Engine:
S14 Engine (2.3L I4 DOHC)
Engine Management:
Bosch Motronic ML/M3.3 EFI System
Transmission:
Getrag 265 5-Speed Manual Transmission
Drivetrain:
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), Limited-Slip Differential (LSD)
Suspension:
Front MacPherson Struts, Rear Independent Trailing Arms, Bilstein Dampers (Stock)
Brakes:
Front: Ventilated Discs, Rear: Solid Discs, ABS
Steering:
Power Assisted Rack and Pinion
Fuel System:
Bosch Fuel Injection, In-Tank Fuel Pump
Exhaust System:
Dual Catalytic Converters, Stainless Steel Construction (Stock)
Cooling System:
Radiator, Fan Clutch, Expansion Tank
Electrical System:
Battery, Alternator, Starter, Wiring Diagrams, Fuses, Relays
Body And Chassis:
Unibody Construction, Body Panels, Doors, Hood, Trunk, Aerodynamics
Interior:
Seats, Dashboard, Trim, HVAC Controls
Scheduled Maintenance:
Oil Changes, Filter Replacements, Spark Plug Service, Belt Inspections
Engine Overhaul:
Engine Disassembly, Reassembly, Component Inspection, Valve Adjustments
Transmission Repair:
Clutch Replacement, Gearbox Rebuild, Shifter Linkage Adjustment
Brake System Service:
Brake Pad Replacement, Rotor Machining/Replacement, Fluid Bleeding, ABS System Diagnosis
Suspension And Steering Repair:
Shock/Strut Replacement, Bushing Replacement, Ball Joint Service, Power Steering Pump Repair
Electrical Troubleshooting:
Diagnosis of common electrical faults, wiring harness repair, component testing
Fuel System Diagnosis:
Fuel pressure testing, injector cleaning/replacement, fuel pump diagnosis
Cooling System Maintenance:
Coolant flush and fill, thermostat replacement, water pump service
Body Panel Replacement:
Fender, Hood, Trunk, Door Panel Replacement and Adjustment
HVAC System Repair:
Blower motor replacement, evaporator core service, refrigerant system service (cautionary notes)
Troubleshooting Guides:
Diagnostic flowcharts for common problems
Diagnostic Capabilities:
Advanced Diagnostics, Component Testing, Fault Code Interpretation (where applicable for era)
Rebuild Procedures:
Complete Engine and Transmission Rebuild Procedures
Special Tools:
Identification and use of BMW-specific special tools
Transmission Type:
Getrag 265 5-Speed Manual
Gear Ratios Approx:
1st: 3.72, 2nd: 2.40, 3rd: 1.71, 4th: 1.21, 5th: 1.00, Reverse: 3.73
Clutch Type:
Single Dry Plate, Hydraulic Actuation
Differential:
Limited-Slip Differential (LSD), 25% Locking Factor (Standard)
Gearbox Oil Type:
SAE 75W-90 GL-4 or GL-5 (BMW recommended)
Crash Test Data Availability:
Limited official NHTSA/IIHS data for this specific era and model, but considered robust for its time.
ABS:
Anti-lock Braking System (Bosch ABS II) Standard
Seatbelts:
3-point front seatbelts, 2-point rear seatbelts (early models) / 3-point rear seatbelts (later models)
Body Structure:
Reinforced passenger cell, crumple zones
Steering Column:
Collapsible steering column
Oil Change Interval:
Every 7,500 miles or 12,000 km (or as indicated by Oil Service indicator)
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 15W-50 Synthetic or 20W-50 (BMW HP Grade recommended, e.g., Castrol GTX or similar)
Oil Capacity:
5.2 Liters (5.5 US Quarts) with filter change
Air Filter Replacement:
Every 15,000 miles or 24,000 km
Spark Plug Replacement:
Every 30,000 miles or 48,000 km (refer to manual for specific plug type, e.g., Bosch W8DP)
Coolant Type:
BMW Blue (G48) or equivalent Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze
Power Steering Fluid Type:
ATF Dexron III (or BMW specific equivalent)
Coolant Capacity:
Approx. 7.0 Liters (7.4 US Quarts)
Engine Oil Sludge:
Potential for oil sludge buildup if oil changes are neglected, especially in early models.
Rear Wheel Arches:
Prone to rust and corrosion, particularly around the rear wheel arches and sills.
Fuel Pump Reliability:
Early fuel pumps could be a point of failure.
Dashboard Cracks:
ABS warning light can stay illuminated due to worn sensors or control unit issues.
