Car Model History

Two-door sedan · 1.8L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (101 hp / 100 lb-ft)

1981 BMW 320i

BMW's original 1981 full-line brochure highlights the 320i as its U.S. 3 Series model.

1981 BMW 3 Series (E21, first generation) — 320, front three-quarter view
Exact 1981 3 Series reference photograph; exact configuration not verified ·

Photo: “BMW 3-Series (E21) 320 (1981)” 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
1.8L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (101 hp / 100 lb-ft)
Transmission
5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic

Rear-wheel drive. The period 320iS was the enthusiast equipment configuration of the same 1.8-liter car.

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 1981 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
12
Factory intervals
8
Fitment-scoped
12
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 oil and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1981 US 320i factory handbook; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,000 km · BMW Oil Service interval.

    Source: BMW — 1981 320i Owner's Handbook (HOK 516 / E21 80 01 US, factory U.S. edition; preserved by ProjectE21) · Owner's Handbook p. 102 — engine-oil and oil-filter rows · checked

  • BMW Inspection

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1981 US 320i factory handbook; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi / 24,000 km · After the initial 600-mile inspection, repeat the published BMW Inspection at this interval.

    Source: BMW — 1981 320i Owner's Handbook (HOK 516 / E21 80 01 US, factory U.S. edition; preserved by ProjectE21) · Owner's Handbook pp. 102–103 — service-instruction-plan column headings · checked

  • Manual-gearbox oil

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · manual · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1981 US 320i factory handbook; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Replacement interval after the initial 600-mile change.

    Source: BMW — 1981 320i Owner's Handbook (HOK 516 / E21 80 01 US, factory U.S. edition; preserved by ProjectE21) · Owner's Handbook p. 102 — manual-gearbox oil row and footnote 1 · checked

    Automatic-transmission oil

    Applies to: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · automatic · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1981 US 320i factory handbook; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Replacement interval.

    Source: BMW — 1981 320i Owner's Handbook (HOK 516 / E21 80 01 US, factory U.S. edition; preserved by ProjectE21) · Owner's Handbook p. 102 — automatic-transmission oil row and footnote 1 · checked

  • Final-drive oil

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1981 US 320i factory handbook; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Replacement interval after the initial 600-mile change.

    Source: BMW — 1981 320i Owner's Handbook (HOK 516 / E21 80 01 US, factory U.S. edition; preserved by ProjectE21) · Owner's Handbook p. 102 — final-drive oil row and footnote 1 · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1981 US 320i factory handbook; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 24 months · Renew with an ethylene-glycol coolant compatible with the aluminum engine and radiator.

    Source: BMW — 1981 320i Owner's Handbook (HOK 516 / E21 80 01 US, factory U.S. edition; preserved by ProjectE21) · Owner's Handbook p. 103 — radiator row · checked

  • Brake and clutch hydraulic fluid

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1981 US 320i factory handbook; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 12 months · Renew the brake-system fluid once a year; use DOT brake fluid.

    Source: BMW — 1981 320i Owner's Handbook (HOK 516 / E21 80 01 US, factory U.S. edition; preserved by ProjectE21) · Owner's Handbook p. 103 — brake/clutch row · checked

  • Main fuel filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1981 US 320i factory handbook; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Replacement interval; clean the pre-mesh filter screen in the fuel tank.

    Source: BMW — 1981 320i Owner's Handbook (HOK 516 / E21 80 01 US, factory U.S. edition; preserved by ProjectE21) · Owner's Handbook p. 103 — fuel-supply rows and footnote 1 · checked

  • Engine air-filter element

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1981 US 320i factory handbook; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Renewal interval.

    Source: BMW — 1981 320i Owner's Handbook (HOK 516 / E21 80 01 US, factory U.S. edition; preserved by ProjectE21) · Owner's Handbook p. 103 — air-filter row and footnote 1 · 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 1981-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 — 1981 320i (E21) genuine air-filter listing · Genuine 1981 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: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1981 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 1981 BMW 320i front-wiper catalog listing · Genuine 1981 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 1981-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 1981 BMW 320i front-wiper catalog listing · Genuine 1981 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: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) with air conditioning · United States · Exact 1981 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 1981 BMW 320i drive-belt catalog listing · Genuine 1981 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 1981 BMW 320i drive-belt catalog listing · Genuine 1981 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: 1981 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1981 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 1981 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1981 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 1981 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1981 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 1981 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1981 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: 1981 · United States

    1.8L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (101 hp / 100 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: 1981 · 1.8L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (101 hp / 100 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 · 1981 BMW 320i 1.8L/2.0L gasoline — HP-1002 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    1.8L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (101 hp / 100 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: 1981 · 1.8L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (101 hp / 100 lb-ft) · 320iS · 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 · 1981 BMW 320i 1.8L/2.0L gasoline — HP-1002 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Sources

  1. BMW of North America — original 1981 full-line sales brochure record
  2. Car and Driver — November 1980 road test and specifications for the 1981 BMW 320iS

Other 1981 configurations

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