Car Model History

Second generation · E30 · 1984–1991

1984BMW 3 Series

The car that made the 3 Series an icon. Added a four-door sedan, a convertible, and the Touring wagon, and — most famously — spawned the original E30 M3 homologation special for 1988 (US). US E30s ran model years 1984–1991.

Second generation · E30

1984 BMW 318i E30 coupe, front three-quarter view

Photo: “1984 318i.jpg” by Bretbmorgan / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
2offered1.8L fuel-injected M10 inline-four → 2.7L fuel-injected eta inline-six
Top output
121hp2.7L fuel-injected eta inline-six

Body stylesTwo-door sedan

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1984 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 1984 3 Series

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

2factory 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 first-model-year U.S. E30 two-door 318i and 325e sales roster. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from BMW of North America — 1984 318i and 325e sales brochure (preserved scan), BMW of North America — second-generation 3 Series and 325e history.

2versions shown
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sedan

BMW 318i Two-Door

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
1.8-liter fuel-injected M10 inline-four (101 hp / 103 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sedan

BMW 325e Two-Door

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
2.7-liter fuel-injected eta inline-six (121 hp / 170 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1984 model year

Overview

The second-generation E30 reached U.S. buyers for 1984 as two rear-drive two-door sedans. The 318i used BMW's 101-hp 1.8-liter fuel-injected four, while the new 325e paired a 121-hp, 170-lb-ft 2.7-liter eta six with economy-oriented gearing. The four-door body belongs to the 1985 U.S. expansion and is not backdated onto this roster.

Specifications

Engines
  • 1.8L fuel-injected M10 inline-four101 hp
  • 2.7L fuel-injected eta inline-six121 hp
Body styles
Two-door sedan

Year over year

What changed

  • The E30 replaced the outgoing U.S. E21 320i with a more spacious second-generation two-door body.
  • The 318i launched the U.S. E30 range; the 325e followed during the model year with BMW's torque-focused eta six.
  • The optional four-speed automatic is documented for the 325e; the 318i record remains limited to its five-speed manual rather than inferring a later offering.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • First U.S. model year for the E30 3 Series.
  • BMW identifies 1984 as the introduction of the economy-focused eta six-cylinder concept used by the 325e.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Identify the M10 four-cylinder 318i versus the M20 eta-six 325e before ordering fuel, ignition, cooling, or timing components.
  • Confirm manual versus automatic transmission on the 325e; the gearbox, driveline service parts, and final-drive specification are not interchangeable assumptions.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1984 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 1984 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
10
Factory intervals
9
Fitment-scoped
10
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 and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1984 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1984 325e record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,000 km / 6 months · Maximum guideline; service sooner when the on-board indicator calls for it.

    Source: BMW — 1984 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Oil Service maximum; Indicated Engine Oil Service · checked

  • Inspection I

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1984 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1984 325e record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi / 24,000 km / 12 months · Maximum guideline; alternate with Oil Service and Inspection II as indicated.

    Source: BMW — 1984 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Inspection I maximum · checked

    Inspection II

    Applies to: 1984 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1984 325e record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · Maximum guideline; includes Inspection I plus the additional published tasks.

    Source: BMW — 1984 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Inspection II maximum · checked

  • Brake fluid

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1984 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1984 325e record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 12 months · BMW's archived Inspection I note recommends annual replacement.

    Source: BMW — 1984 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service I — brake-fluid replacement note · checked

  • Automatic-transmission fluid, strainer, and gasket

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1984 · M20 2.7L inline-six · automatic · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1984 325e record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi / 24,000 km / 12 months · At Inspection I; maximum guideline and indicator may call sooner.

    Source: BMW — 1984 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service I — automatic-transmission fluid/strainer/gasket · checked

    Manual-transmission fluid

    Applies to: 1984 · M20 2.7L inline-six · manual · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1984 325e record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · At Inspection II; maximum guideline and indicator may call sooner.

    Source: BMW — 1984 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — manual-transmission fluid · checked

  • Main fuel filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1984 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1984 325e record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · At Inspection II; maximum guideline and indicator may call sooner.

    Source: BMW — 1984 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — main fuel-filter replacement · checked

  • Engine air filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1984 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1984 325e record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · At Inspection II; maximum guideline and indicator may call sooner.

    Source: BMW — 1984 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — air-filter replacement · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1984 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1984 325e record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km / 24 months · At Inspection II; maximum guideline and indicator may call sooner.

    Source: BMW — 1984 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — spark-plug replacement · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1984 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1984 325e record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 24 months · BMW replacement recommendation in the Inspection II schedule.

    Source: BMW — 1984 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — coolant replacement note · checked

  • Camshaft drive belt

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1984 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1984 325e record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 50,000 mi / 48 months · Replace at every second Inspection II or the first inspection due after 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

    Source: BMW — 1984 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — 2.7L camshaft-drive-belt note · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1984 · United States

    1.8-liter fuel-injected M10 inline-four (101 hp / 103 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: 1984 · 1.8-liter fuel-injected M10 inline-four (101 hp / 103 lb-ft) · 318i · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 318i replacement oil-filter catalog · 1984 BMW 318i 1.8L gasoline — HP-1002 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.7-liter fuel-injected eta inline-six (121 hp / 170 lb-ft) — K&N HP-2009

    K&N HP-2009

    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: 1984 · 2.7-liter fuel-injected eta inline-six (121 hp / 170 lb-ft) · 325e · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 325/325e/325i replacement oil-filter catalog · 1984 BMW 325-family 2.5L/2.7L gasoline — HP-2009 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

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Sources

  1. BMW of North America — second-generation 3 Series and 325e history
  2. BMW of North America — 1984 318i and 325e sales brochure (preserved scan)

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