BMW’s production of automobiles began in 1928, when the company purchased the Automobilwerk Eisenach car company from Gothaer Waggonfabrik. Eisenach’s current model was the Dixi 3/15, a licensed copy of the Austin 7 which had begun production in 1927. Following the takeover, the Dixi 3/15 became the BMW 3/15, BMW’s first production car.[29][30][31][32] Towards the end of 1930, BMW attempted to introduce a new front axle with independent wheel suspension for both their models, the BMW ‘Dixi’ 3/15 DA4 and BMW ‘Wartburg’ DA3, but this resulted in accidents with the prototypes because of construction faults.[33]
In 1932, the BMW 3/20 became the first BMW automobile designed entirely by BMW. It was powered by a four-cylinder engine, which BMW designed based on the Austin 7 engine.
BMW’s first automotive straight-six engine was released in 1933,[34][35] in the BMW 303, which was larger and more conventional than its 3/20 predecessor.[36][34] The 303 was also the first BMW to use the “kidney grille” that would become a characteristic of BMW styling.[37] The 303 formed the basis for the four-cylinder 309 and the larger-engined 315 and 319,[38][39] while the 315/1 and 319/1 roadsters were built using the chassis of the 303.[38][40] and the restyled 329.[41]
The 303 platform was supplemented in 1936 by the BMW 326, a larger luxury car with a more rigid frame. The 326 was BMW’s first four-door sedan.[42][43] A shortened version of the 326 chassis was used in the BMW 320 (which replaced the 329), the BMW 321 (which replaced the 320) and in the BMW 327 coupé.[44][45]
Also in 1936, the BMW 328 sports car replaced the 315/1 and 319/1. Unlike its predecessors, the 328 had a purpose-built chassis and a unique engine (the BMW M328) which produced 59 kW (79 bhp; 80 PS).[41][46] From its introduction at the Eifelrennen race at the Nürburgring in 1936, where Ernst Henne drove it to win the 2.0 litre class,[41][47] to the overall victory of Fritz Huschke von Hanstein at the 1940 Brescia Grand Prix during World War II.[48][49] The 328 was highly successful in motor racing, with more than 100 class wins in 1937 alone.[50]
The BMW 335 luxury car was produced from 1939 to 1941.[51] It was built using an extended version of the 326 chassis with the larger BMW M335 straight-six engine
