First generation · E21 · 1977–1983
1982BMW 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.
Photo: “1982 BMW 315 (E21)” by Spanish Coches / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Start here
What do you need to know?
This page covers the whole 1982 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 1982 3 Series
Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.
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 1982 U.S. late-E21 roster: the 1.8-liter two-door 320i. Every version shown below has its own detail page.
Verified 2026-09-01 from BMW — 1982 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM, BMW of North America — first 3 Series U.S. history and specifications.
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1982 model year
Overview
The 1982 U.S. 3 Series remained the first-generation E21 320i: a compact rear-drive two-door rather than the second-generation four-door range then beginning overseas. BMW's U.S. history identifies the 320i as the sole E21 model offered to American buyers, while the exact 1982 E21/M10 service record documents the U.S. car's 1.8-liter fuel-injected four-cylinder service specification.
Specifications
- Engines
- 1.8L fuel-injected M10 inline-four
- Body styles
- Two-door sedan
Year over year
What changed
- The U.S. model remained the E21 320i even as BMW introduced the second-generation 3 Series in other markets during 1982.
- No four-door U.S. configuration is listed: BMW describes the four-door as an expansion of the successor generation.
Worth knowing
Notable
- 1982 is a market-boundary year: the E30 debuted outside the United States while the U.S. catalog continued with the E21.
- BMW records the E21 320i as its only U.S. first-generation 3 Series model.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- Confirm that engine, fuel-injection, and transmission parts are cataloged for the late U.S. E21 320i, not an overseas E30 carrying the same model-year label.
- Use the factory inspection plan for service decisions; the late E21 handbook separates oil service, inspection, gearbox/final-drive work, coolant, and brake-fluid timing.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1982 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 1982 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
- 11
- Factory intervals
- 7
- Fitment-scoped
- 11
- 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
Source: BMW — 1982 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 7,500-mile replacement rows · checked
Spark plugs
Sourced interval available
Source: BMW — 1982 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile replacement rows · checked
Oxygen sensor
Sourced interval available
Source: BMW — 1982 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile oxygen-sensor replacement rows · checked
Main fuel filter
Sourced interval available
Source: BMW — 1982 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile replacement rows · checked
Automatic-transmission fluid, strainer, and gasket
Sourced interval available
Source: BMW — 1982 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile automatic-transmission rows · checked
Manual-transmission fluid
Source: BMW — 1982 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile manual-transmission-fluid rows · checked
Final-drive fluid
Sourced interval available
Source: BMW — 1982 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile differential-fluid rows · checked
Engine air-filter element
Exact reference available
Source: BMW — 1982 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile replacement rows · 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 1982-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 — 1982 320i (E21) genuine air-filter listing · Genuine 1982 BMW 320i Air Filter — part 13721278138 and supersession list · checked
Search this part on Amazon
Front windshield-wiper blade set
Exact reference available
BMW 61 61 9 069 195
Source: BMWPartsDeal — exact-year 1982 BMW 320i front-wiper catalog listing · Genuine 1982 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 1982-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 1982 BMW 320i front-wiper catalog listing · Genuine 1982 BMW 320i Wiper Blade — Front Windshield Wiper Blade Set 61619069195 and supersession list · checked
Search this part on Amazon
Air-conditioning compressor belt
Exact reference available
BMW 64 55 1 722 991
Source: BMWPartsDeal — exact-year 1982 BMW 320i drive-belt catalog listing · Genuine 1982 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 1982 BMW 320i drive-belt catalog listing · Genuine 1982 BMW 320i Drive Belt — AC Belt 64551722991 and supersession list · checked
Search this part on Amazon
Front brake pads and rear brake shoes
Exact reference available
BMW 34 11 1 159 249 front; 34 21 1 160 165 rear
Source: BMWPartsDeal — exact-year 1982 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1982 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 1982 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1982 BMW 320i Brake Pads — Front Brake Pad Set 34111159249 and supersession list · checked
Search this part on Amazon - 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 1982 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1982 BMW 320i Brake Pads — rear Brake Shoe Lining Repair Kit 34211160165 and supersession list · checked
Search this part on Amazon
Engine oil filter — catalog fitment
Exact reference available
1.8-liter fuel-injected M10 inline-four — 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.
Source: K&N — BMW 320i replacement oil-filter catalog · 1982 BMW 320i 1.8L/2.0L gasoline — HP-1002 · checked
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentK&N HP-1002
Qty. 1 · Spin-on replacement oil filter · catalog-listed
Verify the current manufacturer application listing, VIN, production date, and installed dimensions before purchase.
Catalog: K&N — BMW 320i replacement oil-filter catalog · 1982 BMW 320i 1.8L/2.0L gasoline — HP-1002 · checked
Search this part on Amazon
Collect
Bring this model year home
Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.
Sources
Other First generation years
Explore the E21 generation →All First generation · E21 years →