BMW E30

The BMW E30 platform was the basis for the 1981 through 1991 BMW 3-Series entry-level luxury car / compact executive car. It was the successor of the BMW E21 in 1982 and was replaced by the BMW E36 in 1992. BMW continued to produce the cabriolet (convertible) E30 well into 1993. The Touring remained in production until 1994 when the E36 touring replaced it. The M3 cabriolet was never officially offered for sale in North America; it was offered only for the European market.

The famous BMW M3 was first introduced on the E30 platform. A widened version of the E30 front suspension and the drivetrain from the E30 325i were used in the BMW Z1 roadster.

The E30 3-Series was produced in four body styles, a four door saloon, a two door saloon, a five door estate (marketed as the "touring"), and a two door convertible. A Baur cabrio was also available. The 325ix was produced from 1988 to 1992, and featured all-wheel drive. It was available as a two-door (saloon) or a four-door (sedan) and as touring. The BMW M3 utilised a widened and heavily redesigned and restyled variation of the 2 door body style. The M3 shares few parts with other E30 models.

The primary distinctive feature of the BMW E30 models produced for the North American market in 1984-1987 are the elongated front/rear aluminum bumpers. These bumpers are commonly known as "diving boards." In 1988, the anodized aluminum bumpers were shortened by revising the cover/fillers and shortening the shocks. In 1989 the aluminum bumpers were replaced with shorter body-color plastic bumpers.

The cars were powered by a range of inline 4 cylinder (BMW M10, BMW M40 , & BMW M42) 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 (100 lb·ft) torque for the 1.8 L (1766 cc) 4 cylinder engine, to 230 N·m (170 lb·ft) torque from the 2.7 L (2693 cc) 6 cylinder petrol engine. The E30 BMW M3 was fitted with a 4 cylinder engine (BMW S14) producing more power, but less torque. 0-60 mph times was around 6.4 seconds, very quick for a car in its time.

Bumpers
Early U.S.-spec E30s all had large metal bumpers, often referred to as "diving board" bumpers. European-spec models had smaller, lighter, and sleeker metal bumpers. Starting in late 86 production in the European market and 88 in the US market, all models except the convertible got plastic bumpers. The convertible retained metal bumpers albeit with shorter shocks for less of a "diving board effect." Convertibles had the larger metal bumpers until model year 1990 when they were facelifted to match the other models.

Lighting
Early cars had small taillights. 1988 was a transition year with large taillights but still had diving board bumpers. All cars after 1988 had plastic bumpers except for convertibles, which made the change in 1991.

Bumper-mounted foglights were standard on most metal-bumper cars. Sport models with the revised metal-bumper valence as well as some early-model 318i's had integrated foglights. Plastic bumper and 1988 model cars had projector foglights.

American cars were universally equipped with sealed-beam headlights except for 1987-1989 models, which had the option of ellipsoid lighting. All cars after and including 1990 had sealed-beam lights

Early euro-spec cars got H1 lighting. Later cars have the very desirable "smiley" ellipsoids with city lights. These lights use H1 bulbs.

Body styling
Pre-facelift (metal bumper) cars had no rear valence and a bespoke front valence. "es" and "is" models had a sport bumper cover until 1988, when all cars got a new valence with integrated foglights and lip.

Early cars with metal bumpers also had higher rear wheel arches, which allow the fitment of wider tires, but are often seen as worse-looking.

"es" and "is" cars also got a small trunklid spoiler. Convertibles never got spoilers from the factory.

Convertibles
Convertible-model cars do not follow these guielines, and were produced up to 1993, with late models being sold as 1994 MY cars. Convertibles got plastic bumpers and large taillights in 1991.

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