Car Model History

Second generation · E30 · 1984–1991

1990BMW 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

1990 BMW 3 Series (E30, second generation) — 325i cabriolet, front three-quarter view

Photo: “BMW 3-Series Cabriolet (E30) 325i (1990)” by Charles from Port Chester, New York / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
2offered2.5L fuel-injected M20 inline-six → 2.3L S14 four-cylinder
Top output
192hp2.3L S14 four-cylinder

Body stylesTwo-door sedan · Four-door sedan · Convertible · M3 homologation sedan

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1990 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 1990 3 Series

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

7factory 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 1990 U.S. E30 rear/all-wheel-drive and M3 service roster. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from BMW — 1990 U.S. factory service-manual model and engine roster (Operation CHARM mirror), BMW of North America — 325iX U.S. all-wheel-drive introduction history, BMW of North America — first-generation U.S. M3 history and specification.

7versions shown
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sedan

BMW 325i Two-Door

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan

BMW 325i Four-Door

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 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 325is Two-Door

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive sport sedan
Engine
2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible

BMW 325i Convertible

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive convertible
Engine
2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door all-wheel-drive sedan

BMW 325iX Two-Door

Body
Two-door all-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door all-wheel-drive sedan

BMW 325iX Four-Door

Body
Four-door all-wheel-drive sedan
Engine
2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft)
Gearbox
5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive homologation sedan

BMW M3 Two-Door

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive homologation sedan
Engine
2.3-liter S14 four-cylinder (192 hp)
Gearbox
5-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1990 model year

Overview

BMW's 1990 U.S. E30 range retained seven exact configurations: rear-drive 325i two- and four-door sedans, the two-door 325is sport model, the 325i Convertible, two- and four-door 325iX all-wheel-drive sedans, and the separate manual-only M3. Every regular model used the 168-hp, 164-lb-ft 2.5-liter M20 inline-six; the M3 used its 192-hp 2.3-liter S14 four-cylinder.

Specifications

Engines
  • 2.5L fuel-injected M20 inline-six168 hp
  • 2.3L S14 four-cylinder192 hp
Body styles
Two-door sedan, Four-door sedan, Convertible, M3 homologation sedan

Year over year

What changed

  • The seven-configuration U.S. roster carried forward the rear-drive, all-wheel-drive, convertible, and M3 body and driveline boundaries established for 1989.
  • BMW's factory service roster continued to identify the 325i Convertible, 325is, 325iX AWD, and M3 separately rather than treating them as equipment packages.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • Both two- and four-door 325iX configurations remained in the U.S. service roster.
  • The M3 remained a distinct 192-hp, five-speed-manual homologation model alongside the regular 3 Series range.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Confirm rear-drive 325i/325is/Convertible versus all-wheel-drive 325iX before ordering oil-pan, front-driveline, suspension, steering, wheel, or transmission-related parts.
  • The S14-powered M3 does not share routine engine, cooling, ignition, exhaust, or transmission fitment with the M20-powered regular E30 range.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1990 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 1990 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
9
Factory intervals
8
Fitment-scoped
9
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: 1990 · M20 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E30) · United States · Exact 1990 325i 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 — 1990 325i (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: 1990 · M20 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E30) · United States · Exact 1990 325i 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 — 1990 325i (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Inspection I maximum · checked

    Inspection II

    Applies to: 1990 · M20 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E30) · United States · Exact 1990 325i 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 — 1990 325i (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Service Intervals/Equivalent Mileage — Inspection II maximum · checked

  • Brake fluid

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1990 · M20 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E30) · United States · Exact 1990 325i record; other E30 engines, body styles, iX, and M3 configurations are not claimed.

    Published interval: 24 months · BMW's archived Inspection I note specifies replacement every two years.

    Source: BMW — 1990 325i (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: 1990 · M20 2.5L inline-six · automatic · 325i (E30) · United States · Exact 1990 325i 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 — 1990 325i (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service I — automatic-transmission fluid/strainer/gasket · checked

    Manual-transmission fluid

    Applies to: 1990 · M20 2.5L inline-six · manual · 325i (E30) · United States · Exact 1990 325i 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 — 1990 325i (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: 1990 · M20 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E30) · United States · Exact 1990 325i 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 — 1990 325i (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: 1990 · M20 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E30) · United States · Exact 1990 325i 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 — 1990 325i (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — air-filter replacement · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1990 · M20 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E30) · United States · Exact 1990 325i 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 — 1990 325i (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — spark-plug replacement · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1990 · M20 2.5L inline-six · 325i (E30) · United States · Exact 1990 325i 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 — 1990 325i (E30/M20) service-indicator schedule, preserved by Operation CHARM · Indicated Inspection Service II — coolant replacement note · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1990 · United States

    2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 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: 1990 · 2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft) · 325i · 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 · 1990 BMW 325-family 2.5L/2.7L gasoline — HP-2009 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 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: 1990 · 2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft) · 325is · 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 · 1990 BMW 325-family 2.5L/2.7L gasoline — HP-2009 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 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: 1990 · 2.5-liter fuel-injected inline-six (168 hp / 164 lb-ft) · 325iX · 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 · 1990 BMW 325-family 2.5L/2.7L gasoline — HP-2009 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.3-liter S14 four-cylinder (192 hp) — 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: 1990 · 2.3-liter S14 four-cylinder (192 hp) · M3 · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW M3 replacement oil-filter catalog · 1990 BMW M3 2.3L gasoline — HP-1002 · checked

    Verified ordering references

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Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. BMW — 1990 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

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