Car Model History

Two-door sedan · 2.0L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (110 hp / 112 lb-ft)

1979 BMW 320i

BMW's U.S. history and the E21 model record identify the 320i as the U.S. 3 Series offering for 1979.

1979 BMW 3 Series (E21, first generation) — 323i Baur cabriolet, front three-quarter view
Exact 1979 3 Series reference photograph; exact configuration not verified ·

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.

Factory configuration

What this model is

Trim
320i
Body style
Two-door sedan
Engine
2.0L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (110 hp / 112 lb-ft)
Transmission
4-speed Getrag manual or 3-speed ZF automatic

Rear-wheel drive. The U.S. car retained the 2.0-liter M10 through 1979; the 1.8-liter engine and 320iS belong to the 1980 boundary.

Configuration-specific ownership

Maintenance for this exact configuration

These items are filtered to the engine, transmission, trim, and model-year applicability recorded for this configuration. Broad Amazon category searches are suppressed here; shopping links appear only beside catalog-backed part numbers.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1979 BMW 320i. 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

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"

Other 1979 configurations

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