The E30 M3 is powered by the high-revving S14 four-cylinder petrol engine, which produced 175 kW (235 hp) in its final European-only iteration.

The Compact model, which was smaller than the traditional 4-door sedan version, was powered by the BMW's four-cylinder engines developed during the 1990s.

The multi-link rear suspension was also a significant upgrade compared with previous generations of the 3 Series.

[4] The fifth generation 3 Series was produced in the sedan, wagon (marketed as "Touring"), coupé and cabriolet body styles.

Due to the separate model codes for each body style, the term "E9X" is sometimes used to describe this generation of the 3 Series.

The F30/F31/F35 has been produced in the sedan, coupé, convertible, station wagon and 5-door hatchback ("Gran Turismo") body styles.

A facelift was revealed in May 2022, and launched in select markets in November 2022, for the 2023 model year.

It is designed and developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46, E90/E92/E93, and F30 (designated F80) 3 series and have been marketed with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles.

Upgrades over the "standard" 3 Series automobiles include more powerful and responsive engines, improved handling/suspension/braking systems, aerodynamic body enhancements, lightweight components, and interior/exterior accents with the tri-color "M" (Motorsport) emblem.

The M3 represented above (The F80) was powered by a BMW S55 engine producing 317 kW (431 PS) at 7,600 rpm.

Based on the seventh generation 3 Series, it marks the first time a BMW M Touring model reached the market.

[27] The touring version of the M3 contains the same engine and interior setup as the M3 sedan, but extends the roof line to become a wagon.

[29] In their December 2009 issue, Grassroots Motorsports magazine named the BMW 3 Series as the second-most important performance car built during the previous 25 years.

[31] The plug-in hybrid version of the car was the UK's best-selling plug-in hybrid car of 2021 having achieved 10,979 new registrations throughout the year, beating the Mercedes A-Class by over 4,000 registrations.