BMW E30

This was the second generation of BMW 3 series produced from 1982 – 1992. The E30 was sold from 1982 through to the end of 1991 as a  saloon car and through 1993 as a convertible form. The four-cylinder 318 was dropped from production in 1985, but was brought back with a new, 1.8L DOHC motor (M42B18) for 1991 which used a similar block configuration with an adapted cylinder head. The then availability of the all new six cylinder engine and four door body styles were the cars that earned the sales in true BMW style.

The six cylinder engine in the 325e produced 121 Hp and translated made 90 kW with 233 N·m  of torque at sea level. The E30 was the most powerful compact BMW offered in the United States since the unveiling of the 2002ti which even today is a much sought after collectors piece.

BMW’s lineup was joined in 1985 by the 325i and the high powered output 325is engine which came with a 2.7 litre engine. The 325i consisted of a 84mm bore with a 75mm stroke making it a 2.5 litre and the 325is had a 77mm stroked crank with the same bore size which remained at 84mm and it was this increase in stroke which gave this engine the torque together with all round reduced vehicle mass, gave it’s drivers the benefits required of the new era of car.

Though the engine displacement was reduced to 2.5L on the 325i, output was up to 168 Hp at 125 kW but torque dropped to 222 N·m as the company focused on improving on performance rather than supplying an economical car. RPM was increased from 5000 rpm to 6500 revs.

Other prominent features included a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) with a 25% lock up together with M Sport suspension and Bilstein shocks and suspension struts. The cars were equipped with M-Sport steering wheel, BMW sports seats, full leather interior, sunroof and BMW 15 inch BBS or  Alpina Mag Rims depending on the country you were in.

At the end of 1987, the touring version of the BMW E30 was introduced making this one of the most important and popular vehicles during its seven years of production time up until the end of 1994. It was made available with a 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 or 2.5 litre engine and also 2.4 litre turbo diesel was introduced into the market place.

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