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 saloon (sometimes referred to as a coupé) 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

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 () 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 criticised.

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-engined 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 (1988) 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 1988 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 back was completely redesigned with new redesigned larger rear fenders and front wings slightly inflated and wider in the end. 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 saloon 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 at 5,800 rpm at 3,200 rpm 316 1982–1988 1.8 L M10B18 I4 at 5,500 rpm at 4,000 rpm 316i 1987–1994 1.6 L M40B16 straight-4 at 5,500 rpm at 4,500 rpm 318i 1983–1987 1.8 L M10B18 straight-4 at 5,800 rpm at 4,500 rpm1987–1994 1.8 L M40B18 straight-4 at 5,500 rpm at 4,250 rpm318is 1989–1991 1.8 L M42B18 straight-4 at 6,000 rpm at 4,600 rpm 320i 1982–1985 2.0 L M20B20 straight-6 at 5,800 rpm at 4,000 rpm 1985–1992 at 6,000 rpm at 4,300 rpm320is 1987–1990 2.0 L S14B20 straight-4 at 6,750 rpm at 4,750 rpm 323i 1982–1984 2.3 L M20 straight-6 at 5,300 rpm at 4,000 rpm 1984–1985 6,000 rpm 325, 325e, 325es 1985–1987 2.7 L M20B27 straight-6 at 4,250 rpm at 3,250 rpm 1988 at 4,800 rpm at 3,200 rpm 325i, 325is, 325ix 1985–1993 2.5 L M20B25 straight-6 at 5,800 rpm at 4,300 rpmM3, M3 Evo 1 1986–1987 2.3 L S14B23 straight-4 at 6,750 rpm at 4,750 rpmM3 Evo 2 1988 at 6,750 rpm at 4,750 rpmM3 Sport Evo 1989–1990 2.5 L S14B25 straight-4 at 7,000 rpm at 4,750 rpm

+ Diesel Engines Model Years Engine Power Torque 324d 1985-1991 2.4 L M21D24 straight-6 at 4,600 rpm at 2,500 rpm 324td 1987-1991 2.4 L M21D24 straight-6 turbo at 4,800 rpm 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 . The 318i had the same M10 engine, but with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel-injection, increasing power to 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 version of the M40 was used. The 316i model replaced the 316, using a version of the M40. While smaller and less torquey than the 1.8-litre engine in the 316, it had higher peak 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 version of the M20 producing , and the 323i, with a M20 producing , 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 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 at 4250 rpm and at 3250 rpm. By comparison, peak torque for the 325i engine was at 4000 rpm.

The 1987 Series 2 update boosted the 320i to and the 325i to , and improved fuel economy.

Six-cylinder diesel

In 1983 the M21 engine was unveiled in the new 524td at the IAA in West Germany. The turbocharged engine has a capacity of and uses mechanical fuel injection; when the M21 engine found its way into the 3-series it was in naturally aspirated form: in 1985 BMW introduced the 324d, which proved popular in countries with a high motor vehicle tax.

In 1987 the turbocharged 324td was introduced to coincide with the facelift. By now, an electronically controlled fuel pump was used, which increased the torque output vis-à-vis the 524td by . The updated engine also has a smaller turbocharger, decreasing turbo lag.

Drivetrain

In total, six transmissions were available for the various models of the E30: four manuals, and two automatics. The E30 was offered with rear-wheel drive, or permanent all-wheel drive (325iX saloons and estates only).

Manual transmissions 4-speed Getrag 242 — 316 and 318i models 5-speed Getrag 240 — 316, 318i and 320i models (with a different bellhousing for the 320i, to suit the BMW M20 engine, and another different bellhousing to suit the later M42-engined 318i/is). 5-speed Getrag 260 — 323i, 325e, 325es and 325i models. 5-speed Getrag 265 — M3 model (dog-leg shift pattern for European models and a standard H-pattern for North American models).

Automatic transmissions 3-speed ZF 3HP22 — 1981 to 1985. 4-speed ZF 4HP22 — 320i and 323i models until 1985, available on all models from 1985 onwards.

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 and camber changes inherent to the suspension geometry, causing bump steer in hard cornering situations (such as racing and autocross). Nonetheless, reviewers praised the handling of the E30.

A widened version of the E30 front suspension and the drivetrain from the E30 325i were used in the BMW Z1 roadster. The BMW Z3 and BMW Compact (E36/5) rear suspensions are also very similar to the E30, but utilizing five-lug hubs. The Z3-based BMW M Coupé uses a widened version of the same rear semi-trailing arm suspension along with stronger hubs.

Brakes For the front wheels, all models use disc brakes. Early 316/318 models have solid discs, while all subsequent models have vented discs. For the rear wheels, most models use solid disc brakes, except for some four-cylinder models which use rear drum brakes. Anti-lock braking system (ABS) became available in 1986.

Model range United States & Canada

The model range in the United States consisted of the following: 318i (1984–1985 using the M10 engine, then 1991 using the M42 engine) 318is (1991 only) 325, 325e and 325es (1984–1988) 325i, 325is (1987–1991 only) 325ix (1988–1991 only)

The primary distinctive feature of the BMW E30 models produced for the North American market in 1984–1987 is the protruding front and rear aluminum bumpers. These bumpers are commonly known as "diving boards." In 1987, the anodized aluminum bumpers for the North American market were shortened by revising the cover/fillers and shortening the shock absorbers on which they were mounted. In 1988, the front and rear valances were updated along with the rear wheel arch. In 1989, shorter body-coloured plastic bumpers replaced the aluminium ones altogether.

South Africa In South Africa, only the two-door and four-door saloons were built, four-cylinder petrol models production continued there until 1992.

Despite the introduction of the M40 engine, the old M10-powered 316 continued to be sold in South Africa until 1991, gaining the new bumpers when the range was updated.

There were notable special editions built. Since no E30 M3 was destined for South Africa, BMW SA and Alpina collaborated to create the 333i, a local Group N racing homologation special. The local 325is also differed from those sold in the rest of world, being fitted with 2.7 litre Alpina M20B25 engines.

M3 model

The BMW M3 utilised a widened and heavily redesigned variation of the two-door body style, therefore the M3 shares few body parts with other E30 models. The M3 suspension is also significantly different from regular E30 models, including five-lug wheel bolts.

Alpina models

The Alpina C1, C2, B3 and B6 models were based on the E30.

Special models 320is