Car Model History

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

1981 BMW 320iS

The period 1981 320iS combined the regular 320i powertrain with BMW's S equipment package and five-speed Getrag manual.

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
320iS
Body style
Two-door sport sedan
Engine
1.8L fuel-injected M10 inline-four (101 hp / 100 lb-ft)
Transmission
5-speed manual

Rear-wheel drive. Period specifications list Recaro seats, limited-slip differential, sport suspension, air dam, BBS/Mahle wheels, sunroof, fog lamps, and other equipment.

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 320iS. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
1
Factory intervals
0
Fitment-scoped
1
Exact references
1

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 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. Car and Driver — November 1980 road test and specifications for the 1981 BMW 320iS
  2. BMW of North America — 320iS heritage in the 2011 model-year update

Other 1981 configurations

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