The chronicle of BMW E30 (1982-1994) model

Overview
Manufacturer	BMW
Model code	E30
Production	1982–1994
Model years	1984–1991 (North America)
Assembly	West Germany: Munich; Regensburg South Africa: Rosslyn
Designer	Claus Luthe, Boyke Boyer
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car (D)
Body style	2-door coupé 4-door saloon 2-door convertible 5-door wagon
Layout	Rear-wheel drive All-wheel drive (325iX only)
Related	Alpina B3 E30
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.6-1.8 L M10 I4 1.6-1.8 L M40 I4 1.8 L M42 16v I4 2.0-2.5 L S14 I4 2.0-2.7 L M20 I6 3.2 L M30 I6 Diesel: 2.4 L M21 I6
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed ZF 3HP automatic 4-speed ZF 4HP automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,570 mm (101.2 in)
Length	4,320–4,460 mm (170.1–175.6 in)
Width	1,645 mm (64.8 in)
Height	1,360–1,400 mm (53.5–55.1 in)
Curb weight	1,080–1,200 kg (2,380–2,650 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	BMW 3 Series (E21)
Successor	BMW 3 Series (E36)

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 2-door coupe and convertible body styles, as well as being the first 3 Series to be produced in 4-door saloon 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 BMW 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. 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

Interior of a 316i model

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 (cubing process) being completed in 1979. BMW's launch film for the E30 shows the design process including Computer-aided design (CAD), 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 criticized.

Minor update (1985)

In September 1985 the exterior and interior trim were updated. The 323i model was replaced with the 325i at this time and the diesel-engine 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 (often called Series 2). The changes to the lineup were the addition of the Touring (station wagon) 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.

Body styles

In addition to the two-door coupé and Baur convertible body styles of its E21 predecessors, the E30 later also became available as a four-door saloon and five-door station wagon (marketed as "Touring").

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 (M10) and six-cylinder (M20) 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.

Petrol Engines

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
316s	1982-1987	1.6 L M10B16 straight-4	55 kW (75 PS) at 5,800 rpm	110 N⋅m (81 lb⋅ft) at 3,200 rpm
316	1982-1988	1.8 L M10B18 I4	66 kW (90 PS) at 5,500 rpm	140 N⋅m (103 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm
316i	1987-1994	1.6 L M40B16 straight-4	73 kW (100 PS) at 5,500 rpm	145 N⋅m (107 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm
318i	1983-1987	1.8 L M10B18 straight-4	77 kW (105 PS) at 5,800 rpm	145 N⋅m (107 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm
	1987-1994	1.8 L M40B18 straight-4	83 kW (113 PS) at 5,500 rpm	162 N⋅m (119 lb⋅ft) at 4,250 rpm
318is	1989-1991	1.8 L M42B18 straight-4	100 kW (136 PS) at 6,000 rpm	172 N⋅m (127 lb⋅ft) at 4,600 rpm
320i	1982-1985	2.0 L M20B20 straight-6	92 kW (125 PS) at 5,800 rpm	170 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm
	1985-1992		95 kW (129 PS) at 6,000 rpm	164 N⋅m (121 lb⋅ft) at 4,300 rpm
320is	1987-1990	2.0 L S14B20 straight-4	143 kW (195 PS) at 6,750 rpm	210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) at 4,750 rpm
323i	1982-1984	2.3 L M20 straight-6	102 kW (139 PS) at 5,300 rpm	205 N⋅m (151 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm
	1984-1985		110 kW (150 PS) 6,000 rpm
325, 325e, 325es	1985-1987	2.7 L M20B27 straight-6	90 kW (122 PS) at 4,250 rpm	230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 3,250 rpm
	1988		95 kW (129 PS; 127 hp) at 4,800 rpm	231 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 3,200 rpm
325i, 325is, 325ix	1985-1993	2.5 L M20B25 straight-6	125 kW (170 PS) at 5,800 rpm	222 N⋅m (164 lb⋅ft) at 4,300 rpm
M3, M3 Evo 1	1986-1987	2.3 L S14B23 straight-4	143 kW (195 PS) at 6,750 rpm	230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 4,750 rpm
M3 Evo 2	1988		162 kW (220 PS) at 6,750 rpm	245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 4,750 rpm
M3 Sport Evo	1989-1990	2.5 L S14B25 straight-4	175 kW (238 PS) at 7,000 rpm	240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) at 4,750 rpm

Diesel Engines

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque
324d	1985-1991	2.4 L M21D24 straight-6	63 kW (86 PS) at 4,600 rpm	152 N⋅m (112 lb⋅ft) at 2,500 rpm
324td	1983-1991	2.4 L M21D24 straight-6 turbo	85 kW (115 PS) at 4,800 rpm	210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) at 2,400 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 66 kW (90 PS). The 318i had the same M10 engine, but with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel-injection, increasing power to 77 kW (105 PS) 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 1,796 cc (110 cu in) version of the M40 was used. The 316i model replaced the 316, using a 1,596 cc (97 cu in) version of the M40. While smaller and less torguey than the 1.8-litre engine in the 316, it still had higher power thanks to the fuel injection.

The 318iS was released in 1989, using the new M42 engine and only being available with two doors. This is the most modern engine available in the E30 range, incorporating DOHC, the updated Bosch Motronic 1.7, hydraulic valve adjusters and coil-on-plug ignition. In some markets, the M42 engine was used in the 318i 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 2.0 L (122 cu in) version of the M20 producing 92 kW (123 bhp), and the 323i, with a 2.3 L (140 cu in) M20 producing 102 kW (137 bhp), 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 125 kW (168 bhp) 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 (aside from the 333i model, which was only sold in South Africa). 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 (instead of the dual valve springs used by the 325i version). In European specifications, with a catalytic converter, the 325e engine produced 90 kW (122 PS; 121 bhp) at 4250 rpm and 230 N⋅m (170 lbf⋅ft) at 3250 rpm. By comparison, peak torque for the 325i engine was 215 N⋅m (159 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm.

The 1987 Series 2 update boosted the 320i to 95 kW (127 hp) and the 325i to 125 kW (168 hp), and improved fuel economy.