Please take a 10/10 for that comprehensive review Sir.

Poetry in Motion ! Both your narration and the car. That 6-cylinder is so sweet. Ok - They usually are - and that one, is pure honey. Great review, Ed.

I have to praise the presentation and broadcasting skills you’ve developed over a short period of time. Brilliant job, mate.

Not only this is the best E21 video around, it's the best BMW video about what defined BMW for decades and how it started. It's very easy for anyone just to read books and repeat on camera, but the way Ed does his research and then puts everything into perspective and context, makes for a very captivating videos. 11/10 from me.

Our friends across the pond could lean a thing or two on how to narrate a car video from this man.

these old BMWs and Mercedes are the pinnacle of mechanical engineering. Nowadays most cars are the same save for the badges. Thanks Ed as usual for the informative video.

A master class in how to make a classic car review video and with a superb vehicle to do it with.

I couldn't stand my stepfather, but as a 12 year old I volunteered to wash his 323i so I could sit in the driver's seat and admire the whole thing up close. Excellent review T-C.

I was lucky enough back in 1983 to have a rare 4 cylinder 320i fuel injection model, it was a 1976 right hand drive but imported in 1978 so was as S rather than N reg. Black with fantastic folding britax sunroof, Smiths servo glide electric windows, cross spoke slloys and Martini Stripes, what a great car that was....

Again a presentation that’s up to BBC-quality. What you do is so well made that it’s impressing. It’s of broadcast quality in pictures and narration. So well done 😊👌

I had a 316, 323, 520 and then a 320. After that I left buying BMW but planed to return to them, I never did and now I don’t even like modern BMW's. In the days I had a BMW they stood out but not in a in your face way, they where disitctly stylish and then when you drove one it was a great rewarding experience. To tour in a BMW was a great experience and memorable. Something I didn’t feel again until I drove an Alfa Romeo in 2012. I’m British but in my experience the reason why men in particular where fixated on Ford and Vauxhall was that their fathers bought them. Different times that are hard to belive by those that weren’t there. You folowed the football team your father suported, you drunk the beer your father drunk, you ate the food that your father ate and you suported the same political party your father supported. If you were working class anyway. I had it said to me more times then I can remember why do you want to buy that rubbish (BMW) hard to belive now but thats how it was. I did have a Mercede’s between the 323 and the 520 but I never warmed to them. My father was Mercede’s until the day he died after leaving Ford behind in the mid 1970’s. His background was engineering so there was probaly a link there. Previous to the BMW’s I had owned a Citroen GS, great driving car but rusted terribly, A Peugeot 304, rare in Britain then with comfy upholstery and a metal sun roof as standard and then a 504 Ti, another great car. All these I toured in, great times.

One of the best cars ever! This was all dudes dream car from the 1980s ... Crank up the Duran Duran.

Another great review. Being a young lad back in the early 1970s, I can tell you that BMWs were a very rare sight on the roads then.

Wonderful presentation of BMW's history over the past decades and of the first 3-series which crafted the modern-day future of BMW.

Your review style is great researched & eloquent, nice nostalgic review for a car I previously owned & enjoyed as a daily driver

These things sold like hotcakes in California in the early 80s. They were the symbol of the new Yuppie class. At least in the US, it was the e21 that solidified BMW's image as a quality, sporting car. For BMW in the 70s and 80s, to make a volleyball analogy, the 2002 caught the volley from the opposing team, the e21 set up the perfect shot, and the e30 was the forceful spike over the net. My uncle bought a 320i in 1980, and it got passed down through the family and now I have it.

Had three of these .. a 320/6 and a couple of targa’s .. still the smoothest thing I’ve ever driven in its class .. wonderful work .

I had a 320 in the 80s, it definitely stood out but it was expensive to run and needed repairs constantly. The BMW was an aspirational car and cars were relatively expensive in the 80s while houses were 30K Euro! In Ireland young fellas basically worked for their car and insurance was astronomical. My first car was a Ford Anglia which was 19 years old which I bought for IR£25, the insurance was IR£440!

Brilliant review of an iconic car. Great stuff Ed!

Yet another top-class video from TwinCam! I had a 1983 318i (a leased work vehicle). While it was a great little city car, it had two shortcomings: * a 3-speed auto box - an absolute no-no on four cylinders! - and * aircon (good). Trouble was, if one was climbing a hill - even a mild one - with the aircon running, one had almost to pedal like Fred Flintstone to get the damn thing moving respectably. Paul Bracq was a design genius! I have been privileged to own numerous Bracq-designed Benzes, including that which is generally regarded as his Meisterstück, the W112 300 SE coupé. A few years ago, when I was into publishing, a mutual friend suggested that I ghost-write / publish Bracq's biography, which would have entailed my staying for some time with PB in Bordeaux. I was close to arranging appropriate travel (from AU) when PB - like many elderly folk facing their biography - got cold feet. His reasoning was "Once my life is in a book, that book must come to an end - and so might I". Of course, I was bitterly disappointed at missing out on such an opportunity, but those be the breaks. PS: That proposed Neue Klasse @ <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1478">24:38</a> suffers severe kidney disease! Yuk yuk yuk!

Ed you have lost none of your engaging, beguiling enthusiasm both in your driving style and your brilliant, resched knowledge and presentation, made so much more genuine by the lack of an auto cue! We share a love of 6 bangers but in all my many cars through owned, plus competition and testing motors I have not had the pleasure of a BMW, but from you description of this one, with is soft and easy performance I am sure it would suit me being an old codger yet exuding some semblance of sportiness by its name and company reputation. Thanks as ever for the continued reviews you do, and I wish you continued success, health and happiness 'cos that's what you give to we loyal fans, as well as knowledge and unbeatable en😊tertainment.! Rob

I had a 320 with a 5 speed manual transmission, drove it to almost 200,000 miles before rust took it away. Mechanically the car was 100% reliable it’s entire life. Still fired right up and drove great to its last day. Mine was the same color as you are reviewing and had the same wheels with blue cloth interior. The tail lights were ugly but installing a rear spoiler made it look fantastic.

The 320i was what I lusted after in college. It took til 87 when I got my hands on a 316 while stationed in Germany that I got to enjoy a BMW. Later I had an E36, E46 and E92 until they kind of lost their styling mojo. Maybe I need to look at one of these!

I’ve had an E30 since 1987 and I still have it with 242,000 miles on it. The engines never been taken apart. I won’t lie. I spent a fortune on maintaining it over the years but at this point, it’s pretty amazing and it’s just like this review. Mine is the 2.7l eta - which is much maligned, but mine is completely clean and rennovated and it pulls up to 110mph (as fast as i’ve ever experimented) - i’ve never maxed it out. Big thing in these is you Have to get new clean injectors and make sure you have spec fuel pressure and no vacuum leaks. If you don’t, don’t bother, you’ll get weak performance. It’s got to be 100% - but if you can maintain that - it’s a beautiful drive.

My Dad had a 323i back in the 90’s, it looked ancient then compared to all the new rounded cars from all manufacturers but we both didn’t care - it growled like no other car on the street. DUB18Y. Affectionately known as Dubby, it was a sort of sport spec in all but name. Factory BBS cross spokes, deeper front chin spoiler, small rear boot spoiler. The car was Opel Green. Was very reliable in the 8 or so years of ownership, it needed a head rebuild at about 80k, due to worn valve stem seals but never left us stranded.

Great video. As so many have said, excellent presentation. The few vehicles I have driven with no power steering were not fun to park.

Nice video, well done! I practically grew up in the back seat of a Ford P7b with the Cologne V6. I loved it, but when my aunt drove up in her new 323i at the end of the 70s and she took me for a spin, I was thrilled. The sound, the power and yet compact and agile. I was only ten, but that this little BMW was something very special did not remain hidden from me. And then there were these two exhaust pipes, which showed everyone restrainedly but unmistakably: ".... Don't even try!"

I would love to have a BMW 2002. The 3 Series you're driving is one of the last body styles that I really like

Great car, great commentary

Why you only have 53k subscribers is a mystery to me

Great Job, I love those older Cloth Interiors on German cars! It wore like iron doesn't get all dried out and cracked like leather does in most of the US! Plus its just far more comfortable on long drives! You cannot beat a good manual steering car I say! Oh, the US Supreme Court just made a ruling that could see most if not all EV car mandates ruled unconstitutional! Plus Electricity rates in the US are soaring now too! The next 10 years should be interesting for cars!

In high school my friend's dad, a medical doctor, bought a stick-shift model. He allowed me to drive it. It really was amazing at the time, everything about the feel and way it drove was great.

Fantastic review, Ed. In 1983, my dad had a a ‘78 US spec 320is. Great car. 4 cylinder fuel injection, 5 speed, sunroof, a/c and Recaro seats. I loved that car. I will most likely never own one, but definitely a car that would be in my dream car garage

Ed, this brings back the most pleasant memories. I had an 81 320/6, and it was one of the best cars I've ever owned. It was a real rarity here in the states, mine having been brought over by a military person. It had alot of miles on it, but was still amazing. I wound up putting a 2.3 block in it, as well as some nice wheels and tires, Bilstein sway bars, as well as really good Hakkapilletta winter tires on the original BBS/Mahle alloy 13" wheels. I still miss it. Excellent presentation as usual. Keep up the great work.

Ripper bonza narrative and video.

I was stationed in the Netherlands in 1985 to 88. My first car was a 1977 E21 316 4-speed manual in gun metal gray. I loved at car.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane Ed! My dad had a friend who owned an E21 with the M20 engine in the eighties. Still remember sitting in the back seat, admiring the cockpit style dashboard, highly enjoying that sweet sound. Right then, as a ten year old boy, I gained massive respect for these cars. Seventies and eighties BMW’s were simply awesome. I’m glad to own a piece of that history in the form of an E28.

1979....I did rebuild a darkgreen( metalic) 323i. Drove it nearly 2 years. Can't forget the sound of this 6 pack inline . Absolutely an ear orgasm 😂 Only the (weak ) head gasket did bring constantly problems .Replaced them...million times on several 323i😢

I look back on that era of BMW with great affection. So much better to drive than anything else on the road. The only other car to come close would be the Audi 80GT.

Great history lesson - much appreciated. And the E21 BMW 320/6 in manual about as close to perfect you can get.

Another top video Ed. I drove one of these in the 80's and to be honest my first impressions were not great, it was not that well equipped as far as cabin was concerned at the time. It felt a tad utilitarian but after driving it I had a grin from ear to ear. That refinement and function just flowed through and I think that this era for BMW was one of the best, keeping that great balance of function and form. The car did exactly what it was told to do. Many thanks for sharing.

I picked one up for $800 in 1993 and drove it all over Germany. My wife looked at it with some suspicion but, three years later, she was trying to get me to take it with us back to the States! Such a great little car.

Well this was very entertaining and enjoyable to watch. I have owned an e46, e90 and now F30 320i. Watching this was very interesting and it would be fascinating to drive the e21 and the difference.

Well done, Ed! Another excellent video and beautiful motorcar ❤

Bravo!🙌🏻 Your presentations getting better and better. I been driving both 02’s and 3 and 5-series from this era. The 5 was the polite one, but the 02 was the most fun. The 3 was something in between.

Loved my 320...Beautiful sounding straight 6

I just love the simplicity of this first gen 3-series and it really looks like a natural evolution of the 2002 that preceded it. As usual, a well put together video that shows your passion for the cars you feature.

Hi Ed. I've said it before, but your presentation, editing...everything really, just goes from strength to strength. This was a great video about an amazing car and you totally did it justice. Cheers.

Excellent review! Very professional and informative narrative on a truly fantastic vehicle. Keep it up

Absolutely absolutely superb presentations. Thank you

If you think that the ribbed black plastic between the rear lights is bland, remember that it was originally brought out without even that in 1975, with just naked metal between the lights. The black plastic was only added a few months into production due to costumer demand. Few early 3 series without the black plastic survive because most owners added it later on - that is, if the hadn't already painted the area black themselves (some even went further and restyled the rear end by putting the number plate between the lights).

Totally enjoyed your presentation. Thank You

I agree with everybody, your presentation is excellent. As per the e21….what a car for those who have known them. I would buy one today!

Excellent review that does the car justice. This might sound like heresy, but that straight six sounds kinda like my 999cc 3-cyl Corsa. Doubtful there will be any of the later around in 40 years time.

As ever a perfectly presented and well researched video of a car which in it`s day, and even now was the envy of many, sadly today BMW have lost their way especially in terms of design...

Couldn’t afford an E30 as my first car in the mid 90s so bought a base 318i auto in Sahara beige. It was rare in Australia then and completely disappeared now. Handling caught me out a few times though but luckily my dad was able to help me repair the (minor) damage!

My compliments, good sir! As an owner of 4 BMWs over the years (including a 325i in the late 80s and currently a F82 M4), I appreciate your thorough review and history lesson! Cheers from Austin, Texas! 👍🏁🍻

My second car. My first car was a Renault 17 coupe. But i truly loved that first beemer!

Brilliant review of a great car Thank you

BMW - early 70s to mid 80s. Mercedes mid 60s to late 80s. When both of them were at their zenith.

My late Father traded his Rover SDI after six disappointing months of constant problems for this exact car, same colour and interior, he then drove BMWs until his passing in 2016..

Great review my friend, and yes the e21-6 is a great car!

The car I passed my driving test in, late 70s:-)

the first 5- series, the E12, was the illustrious predecessor of the 3-series E21. I never drove one but thought they looked nice, just out of my budget at the time. I liked the E3 saloons even more, which came out in 1968

great review thanks

Was and still is a handsome and timeless car. Being driven in one - a 316 - vs the staple cars of my youth in 1982 was night and day.

I had a similar version in a darker green. I believe it had a 4 speed box which was great. Rusty but it went like a bat out of hell. And in the wet it was a serious handful. But it replaced a Beetle so it was incredible in comparison.

The very first BMW I drove was a mates X reg 316, 30 years ago. I still remember how refined it was and confident it drove even though it was a bogo BMW. Many years later I bought an old 1970 2002. Once I sorted the suspension and engine I realized what all the fuss was with the 02 series. I still regret letting it go. 😢

The shark 🦈 fronted beemers were some of the best lookers bmw ever made

Really well done video. I own a 79 320i (north American model), definitely not a straight line speedster but a fantastic driver.

The next gen 320i auto is the sweet spot

Thank you for a very well narrated review. I had an 1982 323i from 1984 to 87. I liked it a lot, but it was not the best car for winter conditions. It would have needed the kind of differential brake that was sold as an after market product.

Good video and I also note all of the modern cars you've driving past, they have no character, they don't stand out at all.

Great video. I remember the arrival of BMW as a real force in the car market and the creation of their mystique. I also remember later, in the 80s, when BMW UK weren't happy about used Bimmers showing up on council estates. I'm a recent convert to the marque, having just bought a 430i and loving it. You do get used to the big nose, honest. I hope the company rethinks the radical change and electrification of the 3-Series, given the experience the Mercedes and their EQ debacle.

I had one in the nineties exactly like that but its fuel tank was knackered so got rid but I,loved that engine and car. 😅

Had the identical model mid 80s, beautiful build quality, shows how far BMW have sunk since! To take off the rose tinted glasses a bit, they drank fuel nearly as much as the XJS I had later, and that soft damping was dangerous if pushed too hard, the rear end would snap out violently, driving in snow was lethal. Don't agree with the steering, I thought slightly heavy but beautifully precise and I wouldn't have changed it!

Very interesting and informative as always, Ed. When you were talking about torque, and the lack thereof at low revs, you hit on why I never cared for the driving characteristics of the BMW engine. I was used to large, understressed V8 pushrod engines that never needed to work hard or strain to get the party started. The revs needed for proper torque delivery burned fuel like it was going out of style. My 2 ton yank tanks with 5.7 or 5.8 litre engines and 3 speed automatic gearboxes matched or bettered the fuel economy of the revvy little 6 while also being faster on the road. Now, of course, i would not touch any new car. The myth of BMW handling has been put to rest for me as well.

back when they made quality cars

i didn't know there were 4 and 6 cylinder 2 liter engines, thank you

Great review, particularly your comments about the design. Ive driven many 6 cylinder 3 Series BMWs and their powertrains and size remind me of the old Triumph Vitesses I used to have. You can just stroke these along and enjoy the refinement…

Great 6-cyl and we were young.....

There’s a surprising amount of gear whine in first. Gearboxes have come along!

Good clip

And still the Dolomite looks so much better. Nicer stance. The E21 has the same issues to me as with the 02 that you explain. I totally agree with a bizarre looking rear end not being in proportion. The dash looks so much more refined and finished in British cars than the BMW. Plastic, no wood, merely upholstered door cards etc. It’s quite astonishing how the people “accepted” this change. Even the instrument cluster is so basic. Not even an oil pressure gauge and that for an “ultimate driving machine”. It amazes me how they got away with it. And yes, I do love BMW. Please be easy with the gears. You go through them as if it is a 2024 car 😂 it makes me nervous how often you change unnecessarily gears lol.

I had a 3 series for a while, and although I acknowledge that it's a fabulous car, it really made my arse ache on a long trip.

I would rather drive this 320 any day compared to any new BMW. They are too bloated, and filled with too many gizmos that I am not interested in, and will end up costing much hard earned $ or Euros to repair. This was a great review of this iconic car. Great job.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1206">20:06</a> perfect backdrop for the E21

The 320 was a 4 banger here in the states. I've owned both and preferred it with the 6.

Just one tiny thing: it' s as far as I know not the Hoffmeister Kinck but the Hoffmeister Knick. Knick is german for a bend and that's what it does. Otherwise great video and grea cars, all kinds of uncles and friends had them during my childhood - born in '67 😆👍🏻

The 320 was one car that I missed. My mother had a Triumph Dolomite that needed replacing. My suggestion was a 320. I thought that was a suitable replacement :) however she ended up with a company car, a Triumph Acclaim :( I never got to drive a 3 series, but I did try my uncles original One series a 116 that drives in a very similar way. Without too much power to restrain the handing was very sweet.

Thank you for making this incredible video. Your narrative is perfect. I has two E21 320 6 cylinder models and they were great, then I had a 316 with the old 4 cylinder that was not so great. The e30 was an improvement on the interior, but I still like the look of the e21.

I had this one in this colour the axle went and it was beyond economic repair. I'm still heartbroken 20 years after.

Still miss that six cylinder engine note, especially when running next to a wall. My early 1990's 320i auto proved thirsty and unreliable with the Getrag auto box failing at under 40K miles. BMW offered a refurbished unit with an allowance for repair costs, but that failed after a further 20K. My motoring then was mostly business motorway driving; I am not hard on a car, but I am a press on driver. It was a BMW approved used car but think the car wasn't well treated before I purchased it despite a fsh. I have driven BMW's for 24 years and wouldn't drive anything else. My current 320i auto Grand Coupe is a superb car.

Yep, back in the day if you had a bmw, it was like owning a Mercedes….both very rare. Can you imagine going from a mk2 escort into a first gen bmw 3 series…😮

You forgot the isetta. Without it there would have been no 700. I had a 79 320iS here in Canada. I bought it used in 90 or 91. It was a wonderful driving car. The S package here gave you 13” BBS wheels. Recaro seats and some other bits and bobs. The 1.8 4 banger I remember was lively but not fast.

The 1976 320i 4cylinder was the first Fuel Injected E21, I had one in the UK

Nice vid but always find it a surprise when BMW history's covered without a mention of their core 2 wheeler output. i remember a review in either the (London) Standard or Evening News soon after the I6 320 launch - late 77/early 78 - and the reviewer thought it ok but largely unremarkable and very expensive - and that square style was nicer than the '02 but it was very much Euro-box only slightly updated from the 60s

Friend of mine had the 320 , straight six. Ran like a sewing machine…really sweet engine.

I had this car in this colour years ago. I've always regretted selling it.

That first 3 is so appealing. I like the Bavaria too - don't know what it was called in Europe.