1975 - the BMW 3 Series range is presented for the first time, with 4-cylinder engines

1977 - BMW 323i and BMW 320/6 become the first 3 Series models with inline 6-cylinder engines

1982 - the second BMW 3 Series generation is presented (E30)

1984 - BMW 325e has the first eta engine with six cylinders, posting impressive fuel consumption figures

1985 - world debut of the first diesel 3 Series, the 324d

1989 - the BMW 318is introduces the four-valve per cylinder design

1990 - the third BMW 3 Series generation is unveiled (E36)

1992 - VANOS technology is introduced on the BMW M3 and the 3 Series Coupe models with 6-cylinder engines

1994 - BMW 318tds becomes the first 3 Series model with a 4-cylinder diesel engine

1995 - six-cylinder petrol engines receive aluminum crankcases

1998 - the fourth BMW 3 Series generation is launched (E46)

2000 - the 3 Series range gets 3-liter 6-cylinder petrol and diesel engines

2001 - VALVETRONIC technology is introduced on the 316ti model

2004 - BMW 320Cd Cabriolet becomes the first convertible with a diesel engine in the German company’s history

2005 - fifth BMW 3 Series generation unveiled (E90)

2010 - the first BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition is launched

2011 - the sixth BMW 3 Series generation is unveiled (F30)

The car was built at the Munich plant of the German company and it was a 320d in Imperial Blue, a rather befitting color for the occasion if you ask us. As the production of the new 3 Series kicked off in July, this is an LCI model as you probably guessed. The Director of the Munich plant was on the scene and talked about this milestone, with kind words, as usual:“The success story of the BMW 3 Series started here in Plant Munich and is now reaching a very special highpoint here as well. The fact that this landmark vehicle was produced at our plant is a particular honour for us and makes me very proud indeed of my team.”Over the 40 years of the 3 Series’ legacy, BMW built over 14 million cars with the number 3 on the boot and over the course of these decades, a couple of exciting moments passed, so let’s take a look.Of course, those are just some of the highlights underscored by the BMW 3 Series models over time, but they should be enough to speak of why it has become the most successful model the Germans ever built.