1990: the third generation - premiere of the BMW 3-Series Coupé and BMW 3-Series Compact, new six-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel engines
1990 saw the introduction of the third-generation 3-Series, the four-door Sedan taking to the stage on a wave of elegance and new technology. On top of this, the dimensions of the body and the space inside the car had both grown considerably. A two-door variant followed in 1992, and this time it was every inch the graceful coupé. Just a few months later BMW unveiled two more sparkling additions to the line-up: the new Convertible and new BMW M3. The developers came up with another fresh concept innovation in 1994 with the introduction of the BMW 3-Series Compact. It was welcomed by drivers looking primarily for greater economy, but without the need to compromise on dynamic performance and comfort.
The new six-cylinder engines had two camshafts and four valves per cylinder. In the Coupé the powerplants featured VANOS variable camshaft control. This new technology improved torque development and reduced fuel consumption and emissions, and allowed the engineers to increase the engine's compression ratio. Two other newcomers to the range were the 325tds, powered by a six-cylinder diesel engine with turbocharger and intercooler, and the first four-cylinder turbodiesel under the bonnet of the 318tds. The turn of the year 1994/95 also brought a lighter aluminium crankcase for the six-cylinder units.
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AUX-IN port
At a glance
► For connecting audio devices, e.g., MP3
player. The sound is output on the vehicle
loudspeakers.
► Recommendation: use medium tone and
volume settings on the audio devic ...
Supplementary text messages
You can call up more information, e.g., on the
cause of a malfunction and on how to respond,
via Check Control.
In urgent cases, this information will be shown
as soon as the corresponding lamp ...
Volume
"Speed volume": speed-dependent volume
control.
"PDC": volume of the PDC signal* compared
to the entertainment sound output.
"Gong": volume of the signal, su ...