{{Infobox automobile | name = BMW New Six (E3) | image = 2800frnt-weiss Villa-Erba-2022-05-23 resized.jpg | caption = BMW 2800 | manufacturer = [[BMW]] | aka = BMW E3 | production = 1968–1977 | assembly = Germany: [[Munich]] | designer = [[Wilhelm Hofmeister (automobile designer)|Wilhelm Hofmeister]]<ref name="AU71">{{cite book | ref = AU71 | title = Auto-Universum 1971 | chapter = BMW 2500/2800 | last = Becker | first = Clauspeter | editor-first = Arthur | editor-last = Logoz | date = 1971 | publisher = Verlag Internationale Automobil-Parade AG | location = Zürich, Switzerland | volume = XIV | page = 70 | language = de }}</ref> | class = [[Executive car]] ([[E-segment|E]]) | body_style = {{ubl | 4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan/saloon]] | 4-door [[Wheelbase#Vehicles|extended wheelbase]] [[sedan (car)|sedan/saloon]] }} | layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout|Front-engine, rear-wheel drive]] | platform = E3 | related = [[BMW E9]] (coupés) | engine = {{ubl | 2.5 L ''[[BMW M30#M30B25|M30B25]]'' [[Straight-six engine|I6]] | 2.8 L ''[[BMW M30#M30B28|M30B28]]'' I6 | 3.0 L ''[[BMW M30#M30B30|M30B30]]'' I6 | 3.2 L ''[[BMW M30#M30B32|M30B32LE]]'' I6 | 3.3 L ''[[BMW M30#M30B33V|M30B33V]]'' I6 }} | transmission = {{ubl | 4/5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] | 3-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]] }} | wheelbase = {{ubl | {{convert|2692|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (sedan) | {{convert|2794|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (extended sedan) }} | length = {{ubl | {{convert|4700|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (sedan) | {{convert|4953|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (US sedan) | {{convert|4801|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (extended sedan) }} | width = {{ubl | {{convert|1750|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (sedan) }} | height = {{ubl | {{convert|1450|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} (sedan) }} | weight = {{ubl | {{convert|1334|kg|lb||abbr=on}} (sedan) | {{convert|1470|kg|lb||abbr=on}} (extended sedan) }} | predecessor = [[BMW 501|BMW 501/502]] | successor = [[BMW 7 Series (E23)]] }}
The '''BMW New Six''' (also known as the '''BMW E3''') is a line of [[Executive car|mid-size luxury sedans]] and [[grand tourer]] [[coupé]]s produced by the German automaker [[BMW]] from 1968 to 1977. All models used the then-new [[BMW M30|M30]] [[straight-6]] engine. It marked BMW's return to the full-size luxury sedan market after a hiatus of 5 years and was introduced as a response to growing market segment dominated by [[Mercedes-Benz]]. It was important in establishing BMW's reputation as a maker of sporting luxury sedans.
The BMW New Six coupés (better known as the '''[[BMW E9]]''') are built on a shortened version of the E3 platform. The E9 coupés share engines, transmissions, some suspension and many other features with the E3 sedans.
A total of 221,991 sedans and coupés were built.{{Citation needed|date=May 2018}}
==Development== [[File:BMW 2800 at Schaffen-Diest 2013.JPG|left|thumb|BMW 2800 (E3) "New Six" sedan/saloon]] After a long hiatus, BMW decided to develop a six-cylinder car in the early 1960s. Work on what was to become the E3 commenced in 1965. The engine was based on the existing [[BMW M10|M10]] [[inline 4]]s, sharing their overall layout, though not merely adding two cylinders.<ref name="AU71"/> The design team was led by [[Wilhelm Hofmeister (automobile designer)|Wilhelm Hofmeister]], with some detail work executed by Italy's [[Gruppo Bertone|Bertone]] and [[Giovanni Michelotti|Michelotti]] studios.<ref name="AU71.3">[[#AU71|Becker]], p. 73</ref> A goal was to offer more passenger space and comfort than the earlier, somewhat smaller [[BMW New Class|New Class]] saloons had.<ref name="AU71.9">[[#AU71|Becker]], p. 69</ref> The new sedan was noticeably a "driver's car", focusing on the front-seat occupants, and the smaller [[BMW E9|E9]] coupé was more of a [[2+2 (car body style)|2+2]] than a full four-seater.<ref name="AU71.2">[[#AU71|Becker]], p. 72</ref><ref name="AU71.7">[[#AU71|Becker]], p. 77</ref>
A new feature was the twin headlights, set into the grille, a design which was to define BMW styling for decades. Early mockups of the E3 featured broad rectangular single headlamps with rounded corners, but these never went into production - perhaps as a result of the lukewarm reception of the similarly designed [[BMW New Class coupé|2000 CS]].<ref name="AU71"/><ref name="AU71.2"/> The new car also required a new welding plant at BMW's Munich site. In spite of the car's all-new construction it only cost 70 million D-mark to develop. This was less than half of what one might have expected at the time.<ref name="AU71.4">[[#AU71|Becker]], p. 74</ref>
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==Nomenclature== Models were given names denoting their engine sizes, and suffixes to indicate the long-wheelbase (''L'') and [[fuel injection]] (''i'') available on later cars. The coupés were all named CS, followed by ''i'' (for fuel injection models) or ''L'' (for light-weight models, which also had fuel injection and higher power).
* 2500/2.5, 2.5CS (2494 cc, {{convert|150|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}}) * 2800/2.8, 2800CS (2788 cc, {{convert|170|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}}) * 3.0S, 3.0L, 3.0CS (2985 cc, {{convert|180|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} using twin Zenith 35/40 INAT carburetors) * 3.0Si, 3.0Li, 3.0CSi (2985 cc, {{cvt|200|or|195|PS|kW hp|0}}, depending whether Bosch D-Jetronic or L-Jetronic was installed) * 3.3L, 3.3Li (3295 cc, {{cvt|190|-|197|PS|kW hp|0}}) * 3.3Li (3210 cc, {{cvt|197|PS|kW hp|0}}, 1976-1977)
== Models == The two initial models, introduced in 1968 and sold through 1977, were the 2.5 L 2500 and 2.8 L 2800. The airy, large [[greenhouse (car)|greenhouse]] design was roomier than BMW's existing range and appeared rather large overall, in spite of being no more than {{convert|1|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} longer than [[Mercedes-Benz W114|Mercedes' midrange sedans]], which were generally considered to compete in a lower class than the new E3.<ref name="AU71.2">[[#AU71|Becker]], p. 72</ref> They were large [[Straight-six engine|six-cylinder]] cars with fully independent suspension and four wheel disc brakes that handled well and impressed contemporary reviewers. ''[[Road & Track]]'' called the later Bavaria "delightful" and "superb", concluding that it was "one of the world's best buys".{{cn|date=October 2023}} Aside from the larger engine, the 2800 also had bigger tyres and a somewhat sportier suspension, as well as various creature comforts such as a heated rear window, a full tool set, Boge Nivomat self-levelling rear suspension, and a smattering more external chrome.<ref name="AU71.6">[[#AU71|Becker]], p. 76</ref> [[File:BMW 3.0 Si E3 (7719262732) (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|BMW 3.0 Si]] The dual-carbureted 3-litre 3.0 S was introduced in 1971, being a more powerful and expensive model than the 2800; a fuel-injected version was also made. Also produced were long-wheelbase L models (3.0L, 3.3Li, etc.), whose sharp handling was a stark contrast to the large [[Mercedes-Benz]] models of the time. Langley Motors in [[Thames Ditton]] UK also produced an estate (tourer) version. Surprisingly, considering their respective marketing profiles, the 3.0 Si sedan was faster than the 3.0 coupé;{{cn|date=October 2023}} which was a heavier car by 50 kg, with the same drivetrain.
In the UK, some 3-litre cars were used by the police in the 1970s, with the infamous ad "It takes one to catch one".<ref>{{Cite web |title=1973 BMW 3.0si Police Car and BMW R75/5 Police Motorcycle Original Full Page Vintage Magazine Advertisement - Etsy UK |url=https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1346168499/1973-bmw-30si-police-car-and-bmw-r755 |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=www.etsy.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-10 |title=BMW E3-series 3.3Li |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/features/bmw-e3series-3-3li-5529450.html |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> [[Thames Valley Police]] bought a 3.0 Si in 1972, followed by [[Derbyshire Constabulary]] the same year and the [[West Mercia Police]] in 1974.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=BMW police cars |url=http://www.policecaruk.com/ClassicFleet/files/BMW%20POLICE%20CARS.pdf |access-date=2024-02-07 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328155757/http://www.policecaruk.com/ClassicFleet/files/BMW%20POLICE%20CARS.pdf |archive-date=2017-03-28 }}</ref> The West Mercia Police's car was in an unusual livery called "truck yellow".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-04 |title=57 Years Policing The Motorways |url=http://www.policecaruk.com/50YearsMotorwayPolicing/50YearsMotorwayPolicing.html |access-date=2024-02-07 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604175900/http://www.policecaruk.com/50YearsMotorwayPolicing/50YearsMotorwayPolicing.html |archive-date=2016-06-04 }}</ref> Following the success of the 3.0 Si, many police forces in the UK began purchasing BMW cars, next one being the 5 Series (E12) in late 1970s.<ref name=":0" />
The body was surprisingly light for its size, weighing less than the smaller E9 coupé. Vision is also good, with narrow pillars and no less than {{convert|2.5|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} of overall glass area.<ref name="AU71.3"/>
At the end of 1973 the new, larger '''3.3 L''' was presented, going on sale in January 1974. It had the longer wheelbase and a bigger engine, although the power was no more than that of the 3.0 Si. Instead, more torque meant to provide a more luxurious rather than BMW's usual sporting feel. This engine was updated to fuel injection in June 1975, with a few more horsepower. Subsequent to the introduction of a 3.2 liter version of this engine in the 1976 [[BMW 6 Series (E24)|BMW 633CSi]], this slightly smaller model found its way into the 3.3 Li as well. The E3 Sedan was in production from 1968–1978, with a total of circa 190,000 cars produced. Of these, 71,804 were of the US-only "Bavaria" model.
===North America=== [[File:BMW 2500 1969.jpg|thumb|1969 BMW 2500 Rear view]] [[File:BMW Bavaria 1973 with M30 engine.jpg|thumb|1973 Bavaria M30 engine]]
In the US market, the 2500 and 2800 were introduced in 1969. The 2500 was shy of many of the luxury features included in the 2800, and with the smaller engine, it sold for about $5,600 in 1970-equal to ${{Inflation|US|5,600.00|1970| r=-3|fmt=c}} today.<ref>From window sticker, US s/n 2150190</ref> The 2800 offered full leather interior, power windows, and power sunroof, which its price of $6,874 (${{Inflation|US|6,874|1970 |r=-3|fmt=c}} today) reflected. For the 1971 model year [[Max Hoffman]], the BMW importer for the USA, convinced BMW AG to build the 2500 configuration car but use the 2800 engine — offering more power without the weight and expense of the 2800's luxury features. This new E3 configuration was called the "Bavaria" and was unique to the US market. Priced at about [[USD|US$]]6,000 (${{Inflation|US|6,000|1971| r=-3|fmt=c}} today), the Bavaria came to replace both older models. It is generally considered the forebear of the modern BMW high-performance large luxury sedan as it combined brisk acceleration, sporty handling, plenty of room for four people and a large trunk. An optional three-speed automatic transmission was offered.
For the 1972 model year, the 2500 was dropped while the [[BMW M30|M30 engine]] size in the Bavaria was increased to 3.0 liters. The former 2800 was then called the 3.0 S reflecting the 3.0 liter engine. These two models, the 3.0 S and the Bavaria, made up the North American E3 sedan line-up for 1972 through 1974. For the 1974 model year the E3 received the ungainly, federally mandated {{cvt|5|mph|km/h|0}} bumpers front and rear, significantly altering its profile. In 1975 BMW introduced fuel injection to the US market M30 motor, replacing the twin two-barrel Zenith carburetors used since its inception. The Bavaria was dropped from the line-up, nominally replaced by the fuel-injected M30 powered [[BMW E12|E12 530i]], and the fuel-injected 3.0 Si became the highest end of the BMW model range. The fully optioned 3.0 Si was sold during the 1975 and 1976 model years.
'''Bavaria Production:''' {| class="wikitable" |- ! model ! Bavaria ! 3.0 S/Si |- | 1968 | 2 | |- | 1969 | 13,211 | |- | 1970 | 13,210 | |- | 1971 | 4,817 | 8,414 |- | 1972 | 2,571 | 8,206 |- | 1973 | 2,371 | 8,286 |- | 1974 | 948 | 4,506 |- | 1975 | 14 | 2,548 |- | 1976 | | 2,578 |- | 1977 | | 122 |- | '''totals''' | '''37,144''' | '''34,660''' |}
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== Coupés (E9) == {{main|BMW E9}} [[File:BMWE9CSc.jpg |thumb|BMW 3.0 CS]]
The '''CS''' [[coupé]] models were based on the standard 2800 sedans, and looked very similar from the front. But they were also related to the earlier [[BMW New Class coupé|2000CS]], as is evident at the rear. The first model was the well-equipped '''2800CS''' of 1968. The '''3.0CS''' models introduced in 1971. In 1974 the smaller engined '''2.5CS''' was made in small numbers, in response to the [[1973 oil crisis|fuel crisis]]. The '''CSL''' models were lightweight racing versions. {{clear}}
==References== {{Reflist}}<!--added above External links/Sources by script-assisted edit-->
== External links == {{commons category|BMW New Six}} * [http://www.seniorsix.org The Senior Six Registry - Dedicated to the E3] {{BMW cars: 1960s to 1980s}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bmw New Six}} [[Category:BMW vehicles|New Six]] [[Category:BMW model codes|E3]] [[Category:Coupés]] [[Category:Sedans]] [[Category:Cars introduced in 1968]] [[Category:1970s cars]] [[Category:Cars discontinued in 1977]]