BMW 3 Series - E30

The famous 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"), and a two door convertible. A Baur cabrio was also available. The 325ix was produced from 1988 to 1992, and featured all-wheel drive. It was available as a two-door (saloon) 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.

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. Power 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 4 cylinder engine (BMW S14) producing more power, but less torque. 0-60 mph times was around 6.4 seconds, very quick for a car in its time.

BMW E30 Engines

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 carburettor and producing only 89 bhp, 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 103 bhp and improving fuel economy. Finally, the 320i (2.0 L M20 with 123 bhp) and 323i (2.3 L M20 with 137 bhp) completed the range.

Later, in 1985, a 2.5 L version of the M20 boosted the power of the top model to 168 bhp, replacing the old 323i, 2300 cc and 150.2 bhp.

North America received an economy version called the 325e, or just 325 (the e stands for the Greek letter eta, signifying economy). 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 121 bhp, redlining at 4500 RPM. In 1987, the engine was revised to become the 325i. With its shorter stroke, 6800 RPM redline, and newer Motronic fuel-injection system, dual valve springs included and power was boosted to 171.7 bhp.

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 127 bhp and the 325i to 172 bhp, all the while improving the economy, especially on the 320i. The M10 was replaced by the new, chain-driven cam M40 which also incorporated Motronic injection. The new 318i now had 114 bhp and was noticeably smoother than the old 103 bhp version.

The 316 was replaced by a 316i, which used a 1600 cc version of the M40, producing 101 bhp. Not quite as torquey as the 88 bhp 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.

The E30 Drivetrain

In total, seven transmission 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. The 316, 318i, and 320i also had the option of a common 5-speed manual, while the 323i and 325i had a different manual, 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.

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.

Special E30 Models

In addition to the famous M3 there were other special models of the E30. For Portugal and Italy, due to their high engine taxes, a special model was created, the 320iS. This model was produced both in 2 and 4 door versions had a detuned version of the M3 engine. It was the same S14 engine but with 2.0l and 192 bhp. BMW South Africa's Motorsport division created the 333i in 1986 by fitting the 3210 ccm M30 "big six" ("M30B32" of the 733i E23/ 533i E12/ 532i 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 featured some interesting compromises like forcing the buyer to choose between air conditioning (vital in South Africa) or power steering. They were only built in small numbers in 1986.

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 culminated in the 325iS Evo II of late 1991. By now several body panels were made of aluminum, preventing the car from being washed by automated car washes, and the M20 engine grew to 2.7 L and now produced 210 bhp and a 0-62 mph in a mere 7.5sec. The cabriolet and touring versions continued to be built to the end of April 1993.

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