| Manufacturer | BMW |
|---|---|
| Production | 1982–1994 |
| Predecessor | BMW E21 |
| Successor | BMW E36 |
| Body style | 2-door sedan 2-door convertible 4-door saloon 5-door estate |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / all-wheel drive |
| Engine | I4, 1.6 - 2.5 L (66 - 178 kW) I6, 2.0 - 2.7 L (92 - 126 kW) |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic 4-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm (101.2 in) |
| Length | 1988-89 Sedan & Wagon: 4,450 mm (175.2 in) 1988-89 Convertible: 4,460 mm (175.6 in) 1990-91 Sedan & Wagon: 4,326 mm (170.3 in) 1990-93 Convertible: 4,323 mm (170.2 in) |
| Width | Sedan & Wagon: 1,646 mm (64.8 in) 2 door Saloon: 1,661 mm (65.4 in) |
| Height | Sedan & Wagon: 1,379 mm (54.3 in) Convertible: 1,369 mm (53.9 in) 2-door sedan: 1,400 mm (55.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,070–1,368 kg (2,359–3,016 lb) |
| Related | BMW M3 |
The BMW E30 was a compact executive car produced by BMW. It was replaced by the BMW E36 in 1990. BMW continued to produce the cabriolet (convertible) E30 well into 1993. The Touring remained in production until 1994 when the E36 touring replaced it. The M3 cabriolet was never officially offered for sale in North America; it was offered only for the European market.
The BMW M3 was first introduced on the E30 platform. A widened version of the E30 front suspension and the drivetrain from the E30 325i were used in the BMW Z1 roadster.
The E30 3-Series was produced in four body styles, a four door saloon, a two door saloon, a five door estate (marketed as the "touring"),a three-door estate also called "Touring", and a two door convertible. A Baur cabrio was also available. The 325ix was produced from 1988 to 1991, and featured all-wheel drive. It was available as a two-door (sedan) or a four-door (sedan) and as touring. The BMW M3 utilised a widened and heavily redesigned and restyled variation of the 2 door body style. The M3 shares few parts with other E30 models, however many M3 parts can be used on the other body styles and are interchangeable offering the consumer an OEM "upgrade". These parts consist of control arms, control arm bushings, steering racks, etc.
The primary distinctive feature of the BMW E30 models produced for the North American market in 1984-1987 are the elongated front/rear aluminum bumpers. These bumpers are commonly known as "diving boards." In 1988, the anodized aluminum bumpers were shortened by revising the cover/fillers and shortening the shocks. In 1989 the aluminum bumpers were replaced with shorter body-color plastic bumpers.
The cars were powered by a range of inline 4 cylinder (BMW M10, BMW M40, & BMW M42) and inline 6 cylinder (BMW M20 and BMW M21) engines, with both petrol and diesel power. Torque output for the engines ranges from 140 N·m (100 lb·ft) torque for the 1.8 L (1766 cc) 4 cylinder engine, to 230 N·m (170 lb·ft) torque from the 2.7 L (2693 cc) 6 cylinder petrol engine. The E30 BMW M3 was fitted with a high-revving 4-cylinder engine (BMW S14) which produced 175 kW (238 PS; 235 hp) in its final European-only iteration.
Contents |
Following on from the E21, the E30 was fitted with M10 straight-4 and M20 straight-6 engines. The 316 used a 1766 cc M10 fed by a carburetor and producing only 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp), but this allowed BMW to offer a cheap, entry-level car in the range. The 318i had the same M10 engine, but with Jetronic fuel injection, pushing power to 77 kW (105 PS; 103 hp) and improving fuel economy. Finally, the 320i (2.0 L M20 with 92 kW (125 PS; 123 hp)) and 323i (2.3 L M20 with 105 kW (143 PS; 141 hp)) completed the range. Later, in 1985, a 2.5 L version of the M20 boosted the power of the top model to 125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp), replacing the old 323i. The 325ix (All Wheel Drive model) had a 2.5 liter M20 with 125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp) (same as the 325i).
Europe and North America received an economy version called the 325e (the e stands for the Greek letter eta, signifying efficiency). Strangely enough, the engine was the largest available in the chassis, aside from the rare South African version which was available with the 3.3 L M30. The 2.7 L had a longer stroke than the 2.5 L, with a more restrictive head, four cam bearings instead of seven (less internal friction), and softer valve springs. This resulted in 90 kW (122 PS; 121 hp). In 1987, the E30 was revised. The revision contained two significant changes in the engine department. First, the M20 straight-6 engines changed from Bosch Jetronic to Bosch Motronic. This boosted the 320i to 95 kW (129 PS; 127 hp) and the 325i to 126 kW (171 PS; 169 hp), all the while improving the economy. The M10 was replaced by the new, belt-driven cam M40 which also incorporated Motronic injection. The new 318i now had 85 kW (116 PS; 114 hp) and was noticeably smoother than the old version. A new engine had been developed, a chain-driven cam 4 cylinder M42 1.8 L DOHC 16 V engine creating the 318is in 1989. This is the most modern engine built to the E30 (this engine has been later used in early 318i E36s).
The 316 was replaced by a 316i, which used a 1600 cc version of the M40, producing 75 kW (102 PS; 101 hp). Not quite as torquey as the 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) 1766 cc M10 it replaced, it nevertheless offered superior performance. In some markets, like South Africa, the old M10-powered 316 continued a lot longer, gaining the new bumpers of the other models. In South Africa, The 316i was released in 1991.
In total, seven transmissions were available for the various models of the E30: four manuals, and three automatics.
A 4-speed manual was available for the 316 and 318i (Getrag 220). The 316, 318i, and 320i also had the option of a common 5-speed manual (Getrag 240), while the 323i and 325i had a different manual (Getrag 260), and in addition, the 323i had a sports manual as an option(??). The transmissions for the 316 and 318i featured synchromesh on forward gears only, while the 320i and 323i, both with standard and sports transmissions, had synchromesh on reverse as well.
Both automatic transmissions were manufactured by ZF - they were the 3-speed 3 HP 22, which was available on the M10 316 and 318i models, and the 4-speed 4 HP 22, which was available on the 320i, 323i, 324td, 325, 325i and 325e models, as well as M40 and M42 316i and 318i.
Transmission gear ratios:
| 4-speed manual | 5-speed manual | 3-speed automatic | 4-speed automatic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| available on | 316, 318i | 316, 316i, 318i, 320i | 323i standard, 325i | 323i sports | 316, 318i | 320i, 323i | 325i |
| 1st | 3.76 | 3.72 | 3.83 | 3.76 | 2.48 | 2.73 | 2.48 |
| 2nd | 2.04 | 2.02 | 2.20 | 2.33 | 1.48 | 1.56 | 1.48 |
| 3rd | 1.32 | 1.32 | 1.40 | 1.61 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| 4th | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.23 | - | 0.73 | 0.73 |
| 5th | - | 0.81 | 0.81 | 1.00 | - | - | - |
| reverse | 4.10 | 3.45 | 3.46 | 4.10 | 2.09 | 2.09 | 2.09 |
There were many differentials used on the E30 models. The 316 and 318i shared a differential, as did the 320i and 323i, with the standard transmission. 323i models with sports transmissions had a different differential. The 325i received its own ratio, as did the 325e. The various M3s had special ratios as well.
Differential Gear Ratios and Types:
| model(s) | ratio(s) | case size | type(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 316 before 9/84 | 3.64 | small | open |
| 316 after 9/84 | 3.91 | small | open |
| 316i M10 | 3.91, 4.10 | small | open |
| 316i M40 | 4.27, 4.45 | small | open |
| 318i M10 | 3.64, 3.91, 4.10 | small | open |
| 318i M40 2- and 4-doors | 4.10, 4.45 | small | open |
| 318i M40 convertible and touring | 4.27, 4.45 | small | open |
| 318is | 4.10 | small | open (USA Spec had an optional 4.10 small case LSD) |
| 320i before 9/85 | 3.46 | small | open |
| 320i 9/85 to 9/87 | 3.64, 3.91 | small | open |
| 320i after 9/87 | 4.10 | small | open |
| 320i convertible and touring | 4.27, 4.45 | small | open |
| 323i before 9/84 | 3.23 | medium | open |
| 323i after 9/84 | 3.46 | medium | open |
| 324d | 3.45 | small | open |
| 324td | 3.25 | medium | open |
| 325i before 9/86 | 3.46, 3.73, 3.91, 4.10 | medium | standard - open
sports - mechanical limited-slip |
| 325i after 9/86 | 3.64, 3.73, 3.91, 4.10 | medium | standard - open
sports - mechanical limited-slip |
| 325i convertible before 9/86 | 3.46, 3.91 | medium | standard - open
sports - mechanical limited-slip |
| 325i convertible after 9/86 | 3.64, 3.91, 4.10 (USA SPEC) | medium | standard - open
sports - mechanical limited-slip |
| 325i touring | 3.91 | medium | open |
| 325ix 2- and 4-doors | 3.64, 3.73, 3.91, 4.10(US SPEC AUTO) | medium | open, all viscous, 10-100% limited-slip |
| 325ix Touring | 3.91, 4.10 | medium | open, all viscous, 10-100% limited-slip |
| 325, 325e US-models | 2.93, 3.23 | medium | standard - open
sports - mechanical limited-slip |
| 325e before 9/85 | 2.79 | medium | standard - open
sports - mechanical limited-slip |
| 325e 9/85 to 12/86 | 2.93 | medium | standard - open
sports - mechanical limited-slip |
| 325e after 12/86 | 3.25, 3.46 | medium | standard - open
sports - mechanical limited-slip |
| M3 (North America) | 4.10 | medium | mechanical limited-slip |
| M3 (Europe), Evolution, Evolution II | 3.25 | medium | mechanical limited-slip |
| M3 Convertible | 3.25 | medium | mechanical limited-slip |
| M3 Sport Evolution | 3.15 | medium | mechanical limited-slip |
The all-wheel drive system on the iX models used three differentials to distribute power to the wheels, 37:63 split front to rear. The center and rear differentials use viscous couplings to split torque. The front differential was open.
|
Europe:316 75hp 1.6 engine m10b16
|
Other markets:
|
Global E30 production totals by year[1] [2]
| Year | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production | * | 15,580 | 218,201 | 285,134 | 297,886 | 329,460 | 316,075 |
| Year | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 |
| Production | 269,074 | 257,307 | 246,818 | 56,363 | 26,913 | 18,440 | 1,997 |
Note: * The very first E30's were produced in December 1981, but it was only a few of the 323i's. Exactly how many is still unknown.
Global E30 production totals by model
| Model | Year | Units produced |
|---|---|---|
| 318i | 1987–1991 | 89,637 |
| 318is | 1989–1991 | 41,234 |
| 320is (2 door) | 1988–1990 | 2,542 |
| 320is (4 door) | 1987–1990 | 1,206 |
| 325i (2 door) | 1985–1991 | 113,906 |
| 325i (4 door) | 1985–1991 | 83,080 |
| 325ic | 1985–1993 | 85,246 |
| 325ix | 1985–1991 | 29,589 |
| 325e (2 door) | 1983–1988 | 114,498 |
| 325e (4 door) | 1983–1988 | 74,789 |
| M3 | 1986–1991 | 17,184 |
The total production from 1982 to 1994 was 2,339,520 units.
In addition to the famous M3 there were other special models of the E30. For Portugal and Italy only, due to considerably higher VAT and vehicle tax for cars with engines exceeding 2000 cc, a special model was created: the 320is. This model was produced both in 2 and 4 door versions and was equipped with a detuned M3 motor. It was the same S14 engine but with a displacement of 2.0l and a power output of 192 hp (DIN). 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 closer ratio. All the 320is were left hand drive and without catalytic converter; ABS and power steering were also fitted as standard equipment. The saloon version appeared in the dealers' showrooms on September 1987 while the 2-door version arrived on March 1988. The 4-door was equipped with 14" alloy wheels and foglights only, while the 2-door model was further equipped with the complete M-Technic II Aero package (identical to the one fitted to the UK-spec 325i Sport and available as an accessory on all other E30 3 Series models), which consisted of a deeper front airdam, additional lower side body panels, an extended valance under the rear bumper and a two-piece rear spoiler. In addition, the two-door E30 320is sported body-colour side mirror housings, shadowline (dechromed) window trim and 14-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels. The springs, shocks and anti-roll bars of all two-doors (as well as four-doors produced from September 1989) are of the more aggressive "Sportfahrwerk" specification. The interior of the 320is was identical to that of other 3 Series models with the sole exception of its unique instrument cluster that utilized the same M3 dashboard with integrated oil temperature gauge at the bottom of the rev counter instead of the econometer present on all other E30s. The car was sold for three years only and produced in 3748 examples (1206 saloon cars, 2542 2-door cars) [3] and for this reason is now becoming a collectors' item.
BMW South Africa's Motorsport division created the 333i in 1986 by fitting the 3210 cc M30 "big six" ("M30B32" of the 733i E23/ 533i E12/ 533i E28/ 633CSi E24) engine to a 2-door E30. The resulting 333i was a major success in saloon car racing in that country and is now a collectors' item. These cars, built with help from Alpina in Buchloe, Bavaria, Germany, featured some interesting compromises like forcing the buyer to choose between air conditioning (vital in South Africa) or power steering (because of lack of space due to the large M30 engine). They were only built in small numbers in 1986. BMW South Africa provided the following specifications for the 333i: Powerplant - M30B32 6 Cylinder 3210 cc 145 kW (197 PS; 194 hp) at 5500 rpm. 285 N·m (210 lb·ft) torque at 4300 rpm. The cars were fitted with a 5 speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential. Braking was enhanced by 296 mm (11.7 in) Alpina dual ventilated grooved front disc brakes. ABS was optional. The cars were fitted with J7x16 Alpina wheels and Pirelli P7 (195x50VR16)tyres. BMW provided performance figures were impressive, with a top speed of 228 km/h (142 mph). 0–100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, and a standing kilometer in 27.7 seconds at sea level. Actual South African Car Magazine road test figures were a top speed of 231 km/h, 0–100 km/h in 7.23 seconds and a standing kilometre in 28.08 seconds. The test was carried out with a driver, passenger and a full tank of fuel. Approximately 210 of these cars were produced.
Later when it became clear that South Africa would not be getting the M3, the 325iS was created. Initially this was merely a 325i 2-door fitted with a bodykit and a close-ratio gearbox (improving acceleration at the expense of top speed and economy), but more changes were made to keep the car competitive in South African saloon car racing. Nevertheless, these cars were always sold to the public. This resulted in the 325iS of late 1990. By now several body panels were made of aluminum and the M20 engine grew to 2.7 L and now produced 145 kW (194 hp) and a 0-62 mph in a mere 6.9 seconds as claimed by BMW South Africa. Due to increased competition in the production car race series it was competing in, another version was released in late 1991 called the 325iS Evo. The main revisions were a front aerofoil to smooth underbody airflow, shorter stiffer springs, thicker rear anti-roll bar and changes to the throttle body, exhaust manifold and inlet valves. It produced 155 kW (211 PS; 208 hp) and BMW South Africa claimed a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph) with a 0–100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. It did win the 1993 Group N race series under Robbie Smith and set various track records in the process.
The cabriolet version continued to be built to the end of April 1993 and the touring version continued to be built to the end of February 1994.
One of the features that added to the roominess of the E30 was the suspension. The front MacPherson struts and rear semi-trailing arm suspension were a compact arrangement that left a lot of cabin and trunk space for the car's overall size. The semi-trailing arms have been criticized for the dynamic toe & camber changes inherent to the suspension geometry, causing bump steer in hard cornering situations (such as racing and autocross).
The E30 was the first 3-Series car to be fitted with an onboard service indicator, consisting of an LED bargraph plus Inspection, ABS and Oil Service warning lights.
| Type | Series | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Microcar | Isetta 250 / 300 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Small family car | 600 | LS/700 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact exec | 3 Series | 340/340-2* | 1602/2002 | E21 | E30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive | 5 Series | 1500,1800,2000 | E12 | E28 | E34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Luxury | 7 Series | 501/502 | E3 | E23 | E32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coupé | 1600GT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 Series | 327* | 503 | 3200 CS | 2000CS | E9 | E24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | Z Series | 507 | Z1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports car/GT | M1, 8 Series | E26 | E31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *made in East Germany as EMW | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||