1930 BMW 3/15 PSDA 3 Typ Wartburg – Exterior and Interior – BMW Museum München 2022

The BMW 3 /15 was the very first car produced under the BMW name. Before this model, BMW was known exclusively for manufacturing motorcycles and aircraft engines. The 3/15 marked the company’s decisive entry into automobile production.

Technical Details:

The BMW 3 /15 was a compact, technically straightforward car designed to be affordable and reliable in a difficult economic period. It was powered by a front-mounted, inline four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 749 cc. The engine produced 15 PS at 3,000 rpm, a modest output even by the standards of its time, but sufficient for everyday mobility. Power was delivered to the rear wheels, following a classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout that would later become a defining characteristic of BMW automobiles. The BMW 3 /15 reached a top speed of around 75 km/h, positioning it squarely as a small passenger car rather than a performance vehicle.

Technically, the BMW version of the 3/15 differed from its original Austin Seven roots through several important updates. BMW introduced a wider all-steel body, replacing earlier construction methods, and equipped the car with four-wheel brakes, a notable safety improvement for the late 1920s. Additional refinements included crank-operated windows, which added to everyday usability. The chassis and mechanical layout remained simple, reflecting the car’s purpose as an accessible entry point to motorized transport rather than a technological showcase. Overall production reached 16,948 units, underscoring its role as a practical and scalable vehicle for BMW’s early automotive ambitions.

• Manufacturer: BMW
• Model name: BMW 3 /15 (commonly known as “Dixi”)
• Year of manufacturing: 1929–1932

Design:

In design terms, the BMW 3 /15 was compact, restrained, and functional. It was offered in several body styles, including a two-door saloon, roadster, and cabriolet, giving buyers a choice between enclosed practicality and open-top driving. The body was made of steel sheet metal and featured a broader stance than the original Austin-based versions, lending the car a more solid and balanced appearance. Notably, BMW eliminated running boards in favor of cleaner body sides, contributing to a more modern silhouette for the period.

The proportions were upright and narrow, typical of late-1920s small cars, but the 3/15 avoided looking purely utilitarian. Details such as the simplified front grille, exposed headlights, and carefully shaped fenders gave it a friendly, approachable character. Inside, the design followed the same philosophy: minimal, practical, and focused on basic comfort. Because the bodies were assembled individually rather than produced in a fully standardized process, small variations between cars were common. This gave each BMW 3 /15 a slightly unique character, even within the same body style.

Historical Significance:

The BMW 3 /15 holds a unique place in automotive history as the very first car produced under the BMW name. Before this model, BMW was known exclusively for manufacturing motorcycles and aircraft engines. The 3/15 marked the company’s decisive entry into automobile production. Importantly, it was not a clean-sheet BMW design. The car originated from the Dixi works in Eisenach, which had acquired a license to build the Austin Seven in 1927. Financial difficulties led to BMW taking over the Eisenach factory in 1928.

Under BMW ownership, the car was marketed as the BMW 3/15, although BMW itself never officially used the “Dixi” name. Production continued until 1932, during which time BMW progressively refined the design. The 3/15 also served as BMW’s introduction to motorsport, with the sporty BMW 3 /15 DA 3 Wartburg version entering early races and helping establish the brand’s sporting credentials. In 1932, BMW returned the Austin license and replaced the 3/15 with the BMW 3 /20, its first more independently developed automobile. The 3/15 therefore represents a transitional but crucial step in BMW’s transformation into a full-fledged car manufacturer.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

The BMW 3 /15 is widely remembered as the “Dixi,” even though BMW itself did not officially use that name. This reflects its unusual origin outside Bavaria, with production taking place in Eisenach, beneath the Wartburg castle. Another curiosity lies in its manufacturing process: the bodies were not produced identically on a single assembly line but were individually assembled, leading to subtle differences between vehicles.

The BMW 3 /15 is also remembered as the car that introduced BMW to competitive racing, a field that would later become central to the brand’s image. While not a pop culture icon in the modern sense, its symbolic role as BMW’s first car has made it a frequent reference point in discussions of the company’s history.

Display and preservation:

This vehicle was exhibited at the BMW Museum. The museum is located in Munich, Germany, next to the company’s headquarters and the BMW Welt, near the Olympiapark. It first opened in 1973, shortly after the Munich Olympic Games, and was extensively renovated and reopened in 2008. The museum presents around 120 exhibits, including automobiles, motorcycles, engines, and design studies from BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Unlike many automobile museums that focus mainly on vehicles, the BMW Museum is organized thematically, linking technology, design, and corporate history. Its distinctive bowl-shaped building is also a notable architectural feature.

Conclusion:

The BMW 3 /15, better known as the Dixi, was a modest car with an outsized impact. Technically simple and conservatively designed, it was nevertheless the foundation on which BMW built its future as an automobile manufacturer. Its design balanced practicality with subtle refinements, while its historical role as BMW’s first car gives it lasting significance. From its licensed origins to its production in Eisenach and early racing appearances, the BMW 3 /15 stands as a quiet but essential starting point in the brand’s automotive story.