BMW is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its much-celebrated 3 Series with an awesome video showing the sedan throughout its history. Unlike some car commercials this video isn't pretentious or artsy. Instead it shows the German four-door tearing through time while tearing down the track, each new incarnation popping up every few seconds. The result is a video that's sure to please any fan of BMW. Hell, even car guys who aren't Bimmer fans will still love this quick-hit history lesson.

The newest 3 Series is facing stiff competition from other automakers, but BMW will have one thing that many of its competitors won't. That, of course, is a history spanning almost half a decade of 3 Series sedans.