Car Model History

First generation · E21 · 1977–1983

1983BMW 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

1983 BMW 315 E21, front three-quarter view

Photo: “1983 BMW 315 (10498203415).jpg” by Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands / 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 1983 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 1983 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 final-year 1983 U.S. E21 roster: the 1.8-liter two-door 320i. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from BMW — 1983 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM, BMW of North America and Petersen Automotive Museum — 1983 BMW 320i U.S. heritage record, BMW of North America — first 3 Series U.S. history and specifications.

1versions shown
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sedan

BMW 320i

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
1.8-liter fuel-injected M10 inline-four
Gearbox
Manual or automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1983 model year

Overview

The 1983 U.S. 3 Series was the final model-year E21 320i, still a rear-drive two-door. BMW of North America identifies an unrestored late U.S. 1983 320i in its 50th-anniversary heritage exhibit and states that the 320i was sold through the 1983 model year; the U.S. successor followed for 1984.

Specifications

Engines
  • 1.8L fuel-injected M10 inline-four
Body styles
Two-door sedan

Year over year

What changed

  • This was the final U.S. model year for the first-generation E21 320i.
  • The U.S. page remains two-door-only; BMW associates the four-door expansion with the following E30 generation.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • BMW's preserved 1983 U.S. example marks the end of E21 320i sales.
  • The next U.S. 3 Series generation broadened the body and engine range rather than turning this car into a four-door E21.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Verify E21 identity before ordering: a 1983 registration can overlap the E30's introduction elsewhere, but the U.S. 320i heritage car is the outgoing E21.
  • Match fuel, ignition, clutch, and gearbox parts to the 1.8-liter U.S. E21 specification and the car's actual transmission.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1983 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 1983 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

    Applies to: 1983 · M10 1.8L inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1983 US 320i record; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,000 km · Normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: BMW — 1983 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 7,500-mile replacement rows · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1983 · M10 1.8L inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1983 US 320i record; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: BMW — 1983 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile replacement rows · checked

  • Oxygen sensor

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1983 · M10 1.8L inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1983 US 320i record; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Normal-service replacement interval; reset the mileage counter.

    Source: BMW — 1983 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

    Applies to: 1983 · M10 1.8L inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1983 US 320i record; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Normal-service replacement interval; clean the tank filter screen.

    Source: BMW — 1983 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

    Applies to: 1983 · M10 1.8L inline-four · automatic · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1983 US 320i record; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: BMW — 1983 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM · Normal Service — repeating 30,000-mile automatic-transmission rows · checked

    Manual-transmission fluid

    Applies to: 1983 · M10 1.8L inline-four · manual · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1983 US 320i record; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: BMW — 1983 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

    Applies to: 1983 · M10 1.8L inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1983 US 320i record; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: BMW — 1983 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

    Applies to: 1983 · M10 1.8L inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1983 US 320i record; other-market E21 engines and configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: BMW — 1983 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 1983-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 — 1983 320i (E21) genuine air-filter listing · Genuine 1983 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: 1983 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1983 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 1983 BMW 320i front-wiper catalog listing · Genuine 1983 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 1983-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 1983 BMW 320i front-wiper catalog listing · Genuine 1983 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: 1983 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) with air conditioning · United States · Exact 1983 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 1983 BMW 320i drive-belt catalog listing · Genuine 1983 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 1983 BMW 320i drive-belt catalog listing · Genuine 1983 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: 1983 · M10 1.8L fuel-injected inline-four · 320i (E21) · United States · Exact 1983 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 1983 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1983 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 1983 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1983 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 1983 BMW 320i brake-pad and shoe catalog listing · Genuine 1983 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: 1983 · United States

    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.

    Applies to: 1983 · 1.8-liter fuel-injected M10 inline-four · 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 · 1983 BMW 320i 1.8L/2.0L gasoline — HP-1002 · checked

    Verified ordering references

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Bring this model year home

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

Sources

  1. BMW of North America and Petersen Automotive Museum — 1983 BMW 320i U.S. heritage record
  2. BMW of North America — first 3 Series U.S. history and specifications
  3. BMW — 1983 320i (E21/M10) service record, preserved by Operation CHARM
  4. BMW of North America — new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon technical release

Other First generation years

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