Era:
Late 1980s / Early 1990s performance sedan
Segment:
Compact Executive/Sports Sedan
Competitors:
Mercedes-Benz W201 (190E), Audi 80/90, Alfa Romeo 75, Acura Legend (early models)
Driving Dynamics:
Renowned for balanced chassis, RWD handling, driver engagement
Powertrain:
Smooth and responsive M20 inline-six engine
Design:
Iconic E30 design, subtle yet sporting aesthetics
Primary Coverage:
Complete factory service and repair
Secondary Coverage:
Maintenance, troubleshooting, diagnostics, repair procedures, electrical diagrams, specifications
Estimated Page Count:
Hundreds (specific number not provided in product info, but implies a comprehensive manual)
Type:
Factory Service Repair Manual
Engine:
M20B25 inline-six, engine management, fuel injection (Bosch Motronic), ignition, cooling, lubrication, exhaust
Transmission:
Getrag 260 5-speed manual, ZF 4HP22 4-speed automatic, clutch system, driveshaft, differential
Drivetrain:
Rear-wheel drive (RWD), axle shafts, wheel bearings
Suspension:
Front MacPherson struts, rear semi-trailing arms, springs, shock absorbers, bushings, anti-roll bars
Steering:
Recirculating ball power steering system, steering column, tie rods
Brakes:
Front vented discs, rear solid discs, hydraulic system, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) components and diagnostics
Electrical:
Full wiring diagrams, battery, alternator, starter, lighting system, fuse box, relays, body electronics, instrument cluster
Bodywork:
Body panel removal and installation, interior trim, exterior trim, glass, seals, bumpers
Heating And Air Conditioning:
HVAC system, blower motor, evaporator, condenser, refrigerant system, climate controls
Maintenance:
Scheduled maintenance, oil changes, filter replacements, spark plugs, timing belts (if applicable to M20 - typically chain driven), coolant flushes
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic flowcharts for common issues, symptom-based diagnosis
Repair:
Detailed step-by-step instructions for component removal, disassembly, repair, reassembly, and installation
Diagnostics:
On-board diagnostics (OBD-I) procedures, fault code retrieval and interpretation for Motronic system
Adjustments:
Valve clearance adjustments, idle speed control, timing adjustments (if applicable)
Depth:
Comprehensive, from basic fluid checks to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, in-depth electrical system analysis
Configuration:
Inline 6-cylinder, SOHC
Displacement:
2.5 Liters (2494 cc)
Horsepower:
168 hp @ 5800 rpm (approx.)
Torque:
164 lb-ft @ 4750 rpm (approx.)
Injection Type:
Bosch Motronic ML-1.3 electronic fuel injection
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline, 91-93 octane recommended
System Type:
Distributorless ignition system (DIS) via Motronic
System Type:
Pressurized liquid cooling system
System Type:
Wet sump lubrication system
Type:
Getrag 260 5-speed manual
Type:
ZF 4HP22 4-speed automatic
Clutch:
Hydraulically actuated single dry plate clutch (manual transmission)
Fluid Manual:
BMW recommends MTF LT-2 or equivalent API GL-4 SAE 75W-90 (check manual for specific PN)
Fluid Automatic:
ATF Dexron III or equivalent (check manual for specific PN)
NHTSA Frontal Impact:
Not rated under modern standards (vehicle predates comprehensive NHTSA testing regimes)
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Traction Control:
Optional (ASC - Automatic Stability Control) on some later E30 models, less common on 1990 325i
Airbags:
Driver-side airbag standard for 1990 model year
Seatbelts:
3-point inertia reel seatbelts front and rear
Body Structure:
Reinforced chassis and safety cage construction
Oil Change:
Every 5,000-7,500 miles or annually, whichever comes first (depending on driving conditions)
Coolant Flush:
Every 2-3 years or 30,000 miles
Transmission Fluid:
Manual: Check for leaks, change as per manual (often longer intervals). Automatic: Every 30,000-60,000 miles.
Spark Plugs:
Every 30,000-60,000 miles (depending on plug type)
Engine Oil:
API SG or higher, SAE 10W-40 or 15W-50 (check manual for exact BMW specification)
Coolant:
BMW Blue Antifreeze/Coolant (G48) or equivalent, mixed 50/50 with distilled water
Brake Fluid:
DOT 3 or DOT 4 (check manual for specific recommendation), flush every 2 years
Cooling System:
Cracked plastic expansion tanks, failing water pumps, radiator leaks
Fuel System:
Leaking fuel injectors, failing fuel pump, clogged fuel filter
Electrical:
Wiring harness degradation (especially around engine bay), alternator issues, starter motor failure, instrument cluster board issues
Suspension:
Worn bushings (control arm, trailing arm), worn shock absorbers, strut mount failure
Engine:
Head gasket leaks (less common on M20 than some other BMW engines), oil pan gasket leaks, timing chain guides (though typically robust)
Brand Focus:
BMW's long-standing reputation for performance, luxury, and engineering excellence
E30 Generation:
Second generation of the 3 Series, introduced in 1982, known for its driving purity and iconic design
325I Introduction:
The 325i designation signified the larger 2.5L engine, offering a significant step up in performance from earlier 320i models
Manufacturing Location:
Germany (primarily Dingolfing and Munich)
Production Years E30:
1982-1994 (sedan variants often ended production earlier, around 1991)
