Most further 02 Series evolution focused on
performance and/or meeting the new and
increasingly stringent U.S. emission and safety
regulations. A 2002 ti, with twin carburetors
and more power, appeared in late ‘68 and a
cabriolet (convertible) was added in ’71. Neither
of these models was ever officially imported
into the U.S., but the 2002 ti’s successor was.
Except for the audacious 2002 Turbo, which
also wasn’t marketed in the U.S., this was the
most powerful of all 2002s.Today it’s a coveted
collector car: the 2002 tii, the second“i” standing
for fuel injection. Delivering 130 horsepower,
the 2002 tii engine powered the 2-door sedan
to 60 mph in a then-impressive 9.8 seconds,
according to Road & Track’s May ’72 issue.
That was in the context of a comparison test
with the Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina and Mazda
RX-2; the magazine concluded that “the BMW
garnered eight ‘firsts’ in handling, ride, gearbox,
outward vision, body structure, interior and
exterior styling, and overall finish, and was
rated best overall by a comfortable margin.”
Sound familiar?
In its various iterations, the 2002 remained an
important model for BMW until 1975 in most
markets, and the true core model for BMW in
the U.S. through ‘76. It is an unforgettable car,
and an all-important element of BMW history
and tradition.
The first 3 Series, so named:
E21, 1975-83
The 5 Series’ debut in 1972 ushered in a new
era of BMW Series and model designations,
whereby the first digit now represented the
Series and the next two the engine size. In
mid-1975, the first 3 Series was introduced in
Europe, bringing not only the new family look
but also the new nomenclature to BMW’s
smaller line.The first models – 316, 318 and
320 – were naturally powered by 1.6- and
1.8-liter engines evolved from those of the
1602, 1802 and 2002.
For the U.S., however, the 2002 continued
through ’76. When the 3 Series arrived in the
U.S., it was a ’77 model with the stronger,
bulkier bumpers required by U.S. regulations
and with a new variation on the 2.0-liter engine.
Called 320i – the “i” again signifying fuel
injection – this was an exclusive designation
for the U.S. Spurred by the goal of meeting
increasingly stringent U.S. emission regulations
while also achieving better performance, BMW
had developed a standard engine that devel-
oped 125 hp, just 5 short of the previous
high-performance 2002 tii model; the 320i’s
Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection was less
complicated than the tii’s Kugelfischer system,
and better suited to the new emission limits.
In a March ’77 road test comparing the 320i
with seven competitors (including Alfa Romeo,
Fiat and Lancia, now long departed from the
U.S. market), Road & Track declared the new
small BMW its overall winner and best in 13 of
the 22 ratings criteria. Clearly, BMW was already
building the reputation that it enjoys today.
Evolution continued. Also in ’77, BMW intro-
duced a pair of brand-new 6-cylinder engines
in the 3 Series; so powered, the models were
named 320 (2.0-liter with carburetor) and 323i
(fuel-injected 2.3-liter).These models, however,
didn’t come to the U.S.; instead, BMW would
develop a special version of the new“six,” to
appear later in the U.S. and elsewhere.
What did make it to the U.S. in the E21 3 Series
was a refined version of the 320i, powered by
a smaller (1.8-liter) engine with more advanced
emission control. A 5-speed transmission
replaced the previous 4-speed, and the net
result was similar performance with improved
fuel economy. As with the earlier version, a
3-speed automatic was also available, but in
those days only a small proportion of cus-
tomers took it.There were other evolutionary
improvements as well. Concluding Road &
Track’s February 1980 test of the ’80 320i, one
editor noted that “It feels good to get behind
the wheel of a proper motor car, a product of
intelligent design and not happenstance.”
7
The first 3 Series (E21)
was introduced in Europe
in 1975, but arrived in the
U.S. as a ’77 model. This is
a 1981 U.S. 320i. In Febru-
ary ’80, a Road & Track
editor noted that “It feels
good to get behind the
wheel of a proper motor
car, a product of intelligent
design and not happen-
stance.”
