The BMW 329 was launched in the marketplace as a "transitional model" ("Übergangsmodell") in 1936. It was based on the chassis and engine of the BMW 319, but parts from the more modern BMW 326 were already incorporated in the new model. The BMW 329 was only supplied as a convertible in a two-seater and four-seater version. The bodywork was based on a design from Daimler-Benz, but it gave the appearance of lacking harmony particularly in the four-seater version. The two-seater convertible was more successful. The 329 was shorter and lighter than the 326 and this improved its handling characteristics. A total of 1,179 examples were produced in Eisenach before the car was replaced by the BMW 320 in 1937.