Car Model History

Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan · 2.7-liter Super Eta inline-six (127 hp)

1988 BMW 325 Four-Door

BMW's 1988 U.S. records identify the 325 four door as a distinct E30 configuration.

1988 BMW 3 Series (E30, second generation) — 325ix, front three-quarter view
Exact 1988 3 Series reference photograph; exact configuration not verified ·

Photo: “1988 BMW 325ix (E30)” by Spanish Coches / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Factory configuration

What this model is

Trim
325
Body style
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
2.7-liter Super Eta inline-six (127 hp)
Transmission
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic

Standalone options and equipment groups are not promoted into separate configurations.

Compare related 1988 configurations

Compare up to twelve documented pairings, prioritizing the same engine, body, trim and gearbox as this car. This related selection is not a complete factory lineup.

Browse all documented 1988 configurations →

Compare 7 related configurations — current car marked
1988 BMW 3 Series: documented configuration differences
ConfigurationEngineTransmissionBody
BMW 325 Two-Door2.7-liter Super Eta inline-six (127 hp)5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automaticTwo-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Current carBMW 325 Four-Door2.7-liter Super Eta inline-six (127 hp)5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automaticFour-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
BMW 325i Four-Door2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft)5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automaticFour-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
BMW 325is Two-Door2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft)5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automaticTwo-door rear-wheel-drive sport sedan
BMW 325i Convertible2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft)5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automaticTwo-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
BMW 325iX Two-Door2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft)5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automaticTwo-door all-wheel-drive sedan
BMW M3 Two-Door2.3-liter S14 four-cylinder (192 hp)5-speed manualTwo-door rear-wheel-drive homologation sedan

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 1988 BMW 325 Four-Door. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
10
Scheduled topics
9
Applicability stated
10
Exact references
1

Before ordering Identify 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 filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1988 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325 (E30) · United States · Exact 1988 325 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 — 1988 325 (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Oil Service maximum; Indicated Engine Oil Service · checked

  • Inspection IView intervals, applicability and sources

    Inspection I

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1988 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325 (E30) · United States · Exact 1988 325 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 — 1988 325 (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Inspection I maximum · checked

    Inspection II

    Applies to: 1988 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325 (E30) · United States · Exact 1988 325 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 — 1988 325 (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Inspection II maximum · checked

  • Brake fluidView intervals, applicability and sources

    Brake fluid

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1988 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325 (E30) · United States · Exact 1988 325 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 — 1988 325 (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service I — brake-fluid replacement note · checked

  • Automatic-transmission fluid, strainer, and gasketView intervals, applicability and sources

    Automatic-transmission fluid, strainer, and gasket

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1988 · M20 2.7L inline-six · automatic · 325 (E30) · United States · Exact 1988 325 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 — 1988 325 (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service I — automatic-transmission fluid/strainer/gasket · checked

    Manual-transmission fluid

    Applies to: 1988 · M20 2.7L inline-six · manual · 325 (E30) · United States · Exact 1988 325 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 — 1988 325 (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — manual-transmission fluid · checked

  • Main fuel filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Main fuel filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1988 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325 (E30) · United States · Exact 1988 325 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 — 1988 325 (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — main fuel-filter replacement · checked

  • Engine air filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine air filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1988 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325 (E30) · United States · Exact 1988 325 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 — 1988 325 (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — air-filter replacement · checked

  • Spark plugsView intervals, applicability and sources

    Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1988 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325 (E30) · United States · Exact 1988 325 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 — 1988 325 (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — spark-plug replacement · checked

  • Engine coolantView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1988 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325 (E30) · United States · Exact 1988 325 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 — 1988 325 (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — coolant replacement note · checked

  • Camshaft drive beltView intervals, applicability and sources

    Camshaft drive belt

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1988 · M20 2.7L inline-six · 325 (E30) · United States · Exact 1988 325 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 — 1988 325 (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — 2.7L camshaft-drive-belt note · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitmentView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1988 · United States

    2.7-liter Super Eta inline-six (127 hp) — 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: 1988 · 2.7-liter Super Eta inline-six (127 hp) · 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 · 1988 BMW 325-family 2.5L/2.7L gasoline — HP-2009 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Search results may cover different scales, trims and model years. Check each listing; this search does not establish an exact replica of the documented vehicle.

Sources

  1. BMW — 1988 U.S. factory service-manual model and engine roster (Operation CHARM mirror)
  2. BMW of North America — 325iX U.S. all-wheel-drive introduction history
  3. BMW of North America — first-generation U.S. M3 history and specification

Other 1988 configurations

Filter documented 1988 configurations →