preparation. In South Africa, the 333i topped the model range. It had a 3.2-liter displacement and 197 hp. In Germany, the 325i topped the range, with a 2.5-liter displacement and 171 hp. This, too, was initially based on the M20 design. With the facelift of the E30 in 1987, the M40 and M42 engines replaced their predecessors. The M21 diesel from the 524td, developed based on the M20 six-cylinder, appeared in the 3 Series in 1987 – a year earlier as a naturally aspirated diesel with 86 hp. The turbocharged version produced 115 hp, exactly 29 hp more than the naturally aspirated engine. And then there's the eta, which failed to impress many connoisseurs. BMW installed a six-cylinder engine with a relatively large displacement (2.7 liters) and optimized it for high torque and high power in the low to mid-range. Added to that was a three-way catalytic converter and a 5-speed transmission with overdrive characteristics for fuel-efficient driving.

The E21's chassis, like many vehicles of this era, was tuned for comfort. The McPherson strut front axle and semi-trailing arm rear axle ensured solid yet sporty handling, even though it was technically designed more for everyday usability. The first generation of the 3 Series already established the typical 3 Series virtues: driving dynamics and sportiness. However, with its rear-wheel drive, the E21 was prone to oversteer. In fact, the question of engine power is secondary here. What matters more is the driver's skill.

The E30 came onto the market with noticeable improvements to the chassis. Engineers also revised the steering. Both of these resulted in significantly improved driving dynamics. The car was more stable and cornering more agile. It was more geared toward sporty driving without compromising comfort. Nevertheless, oversteer was still inevitable depending on the driving style. This definitively established the BMW 3 Series as a dynamic mid-size car.

The body of the E21 was typical of the 1970s—a compact two-door sedan with clean lines and rounded headlights. Paul Bracq, who had already designed the E12 5 Series, designed the E21 based on the appearance of the previously released 5 Series. Starting with the 320/6 model—the six-cylinder variants—the 3 Series received its signature dual headlights. The design was rather conservative compared to the E30, but this appealed to the target audience.

The successor adopted the look of the E21, but the team led by new designer Claus Luthe brought their own touch. The edges of the E30 were even straighter, and the body took on a characteristic wedge shape. The variety of body styles made the E30 even more versatile. The sedan was available with two or four doors. BMW also developed the convertible and the touring. The Stuttgart-based company Baur once again offered a top-of-the-line convertible, as with the E21. The visual difference between the four- and six-cylinder models was barely noticeable in the E30. A glance at the rear, however, usually reveals how many cylinders were at work under the hood. Overall, the E30 appeared younger and more lively, which fit in well with the spirit of optimism of the 1980s.

With its various engines, the BMW E21 reached top speeds between 154 km/h and 190 km/h. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h ranged from 9.5 to 14.8 seconds, depending on the model. The top-of-the-line 323i model, in particular, boasted a top speed of approximately 190 km/h and acceleration to 100 km/h in around 9.5 seconds.

In comparison, the E30 made significant progress. Top speeds ranged from 175 km/h to 243 km/h, depending on the model. The 325i sprints to 100 km/h in about 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 225 km/h. The M3 is slightly faster, with a top speed of 238 km/h. It reaches 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. BMW thus set the bar significantly higher with the E30, securing the 3 Series a permanent place on the racetrack.

The transition from the E21 to the E30 marked a significant change for the 3 Series. The E21 laid the foundation for the successful model line by establishing BMW in the compact premium segment. The E30, on the other hand, brought numerous improvements, both in terms of technology and model variety. It introduced new technologies such as all-wheel drive and a wider range of engines, making the E30 a flexible and powerful vehicle. The E21 was, in some ways, a pioneer, establishing the concept of the sporty sedan in the compact class. The E30 took this legacy and continued it with even greater variety. The E30 set the course for future 3 Series generations and significantly influenced the model's success.

The first generation is now 50 years old. Over time, the E21 has established itself as a sought-after classic. However, in terms of demand, it lags behind its successor. Particularly well-preserved models like the 323i, considered the sportiest representative of the series, are in high demand. Prices for the E21 range between €7,000 and €28,000, depending on condition, although top-quality models and rare variants can command even higher prices. Nevertheless, the E21 doesn't quite match the collector status of its successor. Nevertheless, prices have doubled in recent years and are unlikely to decline anytime soon.

The BMW E30, especially the M3, is now a highly prized collector's car and has experienced a remarkable increase in value. Well-preserved examples of the 325i or 325iX are in high demand, with prices ranging from €10,000 to €25,000. The E30 M3 can fetch €30,000 to €80,000 or more, depending on its condition. A four-cylinder 318i also serves as an entry-level model. Prices for a well-maintained model start at around €9,000. Due to its motorsport history and wide range of models, the E30 is a sought-after classic and a very popular BMW model.