Catering to all Sharknose-era BMWs!

The compact sports saloon that set the standard

The 02 Series distilled the Neue Klasse philosophy into a smaller, lighter package. Most famously embodied by the 2002, these cars were agile, responsive, and fun to drive. Rear-wheel drive, crisp handling, and a simple but purposeful design gave them a character that still inspires today.

High-performance variants, like the fuel-injected tii and the 2002 Turbo — Europe’s first production turbo road car — proved the 02 could compete with much larger rivals on both road and track. The 02 Series also laid the groundwork for the legendary 3 Series that followed, showing how to blend everyday usability with driver-focused fun.

Even today, the 02 is adored by enthusiasts. It’s approachable for new collectors, rewarding to drive, and remains a benchmark for compact sports saloons, representing a golden era where driving engagement was the priority.

BMW’s first modern executive saloon

The E3 was BMW’s answer to the executive saloon market, bringing the principles of the Neue Klasse to a larger, more refined car. Comfortable, spacious, and still very much driver-focused, it showed that BMW could compete with established luxury brands without losing its sporting character.

This saloon set the stage for later models, including the E9 coupé, the 5 Series, and ultimately the 7 Series. Its smooth six-cylinder engines and solid handling made it both a capable grand tourer and a serious saloon on the road.

Today, the E3 is recognised for its elegance, engineering integrity, and for bridging the gap between small BMWs and larger luxury cars. It was the first step in a lineage that combined comfort, style, and sport in a way only BMW could achieve.

The grand touring coupé of the Sharknose era

The E9 was BMW’s first real grand tourer of the Sharknose period, launched in 1968 alongside the E3 saloon. Its long bonnet, low roofline, and forward-leaning nose gave it a presence that’s instantly recognisable today, reflecting the car’s engineering and balance rather than being just a styling choice.

Under the skin, the E9 was built to be enjoyed. Smooth six-cylinder engines, rear-wheel drive, and well-sorted suspension made it agile and comfortable. The 3.0 CSL, a lightweight homologation special, raced successfully across Europe and established BMW as a serious performance brand — connecting racing and road cars in a way that was rare at the time.

Even now, the E9 has aged gracefully. It’s a car you can admire standing still or drive and feel the character that made it legendary. It’s the perfect snapshot of the Sharknose era: elegant, driver-focused, and unmistakably BMW.

The blueprint for the modern 5 Series

The E12 replaced the four-door Neue Klasse saloon in 1972, bringing BMW’s Sharknose design and engineering to the mid-size executive segment. It offered a mix of comfort, style, and driver-focused dynamics, with four- and six-cylinder engines that made it versatile for both daily use and spirited driving.

High-performance versions like the M535i and the 530 MLE showed BMW could offer excitement alongside practicality, hinting at the M cars to come. The E12 combined strong engineering with understated elegance, proving that sporty yet refined saloons could appeal to both enthusiasts and executives.

Today, the E12 is remembered as a solid, balanced, and engaging car. It helped define the 5 Series and set the tone for future models, cementing BMW’s reputation for creating executive saloons with genuine sporting character.

The first 3 Series and a new generation of compact saloons

The E21 took the spirit of the 02 Series and translated it into a more modern, refined compact executive car. As the first 3 Series, it combined approachable size with rear-wheel drive balance, precise handling, and the distinctive Sharknose stance.

It was designed to appeal to drivers who wanted practicality without compromising engagement. The E21 carried BMW’s growing reputation for driver-focused engineering while refining the platform and aesthetics introduced by its predecessors.

Even today, the E21 is appreciated for its blend of accessibility and performance. It introduced the 3 Series blueprint, a format that has remained at the heart of BMW for decades, and it still feels unmistakably like a Sharknose BMW.

BMW’s first 7 Series and executive flagship

The E23 launched the 7 Series, BMW’s first true executive saloon, bringing advanced engineering, comfort, and technology to the Sharknose family, and replacing the E3. Despite being the flagship, it retained BMW’s focus on driver engagement, with well-sorted suspension and a range of smooth engines.

It set the standard for future large saloons, introducing innovations that would become hallmarks of the 7 Series. Its restrained styling kept the Sharknose identity alive while giving the car a more modern, executive presence.

Today, the E23 is recognised as a milestone in BMW history. It combined prestige, engineering sophistication, and sportiness in a way that defined the brand’s approach to executive saloons for years to come.

The Sharknose coupé perfected

The E24 6 Series represented the pinnacle of BMW’s Sharknose design in a luxury coupé. Combining long-distance comfort, elegant styling, and powerful six-cylinder engines, it was BMW’s top-tier coupé, appealing to drivers who wanted performance and refinement in equal measure.

Models like the M635CSi demonstrated that BMW could take a stylish grand tourer and inject real motorsport DNA. The E24 was as at home on long highways as it was spirited through country roads, showing the brand’s ability to merge elegance with driver-focused engineering.

Today, the E24 is celebrated for its presence, balance, and character. It remains a benchmark for classic BMW coupés and a fitting representation of the Sharknose era’s ambition and style.

The final, fully developed Sharknose saloon

The E28 is the second-generation 5 Series and the last true Sharknose BMW. It refined the E12 formula with sharper lines, better aerodynamics, and a wider range of engines. From the outside, it looks familiar, but under the skin, BMW had introduced modern fuel injection, improved suspension, and even diesel power.

What really makes the E28 stand out is the mix of everyday usability and performance. Six-cylinder engines gave it punch, four-cylinders were light and nimble, and the M5 — born on this chassis — turned the saloon into something motorsport-derived but fully road-friendly. Alpina and Hartge conversions added further layers of character for enthusiasts.

Even today, the E28 is prized for how well it drives, its solid feel, and the clarity of its design. It’s approachable for new owners, rewarding for enthusiasts, and a fitting conclusion to the Sharknose era — the culmination of everything BMW learned about driver-focused executive saloons.