BMW E30 (1982-1994): Facts Before Buying

German automobile designer Claus Luthe continued the line of BMW 3 Series designs begun by Paul Bracq and designed the BMW E30 in the style of the zeitgeist. Unlike its predecessor, the E30 was offered in significantly more variants than just a two-door model; a four-door model was available from September 1983, followed in autumn 1985 by a full convertible without a roll bar, and - finally - the BMW M3.

E30: Engine and Dimension

Production years: December 1982 – June 1994

Designer: Claus Luthe

Production (units, total): 2 339 520

Top model: BMW M3 Evolution III

Max. power: 258 hp

Top speed: 248 km/h

0—100 km/h: 6.1 sec

Engine

Petrol:

• 1.6-1.8 L M10 I4
• 1.6-1.8 L M40 I4
• 1.8 L M42 16v I4
• 2.0-2.5 L S14 I4
• 2.0-2.7 L M20 I6

Diesel: 2.4 L M21 I6

Transmission

• 4-speed manual
• 5-speed manual
• 3-speed ZF 3HP automatic
• 4-speed ZF 4HP automatic

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2,570 mm (101.2 in)

Length: 4,320–4,460 mm (170.1–175.6 in)

Width: 1,645 mm (64.8 in)

Height: 1,360–1,400 mm (53.5–55.1 in)

Curb weight: 1,080–1,200 kg (2,380–2,650 lb)

BMW E30: THE MODELS

The BMW E30 was available in a variety of body styles, after the two- and four-door sedans hit the market, the Baur Top Cabriolet followed in February 1983, and then the Vollcabriolet in 1985. The new BMW E30 M3 was available both as a sedan and as a convertible, both versions are particularly popular today and are traded at correspondingly high prices. 

In July 1987, the station wagon version of the E30 was presented, named "Touring" in BMW tradition. In July 1988, the BMW Z1 Roadster was also based on the E30. The four-wheel drive variant of the BMW E30 appeared as the last regular version in February 1985. In the production period from 1982 to 1994, a total of around 2.3 million BMW E30s were manufactured. The car was offered with a number of engines, ranging from 75 (316s) to 238 (M3) hp. As an alternative to the four or six-cylinder petrol engines, two diesel engines were also available, which delivered 86 and 115 hp, respectively.

BMW E30 – DIE KAROSSERIE

As is unfortunately usual with old and new cars, you also have to contend with rust spots on the BMW E30. Particular attention should be paid to door edges, hood edges, and the trunk; edge rust in particular is to be expected on most vehicles. The sunroof of the BMW E30 sedan is known to have a rust problem, the repair turns out to be very complex and correspondingly expensive.

Since the front panels are endangered by stone chipping and other external influences, small and large rust spots are found here accordingly, and a precise check is essential. Also take a look at the mirror triangles, which are one of the vehicle's most notorious weaknesses. 

As you walk around the car, you should also inspect the taillights, whose rubber seals often lose their elasticity over time and become permeable. It is also advisable to take a look inside the trunk; moisture penetrating from the outside often goes unnoticed because of the carpet, resulting in larger rust spots on the trunk floor. 

Check out the frames of the inspection windscreen and rear window, the wheel arches, the strut bars, the tailgate hinges, and the rear window wipers - while these may not be BMW E30-specific problem areas, they are still worth a second look.

THE TECHNIQUE

If the BMW E30 has been looked after and cared for without a backlog of maintenance, you can probably still have fun with the vehicle for many years - the technology is reliable and solid. The timing belts should be changed regularly on both the four- and six-cylinder engines; If the six-cylinder was kicked too much and too hard, cracks could have formed in the cylinder head - these can be seen in the engine oil in the cooling water. 

Known problems with the engines installed in the BMW E30 include defective water pumps, viscous fans, timing chains, camshafts, rocker arms, ignition distributors, injectors, bucket tappets, duplex timing chains, cylinder heads, fuel pressure regulators, connecting rod bearings - as you can see, most of these are wearing parts. which also have to be renewed in other vehicles at more or less regular intervals. 

The costs of the repair or replacement are not significantly higher than for comparable vehicles, some things can be done on your own with a little practice, but for certain repairs, you should definitely contact a specialist. The spare parts situation for the BMW E30 is good, the required parts are available from every specialist dealer and also from most car recyclers - at mostly affordable prices. 

Basically, a test drive is highly recommended, technical defects and problems often become apparent after just a few meters. For certain repairs, you should definitely contact a professional. The spare parts situation for the BMW E30 is good, the required parts are available from every specialist dealer and also from most car recyclers - at mostly affordable prices. Basically, a test drive is highly recommended, technical defects and problems often become apparent after just a few meters. For certain repairs, you should definitely contact a professional. 

The spare parts situation for the BMW E30 is good, the required parts are available from every specialist dealer and also from most car recyclers - at mostly affordable prices. Basically, a test drive is highly recommended, technical defects and problems often become apparent after just a few meters.

THE CONCLUSION

With the BMW E30, you are buying an affordable classic car for everyday use. Of course, the convertible and M3 versions are particularly popular, but the touring version of the BMW E30 is also in great demand. 

Despite the large number, well-preserved examples of the BMW E30 are not easy to find, many vehicles are rusty and/or have been tinkered with. Over the years, many E30s have been tuned and thus made "unusable". A final tip from our BMW E30 purchase advice: take your time for the research - the almost unmanageable engine range and many peculiarities of the different body versions can quickly overwhelm you, here only patience and fun will help. Patience will pay off: