E30
Production	1982–1994
Body style(s)	2-door coupe 2-door convertible 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / All-wheel drive
Platform	BMW E30
Engine(s)	2.5 L 168 hp I6
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	101.2 in (2570 mm)
Length	1988-89 Sedan, Wagon & Coupe: 175.2 in (4450 mm) 1988-89 Convertible: 175.6 in (4460 mm) 1990-91 Sedan, Wagon & Coupe: 170.3 in (4326 mm) 1990-93 Convertible: 170.2 in (4323 mm)
Width	Sedan & Wagon: 64.8 in (1646 mm) Coupe: 65.4 in (1661 mm)
Height	Sedan & Wagon: 54.3 in (1379 mm) Convertible: 53.9 in (1369 mm) Coupe: 55.1 in (1400 mm)
Fuel capacity	16.4 US gal
Related	BMW M3

BMW E30 318i

BMW E30 325es with "diving board" bumpers

E30 318i Lux Convertible

E30 Convertible built April 1993

The E30 automobile platform was the basis for the 1982 through 1991 BMW 3 Series entry-level luxury car / compact executive car. It was the successor of the BMW E21 in 1982 and was replaced by the BMW E36 in 1992. 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. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Cars can come in a large variety of different body styles. ... 1995 Buick Riviera coupe A coupé (from the French for cut) or coupe is a two or four-seater car with a fixed roof and two doors. ... Saab 900 Convertible 1962 Rambler American 1981 AMC Eagle 4-WD convertible Convertible can also refer to a convertible security A convertible (sometimes called cabriolet in British English) is a car body style with a folding or retracting roof (aka soft top or top in USA, hood in UK). ... A notchback full-size luxury sedan. ... Estate car body style (Saab 95) A station wagon (United States usage), wagon (Australian usage, though station wagon is widely used) or estate car (United Kingdom usage) is a car body style similar to a sedan car but with an extended rear cargo area. ... In automobile design layout is the place where both the engine and driven wheels are. ... A front-mounted engine describes the placement of an automobile engine in front of or on the front axle. ... Rear-wheel drive (or RWD for short) is an engine/transmission layout used in automobiles. ... Four wheel drive or 4x4, is a type of four wheeled vehicle drivetrain configuration that enables all four wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously in order to provide maximum traction. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... This article is about a unit of measurement. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... “Gearbox” redirects here. ... The automatic gear selector in a Ford Five Hundred vehicle An automatic transmission (commonly abbreviated as AT) is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves, thus freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually (similar but larger devices are also used for railroad... A manual transmission (also known as a stick shift, straight drive, or standard transmission) is a type of transmission used in automotive applications. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The BMW M3 is a high performance version of the popular compact BMW 3-Series automobile, made by BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E92 3-series. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 212 KB) Summary Author: Nicholas Meredith Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 212 KB) Summary Author: Nicholas Meredith Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (916x685, 120 KB) Summary Author: Duy Le Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (916x685, 120 KB) Summary Author: Duy Le Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... An automobile platform is a shared set of components common to a number of different automobiles. ... The BMW 3 Series is an entry-level luxury car / compact executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. ... A 2002 Lincoln Town Car, an example of a flagship luxury sedan A luxury vehicle is a vehicle which provides a great abundance of ease and comfort. ... The Rambler American introduced in the late 1950s was an early compact car. ... BMW E21 is the platform designation for the first BMW 3-Series automobile, produced from 1975 to 1983. ... 318is Coupé 1995 316i Compact 1996 M3 Coupé E36 convertible E36 Wagon Georgia State Patrol 318i The E36 automobile platform was the basis for the 1991-1999 BMW 3 Series entry-level luxury car / compact executive car. ... For other uses, see BMW (disambiguation). ... Saab 900 Convertible 1962 Rambler American 1981 AMC Eagle 4-WD convertible Convertible can also refer to a convertible security A convertible (sometimes called cabriolet in British English) is a car body style with a folding or retracting roof (aka soft top or top in USA, hood in UK). ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...

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 BMW M3 is a high performance version of the popular compact BMW 3-Series automobile, made by BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E92 3-series. ... The BMW Z1 is a two-seat roadster developed by BMW Technik GmbH and produced from July 1988 to June 1991. ... 1950 Jaguar XK120 roadster This article is about the car body style. ...

The E30 3-Series was produced in four body styles, a four door saloon, a two door coach, 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 (coach) 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. Baur is a Karosserie or coachbuilder in Stuttgart, Germany, which has been building BMW convertibles since the 30s. ... A notchback full-size luxury sedan. ... The BMW M3 is a high performance version of the popular compact BMW 3-Series automobile, made by BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E92 3-series. ...

The primary distinctive feature of the BMW E30 models produced for the North American market in 1984-1987 are the elongated front/rear anodized 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 anodized aluminum bumpers were finally replaced with shorter body-color plastic bumpers. The later model plastic bumper can fit onto a 1988 E30 without any modifications. This is not the case with E30s older than 88. The original chrome bumpers can be tucked in by draining the bumper shocks and compressing them to shorten the bumper. This, however, in the event of a collision, removes the ability of the shocks to absorb impacts and transfers the force directly to the chassis, which is more likely to cause serious damage even in low-speed scenarios.

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 (103 lbf·ft) torque for the 1.8 L (1766 cc) 4 cylinder engine, to 230 N·m (170 lbf·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 times was around 6.4 seconds, very fast for a car in it's time. The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The BMW M10/M12 was an I4 piston engine produced from 1961 to 1987. ... The BMW M40 is an I4 piston engine. ... The BMW M42 is a DOHC 16-valve I4 piston engine first built for the 1991 model year E30 318is. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The M20 was an I6 piston engine of BMW. The 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1976 BMW 520/6 and 320/6. ... The BMW M21 is a 2. ... Torque applied via an adjustable end wrench Relationship between force, torque, and momentum vectors in a rotating system In physics, torque (or often called a moment) can informally be thought of as rotational force or angular force which causes a change in rotational motion. ... The liter (spelled liter in American English and litre in Commonwealth English) is a unit of volume. ... The BMW M3 is a high performance version of the popular compact BMW 3-Series automobile, made by BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E92 3-series. ... The BMW S14 is a 2. ...

Engines

Following on from the E21, the E30 was fitted with M10 4cyl and M20 straight six engines. The 316 used a 1766 cc M10 fed by a carburettor and producing only 66 kW but this allowed BMW to offer a cheap entry level car in the range. In Portugal, due to high taxes over engine capacities, the 316 version was fitted with the old 1573cc engine from the BMW E21 315 and BMW 1502 models, and it produced 75hp. The 318i used the same M10 but with Jetronic injection, pushing power to 77 kW/103 hp and improving economy. Finally the 320i (2.0 M20 with 92 kW/125 hp) and 323i (2.3 M20 with 102 kW/139 hp) completed the range. Kwai Lo is Chinese slang for foreigner or ghost person. ...

Later in 1985, a 2.5 version of the M20 boosted the power of the top model to 120 kW/168 hp, replacing the old 323i, 2300cc and 150hp.

In 1987 the E30 was revised. The revision contained two significant changes in the engine department. First, the M20 straight six motors changed from Bosch Jetronic to Bosch Motronic. This boosted the 320i to 95 kW and the 325i to 126 kW/172 hp, all the while improving the economy, especially on the 320i. The M10 was replaced by the new belt-driven cam M40 which also incorporated Motronic injection. The new 318i now had 85 kW/114 hp and was noticeably smoother than the old 77 kW/103 hp version and included a timing chain instead of a timing belt just as the S14 (the E30 M3). The 316 was replaced by a 316i, which used a 1600 version of the M40 producing 75 kW/100 hp. Not quite as torquey as the 66 kW/88 hp 1800 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, fans had to wait till 1991 for the 316 to make way for the 316i.

All Wheel Drive system

The all wheel drive system on the iX models uses three differentials to distribute power to the wheels, 30:70 split front to rear. The center and rear differentials use viscous couplings to split torque. The front differential is open.

Special 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 me engine but with 2.0l and 192hp. BMW South Africa's Motorsport division created the 333i in 1986 by fitting the 3.3 L M30 "big six" of the 733i 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 Buschloe, Bavaraia ,Germany, 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 where 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 155 kw (210 hp)and a 0-62 mph in a mere 7.5sec.

The cabriolet version continued to be built to the end of April 1993. Models:

• Europe
  • 1982-1987 316 - 1.6 L M98 I4, 90 hp (66 kW)
    • 1.6L SOHC engine 90 bhp (67 kW) 0-100 km/h: 12.4 sec., top speed: 180 km/h MT
  • 1982-1990 316 1.8 - 1.8 L M10B18 I4, 90 hp (66 kW)
  • 1987-1993 316i - 1.6 L M40B16 I4, 102 hp (75 kW)
  • 1982-1987 318i - 1.8 L M10B18 I4, 105 hp (77 kW)
  • 1987-1993 318i - 1.8 L M40B18 I4, 115 hp (85 kW)
  • 1989-1991 318is - 1.8 L M42B18 I4, 136 hp (100 kW)
  • 1982-1985 320i - 2.0 L M20B20 I6, 125 hp (92 kW)
  • 1985-1991 320i - 2.0 L M20B20 I6, 129 hp (95 kW)
  • 1988-1990 320is - 2.0 L S14 I4, 192 hp (141 kW)
  • 1982-1986 323i - 2.3 L M20B23 I6, 150 hp (110 kW)
  • 1985-1991 325i - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 170 hp (125 kW)
  • 1986-1991 325iX - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 170 hp (125 kW)
  • 1986-1988 M3 - 2.3 L S14 I4, 200 hp (147 kW)
  • 1989-1991 M3 Evo - 2.5 L S14 I4, 215 hp (158 kW)
  • 1985-1991 324d - 2.4 L M21 I6, 86 hp (63 kW)
  • 1987-1991 324td - 2.4 L M21 I6, 115 hp (85 kW)
• Other markets
  • 1984-1985 318i - 1.8 L M10B18 I4, 101 hp (75 kW) - North America
  • 1991 318iS - 1.8 L M42B18 I4, 134 hp (100 kW) - North America
  • 1984-1991 325e - 2.7 L M20B27 I6, 121 hp (90 kW) - North America
  • 1986-1991 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
  • 1984-1990 333i - 3.2 L M30 I6, 197 hp (145 kW) - South Africa
  • 1989-1991 325iS - 2.7 L, 197 hp (145 kW) - South Africa
  • 1991-1992 325iS - 2.7 L, 210 hp (155 kW) - South Africa

The liter (spelled liter in American English and litre in Commonwealth English) is a unit of volume. ... The BMW M10/M12 was an I4 piston engine produced from 1961 to 1987. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... This article is about a unit of measurement. ... For other uses, see Watt (disambiguation). ... Single overhead cam (also SOHC) refers to the internal combustion engine design where one camshaft is located above the valves. ... The BMW M10/M12 was an I4 piston engine produced from 1961 to 1987. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The BMW M40 is an I4 piston engine. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The BMW M10/M12 was an I4 piston engine produced from 1961 to 1987. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The BMW M40 is an I4 piston engine. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The BMW M42 is a DOHC 16-valve I4 piston engine first built for the 1991 model year E30 318is. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The M20 was an I6 piston engine of BMW. The 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1976 BMW 520/6 and 320/6. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The M20 was an I6 piston engine of BMW. The 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1976 BMW 520/6 and 320/6. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The BMW S14 is a 2. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The M20 was an I6 piston engine of BMW. The 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1976 BMW 520/6 and 320/6. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The M20 was an I6 piston engine of BMW. The 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1976 BMW 520/6 and 320/6. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The M20 was an I6 piston engine of BMW. The 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1976 BMW 520/6 and 320/6. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The BMW M3 is a high performance version of the popular compact BMW 3-Series automobile, made by BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E92 3-series. ... The BMW S14 is a 2. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The BMW M3 is a high performance version of the popular compact BMW 3-Series automobile, made by BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E92 3-series. ... The BMW S14 is a 2. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The BMW M21 is a 2. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The BMW M21 is a 2. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The BMW M10/M12 was an I4 piston engine produced from 1961 to 1987. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The BMW M42 is a DOHC 16-valve I4 piston engine first built for the 1991 model year E30 318is. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The M20 was an I6 piston engine of BMW. The 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1976 BMW 520/6 and 320/6. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The M20 was an I6 piston engine of BMW. The 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1976 BMW 520/6 and 320/6. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The M20 was an I6 piston engine of BMW. The 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1976 BMW 520/6 and 320/6. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The M20 was an I6 piston engine of BMW. The 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1976 BMW 520/6 and 320/6. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The BMW M3 is a high performance version of the popular compact BMW 3-Series automobile, made by BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E92 3-series. ... The BMW S14 is a 2. ... The straight-4 or inline-4 is an internal combustion engine with four cylinders aligned in one row. ... The big six BMW M30 is an inline-6 cylinder engnine built by BMW and used in many of its cars, such as the BMW 535i. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ...

Further reading

• Jeremy Walton (2001). BMW 3-Series Collectors Guide: Generation 1 and 2 including M3. Motor Racing Publications. ISBN 1-899870-55-5 (paperback). 
• R.M. Clarke (1990). BMW Series 3 - 4 Cylinder Cars Gold Portfolio. Brooklands Books. ISBN 1-85520-149-6 (paperback). 
• A.K. Legg & Larry Warren (1996). BMW 3- & 5-Series Haynes Service and Repair Manual. Haynes. ISBN 1-85960-236-3 (hardcover). 
• Various authors (1993). BMW Serie "3" (Modelos después 1983) Estudios técnicos y documentación. ANETO-ETAI. ISSN 1134-7155 (paperback). 
• Andrew Everett (2006). BMW E30 - 3 Series Restoration Bible. Brooklands Books. ISSN 1855206781 (paperback). 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

BMW E30

• Official BMW 3 Series
• BMW 3-series at the Open Directory Project
• BMW e30 search engine - technical information and how to DIY repair articles relevant to e30 model only

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Open Directory Project (ODP), also known as dmoz (from , its original domain name), is a multilingual open content directory of World Wide Web links owned by Netscape that is constructed and maintained by a community of volunteer editors. ...