The BMW E30 automobile platform was the basis for the 1982 through 1991 BMW 3-Series automobiles. It replaced the BMW E21 in 1982 and was replaced by the BMW E36 in 1991.
This was also the first platform that BMW introduced their now famous Motorsports divison 3-series, the BMW M3. A widened version of the E30 front suspension and the drivetain from the E30 325i were used in the BMW Z1 roadster.
The E30 3 series was produced in three body styles, a 4 door saloon (pictured), a 2 door coupe (actually just a 2 door variant of the saloon), and a 5 door estate (marketed as the "touring"). The BMW M3 utilised a widened and heavily restyled variation of the 2 door body style.
The cars were powered by a range of inline 4 cylinder (BMW M10 & BMW M40) 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 torque for the 1.8 L (1766 cc) 4 cylinder engine, to 226 N·m torque from the 2.5 L (2494 cc) 6 cylinder petrol engine. The E30 BMW M3 was fitted with a 4 cylinder engine producing more power, but less torque.
E30 production totals
| 1982 | 15580 |
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| 1983 | 218201 |
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| 1984 | 285134 |
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| 1985 | 297886 |
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| 1986 | 329460 |
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| 1987 | 316075 |
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| 1988 | 269074 |
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| 1989 | 257307 |
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| 1990 | 246818 |
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| Total | 2235535 |
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Further reading
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- R.M. Clarke (1990). BMW Series 3 - 4 Cylinder Cars Gold Portfolio. Brooklands Books. ISBN 1855201496 (paperback).
- A.K. Legg & Larry Warren (1996). BMW 3- & 5-Series Haynes Service and Repair Manual. Haynes. ISBN 1859602363 (hardcover).
- Various authors (1993). BMW Serie "3" (Modelos después 1983) Estudios técnicos y documentación. ANETO-ETAI. ISSN 11347155 (paperback).
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