MotorWeek | Retro Review: '82 BMW E30 318i

It's 3-Series day here at Retro Review, so buckle up! We're gonna hit you with all we got...Oh, and we're glad to have you with us.

[@kondor99999]

This was my 2nd car. I kept it from 1984 to 2000, when it finally died. Got me through college and most of med school.

[@JohnSmith-in2kl]

Yea when they made good cars!

[@jackdough8164]

Yea it’s a shame how much their quality has gone now. It would financially ruin someone to keep one running that long now lol

[@1984318i]

The reason why this car cost more than the previous generation, is that it came with electronic fuel injection, a service indicator computer, electronic fuel economy gauge, digital clock, electric central locking, electric mirrors, power steering, a fully carpeted trunk, bigger tires, handling package suspension and a/c all as standard equipment in North America. The majority of vehicles at this time were still using carburetors and also most manufacturers were building vehicles with smaller engines as well, simply because the fuel crisis was still fresh in peoples minds. Where I live in the Pacific North West, it is rare not to see at least one E30 on the road a day, showing just how well these cars hold up over time. I feel that motorweek really didn't give this car the justice that it deserves. The E30 is one of the most ergonomic cars ever built. I have never driven a car with such good visibility either. Overall, this car is simply a pleasure to drive.

[@chickasawranger759]

1984318i I loved mine. The handling was way better than the 3201.

[@BlackBBQChicken1998]

@@chickasawranger759 my dad had too this car when i was a baby and i remember like last day. Its one of the best cars made and i try in future to get it again:).

[@LordLauderdale]

Amen

[@dinocracchiolo1006]

These truly were the good old days, Great looking car, great size/ weight, form follow function, great visibility, manual transmission, real bumbers , no plastic engine parts, simple dash,easy to use, no computer screen cluttering the dash.

[@MrMeoow91]

Got to say that Bmw and Porsches interior in the 80s looks very well build and sturdy.

[@Singhabeer1000]

I have a 1982 BMW E30 Coupe M10 manual with over 643400 Km. Still runs fine. 😊

[@brianfarinha1720]

DAMW!! That's a lot! I have a 318i m10 saloon with 135 000km. Love the car. The only problem is that it does an average of 10 liters per 100 km wich in my country (portugal) is very high. Nonetheless pretty great car. Mind if I ask what we're the main issues along the way? Has it been rebuild? Any type of restoration to the chassis? I hope you still have the car Cheers

[@ImCeatra]

@@brianfarinha1720 that's quite a lot, geez. Do you know if the M40 is more fuel efficient? I was considering getting a W124 but the E30 just makes much more sense to me (and for me) E os governo poderia baixar os impostos aos combustíveis, mas prontos

[@stevenvillarreal8970]

Omg that's crazy! I have a 85' 323i that is currently in the shop for some cluster gauge issues but when it gets fixed it'll have been some 34 - 35 years since it last saw the road since it only has 46,000 miles on it.

[@NamasteTexas]

I had one of these and it was the funnest car I've ever owned.

[@tsomeone950]

This was streamlining in 1982..... By 1991 it was called a brick..... Still love it though. Good to see them new. Thanks for the videos....

[@fernandorocha8459]

beautiful this BMW

[@davidparker9676]

I had a great time driving my 1984 318i. Such a well balanced and nimble car.

[@PenttiHuttunenGlobetrotter]

exactly

[@Doobie1975]

10.5 seconds from 0-60mph is hardly slow in 1982, that is faster than many so called sporty cars built from that time frame.

[@LukesVintageRC]

it was still slow then

[@x-man4702]

For a heavy car with only 101 brake horsepower, I think pretty fast 0 to 60.

[@barryervin8536]

And today guys who reminisce about their 10.5 second BMW will still tell you it was "exhilaratingly fast", while in the next breath telling you a modern 8.5 second Kia is "too slow to be safe to drive". Mythology, Gotta love it.

[@PenttiHuttunenGlobetrotter]

@@barryervin8536 im sure you are right, but to be honest e30 BMW with a 1,8 engine felt quite fast then

[@1984318i]

This was my first car that I purchased over 12 years ago and it's still going strong. I've driven the 325i e30 and I prefer the 318i since it handles better because of it's lighter weight, so on curvy, twisty roads you can out perform and manoeuvre almost anything. I wouldn't change a thing on it, it's designed and engineered brilliantly! Also the start of production of these cars for the USA was May of 1982 so the title of this video makes sense. 318i forever!!

[@JDMHaze]

lucky bastard

[@rbruce63]

I had a 1984 BMW 318i in 1989. We bought it in Switzerland and imported it to Costa Rica, where we live. It had 22,000 Km and I loved it for the 128,000 Km that I had it in 4 years. It sold within a week. The engine was superior to the 1200 cc and 1600 cc cars found in my country. Fuel injection was complicated they didn’t know how to fix it. I became a mechanic for my own car and performed the tune ups myself with the help of a Bentley book and a Bosch Fuel Injection and Engine Management that demystified fuel injection! The dealer became also my friend! I drove it all over and it was a nice touring car! I still look for it in the streets of San José. However, I stoped seeing it about 5 years ago. Perhaps if I find it I might embark in rebuilding it like if it was a way to return back times of youthful driving in twisty mountainous roads of our country!

[@karmatose]

My first BMW was an '84 318i. Great little cars. I prefer my '87 325is though.

[@kondor99999]

Eric Dawson This was my 2nd car. Also an 84 model.

[@brianevans604]

Best looking beemers ever,still ahead of new cars today,strong engines,Brill handling and supremely comfortable,still a car to better today.a landmark car,buy one while they are still affordable classic.

[@markallen2984]

We used to call the E30 "The German Sentra"

[@danmccarthy4700]

The E30 will probably always be the first thing I think of when I hear the name "BMW".

[@LMacNeill]

The E30. The last BMW worth owning. Before they started installing technology for technology's sake. No dipstick? Seriously?! Who the hell thought *that* was a good idea?

[@paulhunter123]

British leyland

[@lakeshorerides]

@@paulhunter123 hahaha, this has me rolling

[@paulhunter123]

along with no temp gauge

[@daanvandenheuvel]

I own a e81 and the first thing that triggered me was that there indeed was no dipstick, like wtf?!

[@Termiic]

E36 after this one was (still) useable, but after that it all went downhill.

[@svaughn9794]

The upcoming 6 cylinder 326e @5:00 lol

[@FrightfulAccountant]

Maybe it's the american eye that sees things diffrent, but I see litle resemblance to average Japanees cars of those days. A Nissan Sunny or a Mitsubishi Galant looked far more blend then this. Time has proved anyway that this BMW styling has become classic, it was good looking back then and it still is looking today.

[@DrewLSsix]

FrightfulAccountant. He was jist comparing the old bmw to the new one. Its not like a japanese car, just a little closer than it was.

[@craig2web]

Nice car back in the day. I'm looking forward to getting a 2 series eventually which seems to be the spiritual successor to this car.

[@grantmills4184]

It certainly is, although I’m not sure how I feel about the all new one, just unveiled the day I wrote this comment. July 6 2021, the new m2 might have sadly killed the spirit of the m2. I’d rather get a manual 1 gen example

[@craig2web]

@@grantmills4184 I think the new one looks good. But at this point, I want an electric one.

[@grantmills4184]

@@craig2web fair enough, it would be cool to see what an electric m2 would be capable of

[@realgone222]

This review was SAVAGE.

[@mcfritter]

The central locking power door locks would freeze in the winter. I remember that I had to remember to not lock my doors in cold weather.

[@arttafil6792]

TheFritter, if the locks didn’t freeze the rubber door seals would. Even up to today the seals are the greatest anti theft devices ever invented!

[@gxdjoeybaby07]

so it is possible for bronzitbeige to look nice! LOL the clearcoat on my '86 is long gone, but I still love the car =)

[@sailordave1000]

And yet GM thought they could compete with this by dressing up a Chevy Cavalier as a Caddy

[@JDMHaze]

lol 😂

[@BabyBugBug]

It’s General Motors. Badge “re-engineering” is what they do best.

[@herrfinke1]

don't be dissing the Cimarron! 😉

[@SnepperStepTV]

No, they didn't. Wtf are you talking about. No Cadillac was meant to compete with BMW. Completely different first owner market. Pontiac's high level trim performance models were for that.

[@therealjayseh]

Go drive both of these cars right now today, and I guarantee you you'll go take the Cadillac! German junk is overrated. They corner good and acceleration is like anything else . The Cavillac rode very nice. People in America just want to try and flaunt that's why they thought getting the BMW was wise. You know, the money thing

[@patricklilly6628]

I bought an '87 325i for $300, drove it 9 years, probably the best deal I ever made in my life. That sold me on BMW. Now I got to get in my wife's 2003 325i and go to the bank and cash out my stimulus check... 😁

[@zephead843]

Love the speedgun.

[@Kingsoupturbo]

Wow pretty nice overall package for only 82!

[@Doobie1975]

Is it just me or does John Davis sound more cheerful here than he does in most of the 1982-83 Motorweek videos?

[@thetechlibrarian]

I had a 85 325 and it was fun. Oh boy though the winter was scary

[@greghmn]

14" wheels? There's a counterargument to the bigger = better approach, as the current 330i comes with 18" wheels standard with 19's as a relatively cheap option. Nearly 40 years old, this car is still GORGEOUS. In spite of the reputation they have, BMW's, and German cars in general, will last forever if you know how to take care of them, replacing and maintaing whatever is necessary. Proactivity and prudence are key. One of the main reasons old 3 Series are so popular in enthusiast circles.

[@theKevronHarris]

Love the E30 Bimmers

[@richierich7078]

Still a good looking Beamer in 2019!

[@therealjayseh]

Pretty looking pile for the day

[@fredstewart3704]

the first batch of these came with a higher rear end ratio, they seemed to love flat out highway driving. you could pick them out by looking to see if the rear window opened as a vent, If it did not then it it an early car. it was a much better car than the 320

[@carlosborrasetaylor7630]

The best in its class.

[@brutalictesku]

Isn't it a cute car? Yup!

[@landyachtfan79]

3:40.......that is EXACTLY the same seat belt/key-in-ignition buzzer that my old Dodge Colt Vista had!!!!!!

[@TassieLorenzo]

2:35 Cloud of smoke clears... "confident braking"!?

[@alexw1875]

Come on, it is the Ultimate Driving Machine and it is the best car on earth. Price does not matter, there is depreciation nowadays that make them slightly cheaper.

[@projectandre]

Didn't know it briefly catches on fire upon hard braking.

[@therealjayseh]

These were junk. Overrated German crap.

[@djkenny1202]

Would love the 318is model

[@jorgegomez1816]

J

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

wait for the 96 328is ! OBD2 too !

[@davidvalenzuela4529]

Here's a MotorWeek Retro Review of the BMW E30 318i from 1984.

[@Dennis-du4jh]

10.5 second 0-60?! Thats insane. Cant see anyone beating that

[@toms_garage]

I had a 1986 318i :)

[@karo2525]

Test 31 mpg thats incredible

[@pagodacloud2241]

Eco car with sport carecter. E30 lover

[@jorgegomez1816]

SIEMPRE HAY A ALGUIEN QUE ENGAÑAR

[@jasonbostrom2165]

E30 was the best BMW's ever made.

[@ak540i2]

What's a bemmer? Also what's a 326e?

[@briq4]

He says it so awkwardly.

[@jorgegomez1816]

UN ESPIRITU ES UNA ETERNIDAD

[@jorgegomez1816]

10 años ETAMOS EN EL AÑO 1.002.020

[@jorgegomez1816]

EL MAGNETISMO ARTIFICIAL

[@avery4528]

BMW has been dominating this price bracket for literally two human generations. $60,000 car in 2022 is the same as $40,000 in 2002. Look back and it's the E46 330Ci. Look back another 20 to 1982 and you see the birth of the E30 with the 318i at around $20,000.

[@jorgegomez1816]

ALEGRIA INTERIOR DE VIVIR EN EL PLANETA TIERRA EL UNICO PLANETA

[@DeusParabellum]

In this episode the presenter mentions the previous 3 series, the E21. Is there a review on the E21?

[@Motorweek]

SuperJenZzz Sadly, no. It was before our time.

[@DeusParabellum]

***** Ok thanks anyway, love these classic reviews!

[@yeoldegamer5112]

SuperJenZzz I had an '81 318i E21 in the 90's here in Germany. 4 speed manual was standard. At about 110mph it kept hitting the rev limiter, dropping the revs by about 300/min. A bit annoying when speeding along the autobahn. The lefthand side mirror was electrically adjustable, the righthand mirror was an optional extra. oO

[@DeusParabellum]

YeOldeGamer Nice, I'm thinking about buying an E21 323i maybe next year, I live in Belgium btw. I like both the E21 and E30, but there's something about the E21 that draws me more towards that car :)

[@yeoldegamer5112]

SuperJenZzz Well, good luck in finding a good 323i. Should be rare these days ;)

[@lfsracer79]

2:28 Time to buy new tires...

[@jorgegomez1816]

ALEGRIA INTERIOR DE VIVIR EN EL PLANETA TIERRA EL UNICO PLANETA QUE EXISTE ME QUEDAN 10 AÑOS MAS PARA PASARLO DE FIESTA

[@jorgegomez1816]

QUE LE GUSTE LA MUCHA PLATA AL SER HUMANO LO ENCUENTRO MUY BUENO

[@jorgegomez1816]

FANTASMAS NO SICOLOGIA SI

[@paulhunter123]

under powered but you can fix anything on this car with spanners and screwdrivers, and the only electronic tool required is a draper reset

[@Michael_Page]

Wait...what??? 0-60 in 10.5 seconds in 1982 was slow? Motorweek was very biased against foreign cars back then. I remember plenty of 12 second plus American cars being described as "reasonably swift" or something like that.

[@jorgegomez1816]

EL MAGNETISMO NATURAL FLAGELA

[@NiGHTMARE_NiCk]

the m10 1.8L motor Was Very reliable, being in production from 1966 to 1986, however was severly underpowered! the e30 which was slightly heavier than the previous E21 did NOT get a power increase. with an engine that only produced 80 Horsepower and a top speed of 100mph it was one of the least powerful modern BMWs procuced.

[@SnepperStepTV]

They're ok.

[@jorgegomez1816]

MAGIA ES CON ( ESPIRITU) = ETERNIDAS O CON EL SECRETO = UNIVERSO

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

Were those drum brakes on the rear?

[@MadMax069]

WikdSeafood yup. (i know....not something you would expect to see from Bavaria....and definitely not for $18K in 1982)

[@madmike5144]

WikdSeafood Bmw e30 in small engines was in rear drum brakes, also in some europe 320 was also drumbrake at the back....

[@mcqueenfanman]

WikdSeafood It most likely had solid front rotors too.

[@jorgegomez1816]

HAY MUCHOS PERSEGUIDOS QUE CREEN QUE LA MAGIA EXISTE

[@jasonweishaupt1828]

Why does the newer model have a lower model number?

[@Oh-That-Guy-Again]

Don't know why they say that. 316i, 318i are 4 cylinders, 320i and up are 6 cylinders.

[@Clearanceman2]

Amazing BMW used rear drums even in 1982. I had a 1990 Subaru legacy and it already had four wheel disc.

[@hoedenbesteller]

You can drift easier with drum brakes

[@therealjayseh]

These were junk

[@jorgegomez1816]

CIENTIFICO Y EUROPEO JUNTOS NACIDOS EN EUROPA Y CAPOS CIENTIFICOS ENEMIGOS SI

[@karelvvv]

What an ugly set of bumpers, the European bumpers looks much better

[@jannevaatainen]

Exactly what I was thinking. Ruins the look of the whole car.

[@LMacNeill]

Yes, the Federal government is excellent at ruining European cars. Take a look at the US-spec Citroen SM sometime. It'll make you vomit, what they did to it.

[@TheTechCguy]

These E30s do look sharper and better without those fat bumpers, don't they? I know.

[@dngendron]

Yup I drilled the bumper shock out collapsed it and welded it compressed 👍🏼

[@therealjayseh]

These were like "German Nissan Sentra"...

[@jorgegomez1816]

TODOS LOS PENSADORES DICEN QUE ES LO MEJOR PENSAR CREER EN UNO MISMO Y NO EN LOS DEMAS

[@jorgegomez1816]

DESDE 1 A 4 MILLONES ESTA MUY BIEN AL MES 4 MILLONES ESTA MUY BIEN 1 ES LO BASICO

[@hertzair1186]

I also thought the 320i was a better looking design

[@jorgegomez1816]

NO AUTO JODERME DE QUE ESTOY LOCO

[@jorgegomez1816]

SIN MAS INTELIGENCIA NO HAY MAS IMVENTOS

[@davidfarmer2049]

The four cyls never made sense to me... I cant afford any mind.

[@josemontano7767]

I always wanted this car.. to put a small block Chevy engine

[@jorgegomez1816]

CALENTAMIENTO GLOBAL 6 GRADOS Y LISTO

[@jorgegomez1816]

JOSTIN SARA TODO CHILE ORGULLOSO DE MI

[@jorgegomez1816]

LA TECNOLOGIA ES LLAMADA TECNOLOGIA GENIO ES LLAMADO GENIO

[@beb1527]

Did this car really have drum brakes in the rear? On a BMW?

[@hoedenbesteller]

Easy for the brake and drift action..

[@beb1527]

@@hoedenbesteller blasphemy! I had lesser cars from that time period that were disc/disc. My ‘76 Volvo and ‘81 Saab come to mind.

[@jorgegomez1816]

■■■■EL UNICO CAMINO ALEJARSE DE CARABINEROS

[@jorgegomez1816]

SIN MAS INTELIGENCIA NO HAY MAS HUEADAS

[@Doobie1975]

John Davis sounds more peppy and upbeat here than he did in most of the 1982-83 Motorweek reviews.

[@mediocreman2]

I bet the old engineers are rolling in their graves or their retirement homes to see the front wheel drive cars that BMW now makes.

[@thetechlibrarian]

I know I can’t believe they make fwd bmws now. I would take a cx5 turbo any day over some x1

[@jorgegomez1816]

■■■■ BUENOS AIRES ARGENTINA■■■■

[@jorgegomez1816]

Argentina 2022

[@jorgegomez1816]

AHORA 80 DESPUES 160 AÑO

[@mro9466]

rack & pinion?

[@hertzair1186]

Tail swing non existent? Looks a tad askew to me...

[@jorgegomez1816]

ESTA PICADO

[@jorgegomez1816]

MIG 21 CAZA 1958 Y ESTADOUNIDENSE 1960 MIG 2200KMH Y ESTADOUNIDENSE AVION 2400KMH

[@jorgegomez1816]

Chacabuco 101 y 99

[@jorgegomez1816]

EN 100 AÑOS MAS NO PODRIAN EXISTIR 100 EEUU LA PLATA MUEBE AL MUNDO

[@jorgegomez1816]

LA UNICA FORMA DE QUE LOS HUMANOS PUEDAN IMVENTAR MAS HUEVADAS ES AUMENTANDO SU INTELIGENCIA A INFINITO

[@jorgegomez1816]

■ TOMAR MENOS CERVEZA

[@jorgegomez1816]

¿QUE ES MAS LA PLATA O LA TECNOLOGIA? JAVIERA LA PLATA CON ESO TE DICE TODO

[@jorgegomez1816]

HAY QUE TENER PIEDAD DE DEJAR A MIS VIEJOS SOLOS JAVIERA NO HAY QUE TENER PIEDAD RESPUESTA DE ELLA