Key Specifications

Spec	Value
Production Years	1982-1994
Manufacturer	Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Assembly	Munich, Germany (main); Rosslyn, South Africa (RHD)
Body Styles	2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, 2-door convertible, 5-door Touring (wagon)
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Platform	BMW E30
Wheelbase	2,570 mm
Overall Length	4,325 mm (sedan), 4,340 mm (Touring)
Overall Width	1,645 mm (standard), 1,675 mm (M3)
Overall Height	1,380 mm (sedan), 1,365 mm (M3)
Kerb Weight	1,040-1,200 kg (sedan), 1,200 kg (M3), 1,300 kg (convertible)
Fuel Tank Capacity	55 L (sedan), 62 L (Touring)
Boot Capacity	425 L (sedan), 370/1,090 L (Touring)
Drag Coefficient	0.38 (sedan), 0.33 (M3)
Weight Distribution	50.4:49.6 front:rear (325i), 49.7:50.3 (M3)

Engine Specifications

M10B18, 316, 318i (1982-1987)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, SOHC, 8-valve
Displacement	1,766 cc
Bore x Stroke	89.0 mm x 71.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power	66 kW @ 5,500 rpm (316) / 77 kW @ 5,800 rpm (318i)
Torque	143 Nm @ 4,000 rpm (316) / 153 Nm @ 4,500 rpm (318i)
Fuel System	Carburettor (316) / Bosch L-Jetronic injection (318i)
Ignition	Breakerless electronic
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain
Redline	6,500 rpm

M40B18, 318i (1987-1991)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, SOHC, 8-valve, belt-driven
Displacement	1,796 cc
Bore x Stroke	84.0 mm x 81.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power	83 kW @ 5,500 rpm
Torque	162 Nm @ 4,250 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch Motronic M1.7 injection
Ignition	Electronic, distributorless
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain (cam) + timing belt (auxiliary)
Redline	6,500 rpm

M20B20, 320i

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve
Displacement	1,990 cc
Bore x Stroke	80.0 mm x 66.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.8:1
Power	95 kW @ 5,800 rpm
Torque	170 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch Motronic M1.1 injection
Ignition	Electronic distributor
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain (cam) + timing belt (auxiliary shaft)
Oil Capacity	4.0 L (with filter)
Redline	6,500 rpm

M20B25, 325i

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve
Displacement	2,494 cc
Bore x Stroke	84.0 mm x 75.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.7:1
Power	125 kW @ 5,800 rpm
Torque	215 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch Motronic M1.3 injection
Ignition	Electronic distributor
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain (cam) + timing belt (auxiliary shaft)
Oil Capacity	4.75 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil	15W-40 mineral / 5W-30 synthetic
Redline	6,500 rpm

M20B27, 325e (eta)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve
Displacement	2,693 cc
Bore x Stroke	84.0 mm x 81.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power	90 kW @ 4,250 rpm
Torque	230 Nm @ 3,250 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch Motronic injection
Ignition	Electronic distributor
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain (cam) + timing belt (auxiliary shaft)
Redline	5,000 rpm

S14B23, M3

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, DOHC, 16-valve
Displacement	2,302 cc
Bore x Stroke	93.4 mm x 84.0 mm
Compression Ratio	10.5:1
Power	143 kW @ 6,750 rpm
Torque	230 Nm @ 4,750 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch Motronic M1.2 injection
Ignition	Electronic distributorless
Induction	4 individual throttle bodies
Valvetrain Drive	Timing chain
Oil Capacity	5.0 L (with filter)
Recommended Oil	10W-60 synthetic
Redline	7,300 rpm

S14B25, M3 Sport Evolution

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 4, DOHC, 16-valve
Displacement	2,467 cc
Bore x Stroke	95.0 mm x 87.0 mm
Compression Ratio	10.2:1
Power	175 kW @ 7,000 rpm
Torque	240 Nm @ 4,750 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch Motronic M1.2 injection
Ignition	Electronic distributorless
Induction	4 individual throttle bodies
Redline	7,500 rpm

Transmission Options

Transmission	Type	Gears	Applications
Getrag 240	Manual	5-speed	316, 318i
Getrag 260	Manual	5-speed	320i, 325i, 325e
Getrag 265	Manual (close-ratio)	5-speed	M3
ZF 4HP22	Automatic	4-speed	All models except M3

Getrag 260 Gear Ratios (325i)

Gear	Ratio
1st	3.83
2nd	2.20
3rd	1.40
4th	1.00
5th	0.81
Reverse	4.23

Final Drive Ratios

Model	Ratio
316	4.10
318i	3.91
320i (manual)	3.91
325i (manual)	3.73
325i (auto)	3.64
325e	2.93
M3	3.25

Suspension

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut	Independent, semi-trailing arm
Springs	Coil	Coil
Dampers	Gas-pressurised telescopic	Gas-pressurised telescopic
Anti-roll Bar	Yes	Yes (model dependent)

M3 Suspension Differences

Component	Specification
Front springs	Stiffer than standard (model-specific rate)
Rear springs	Stiffer than standard
Dampers	Sport-calibrated
Ride height	20 mm lower than standard 325i
Front track	1,407 mm (30 mm wider than standard)
Rear track	1,415 mm (30 mm wider than standard)

Brakes

Component	Front	Rear
Type (316/318i)	Solid disc	Drum
Type (320i/325i)	Ventilated disc	Solid disc
Type (M3)	Ventilated disc	Ventilated disc
Diameter (325i front)	260 mm	258 mm
Diameter (M3 front)	282 mm	272 mm
ABS	Optional (late models), standard on M3

Steering

Spec	Value
Type	Recirculating ball (early) / Rack and pinion (late models and M3)
Power Assist	Hydraulic (optional on early models, standard on later models)
Turns Lock-to-Lock	3.5 (standard), 3.2 (M3)
Turning Circle	10.5 m (standard), 10.9 m (M3, wider track)

Performance (approximate, period road tests)

Model	0-100 km/h	Quarter Mile	Top Speed
316 (manual)	13.5 s	~19.0 s	175 km/h
318i M10 (manual)	11.5 s	~18.0 s	185 km/h
318i M40 (manual)	10.5 s	~17.5 s	192 km/h
320i (manual)	9.5 s	~17.0 s	200 km/h
325i (manual)	7.7 s	~15.8 s	218 km/h
325i (auto)	8.5 s	~16.5 s	210 km/h
M3 (manual)	6.7 s	~15.0 s	235 km/h
M3 Sport Evo (manual)	6.2 s	~14.5 s	248 km/h

Fuel Economy (approximate, mixed driving)

Model	L/100 km
316 (manual)	8.0
318i (manual)	8.5
320i (manual)	9.5
325i (manual)	10.5
325i (auto)	11.5
325e (manual)	8.5
M3 (manual)	11.5

Tyre Specifications

Model	Front	Rear
316/318i	185/65R14	185/65R14
320i	195/65R14	195/65R14
325i	195/65R14 or 205/55R15	195/65R14 or 205/55R15
M3	205/55VR15	225/45VR16 (staggered) or 205/55VR15 (square)

Wheel Specifications

Model	Size	Bolt Pattern	Centre Bore
Standard	14" x 6" or 15" x 7"	4 x 100	57.1 mm
M3	15" x 7" or 16" x 7.5"	4 x 100	57.1 mm

Electrical

Spec	Value
Battery	12V, 55-80 Ah
Alternator	65A (standard), 80A (later models and M3)
Headlights	Halogen H4 (dual round) or H1/H4 (ellipsoid, late models)

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine oil and filter	7,500 km or 6 months
Timing belt (M20, M40)	60,000-80,000 km or 4 years
Spark plugs	30,000 km
Valve clearance (M10)	30,000 km (mechanical adjustment)
Automatic transmission fluid	60,000 km
Coolant	48 months or 80,000 km
Brake fluid	24 months
Drive belt(s)	60,000 km or inspect annually
Differential oil	60,000 km

Model Variants (Australian Market)

318i

Spec	Value
Engine	M10B18 (early) / M40B18 (late)
Power	77 kW / 83 kW
Standard Equipment	Air conditioning, power steering, central locking

320i

Spec	Value
Engine	M20B20
Power	95 kW
Standard Equipment	As 318i plus alloy wheels

325i

Spec	Value
Engine	M20B25
Power	125 kW
Standard Equipment	As 320i plus sports suspension, limited-slip differential (some)

325i Convertible

Spec	Value
Engine	M20B25
Power	125 kW
Additional	Reinforced sills, folding soft top, wind deflector
Kerb Weight	~1,300 kg (heavier due to structural reinforcement)

M3

Spec	Value
Engine	S14B23
Power	143 kW
Standard Equipment	ABS, limited-slip differential, widebody, sport suspension, body kit
Additional	4 individual throttle bodies, sport exhaust, Recaro seats (some markets)

Production Numbers (Worldwide, Approximate)

Model	Units
E30 Total (all variants)	~2,340,000
316	~330,000
318i	~580,000
320i	~420,000
325i / 325e	~680,000
M3 (all variants)	~18,000
Convertible (all engines)	~140,000
Touring (all engines)	~75,000