Car Model History

Second generation · E30 · 1984–1991

1986BMW 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

1986 BMW 3 Series (E30, second generation) — 316 coupe, front three-quarter view

Photo: “BMW 3-Series Coupé (E30) 316 (1986)” by Charles from Port Chester, New York / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
1offered2.7L fuel-injected eta inline-six
Top output
121hp2.7L fuel-injected eta inline-six

Body stylesTwo-door sedan · Four-door sedan

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1986 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 1986 3 Series

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

4factory 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 1986 U.S. E30 eta-six 325, 325e, and 325es sales roster. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from BMW of North America — 1986 325, 325e, and 325es sales brochure (preserved catalog scan), BMW Group Classic — BMW 325es (E30), U.S. model, BMW of North America — second-generation 3 Series and 325e history.

4versions shown
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sedan

BMW 325 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
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan

BMW 325 Four-Door

Body
Four-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
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan

BMW 325e Four-Door

Body
Four-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
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sport sedan

BMW 325es Two-Door

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sport 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 1986 model year

Overview

BMW reorganized the U.S. E30 range for 1986 around one 2.7-liter eta inline-six. The four-cylinder 318i was dropped. The entry 325 came in two- and four-door bodies, the more fully equipped 325e was a four-door, and the new 325es was a two-door sports version. All four configurations retained rear-wheel drive and the 121-hp, 170-lb-ft eta engine, with a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic.

Specifications

Engines
  • 2.7L fuel-injected eta inline-six121 hp
Body styles
Two-door sedan, Four-door sedan

Year over year

What changed

  • The 318i left the U.S. catalog, making the range six-cylinder-only.
  • BMW introduced the 325 name in two- and four-door form and reserved 325e for the more fully equipped four-door.
  • The new two-door 325es added factory sport suspension, limited-slip differential, aerodynamic trim, sport seats, and an M-Technic steering wheel without changing the eta engine.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • First U.S. model year for the 325es sports version.
  • BMW Group Classic records 325es production from 1986 through 1988 and identifies it as the two-door companion to the four-door 325e.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • All U.S. configurations use the M20 eta six, but body, suspension, differential, interior, and trim parts still require 325 versus 325e versus 325es fitment checks.
  • Confirm the installed five-speed manual or four-speed automatic before ordering driveline service parts; do not infer transmission from the trim badge.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1986 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 1986 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: 1986 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1986 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 — 1986 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: 1986 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1986 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 — 1986 325e (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Inspection I maximum · checked

    Inspection II

    Applies to: 1986 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1986 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 — 1986 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: 1986 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1986 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 — 1986 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: 1986 · M20 2.7L inline-six · automatic · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1986 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 — 1986 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: 1986 · M20 2.7L inline-six · manual · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1986 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 — 1986 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: 1986 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1986 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 — 1986 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: 1986 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1986 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 — 1986 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: 1986 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1986 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 — 1986 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: 1986 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1986 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 — 1986 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: 1986 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325e (E30) · United States · Exact 1986 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 — 1986 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: 1986 · United States

    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: 1986 · 2.7-liter fuel-injected eta inline-six (121 hp / 170 lb-ft) · 325 · 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 · 1986 BMW 325-family 2.5L/2.7L gasoline — HP-2009 · 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: 1986 · 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 · 1986 BMW 325-family 2.5L/2.7L gasoline — HP-2009 · 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: 1986 · 2.7-liter fuel-injected eta inline-six (121 hp / 170 lb-ft) · 325es · 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 · 1986 BMW 325-family 2.5L/2.7L gasoline — HP-2009 · checked

    Verified ordering references

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Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. BMW of North America — 1986 325, 325e, and 325es sales brochure (preserved catalog scan)
  2. BMW Group Classic — BMW 325es (E30), U.S. model
  3. BMW of North America — second-generation 3 Series and 325e history

Other Second generation years

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