Car Model History

First generation · E21 · 1977–1983

1979BMW 3 Series

The original 3 Series — a two-door sport sedan that replaced the 02 Series (the 2002). US cars arrived for 1977; the E21 established the compact rear-drive BMW formula the line still follows.

First generation · E21

1979 BMW 3 Series (E21, first generation) — 323i Baur cabriolet, front three-quarter view

Photo: “BMW 3-Series Cabriolet (E21) 323i Baur (1979)” by Charles from Port Chester, New York / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
1offered2.0L fuel-injected M10 inline-four
Top output
110hp2.0L fuel-injected M10 inline-four

Body stylesTwo-door sedan

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1979 BMW 3 Series model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 1979 3 Series

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

1factory configurations
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for BMW's complete 1979 U.S. E21 roster: the final 2.0-liter two-door 320i. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from BMW of North America — first 3 Series U.S. history and specifications, BMW of North America — new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon technical release.

1versions shown
Two-door sedan

BMW 320i

Body
Two-door sedan
Engine
2.0L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (110 hp / 112 lb-ft)
Gearbox
4-speed Getrag manual or 3-speed ZF automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1979 model year

Overview

The 1979 U.S. 3 Series continued as the rear-drive, two-door 320i with the 110-hp 2.0-liter fuel-injected M10. It was the final U.S. model year for that displacement before BMW moved the federalized 320i to the 1.8-liter engine for 1980.

Specifications

Engines
  • 2.0L fuel-injected M10 inline-four110 hp
Body styles
Two-door sedan

Year over year

What changed

  • The 320i remained the U.S. E21 offering with the 2.0-liter M10.
  • This was the last model year before the U.S. 1.8-liter engine transition.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • Final U.S. model year for the 2.0-liter E21 320i.
  • The 320iS is kept out of this roster because BMW identifies it as a 1980 model.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Use the 1979 2.0-liter engine identity when selecting injection, ignition, and internal-engine parts.
  • Inspect rust, cooling-system condition, Bosch K-Jetronic operation, and electrical grounds on surviving cars.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1979 3 Series on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1979 BMW 3 Series. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
5
Factory intervals
0
Fitment-scoped
5
Exact references
5

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine air-filter element

    Exact reference available

    BMW 13 72 1 278 138

    Applies to: 1979 · M10 2.0L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1979 catalog fitment only; this parts record does not establish a service interval. Confirm VIN and installed airbox before ordering.

    Source: BMW electronic parts catalog — 1979 320i (E21) genuine air-filter listing · Genuine 1979 BMW 320i Air Filter — part 13721278138 and supersession list · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Original equipmentBMW 13721278138

      Qty. 1 · Engine air-filter element; current replacement for 13 72 1 261 012 and 13 72 1 271 254 · current

      The 1979-selected BMW catalog lists 13 72 1 278 138 for the E21 320i and identifies the two earlier numbers it replaces; confirm VIN and installed airbox before ordering.

      Catalog: BMW electronic parts catalog — 1979 320i (E21) genuine air-filter listing · Genuine 1979 BMW 320i Air Filter — part 13721278138 and supersession list · checked

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  • Front windshield-wiper blade set

    Exact reference available

    BMW 61 61 9 069 195

    Applies to: 1979 · M10 2.0L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1979 catalog fitment only; this parts record does not establish a replacement interval. Confirm the VIN and installed wiper arms before ordering.

    Source: BMWPartsDeal — exact-year 1979 BMW 320i front-wiper catalog listing · Genuine 1979 BMW 320i Wiper Blade — Front Windshield Wiper Blade Set 61619069195 and supersession list · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Original equipmentBMW 61619069195

      Qty. 1 · Front · Front windshield-wiper blade set; current replacement for 61 61 1 362 189, 61 61 9 061 906, 61 61 1 365 883, and 61 61 1 365 991 · current

      The 1979-selected catalog lists this complete front set for the E21 320i. Confirm the VIN and installed wiper arms before ordering, especially if the car has been modified.

      Catalog: BMWPartsDeal — exact-year 1979 BMW 320i front-wiper catalog listing · Genuine 1979 BMW 320i Wiper Blade — Front Windshield Wiper Blade Set 61619069195 and supersession list · checked

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  • Air-conditioning compressor belt

    Exact reference available

    BMW 64 55 1 722 991

    Applies to: 1979 · M10 2.0L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) with air conditioning · United States · Exact 1979 catalog fitment for an air-conditioning-equipped car only; this record does not establish a replacement interval or the separate alternator/water-pump belt. Confirm the VIN, installed compressor drive, and belt routing before ordering.

    Source: BMWPartsDeal — exact-year 1979 BMW 320i drive-belt catalog listing · Genuine 1979 BMW 320i Drive Belt — AC Belt 64551722991 and supersession list · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Original equipmentBMW 64551722991

      Qty. 1 · Air-conditioning compressor drive · A/C belt; current replacement for 64 52 1 469 234, 64 55 1 469 267, 64 55 1 717 230, 64 55 1 722 990, and 64 52 1 276 096 · current

      Applies only when the car has the cataloged air-conditioning compressor drive; it is not the separate alternator/water-pump belt.

      Catalog: BMWPartsDeal — exact-year 1979 BMW 320i drive-belt catalog listing · Genuine 1979 BMW 320i Drive Belt — AC Belt 64551722991 and supersession list · checked

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  • Front brake pads and rear brake shoes

    Exact reference available

    BMW 34 11 1 159 249 front; 34 21 1 160 165 rear

    Applies to: 1979 · M10 2.0L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1979 catalog fitment only; replace friction material according to measured wear and hardware condition. Confirm the VIN and installed front calipers/rear drums before ordering.

    Source: BMWPartsDeal — exact-year 1979 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1979 BMW 320i Brake Pads — Front Brake Pad Set 34111159249 and rear Brake Shoe Lining Repair Kit 34211160165 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Original equipmentBMW 34111159249

      Qty. 1 · Front axle · Asbestos-free front brake-pad set; replaces 34 11 1 150 527, 34 11 1 150 523, 34 11 1 118 517, and 34 11 1 150 524 · current

      One cataloged front-axle set; confirm the installed calipers and inspect rotors and hardware before ordering.

      Catalog: BMWPartsDeal — exact-year 1979 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1979 BMW 320i Brake Pads — Front Brake Pad Set 34111159249 and supersession list · checked

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    • Original equipmentBMW 34211160165

      Qty. 1 · Rear axle · Asbestos-free rear brake-shoe lining repair kit; replaces 34 21 1 121 586, 34 21 1 108 430, and 34 21 1 111 484 · current

      One cataloged rear-axle shoe kit; confirm the installed drums and inspect cylinders and hardware before ordering.

      Catalog: BMWPartsDeal — exact-year 1979 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1979 BMW 320i Brake Pads — rear Brake Shoe Lining Repair Kit 34211160165 and supersession list · checked

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  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1979 · United States

    2.0L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (110 hp / 112 lb-ft) — K&N HP-1002

    K&N HP-1002

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1979 · 2.0L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (110 hp / 112 lb-ft) · 320i · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 320i replacement oil-filter catalog · 1979 BMW 320i 1.8L/2.0L gasoline — HP-1002 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

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Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. BMW of North America — first 3 Series U.S. history and specifications
  2. BMW of North America — new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon technical release
  3. Wikipedia — "BMW 3 Series"

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