For the first time, the fifth generation of the 3 Series BMW was not only divided into the sedan, touring coupe and convertible variants, but for the first time each was given its own model designation (E90 – sedan, E91 – touring, E92 – coupé, E93 – convertible). These served the middle class segment from 2005 to 2013 and are the successors to the 3 series E46.
It was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in spring 2005 as the successor to the BMW 3 Series E46. Chris Bangle was responsible for the new design of these series
As with its predecessors, the sedan (E90) came onto the market on March 5, 2005 in the same order as the first model in the series. In September 2005 the station wagon version (E91) called by BMW Touring was introduced. The 3-series coupe (E92) appeared in September 2006 and the convertible (E93) followed in March 2007. While the latter two offer four seats, the sedan and touring were built as five-seater.
The M3 with a newly designed V8 engine was initially only released as a coupé in autumn 2007. In the spring of 2008, the M3 range was expanded to include the four-door notchback and then completed by the convertible.
Revised versions of the sedan and touring appeared in September 2008, followed by a facelift for the coupé and convertible in March 2010.
Major differences to the predecessor
316i: The basic model with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine was only offered in the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Portugal, Greece and Turkey.
.320i: Was offered with a 2.0 l four-cylinder engine, first N46, then N43; previously it was a six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2 liters or 2.2 liters.
.320si: New homologation model for the vehicle used by BMW in the World Touring Car Championship. However, it was limited to 2,600 copies.
.325i: 2.5 liter displacement with 218 hp.
.335i: three-liter with TwinTurbo (twin turbocharger), which closed the gap to the M3.
.325d: New engine with three liters displacement.
.325xi, 330xi, 335xi, 320xd and 330xd: models with all-wheel drive (BMW designation xDrive).
The typical BMW driver-related cockpit has been replaced by a straight dashboard.
For the first time in the 3 series, an iDrive system was used to operate the navigation system, air conditioning and hi-fi system.
The coupé was visually more different from the sedan than its predecessor, the E46. The side windows were significantly smaller than on the sedan, the shape of the headlights differed greatly, the taillights had the typical BMW L-shaped design and were wider than those of the four-door model.
Production periods
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Januar 2005 bis September 2008 |
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September 2008 bis Oktober 2011 |
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September 2005 bis September 2008 |
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September 2008 bis Mai 2012 |
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Juni 2006 bis März 2010 |
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März 2010 bis Juli 2013 |
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Januar 2007 bis März 2010 |
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März 2010 bis Oktober 2013 |
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März 2008 bis September 2008 |
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September 2008 bis Oktober 2011 |
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September 2007 bis März 2010 |
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März 2010 bis Juli 2013 |
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Mai 2008 bis März 2010 |
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März 2010 bis September 2013 |
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Jahr |
Gesamt |
Limousine |
Touring |
Coupé |
Cabriolet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 256.981 | 229.932 | 27.049 | — | — |
| 2006 | 463.820 | 336.232 | 105.483 | 22.105 | — |
| 2007 | 555.135 | 310.194 | 102.399 | 89.572 | 52.970 |
| 2008 | 474.208 | 246.231 | 93.191 | 79.248 | 55.538 |
| 2009 | 397.103 | 219.850 | 84.601 | 54.852 | 37.800 |
| 2010 | 399.009 | 242.831 | 74.008 | 46.358 | 35.812 |
| 2011 | 384.464 | 240.279 | 72.054 | 39.332 | 32.799 |
| 2012 | ~74.600 | 0 | ~21.000 | 29.525 | 24.038 |
| ~3.005.300 | 1.824.849 | ~579.800 | 360.992 | 238.957 |
Production facilities
The vehicle was manufactured in the BMW plants in Munich, Regensburg, Leipzig, Rosslyn (South Africa) and Rayong (Thailand). Other producers of the E90 are BMW Brilliance Automotive in Shenyang in the People’s Republic of China and the Bavarian Auto Group with its plant in Madinat as-Sadis min Uktubar, the “City of October 6th” in Egypt.
All models were equipped as standard with air conditioning, four power windows, radio with CD, MP3 function and six loudspeakers, on-board computer and a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic was available for an extra charge (standard on the 335d).
With the BMW EfficientDynamics measures introduced into the current series in September 2007, a start-stop system was used in the four-cylinder models with manual transmission.
The six-cylinder models were visually differentiated from the four-cylinder models by chrome elements (for example the vertical bars in the kidney grille and on the window frame; from March 2009 also available for four-cylinder models at an additional cost), twin-pipe exhaust and were equipped with active cruise control (ACC) available. Only the two top models 335i and 335d were each equipped with an exhaust tailpipe on both sides of the rear of the vehicle. In addition, the ESP (Electronic Stability Control) system on the six-cylinder models had five additional functions (brake readiness, dry braking, hill start aid, fading compensation and soft stop).
From September 2008 the 320d was also available with xDrive (in addition to the 330d, 325i, 330i and 335i). By the end of 2010 it only met the Euro 4 emissions standard (without xDrive: Euro 5). From the beginning of 2011, it met the Euro 5 emissions standard.
From March 2010, three edition models were available for the sedan and the touring.
Exterior colors
In addition to three surcharge-free plain paints, there was a range of different, optional metallic paints. Other paint finishes were available from BMW Individual.
Engines
All 3 series (except M3, here a V8 engine was used) had in-line engines with four-valve technology. The engine range has been completely revised and reduced to a few basic models, with the result that the model designation gave the actual displacement even less than before:
316 had a displacement of 1.6 liters, 316d a displacement of two liters. 318 and 320 (with petrol or diesel engines) were four-cylinder engines with a displacement of two liters. The larger models had six-cylinder engines with a displacement of three liters, in which the different performance levels were only achieved by tuning and charging, for example with register charging in the 335d.
The same applied to the 325i and 330i petrol engines from September 1, 2007. Both have an aluminum-magnesium engine block and a three-liter displacement, with the difference in performance between the 325i and 330i being achieved by a modified injection control. The 335i (N54 engine) introduced in September 2006 with almost the same displacement was based on an aluminum engine block. With two turbochargers (biturbo) and piezo direct injection, it provided a maximum torque of 400 Nm.
At the same time, a new six-cylinder diesel engine was introduced with the 325d. During the engine revision of the 335i, only a turbocharger was installed since the N55 engine, but with two inlet spirals (twin scroll).
A “Performance Power Kit” has been available for the 335i since March 2009, increasing the engine output by a further 15 kW to 240 kW. At the same time, the maximum torque rose to 450 Nm. Since March 2010, a “Performance Power Kit” has been available for the 320d, which increased the engine output by a further 15 kW to 145 kW (but this was only available for models from March 2007 with 130 kW engine output possible). The increase in performance on the 320d included a different control unit, a larger charge air cooler and a more powerful fan. The torque converter has been replaced on vehicles with automatic transmissions. In addition, the torque increased by 40 Nm from 350 Nm to 390 Nm.
- All gasoline engines with manifold injection were equipped with double camshaft adjustment (VANOS) with Valvetronic. The 335i had two turbochargers (twin turbo).
- Valvetronic was omitted from the 320si and from September 2007 on all in-line six-cylinder engines (with the exception of the 335i from March 2010), the latter due to direct fuel injection.
- The engines with gasoline direct injection were the first passenger car engines in series with spray-guided direct injection. This should enable stratified charging in a larger area of the map than the air and wall-guided methods of direct gasoline injection that were previously implemented in series.
- The common rail diesel engines had turbochargers with adjustable guide vanes and charge air cooling; In addition, the four-cylinder engines of the 318d and 320d had two balance shafts to improve acoustic and vibration comfort. From 2006 a diesel particulate filter was part of the standard equipment.
- The 335d had a register turbocharger with two turbochargers of different sizes connected in series to cover a wide speed range.
transmission
- 6-speed manual transmission (manufacturer: GETRAG and ZF)
- 6-speed automatic transmission (manufacturer: ZF)
- 7-speed dual clutch transmission (manufacturer: GETRAG)
The dual clutch transmission was available for the 335i in the Coupé and Cabrio from September 2008. This reduced the standard consumption by 0.3 liters per 100 kilometers.
Steering, chassis and brakes
Electromechanical power steering was standard in all versions. Servotronic (speed-dependent steering assistance) or active steering were offered as options. The car had a turning circle of 11.0 meters. In conjunction with the xDrive all-wheel drive, this increased to 11.8 meters.
The rear axle was a lightweight multi-link axle made of steel. Each wheel was guided by five handlebars. Three of the handlebars were made of hot-dip galvanized steel; the camber link on the rear axle was treated with hot-dip galvanizing. In this way, the chassis parts exposed to the rockfall were largely resistant to corrosion.
The front wheels were suspended from MacPherson struts and two wishbones each (double-jointed tension strut axle). The front (tension strut) and the rear wishbone were hinged next to each other at different points on the wheel carrier, which resulted in a virtual pivot point (pole) further out in the lower arm level. This reduced the scrub radius. To save weight, the tension strut and wishbone were made of aluminum.
All models had rear-wheel drive as standard. The ground clearance of the sedan in conjunction with the standard suspension was 144 millimeters, while the M sports suspension had the body lowered by 15 millimeters.
The front brake system worked with internally ventilated single-piston floating caliper disc brakes with a diameter of 292 mm to 348 mm, depending on the engine. At the rear, the brake discs had a diameter of 300 mm to 336 mm, depending on the model. In the six-cylinder units, they were internally ventilated.
The BMW E90 had an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with brake assist and cornering brake control, belt tensioners, driving dynamics control (Electronic Stability Control, ESP) with traction control (called Dynamic Stability Control, DSC and Dynamic Traction Control, DTC at BMW), and six Airbags (driver / front passenger, two side airbags and full-length head airbags). Since September 2008, standard active headrests have been available at the front, which should reduce the risk of whiplash in the event of a rear-end collision. In the Euro NCAP crash test, the car received five out of five stars (35 points) for occupant safety and four stars (39 points) for child safety. Pedestrian safety was rated with four points and one star. In the US NCAP crash test carried out in 2006 it was given four stars in the frontal test and in the test carried out by the IIHS in the same year it was rated “Good” in the test “Moderate Front Overlap” “In addition, it was awarded the“ 2006 Top Safety Pick Silver ”by the IIHS.
Child seats could only be securely attached to the back seat on the outside seats. Isofix brackets were also available there. For the front passenger seat, Isofix brackets and an airbag that can be switched off were available at an additional cost.
environment
Several technical innovations were grouped under the term BMW EfficientDynamics, which resulted in lower fuel consumption while at the same time increasing performance.
In this context, all gasoline engines were converted to spray-guided direct injection (High Precision Injection). The 335i achieved the EU4 emissions standard; As of March 2009, the 318i and 320i achieved the EU5 emissions standard, 325i (xDrive) and 330i (xDrive) since September 2009. Due to the fuel with a higher proportion of ethanol (E10) and thus lower energy density used in Euro 5 vehicles in the NEDC test cycle the nominal consumption by 0.1 l (325i) to 0.5 l (318i).
The diesel models had a particle filter as standard since autumn 2006. The 318d, 320d (without all-wheel drive xDrive) and 330d (with and without xDrive) achieved the Euro 5 emissions standard; the 320d with xDrive and the 335d only meet the Euro 4 standard. As of March 2010, all engines complied with the Euro 5 emissions standard. For the 330d (sedan; since September 2008) and 320d (sedan, touring; from March 2010) without automatic transmission, a Blue Performance filter was also available, which reduced nitrogen oxide emissions through a storage catalytic converter and thus compliance with the Euro 6 standard made possible.
Engines
From September 2005, there was a “Fleet Edition” of the 320d with 110 kW and 340 Nm instead of the 120 kW of the standard model for major customers. With the introduction of the new common rail turbodiesel engine in the 320d with a maximum output of 130 kW, the Fleet Edition now achieved a maximum of 120 kW, with the maximum torque of 350 Nm remaining the same as the standard model.
From spring 2008 the M3 was offered again as a sedan, which was last seen in the E36 series.
In March 2010, the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition (only as a sedan) with a maximum of 120 kW instead of 135 kW (maximum torque remained the same at 380 Nm) on the German market. BMW mainly expected fleet customers and ecologically minded drivers as buyers. [7]
A modified “Fleet Edition” of the 320d (as sedan and station wagon) followed in mid-2010 (again for major customers) with a maximum output of 120 kW and 380 Nm maximum torque instead of the maximum 120 kW output and 350 Nm maximum torque of the 2007 Fleet Edition The top speed of the Fleet Edition was 6 km / h lower and the acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h took 0.5 seconds longer. The values for fuel consumption (4.7 l / 100 km) and CO2 emissions (125 g / km) corresponded to the version for private customers.
From spring 2011, the EfficientDynamics edition was also available for the Touring.
At the same time, BMW replaced the twin turbo of the 335i with a single turbocharger with two inlet spirals (twin scroll).
The M3 came on the market towards the end of the construction period of the 2011 E90 series in the CRT version (Carbon Racing Technology) with 4.4 l displacement and 450 PS as a limited special model (67 pieces) at a price of € 130,000. A modified front and rear axle with rigidly bolted rear axle carrier, an adjustable coilover suspension and a more stable 6 piston brake system in 378 × 32 mm at the front and 380 × 28 mm at the rear were changed on the technical side. It was 45 kg lighter than the production model, and the Vmax was increased to 290 km / h. It was available in Frozen Silver and Melbourne Red Metallic.
Facelift
In September 2008 the sedan and touring were revised. Compared to previous changes to other BMW models, the changes to the E90 and E91 were relatively extensive.
design
BMW changed the front and rear aprons and the bonnet received two so-called character lines. the exterior mirrors were made larger in accordance with an EU standard. The front headlights got a matt cover above the reflectors, the rear lights were now L-shaped. In addition, the BMW kidney grille has been redesigned (no chrome stripe on the bonnet) and the lines on the sides stretched a little.
Higher quality fabrics and decorative strips were now used in the interior, and some control elements were also changed.
technology
In addition to the widening of the track and the use of LED light sources (for the indicators and taillights), the front seats were equipped with crash-responsive headrests. The xenon headlights could be expanded with a variable light distribution.
Technical adjustments were also made to the optional “Navigation System Professional”, which had an internal hard drive and was now supplied by Harman-Becker (previously: Siemens-VDO). In addition, the new generation of the BMW iDrive + including internet access (special equipment) was introduced.
Engines
The engines were changed to the 330d, which then mobilized a maximum of 180 kW (245 PS) (previously a maximum of 170 kW / 231 PS). The “Blue Performance” storage catalytic converter was also offered for the 330d to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. This improved the model to the EU6 standard. Furthermore, the engine of the 335i was changed in the course of the facelift: The two separate turbochargers were replaced by a single charger in twin-scroll technology. This means that the 335i now complies with the Euro 5 standard (previously: Euro 4). In this way, the standard consumption fell by around 1 liter with the same output and the torque curve was now more even.
The 320d was now also available with the xDrive all-wheel drive system.
Price changes
hangesThe base prices of all models have been increased slightly. Several optional extras, which have now been incorporated into the standard equipment, almost offset the price increase. However, the prices of many optional extras increased.
Coupé and Cabriolet
The 3 Series Coupé (E92) went on sale in September 2006, while the Cabriolet (E93) was available from March 2007. Both models were originally developed as a separate 4-series, which is why the body, chassis and interior were independent compared to the E90 / E91 series. The drag coefficient of the 335i Coupé was given as 0.28.
Before the start of sales, however, it was decided in favor of the existing image among the clientele of the M3 series (E46 Coupé and Cabrio) to market the new series as a 3 series in order not to damage the M3 brand. However, this was implemented in the successor model of the BMW F32 Coupé, which has been available since 2013. The new coupé is now being marketed as an independent 4-series independently of the new BMW F30 3-series sedan.
E92 and E93 were only assembled in the Regensburg plant. The 335i model was new, with a 3.0 liter engine, twin turbo and direct petrol injection with piezo injectors. This marked the return of BMW to turbo technology in gasoline-powered vehicles after 20 years.
The convertible had a variable steel roof, the designation VHT means retractable hardtop. For the first time, the slim design line of a typical 3-series BMW with a folding steel roof was realized.
The three-part roof, however, reduced the remaining trunk more than conventional soft-tops or two-part folding roofs
Facelift
In March 2010 the coupe and convertible were revised.
Compared to the facelift for the sedan (E90) and touring (E91), the changes were less extensive. The front and rear aprons and the lights were changed. The BMW kidney has been redesigned. The interior has been subtly upgraded.
Similar to the 5 series, the daytime running light rings are made using LED technology. (Special equipment)
The new engine in the 325i in the convertible delivered the same output, but increased displacement to 2996 cm³, now 270 Nm instead of 250 Nm maximum torque.
Recall due to fire risk
In January 2021, around 430,000 BMW 3 Series E90, E91, E92 and E93 generations were recalled across Germany and over half a million BMW 3 Series worldwide. The reason for the recall was the plug connection of the fan controller in the wiring harness, which corroded over time and can cause a short circuit, which in the worst case can lead to a vehicle fire. As early as autumn 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalled over 700,000 BMW 3 Series from 2006-2011 because of the same problem after three different incidents with the E90 model, which those affected claimed to have been injured to be. However, BMW denied the allegations that the problem ever resulted in personal injury or an accident.
Nevertheless, BMW will offer three special editions for sedans and touring in order to underline the characteristic qualities in the areas of driving dynamics, comfort and innovation and ultimately give customers a price advantage over ordering individually thanks to the optional equipment that is now available as a package. The prices for the edition models are not yet known, but since the measure is now common practice in Munich, anything else would surprise us very much.
The Sport Edition, the Lifestyle Edition and the Exclusive Edition will be available from March, each with a different exterior and interior design. As a special treat, the edition models offer exclusive exterior colors and light alloy wheels that are only available from the factory in the special models. The editions are available for all engines offered in the 3 Series Sedan and 3 Series Touring and are always equipped with chrome-plated kidney braces, which is otherwise reserved for the six-cylinder. In addition, the door sill trims are labeled “Edition”.
The Editon Sport should embody driving pleasure in its purest form. These models include 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a star-spoke design, which are painted in the exclusive dark chrome color. In addition, there is the M sports suspension and the M aerodynamics package as well as the exteriors in high-gloss Shadow Line known from BMW Individual. The package is rounded off by tailpipes in black chrome. The shade Bluewater Metallic, which we know from the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, is available as an additional exterior color.
Sports seats, an M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, a sports gear lever, pedal covers made of stainless steel and the roof lining in anthracite are used in the interior. The seats are upholstered in the fabric-Alcantara combination Blue Shadow and have a contrasting stitching in the color royal blue, but optionally you can also order the leather Dakota in the color black. The interior trim strips in aluminum glaze silver and floor mats with color-contrasting royal blue piping round off the overall sporty impression.
In the Lifestyle edition, the focus is less on sportiness, instead it is about a particularly high level of individuality. For this purpose there is the exclusive exterior color platinum bronze, metallic, and the trim strip in the front apron is painted silver. There are also window slot covers in chrome design and special light alloy wheels in 17 inch format.
Newly designed seat covers are used in the interior, the middle section of which is covered with the Layer fabric, while the outer seat elements and the inside of the door are covered with the Fluid variant. The customer can decide whether both materials should be kept uniformly in anthracite or whether they want to combine the middle panel in ivory white with outer elements in the color Oyster. There are interior trims that pick up on the platinum bronze exterior color exclusively for the Lifestyle Edition.
The Exclusive Edition is a particularly stylish package, in which, as with the lifestyle models, the window slot covers are in chrome and the trim strip in the front apron is silver. The exclusive exterior color here is deep sea blue, metallic, which is probably one of the most beautiful colors currently available at BMW. In addition, there are 17-inch rims and a satin-finish aluminum roof rail on the Touring.
The interior features seats with Dakota leather upholstery in the color Oyster and an exclusive sports leather steering wheel, which is otherwise reserved for the facelift models of the BMW 3 Series Coupé and BMW 3 Series Convertible. The package is rounded off by interior trim strips in the anthracite bamboo burl.
Pictures of the edition models are currently not available, but we will of course try to receive them as soon as possible and then submit them.
From March 2010 there will be three editions for Limo and Touring (Sport Lifestyle Exclusive).
In summary:
All together:
- Kidneys with chrome bars
- Door sills with “Edition”
Edition Sport:
- M sports suspension
- 18 inch alloy, star spoke in dark chrome
- M aerodynamics package
- Shadow line
- Exhaust tailpipes in black chrome
- Sports seat
- M steering wheel
- Pedal pads made of stainless steel
- Headlining in anthracite
- Seats in fabric / Alcantara combination Blue Shadow or black leather with royal blue contrast stitching
- Floor mats with piping in royal blue
- Aluminum Glacier Silver
The Lifestyle edition:
- Window slot cover in chrome
- Silver trim in the front apron
- 17 inch wheels
- Seats: center panel in fabric layer; outer seating elements in fluid, both anthracite or ivory white / oyster
- Moldings in high gloss platinum bronze
The Exclusive Edition:
- Window slot cover in chrome
- Silver trim in the front apron
- 17 inch wheels
- Deep sea blue metallic
- Roof rails in satined aluminum
- Leather oyster
- Sport leather steering wheel as in the E92 or E93
- Moldings in bamboo burl anthracite
From March 2010 there will be three editions for Limo and Touring (Sport Lifestyle Exclusive).
In summary:
All together:
- Kidneys with chrome bars
- Door sills with “Edition”
Edition Sport:
- M sports suspension
- 18 inch alloy, star spoke in dark chrome
- M aerodynamics package
- Shadow line
- Exhaust tailpipes in black chrome
- Sports seat
- M steering wheel
- Pedal pads made of stainless steel
- Headlining in anthracite
- Seats in fabric / Alcantara combination Blue Shadow or black leather with royal blue contrast stitching
- Floor mats with piping in royal blue
- Aluminum Glacier Silver
The Lifestyle edition:
- Window slot cover in chrome
- Silver trim in the front apron
- 17 inch wheels
- Seats: center panel in fabric layer; outer seating elements in fluid, both anthracite or ivory white / oyster
- Moldings in high gloss platinum bronze
The Exclusive Edition:
- Window slot cover in chrome
- Silver trim in the front apron
- 17 inch wheels
- Deep sea blue metallic
- Roof rails in satined aluminum
- Leather oyster
- Sport leather steering wheel as in the E92 or E93
- Moldings in bamboo burl anthracite
However, this does not mean that it can no longer keep up with the competition from a technical point of view, the opposite is the case! Both in terms of performance and consumption, the BMW 3 Series Sedan is still the benchmark in the middle class and although that was the case before the new engines announced for March, Munich has added a few more scoops and is ahead of the curve the competition. Since the facelift of the E90 and E91, there is no need to hide when it comes to infotainment either, because the iDrive system currently available is considered the best on the market and has already been recognized several times for its range of functions – which will be expanded from March! – as well as its user-friendliness excellent.
Real special models were the 320SI, the homologation model in a limited number of 2600 vehicles, such as the E36 318IS Class 2 in 1994, of which 2500 vehicles were produced, the M3 CTR of which 135 Exe3mplare were produced and the M3 GTS, which was in a Number of 150 vehicles were manufactured.
You can find everything about these vehicles in our other articles.
