1982 BMW 3 Series four-door (E30) 316i 5MT RWD (102 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Those who grew up in the ‘70s with a two-door 3 Series had already reached adulthood and wanted to continue with a Bimmer, although they needed a four-door sedan, so the automaker felt obliged to provide them with one.

While the 5 or the 7 Series from BMW were more expensive vehicles, the 1982 BMW 3 Series (E30) was still within reach for many. That convinced the German car manufacturer to create one on a fresh platform. The automaker carried over just a few engines from the previous generation, the E21, although with significant improvements. In addition, thanks to the upscale interior and inline-six engines, the E30 instantly became the benchmark for compact executive sports sedans. Furthermore, since the car had the exact wheelbase as its two-door sibling, it was as sporty and nimble as the coupe. Fathers had the sporty sedans of their teenage years.

The car’s look was signed by Claus Luthe, who was one of the most influential car stylists after WWII in Europe. Before moving to BMW, He was known for his work for NSU and Volkswagen. He took inspiration from the inline-six versions of the E21 3 Series with twin headlights design. Unlike that model, the second generation of the 3 Series didn’t have the same shark nose but a vertical front fascia. But still, he retained the horizontal lines of the grille, interrupted in the middle by BMW’s kidney grille. Below, the E30 had a metallic bumper with integrated turn signals and parking lights, while at the lower side, it sported an apron that reduced the ground effect.

With a simple and clean design for the profile but still keeping the Hofmeister-kink element of the C-posts, the second generation of the E30 was instantly recognizable. Depending on engine version, trims, and options, it rode on 14-inch steel or alloy wheels, with full-size plastic caps for the former and a turbine-like styling for the latter. Luthe created an ascending waistline for the vehicle and ended it with a short, flat, and straight deck instead of the sloped-down one as the previous generation of this moniker. In the back, the corner-mounted taillights featured inner-positioned tall reversing lights above the chromed metallic bumper. Depending on the engine, the car had a single or twin exhaust with both pipes on the same side, unlike the 323 E21, which had one on each side.

Inside, there were a plethora of options to choose from. In basic shape, the car came equipped with cranked windows, a stereo, and a simple ventilation system. On the other hand, buyers could opt for power windows for all four doors and a power moonroof. The dashboard featured a center stack that was obviously tilted towards the driver, helping the one behind the wheel to easily control the buttons placed there. The steering wheel fronted an instrument cluster with all the needed dials and gauges, such as the tachometer, the speedometer, and the gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature. In addition, BMW placed a fuel-consumption meter below the rev counter, which was essential for those who want to save money on fuel. As an option, the German automaker installed a primitive version of an onboard computer that showed data about fuel efficiency, average speed, time traveled, and exterior temperature. The base versions of the car were fitted with cloth upholstery for the bucket seats up front and the rear bench seat, while higher grades could be optioned with leather upholstery on high-bolstered seats for the driver and their side passenger and also for those seated in the back.

BMW took just some of the engines from the previous generation of the 3 Series, but it improved them dramatically to perform better, provide more power, or offer increased fuel efficiency. All versions, regardless of engine power or trims, were paired with a five-speed manual as standard, while a three- or four-speed automatic was available for specific versions. Power went to the rear wheels only, and a mechanical self-locking differential was available.