BMW E3 and E9

After a long break, BMW decided to develop a six-cylinder car in the early 1960s. Work on the car, which was supposed to be E3, began in 1965. The engine is based on the existing four-cylinder and received a general layout ^[1] . The group was led by Wilhelm Hofmeister, with some additions from the Italian companies Bertone and Michelotti ^[2] . The goal was to increase the space for passenger comfort, which was not the case in the early Neue Klasse sedans ^[3] . The new sedan focused comfort on the front seats, and the coupe was a nominally four-seater at all ^{[4] [5]} .

Double headlights installed in the grill were used. So there was a design that was supposed to define the style of BMW for many decades. The early E3 designs had wide rectangular single headlights with rounded corners, but they never went into production, possibly due to the design of the rather successful 2000 CS ^{[1] [4]} . Despite the completely new machine in design, 70 million brands were laid in the project. This is almost half what was expected at that time ^[6] .

It included large sedans ( E3 body) and coupe ( E9 ). Numeric designations meant a rounded displacement, the suffix -L denoted long-base versions, -i - injection. The lineup included:

• 2500 / 2.5, 2.5CS (2478 cm³, 150 hp)
• 2800 / 2.8, 2800CS (2769 cm³, 170 hp)
• 3.0S, 3.0CS (2966 cm³, 180 hp with two Zenith 35/40 INAT carburetors)
• 3.0Si, 3.0Li, 3.0CSi (2966 cm³, 200 or 195 hp, depending on the injection system - Bosch D-Jetronic or L-Jetronic)
• 3.3Li (3188 cm³, 200 hp)

The New Six family of BMWs are the direct predecessors of the seventh series .

The two original models, which appeared in 1968 and were sold before 1977, are 2.5-liter 2500 and 2.8-liter 2800. The cars had large six-cylinder engines, which gave a lot of positive feedback. Road & Track later called Bavaria “delicious” and “excellent”, adding that it was “one of the best shopping in the world.” In addition to the larger engine, the 2800 also had large tires and a slightly sporty suspension, as well as various creatures of convenience, such as rear window heating, a full set of tools, a self-leveling rear suspension, and also external chrome parts ^[7] .

Model 3.0 S with enlarged cylinders, a dual carburetor appeared in 1971, and was a more powerful and expensive model than the 2800; there was also an injection version. L models with a wheelbase length (3.0L, 3.3Li, etc.) were produced, in which sharp control sharply contrasted with the large Mercedes-Benz models of that time. Langley Motors in the British Thames Ditton also assembled Tourer station wagons. With a fully independent suspension together with disc brakes on all wheels, the E3 was an advanced car of its time in the early 1970s. Interestingly, the 3.0 Si sedan was faster than the 3.0 coupe; the sedan was 50 kg heavier with the same engine configuration.

The body was surprisingly light for its size, weighing less than the smaller E9 coupe. The visibility of the car is good, with narrow racks and a total glazing area of ​​at least 2.5 m².

At the end of 1973, a new 3.3 liter model was introduced, which reached sales in January 1974. It had an elongated wheelbase and a large engine, although the power was no more than that of 3.0 Si. Instead, there is more torque. This engine received fuel injection in June 1975, and a little more horsepower. A 3.2-liter version of this engine was also installed on the 1976 BMW 633CSi . The E3 sedan was produced in 1968-1978, the total number of cars produced is approximately 190,000 units. Of these, 71,804 were American Bavaria models.

North America

In the US market, the 2500 and 2800 models appeared in 1969. The 2500 had less of the many luxurious features included in the 2800, and the smaller engine was priced at $ 5600 in 1970. The 2800 sedan could optionally have a full leather interior, power windows and a sunroof, while the price increased to $ 6874. For the 1971 model year, Max Hoffman, importing BMW into the United States, was convinced that BMW had built the configuration of the 2500 car with the 2800 engine - that is, the classic cheaper version of the "American hot rod ", with a lightweight chassis and the largest engine. This new E3 configuration was named "Bavaria" (Bavaria) and was unique to the US market. The cost was $ 5000, significantly less than the regular 2800 ($ 6874), in 1971 the 2500 and 2800 were soon replaced by the new Bavaria. Bavaria is considered the founder of modern BMW sedans, because it combines excellent dynamics, good fuel economy, enough space for four people and a large trunk. Most of them were sold with a four-speed manual transmission reflecting the sporty nature of the sedan.

For the 1972 model year, the 2500 M30 engine installed in Bavaria increased to 3.0 liters. The former 2800 was now called the 3.0 S and had a 3.0-liter engine. These two models, the 3.0 S and Bavaria, made up the North American line of E3 sedans for 1972-1974. However, in 1974, the E3 received non-organic, federal-approved front and rear bumpers that significantly changed its profile.

In 1975, BMW introduced fuel injection to the U.S. market for the large M30 six-cylinder engine, replacing the Zenith dual-chamber carburetor used on the M30 since its inception. Bavaria was excluded from the lineup, and 3.0Si was now on top of the BMW lineup (“i” added to 3.0S, to denote the injector). Then the E12 530i sedan appeared. 3.0Si was sold between 1975 and 1976.

The CS model existed in a coupe based on a standard sedan, and looked identical in front. But the E9 is also linked to the early 2000CS , as seen from the rear. The first model was the well-equipped 2800CS of 1968. 3.0CS models appeared in 1971. In 1974, a similar 2.5CS was produced in small quantities, in response to the 1973 Oil Crisis. CSL models were lightweight racing versions that competed in Group 2 at the European Touring Car Championship ^[8] . In some competitions, the car competed with some success against the racing versions of the Porsche 911 and Ford Capri . With all the aerodynamic spoilers for racing, the car became known as the Batmobile .