BMW 3 Series (E30)
The BMW E30 is the second generation of BMW 3 Series, which was produced from 1982 to 1994 and replaced the E21 3 Series.
The model range included coupé and convertible body styles, as well as being the first 3 Series to be produced in sedan and wagon/estate body styles. It was powered by four-cylinder petrol, six-cylinder petrol and six-cylinder diesel engines, the latter a first for the 3 Series. The E30 325iX model was the first 3 Series to have all-wheel drive.
The first BMW M3 model was built on the E30 platform and was powered by the high-revving BMW S14 four-cylinder petrol engine, which produced in its final iteration. The BMW Z1 roadster was also based on the E30 platform.
Following the launch of the E36 3 Series in 1990, the E30 began to be phased out.
Development and launch
Development of the E30 3 Series began in July 1976, with styling being developed under chief designer Claus Luthe with exterior styling led by Boyke Boyer. In 1978, the final design was approved, with design freeze being completed in 1979. BMW's launch film for the E30 shows the design process including Computer-aided design, crash testing and wind-tunnel testing. The car was released at the end of November 1982.Externally, the E30's appearance is very similar to twin headlight versions of its E21 predecessor, however there are various detail changes in styling to the E30. Major differences to the E21 include the interior and a revised suspension, the latter to reduce the oversteer for which the E21 was criticised.
Body styles
In addition to the coupe and Baur convertible body styles of its E21 predecessors, the E30 was also available as a four-door sedan and five-door station wagon.The Touring body style began life as a prototype built by BMW engineer Max Reisböck in his friend's garage in 1984 and began production in 1987. The factory convertible version began production in 1985, with the Baur convertible conversions remaining available alongside it.
Engines
Initially, the E30 used carryover four-cylinder and six-cylinder petrol engines from its E21 predecessor. Over the production run, new families of four-cylinder petrol engines were introduced and the six-cylinder engine received various upgrades. A six-cylinder diesel engine was introduced, in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms.Factory specifications are shown below.
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
| 316 | 1982-1987 | M10B18 4-cyl | at 5,500 rpm | at 4,000 rpm |
| 316i | 1987-1994 | M40B16 4-cyl | at 5,500 rpm | at 4,500 rpm |
| 318i | 1982-1987 | M10B18 4-cyl | at 5,800 rpm | at 4,500 rpm |
| 318i | 1987-1994 | M40B18 4-cyl | at 5,500 rpm | at 4,250 rpm |
| 318is | 1989-1991 | M42B18 4-cyl | at 6,000 rpm | at 4,600 rpm |
| 320i | 1982-1992 | M20B20 6-cyl | at 5,800 rpm | at 4,000 rpm |
| 323i | 1982-1984 | M20B23 6-cyl | at 5,300 rpm | at 4,000 rpm |
| 323i | 1984-1985 | M20B23 6-cyl | 6,000 rpm | at 4,000 rpm |
| 325/e/es | 1985-1987 | M20B27 6-cyl | at 4,250 rpm* | at 3,250 rpm* |
| 325/e/es | 1988 | M20B27 6-cyl | at 4,250 rpm | at 3,200 rpm |
| 325i/is/ix | 1985-1993 | M20B25 6-cyl | at 5,800 rpm** | at 4,000 rpm** |
| M3 / M3 Evo 1 | 1986-1987 | S14B23 4-cyl | at 6,750 rpm | at 4,750 rpm |
| M3 Evo 2 | 1988 | S14B23 4-cyl | at 6,750 rpm | at 4,750 rpm |
| M3 Sport Evo | 1989-1990 | S14B25 4-cyl | at 7,000 rpm | at 4,750 rpm |
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
| 324d | 1985-1991 | M21D24 6-cyl | at 4,600 rpm | at 2,500 rpm |
| 324td | 1983-1991 | M21D24 6-cyl turbo | at 4,800 rpm | at 4,000 rpm |
Four-cylinder petrol
At the launch of the E30 range in 1982, the 316 used a 1766 cc version of the M10 fed by a carburetor and producing. The 318i had the same M10 engine, but with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel-injection, increasing power to while also improving fuel economy.The 1987 Series 2 update introduced a new four-cylinder engine: the M40, which used Bosch Motronic fuel-injection. In the 318i, a version of the M40 was used. The 316i model replaced the 316, using a version of the M40.
The 318iS coupé was released in 1989, using the new M42 engine. This is the most modern engine available in the E30 range, incorporating DOHC, the updated Bosch Motronic 1.3, hydraulic valve adjusters and coil-on-plug ignition. In some markets, the M42 engine was used in the 318i/318iC models, instead of the M40.
The M3 is powered by the S14 engine, a high-revving four-cylinder engine.
Six-cylinder petrol
At the launch of the E30 range, the six-cylinder models consisted of the 320i, which had a version of the M20 producing, and the 323i, with a M20 producing, both using Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection. These models were not sold in North America, presumably for emissions reasons. In 1985, the 2.3 L engine was replaced with a 2.5 L version of the M20, which produced and used Bosch Motronic fuel injection. This engine was available in the 325i variants, including the all-wheel drive 325iX.An economy version called the 325e was released with a lower revving, more fuel efficient engine. The e is an abbreviation for eta, which is used to represent the thermal efficiency of a heat engine. To maximise low-rev torque, the 325e engine was the largest available in an E30. The 325e engine had a longer stroke than the 325i version, with a more restrictive head, four cam bearings instead of seven, and single valve springs. For versions without a catalytic converter, the 325e engine produced at 4250 rpm and at 3250 rpm. By comparison, peak torque for the 325i engine was at 4000 rpm.
The 1987 Series 2 update boosted the 320i to and the 325i to, and improved fuel economy.
Six-cylinder diesel
In 1983 the 324td was unveiled at the IAA, Germany. The M21 engine used a Garrett turbocharger. The engine has a capacity of and uses mechanical fuel injection.In 1985 BMW introduced the 324d, a naturally aspirated version of the same M21 engine, which was popular in countries with a high motor vehicle tax.
In 1987 an electronically controlled fuel pump was used which increased the torque output by. The updated engine has a smaller turbocharger, decreasing turbo lag.
Drivetrain
In total, six transmissions were available for the various models of the E30: four manuals, and two automatics.Manual transmissions
- 4-speed Getrag 242 — 316 and 318i models
- 5-speed Getrag 240 — 316, 318i and 320i models.
- 5-speed Getrag 260 — 323i, 325e, 325es and 325i models.
- 5-speed Getrag 265 — M3 model.
Automatic transmissions
- 3-speed ZF 3HP22 — 1981 to 1985.
- 4-speed ZF 4HP22 — 320i and 323i models until 1985, available on all models from 1985 onwards.
Suspension
A widened version of the E30 front suspension and the drivetrain from the E30 325i were used in the BMW Z1 roadster. The BMW Z3 and BMW Compact rear suspensions are also very similar to the E30, but utilizing five-lug hubs. The Z3-based BMW M Coupé uses a widened version of the same rear semi-trailing arm suspension.
Brakes
For the front wheels, all models use disk brakes. For the rear wheels, most models use disk brakes, except for some 4-cylinder models which use drum brakes. Anti-lock braking system became available in 1986.Model range
United States & Canada
The model range in the United States consisted of the following:- 318i
- 318is
- 325, 325e and 325es
- 325i, 325is
- 325ix
South Africa
In South Africa, only the two-door and four-door sedans were built, four cylinder gasoline models production continued there until 1992.Despite the introduction of the M40 engine, the old M10-powered 316 continued to be sold in South Africa until 1991, gaining the new bumpers when the range was updated.
The [|333i] is a South Africa-only model, and the [|South African 325iS] models were a different specification from 325iS models sold in other countries.
M3 model
The BMW M3 utilised a widened and heavily redesigned variation of the coupé body style, therefore the M3 shares few body parts with other E30 models. The M3 suspension is also significantly different from regular E30 models, including five-lug wheel bolts.Alpina models
The Alpina C1, C2, B3 and B6 models were based on the E30.Special models
320is
For Portugal and Italy only, due to considerably higher taxes for cars with engines exceeding 2000 cc, a special model was created: the 320is. The sedan version appeared in the dealers' showrooms in September 1987 while the coupé version arrived in March 1988. Production of the 320is continued until 1991.This model was produced both in coupé and sedan versions and was equipped with a version of the S14 engine from the M3, with stroke reduced to. This engine produced at 6900 rpm and at 4,900 rpm. The 320is shared the same dogleg Getrag 265 gearbox of the non-US M3 while it had a limited slip differential with the same 25% lock up rate but with a shorter differential ratio of 3.46:1. All the 320is models were left hand drive and without a catalytic converter. Sports suspension was fitted to all coupés, and to sedans produced from September 1989.
The interior of the 320is was identical to that of other 3 Series models, except an M3 instrument cluster was used. The 320is was sold for three years, with 1,206 sedans and 2,542 coupés produced.
M325i
In New Zealand, where the M3 was never sold by BMW, the local importer created a sporting version of the sedan called M325i. About 100 such cars were imported beginning in late 1986 until at least 1990. Fitted with the standard non-catalyzed 2.5 litre engine they benefited from a Motorsport tuned suspension, the M-Technic body package, 15-inch BBS cross-spoke wheels with wide, low profile tyres, and a limited-slip differential. The M325i is quite similar to the British market 325i Sport, also developed as a response to the absence of a right-hand-drive M3.333i
BMW South Africa's Motorsport division created the 333i in 1985 by fitting the 3.2 L M30 "big six" engine to a coupé E30. The resulting 333i was a success in South African saloon car racing. These cars were built with help from Alpina in Buchloe, Germany. Due to the space constraints caused by the large M30 engine, the buyer was forced to choose between air conditioning and power steering. The 333i was produced from 1985 to 1987 and only 204 cars were produced.The 333i engine produces at 5500 rpm and at 4300 rpm. BMW's official performance claims are in 7.4 seconds, and a top speed of.
South African 325iS
The 2.7 litre 325iS, commonly called Evo 1, was created by BMW South Africa to replace the 2.5 litre 126 kW 325i in Group N production car racing, as a response to the introduction of the Opel Kadett 2 litre 16V to the Class A category. It was launched in the first half of 1990 and was powered by an Alpina-fettled, 2.7 litre M20 engine which produced. Following the introduction of the upgraded Opel Kadett 16V SuperBoss, in 1991 BMW South Africa introduced the 325iS Evolution HP, commonly referred to as the Evo 2. The motor was upgraded to produce.The Evolution HP won the Group N Class A title in 1993, winning 20 of the 24 races in the process. The Robbi Smith and Geoff Goddard Evolution HP won the season-ending 9hr race.
323i JPS
The John Player Special Edition is an Australian-only model built as a tribute to the M3,3 & 6 Series race cars competing in local touring car racing. JPS refers to the BMW race team sponsor, John Player Special cigarettes. The cars are based off a 323i manual coupés, painted in black with gold pinstripes and gold BBS wheels. They also had Recaro sports seats, JPS badging, a limited slip differential, sports suspension, a sunroof and a body kit. The initial production run was 15 cars, with a small number of additional cars produced afterwards.Model year changes
Minor update (1985)
In 1985 the exterior and interior trim were updated. The 323i model was replaced with the 325i at this time and the diesel-engined 324d was introduced. A factory convertible entered the model range. However, the Baur remained on sale, alongside the factory convertible. The M3 convertible was only offered for the European market.Major update (1987)
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1987, BMW introduced a major update to the E30. The changes to the lineup were the addition of the Touring variant and removal of the 325e model. The 1987 update models remained largely unchanged until the end of production, with the addition of the 318is model in 1989.External styling changes included redesigned rear lights, front bumper and a reduction in the amount of chrome trim. The four-cylinder engine was upgraded from the BMW M10 to the BMW M40 and various other mechanical changes were made. Rust protection was improved with the update.
Production
The E30 was produced in Munich, Germany; Regensburg, Germany; and Rosslyn, South Africa. Series production began in October 1982.Models sold in Indonesia and Thailand used complete knock-down kits produced in Germany, which were assembled in Jakarta and Bangkok respectively.
| Year | Units |
| 1982 | 15,580 |
| 1983 | 218,201 |
| 1984 | 285,134 |
| 1985 | 297,886 |
| 1986 | 329,460 |
| 1987 | 316,075 |
| 1988 | 269,074 |
| 1989 | 257,307 |
| 1990 | 246,818 |
| 1991 | 56,363 |
| 1992 | 26,913 |
| 1993 | 18,440 |
| 1994 | 1,997 |
| Total | 2,433,000 |
Production of the E30 began to wind down in 1990, due to the introduction of the E36 3 Series coupé models. Sedan production concluded on April 30, 1991 at Regensburg. Other variants were phased out gradually, until the final E30 model, a wagon, was produced in 1994, and sold as a 1995 model year.
Motorsport
The E30 M3 had a very successful career in Touring car racing.The E30 remains a popular car for racing and E30-specific racing series are run in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Television feature appearances
- Wheeler Dealers Season 2 Episode 7 includes a 325i Touring.
- In the Top Gear television series Season 16 Episode 4, the presenters entered a challenge for 4-seat convertibles costing under £2000. All 3 presenters purchased E30 325i convertibles.