Body styles
The E30 3-Series was produced as four and two door (often referred to as a "coupe") saloons, two-door convertible (the M3 cabriolet was only offered for the European market), cabriolet by Baur and five-door estate (marketed as the "touring")
A widened version of the E30 front suspension and the drivetrain from the E30 325i were used in the BMW Z1 roadster.
The BMW M3 utilised a widened and heavily redesigned variation of the 2-door body style. The M3 shares few parts with other E30 models;[2] however, many M3 parts can be used on the other body styles and are interchangeable offering the consumer an OEM upgrade.
A widened version of the E30 front suspension and the drivetrain from the E30 325i were used in the BMW Z1 roadster.
The BMW M3 utilised a widened and heavily redesigned variation of the 2-door body style. The M3 shares few parts with other E30 models;[2] however, many M3 parts can be used on the other body styles and are interchangeable offering the consumer an OEM upgrade.
Production history
Initial release (1982) Externally, the appearance is very similar to the E21 predecessor, however there are various detail changes in styling to the E30. Major changes over the E21 include interior features and revised suspension (to reduce the oversteer which the E21 was criticised for).[2]
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."[3]
Minor update (1985) This updated included changes to exterior and interior trim. The 323i model was replaced with the 325i at this time.[4]
Major update (1987) In September 1987, BMW introduced a major update to the E30 (often called "Series 2"[4] or "update"). The changes to the lineup were the addition of the touring (station wagon) variant and removal of the 325e model.
External styling changes included the front bumper, rear lights, rear apron, headlight reflectors and licence plate frame. Rust protection was improved with the update. Various mechanical changes were made, including updating of the engine range. In 1988, the anodized aluminum bumpers for the North American market were shortened by revising the cover/fillers and shortening the shocks. In 1989 the aluminum bumpers were replaced with shorter body-color plastic bumpers.[5]
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."[3]
Minor update (1985) This updated included changes to exterior and interior trim. The 323i model was replaced with the 325i at this time.[4]
Major update (1987) In September 1987, BMW introduced a major update to the E30 (often called "Series 2"[4] or "update"). The changes to the lineup were the addition of the touring (station wagon) variant and removal of the 325e model.
External styling changes included the front bumper, rear lights, rear apron, headlight reflectors and licence plate frame. Rust protection was improved with the update. Various mechanical changes were made, including updating of the engine range. In 1988, the anodized aluminum bumpers for the North American market were shortened by revising the cover/fillers and shortening the shocks. In 1989 the aluminum bumpers were replaced with shorter body-color plastic bumpers.[5]
Models around the world
Models and production volumes
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.
- 1982-1987 316s - 1.6 L M10B16 I4, 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) - Greece and Yugoslavia
- 1982–1990 316 1.8 - 1.8 L M10B18 I4, 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp)
- 1987–1994 316i - 1.6 L M40B16 I4, 102 PS (75 kW; 101 hp)
- 1982–1987 318i - 1.8 L M10B18 I4, 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp)
- 1987–1994 318i - 1.8 L M40B18 I4, 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp)
- 1989–1991 318is - 1.8 L M42B18 I4, 142 PS (104 kW; 140 hp)
- 1982–1985 320i - 2.0 L M20B20 I6, 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp)
- 1985–1991 320i - 2.0 L M20B20 I6, 129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp)
- 1988–1990 320is - 2.0 L S14B20 I4, 192 PS (141 kW) Italy and Portugal only
- 1981–1986 323i - 2.3 L M20B23 I6, 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp)
- 1984–1987 325e - 2.7 L M20B27 I6, 122 PS (90 kW; 120 hp)
- 1984–1991 325i - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp)
- 1986–1991 325iX - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp)
- 1986–1988 M3 - 2.3 L S14B23 I4, 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp)
- 1989–1991 M3 - 2.3 L S14B23 I4, 215 PS (158 kW; 212 hp)
- 1987–1987 M3 Evolution - 2.3 L S14B23 I4, 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp)
- 1988–1988 M3 Evolution II - 2.3 L S14B23 I4, 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp)
- 1990–1990 M3 Sport Evolution - 2.5 L S14B25 I4, 238 PS (175 kW; 235 hp)
- 1985–1990 324d - 2.4 L M21D24 I6, 86 PS (63 kW; 85 hp)
- 1987–1993 324td - 2.4 L M21D24 I6, 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp)
- 1984–1985 318i - 1.8 L M10B18 I4, 101 hp (75 kW) - North America
- 1991 318iS - 1.8 L M42B18 I4, 142 hp (100 kW) - North America
- 1984–1988 325e - 2.7 L M20B27 I6, 121 hp (90 kW) - North America
- 1986 325es - 2.7 L M20B27 I6, 121 hp (90 kW) - North America
- 1987–1991 325i/is - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 168 hp (125 kW) - North America
- 1988–1991 325ix - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 168 hp (125 kW) - North America
- 1988–1991 M3 - 2.3 L S14 I4, 192 hp (143 kW) - North America
- 1984–1986 333i - 3.3 L M30 I6, 197 hp (145 kW) - South Africa
- 1989–1991 325iS - 2.7 L I6, 197 hp (145 kW) - South Africa
- 1991–1992 325iS - 2.7 L I6, 210 hp (155 kW) - South Africa
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.