Drivetrain
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 and 318i also had the option of a common 5-speed manual (Getrag 240), while the 323i and 325i had a stronger 5-speed manual gearbox (Getrag 260). It is suggested that the 323i may have had a sports manual as an option and there are conflicting reports about whether the 320i was fitted with the Getrag 240 or Getrag 260. The Getrag 220 does not have synchromesh on reverse, however all other manual gearbox options have synchromesh.
The M3 was fitted with a Getrag 265 5-speed manual gearbox. This featured a dogleg shift pattern for European models and a standard H-pattern for North American models.[7]
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 powered 316i and 318i.
A 4-speed manual was available for the 316 and 318i (Getrag 220). The 316 and 318i also had the option of a common 5-speed manual (Getrag 240), while the 323i and 325i had a stronger 5-speed manual gearbox (Getrag 260). It is suggested that the 323i may have had a sports manual as an option and there are conflicting reports about whether the 320i was fitted with the Getrag 240 or Getrag 260. The Getrag 220 does not have synchromesh on reverse, however all other manual gearbox options have synchromesh.
The M3 was fitted with a Getrag 265 5-speed manual gearbox. This featured a dogleg shift pattern for European models and a standard H-pattern for North American models.[7]
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 powered 316i and 318i.
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 smallopen316i M103.91, 4.10smallopen316i M404.27, 4.45smallopen318i M103.64, 3.91, 4.10smallopen318i M40 2- and 4-doors4.10, 4.45smallopen318i M40 convertible and touring4.27, 4.45smallopen318is4.10smallopen (USA Spec had an optional 4.10 small case LSD)320i before 9/853.46smallopen320i 9/85 to 9/873.64, 3.91smallopen320i after 9/874.10smallopen320i convertible and touring4.27, 4.45smallopen323i before 9/843.23mediumopen323i after 9/843.46mediumopen324d3.45smallopen324td3.25mediumopen325i before 9/863.46, 3.73, 3.91, 4.10mediumstandard - opensports - mechanicallimited-slip
325i after 9/863.64, 3.73, 3.91, 4.10mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325i convertible before 9/863.46, 3.91mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325i convertible after 9/863.64, 3.91, 4.10 (USA SPEC)mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325i touring3.91mediumopen325ix 2- and 4-doors3.64, 3.73, 3.91, 4.10(US SPEC AUTO)mediumopen, all viscous, 10-100% limited-slip325ix Touring3.91, 4.10mediumopen, all viscous, 10-100% limited-slip325, 325e US-models2.93, 3.23mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325e before 9/852.79mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325e 9/85 to 12/862.93mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325e after 12/863.25, 3.46mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
M3 (North America)4.10mediummechanical limited-slipM3 (Europe), Evolution3.25mediummechanical limited-slipM3 Convertible3.25mediummechanical limited-slipM3 Evolution II, Sport Evolution3.15mediummechanical limited-slip
316 before 9/84 3.64 small open
316 after 9/84 3.91 smallopen316i M103.91, 4.10smallopen316i M404.27, 4.45smallopen318i M103.64, 3.91, 4.10smallopen318i M40 2- and 4-doors4.10, 4.45smallopen318i M40 convertible and touring4.27, 4.45smallopen318is4.10smallopen (USA Spec had an optional 4.10 small case LSD)320i before 9/853.46smallopen320i 9/85 to 9/873.64, 3.91smallopen320i after 9/874.10smallopen320i convertible and touring4.27, 4.45smallopen323i before 9/843.23mediumopen323i after 9/843.46mediumopen324d3.45smallopen324td3.25mediumopen325i before 9/863.46, 3.73, 3.91, 4.10mediumstandard - opensports - mechanicallimited-slip
325i after 9/863.64, 3.73, 3.91, 4.10mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325i convertible before 9/863.46, 3.91mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325i convertible after 9/863.64, 3.91, 4.10 (USA SPEC)mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325i touring3.91mediumopen325ix 2- and 4-doors3.64, 3.73, 3.91, 4.10(US SPEC AUTO)mediumopen, all viscous, 10-100% limited-slip325ix Touring3.91, 4.10mediumopen, all viscous, 10-100% limited-slip325, 325e US-models2.93, 3.23mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325e before 9/852.79mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325e 9/85 to 12/862.93mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
325e after 12/863.25, 3.46mediumstandard - opensports - mechanical limited-slip
M3 (North America)4.10mediummechanical limited-slipM3 (Europe), Evolution3.25mediummechanical limited-slipM3 Convertible3.25mediummechanical limited-slipM3 Evolution II, Sport Evolution3.15mediummechanical limited-slip
Suspension
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 boot 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). This has contributed to the E30 as having a reputation for "tail happy" handling, where rear grip is reduced in certain situations, leading to oversteer.
The M3 model has unique suspension compared to the rest of the E30 range,[7] including 5 lug wheel bolts.
The M3 model has unique suspension compared to the rest of the E30 range,[7] including 5 lug wheel bolts.