The model range included coupé and convertible body styles, as well as being the first 3 Series to be produced in sedan 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 3 Series 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, which produced 175 kW (235 bhp) in its final iteration. 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 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 (cubing process) 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.
In addition to the coupe and Baur convertible body styles of its E21 predecessors, the E30 was also available as a four-door sedan 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.
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.
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316 | 1982-1987 | M10B18 4-cyl | 66 kW (89 bhp) at 5,500 rpm | 140 N⋅m (103 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm |
| 316i | 1987-1994 | M40B16 4-cyl | 71 kW (95 bhp) at 5,500 rpm | 145 N⋅m (107 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm |
| 318i | 1982-1987 | M10B18 4-cyl | 77 kW (103 bhp) at 5,800 rpm | 145 N⋅m (107 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm |
| 1987-1994 | M40B18 4-cyl | 83 kW (111 bhp) at 5,500 rpm | 162 N⋅m (119 lb⋅ft) at 4,250 rpm | |
| 318is | 1989-1991 | M42B18 4-cyl | 100 kW (134 bhp) at 6,000 rpm | 172 N⋅m (127 lb⋅ft) at 4,600 rpm |
| 320i | 1982-1992 | M20B20 6-cyl | 92 kW (123 bhp) at 5,800 rpm | 170 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm |
| 323i | 1982-1984 | M20B23 6-cyl | 102 kW (137 bhp) at 5,300 rpm | 205 N⋅m (151 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm |
| 1984-1985 | 110 kW (148 bhp) 6,000 rpm | |||
| 325/e/es | 1985-1987 | M20B27 6-cyl | 90 kW (121 bhp) at 4,250 rpm* | 240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) at 3,250 rpm* |
| 1988 | 95 kW (127 bhp) at 4,250 rpm | 205 N⋅m (151 lb⋅ft) at 3,200 rpm | ||
| 325i/is/ix | 1985-1993 | M20B25 6-cyl | 125 kW (168 bhp) at 5,800 rpm** | 222 N⋅m (164 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm** |
| M3 / M3 Evo 1 | 1986-1987 | S14B23 4-cyl | 143 kW (192 bhp) at 6,750 rpm | 230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 4,750 rpm |
| M3 Evo 2 | 1988 | 160 kW (215 bhp) at 6,750 rpm | 245 N⋅m (181 lb⋅ft) at 4,750 rpm | |
| M3 Sport Evo | 1989-1990 | S14B25 4-cyl | 175 kW (235 bhp) at 7,000 rpm | 240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft) at 4,750 rpm |
* With catalytic converter: 90 kW (120 hp), 230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft)
** With catalytic converter: 125 kW (168 hp), 221 N⋅m (163 lb⋅ft)
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 324d | 1985-1991 | M21D24 6-cyl | 63 kW (84 bhp) at 4,600 rpm | 152 N⋅m (112 lb⋅ft) at 2,500 rpm |
| 324td | 1983-1991 | M21D24 6-cyl turbo | 85 kW (114 bhp) at 4,800 rpm | 210 N⋅m (155 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm |
