BMW E30 3 Series Specifications
By Jared Fenton
Engine Specifications:
Model 318i 1984-85 318i/is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92 M3 1987-91
Engine Code M10 M42B18 M20B27 M20B25 S14
Cylinders 4 4 6 6 4
Bore mm (in,) 89.0 (3.504) 89.0 (3.504) 89.0 (3.504) 93.4 (3.679)
Stroke mm (in,) 71.0 (2.795) 81.0 (3.189 75.0 (2.953) 84.0 (3.307)
Displacement cc (cu. In.) 1766 (107.

1796 (109.5) 2693 (164.0) 2492 (152.0) 2305 (140.6)
Compression Ratio 9.0:1 10.0:1 9.0:1 8.8:1 10.5:1
Horsepower SAE net @rpm 101 @ 5800 136 @ 6000 121 @ 4250 168 @ 5800 192 @ 6750
Torque lbs.-ft. @rpm SAE net 103 @ 4500 127 @ 4600 170 @ 3250 164 @ 4300 170 @ 4750
Fuel Delivery Bosch L-Jetronic Bosch Motronic Bosch Motronic Bosch Motronic 1.1 Bosch Motronic
Firing Order 1-3-4-2 1-3-4-2 1-5-3-6-2-4 1-5-3-6-2-4 1-3-4-2 *
Transmission Specifications:
* Later 4 Cylinder cars equipped with either 4HP 22 or 4HP 22EH
** Early 4 Cylinder cars were also equipped with the ZF S5-16 Transmission, check driver’s side of transmission casing for identification tag.
Model 318i 1984-85 318is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92 M3 1987-91
Automatic Transmission Type ZF 3 HP 22* N/A 4HP 22 or 4HP 22EH 4HP 22 or 4HP 22EH N/A
Manual Transmission Type Getrag 240** Getrag 260/5 Getrag 260 Getrag 260 Getrag 260/5
Manual Transmission Fluid 1.2 qt. (1.15 L) 1.2 qt. (1.1 L) 1.32 qt. (1.25 L) 1.32 qt. (1.25 L) 1.6 qt. (1.51 L)
Automatic Transmission Fluid 2.1 Qt. (2.0 L) 3.2 qt. (3.0 L) 3.2 qt. (3.0 L) 3.2 qt. (3.0 L) N/A
Manual Transmission Gear Ratios:
Model Getrag 240 Getrag 260 ZF S5-16 Getrag 260/5
1st Gear 3.72 3.83 3.72 3.72
2nd Gear 2.02 2.04 2.2 2.02
3rd Gear 1.32 1.34 1.4 1.32
4th Gear 1 1 1 1
5th Gear 0.81 0.8 0.81 0.8
Reverse Gear 3.45 3.54 3.46 3.46
Automatic Transmission Gear Ratios:
Model ZF 3HP 22 ZF 4HP 22 ZF 4HP 22EH
1st Gear 2.73 2.48 2.48
2nd Gear 1.56 1.48 1.48
3rd Gear 1 1 1
4th Gear N/A 0.73 0.73
Reverse Gear 2.09 2.09 2.09
Final Drive/ Differential Specifications:
Please keep in mind that several different ratios were available with these cars. These ratios are the stock specifications.
Model 318i 1984-85 318i/is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92 M3 1987-91
Final Drive (Auto Trans.) 3.91:1 N/A 2.78:1 2.91:1 N/A
Final Drive (Manual Trans.) 3.91:1 4.10:1 2.78:1 3.73:1 4.10:1
Differential Fluid 0.95 qt. (0.9 L) 1.2 qt. (1.1 L) 1.9 qt. (1.7 L) 1.9 qt. (1.7 L) 1.9 qt. (1.7 L)
Fluids and Lubrication Capacities:
* Indicates oil amount with filter changed.
Model 318i 1984-85 318i/is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92 M3 1987-91
Engine Oil 4.26 qt. (3.75 L)* 5.3 qt. (5.0 L)* 4.46 qt. (4.25 L)* 4.46 qt. (4.25 L)*
Differential Fluid 0.95 qt. (0.9 L) 1.2 qt. (1.1 L) 1.9 qt. (1.7 L) 1.9 qt. (1.7 L) 1.9 qt. (1.7 L)
Brake Fluid Top up as Needed Top up as Needed Top up as Needed Top up as Needed Top up as Needed
Power Steering Fluid Top up as Needed Top up as Needed Top up as Needed Top up as Needed Top up as Needed
Engine Coolant 7.4 qt. (7.0 L) 6.9 qt. (6.5 L) 12.7 qt. (12.0 L) 11.0 qt. (10.5 L) N/A
Spark Plug Specifications:
* Gap may have a +/- tolerance of 0.1mm (0.004 in.)
Model 318i 1984-85 318i/is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325 1988 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92
Spark Plug (Bosch) WR9DS F8 LCR WR9LS WR9LS W8LCR
Spark Plug (NGK) BPR 5 EIX BKR 6 EK ZGR 5 A ZGR 5 A N/A
Electrode Gap 0.8mm (0.032 in.)* 0.8mm (0.032 in.)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)*
Tightening Torque 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs.
Model 318i 1984-85 318i/is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325 1988 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92
Spark Plug (Bosch) WR9DS WR9LS WR9LS W8LCR
Spark Plug (Beru) RS 33 14 R/9 LS 14 R/9 LS N/A
Electrode Gap 0.8mm (0.032 in.)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)*
Tightening Torque 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs.
Model 318i 1984-85 318i/is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325 1988 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92
Spark Plug (Bosch) WR9DS WR9LS WR9LS W8LCR
Spark Plug (Beru) RS 33 14 R/9 LS 14 R/9 LS N/A
Electrode Gap 0.8mm (0.032 in.)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)*
Tightening Torque 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs.
Model 318i 1984-85 318i/is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325 1988 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92
Spark Plug (Bosch) WR9DS WR9LS WR9LS W8LCR
Spark Plug (Beru) RS 33 14 R/9 LS 14 R/9 LS N/A
Electrode Gap 0.8mm (0.032 in.)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)* 0.7mm (0.027 in)*
Tightening Torque 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs. 17 ft./lbs.
Valve Clearance Specifications:
* 1/2 turn between cylinders (approx. 180 degrees)
** 1/3 turn between cylinders (approx. 120 degrees)
Model 318i 1984-85 318i/is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92 M3 1987-91
Valve Clearance (warm) 0.25mm (0.010in.) Non-adjustable 0.30mm (0.012in.) 0.30mm (0.012in.) 0.30mm (0.012in.)
Valve Clearance (cold) 0.20mm (0.008in.) Non-adjustable 0.25mm (0.010in.) 0.25mm (0.010in.) 0.25mm (0.010in.)
Valve Adjustment Sequence 1-3-4-2 * N/A 1-5-3-6-2-4 ** 1-5-3-6-2-4 ** 1-3-4-2 *
Vehicle Dimensions:
Model 318i 1984-85 318i/is/iC 1990-92 325/e/es 1984-87 325i/is/iC/iX 1987-92 M3 1987-91
Curb Weight (Manual Trans.) 2360 lbs. 2602 lbs 2654 lbs. 2813 lbs. 2865 lbs.
Curb Weight (Auto Trans.) 2380 lbs. N/A 2698 lbs. 2865 lbs. N/A
Curb Weight (Convertible) N/A 2867 lbs. N/A 3015 lbs. N/A
Curb Weight (4 Door) 2450 lbs. 2657 lbs. 2765 lbs. 2895 lbs. N/A
Wheelbase 101.2 in. 101.2 in. 101.2 in. 101.2 in. 100.9 in.
Weight Distribution front/rear 53/47 54/46 53/47 53/47 53/47
Fuel Capacity 14.5 gal. (54.88 L) 14.5 gal. (54.88 L) 14.5 gal. (54.88 L) 14.5 gal. (54.88 L) 14.5 gal. (54.88 L)