MotorWeek | Retro Review: '83 BMW E30 325e

Getting stronger

[@nutsackmania]

The instant torque from the 2.7L stroker was so ridiculous--I've never owned a car that could drift in such a carefree manner in the rain.

[@kingjaf]

nutsackmania In the snow with real snow tires you could drive it sideways for blocks at a time and flick it with to the other side with wrist action only.

[@raymondnewbill2748]

My first car was a flawless one owner 325e with only a 140k miles. The car was still the most fun car to drive I have owned. It would literally walk sideways anywhere you wanted!!! I later bought a 325i and found it less fun to drive. I need another one..... Lol

[@stevenlindsey2056]

I had an 89 model. I used to drift off ramps before drifting was a thing.

[@Ferraridude13]

@@raymondnewbill2748 interesting you say the i was less fun than the e

[@geemanbmw]

I had a 1986 325es 2dr white/ black interior 5 speed... the most reliable fun to drive and drifting was stupid easy the car was balanced for it from the get go. I bought mine with 105k miles and sold it with just under 300k miles and the only bad thing that happened was that 2.7 motor had a timing belt. When the 189hp 325i came out they went back to timing chain.. oh also if other eta owners remember even though we had power windows and sun roof you could also crank open the windows and sunroof if we lost power 👍🏻and on the drivers door it said made in West Germany 🇩🇪

[@EastCoastATV]

I bought a 1984 325e in 1998 and it had 173,000 miles on it at the time. I had it until 2008 and drove it until it had 260,000 miles. It never burned any oil, and I couldn't believe the gas mileage. It was plenty gutsy and handled great. I could kick myself for selling that car.

[@willzer808]

there's no way you should have sold iit

[@LorenzoClara97]

Better gas mileage than the 318/318is?

[@kakaroto3419]

Noooooooo, what did you do !!!!

[@touchedouche8806]

Ive had my es for about 13 years now. Driving it this week

[@LearnAboutFlow]

This car's specs may seem lame by today's standards, but you really have to drive one to understand how it works so well. I had a used one and it was one of the best cars I've ever owned.

[@Mr335iBMW]

This is the only time I have ever seen John Davis actually driving the car during the review.

[@kz1000ps]

Mr335iBMW Yeah seriously. I wish they would've done that more.

[@myintegruns12s51]

Mr335iBMW He drove a Honda HR-V last week.

[@ma3zf]

Mr335iBMW He also did either the Pontiac Aztec or Chrysler PT Cruiser in 2000/01. I forgot which one. P.S. The MW reviews of those two have been put up.

[@WhateverHappenedToFun]

Check 1982 Lincoln Continental review... he drives for dayz!

[@misled1982]

He reviwed the 82' Mazda

[@bvedant]

2:30 did John actually say "Gertag" 😂

[@dhatchbernier]

Vedant B I actually convinced myself I had been pronouncing it wrong for 35 years!

[@1984AP]

Love the early E30 design - the taillights, bumpers, fogs. Really nice example here. No ugly oversize wheels or exhaust like on the E30s at shows today. Perfect balance and proportion.

[@pommesmayo7336]

these bumpers are ugly. look the E30 with the EU bumpers

[@1984AP]

@@pommesmayo7336 In the US from 1973-1995, we were very used to seeing US and Foreign cars with large bumpers. For example, seeing a Euro E28 in 1990 in the US - looked so odd, it looked like the car was in an accident, due to the tiny bumpers.

[@brenthatesashley]

I still like the 318i. I like the fact that it was simple and straightforward. The interior was cloth with manual windows and sunroof. It had just enough equipment for a basic performance car.

[@davecom3]

It was just as fast as the 325e, especially in 318is guise. Fit the final drive from a 318/320 auto gearbox and you have a midrange similar to the 325i

[@gary_beniford]

I love BMWs and these reviews are great

[@jnbfrancisco]

I rented a 1989 318 in Sicily. It was the most fun car to drive I have ever driven. The steering feel in the turns was most pleasing. The reving engine coupled with great feel of the 5 speed was just great.

[@UHOH3300]

Own an '85 euro spec 325e. Can't wait to get it running and driving!!!

[@mrpistonrecaro6483]

Same here. I have an 88 325is

[@mcximus]

I had an 86 325e(4 door) it was a nice car. I remembered if you drive in the wet and turn and brake, the 325e will spin. I'd done it so many time. I'm surprised I didn't crash

[@jorgegomez1816]

Hola

[@Lenoch_]

"BEE-EM-DUB-EH-YA"

[@FrenchValleyAirport]

I was looking for this comment LOOOOOOOOOOOL

[@84impalaguy]

Funny how the 325E with the 2.7 litre six got the same mileage as the last year 318 with the 1.8 litre four. I'm assuming the smaller engine was overworked due to weak power, hence the fuel economy matching that of the larger car/ engine.

[@Coolnerdloser]

@@GlennC789 Hi guys. I'll chime in here real quick. My first car (1st one actually put in MY name.) was a 1984 318i (This was 1991.) . Automatic. 1.8L 4 . I will concur with the notion about fuel efficiency. I'm pretty sure the auto only had 3 (yes 3) gears. No overdrive, which means at 60mph (in last gear) it would turn almost 3500 rpm. Not shocked to hear the 6 cyl. later got the same mpg. Over time it got kind of annoying revving that high for that long, especially on road trips. (Going 80 mph it was approaching 4000 rpm). To say that I ever got 28 mpg would be a stretch, maybe at 55 for an extended period of time. It just revved way too high. I would also add that under load, my auto really sucked wind. In the summer, with the A/C on, and a car load full of people, you'd better say your prayers if you had to pass anybody on a 2-lane highway with 2-way traffic. "Fuhgeddaboudit". My friend at the same time had an '84 318i also but his was a 5 sp. manual. Quicker, lower revs at almost any speed, probably better mpg too. More pleasant on the highway certainly (in 5th). He actually turned me on to a "beamer", and I almost bought his before I bought mine. After a few years I kinda regretted not getting his instead (his had 1 or 2 issues at the time but......). Never drove one with a 6 cyl. (325, etc.) I would've loved to see the difference.

[@louvendran7273]

@@Coolnerdloser The difference was night and day. The 6 cylinder autos were extremely thirsty though.

[@ricksays7133]

Wow, it was one of the most fuel economic cars back then, and even today if maintained and tuned properly.

[@fernandorocha8459]

This BMW325E is economic car

[@myintegruns12s51]

Oriental lol. Gotta love the 80s.

[@ricksays7133]

Myintegruns12s Funny he said that back then because when the E90 and E92 hit the market, I thought its styling looked a bit Japanese.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Or. Ornamental !

[@davidvalenzuela4529]

Here's a MotorWeek Retro Review of the BMW E30 325e from 1984.

[@roddydykes7053]

Wow a 121hp engine, hot rod indeed My friend has a much worked on E30 325i and it’s a lot of fun, LSD swap so he does tons of drifting and general hooning around, less than 200hp but feels like more in such a tiny, light car

[@BrendanMacWade]

The E30 comes of age (and goes above my budget for nearly 20 years). But this is the start of that magnificent E30 run that ended in 1995.

[@KingCast65]

I'm an E28/tii guy but I had a modded E30 eta for awhile. I loved it.

[@kresienm9031]

In South Africa we had a 333i which had a chrome bumper and a 325is which had the bigger plastic bumper

[@toms_garage]

Love the E30, great video!

[@doublevanoz]

I had a 325e coupe with good tires on 15s, lowering springs, shocks, sway bar & z3 steering rack. I miss the lazy torquey motor and QUICK response, I could floor it everywhere and not break the law. But still enjoyed bc the torque, wayyy more enjoyable than any buzzy anemic 4cyl.. exceot the m10😉

[@brianhartsaxcovers625]

E30 design is timeless and beautiful

[@AnthonyJSollitto]

Great review, did you guys test the 528e and 533i of this era?

[@hertzair1186]

Missing gauges for Volts and oil pressure! John’s pet peeves over the decades...

[@MarkMeadows90]

At the 5:00 mark, 190 MPH? You kidding me? LOL

[@dontreplykillyourself8816]

LOL WOW ZOMG ROFLCOPTERS HAHA!!!

[@jamesm654]

The styling? Looks great. Early 80's BMW was they best they ever looked. Haven't liked BMW since

[@thewiseguy3529]

Great machine ✨

[@David-ee6lk]

I'm considering getting one of these for a daily driver

[@TheTechCguy]

I actually like these cars a lot! You can drive them in, pretty much, loads of places in the world. As long as it's on a road, narrow or wide. These older 3 series cars were solid rides that can last a very long time, with care. Albeit not necessarily the most powerful or safest, still a great start to what would be today's cars. Economy, luxury, and likewise: these cars.

[@jameskerherve7487]

Drives me nuts I never knew you could control the trip computer from the turn signal stalk control.

[@jorgegomez1816]

Hay que estar en ese objetivo en cualquier pais que yo este

[@jorgegomez1816]

CON MAS MEMORIA DE PALABRAS HUMILLO

[@Dennis-du4jh]

Who wouldve thought that a sub 10 second 0-60 would be possible in an entry level BMW, thats supercar territory. Almost as fast as the ferrari 308

[@Coolnerdloser]

Hi guys. I'll chime in here real quick. My first car (1st one actually put in MY name.) was a 1984 318i (This was 1991.) . Automatic. 1.8L 4 . I will concur with the notion about fuel efficiency. I'm pretty sure the auto only had 3 (yes 3) gears. No overdrive, which means at 60mph (in last gear) it would turn almost 3500 rpm. Not shocked to hear the 6 cyl. later got the same mpg. Over time it got kind of annoying revving that high for that long, especially on road trips. (Going 80 mph it was approaching 4000 rpm). To say that I ever got 28 mpg would be a stretch, maybe at 55 for an extended period of time. It just revved way too high. I would also add that under load, my auto really sucked wind. In the summer, with the A/C on, and a car load full of people, you'd better say your prayers if you had to pass anybody on a 2-lane highway with 2-way traffic. "Fuhgeddaboudit". My friend at the same time had an '84 318i also but his was a 5 sp. manual. Quicker, lower revs at almost any speed, probably better mpg too. More pleasant on the highway certainly (in 5th). He actually turned me on to a "beamer", and I almost bought his before I bought mine. After a few years I kinda regretted not getting his instead (his had 1 or 2 issues at the time but......). Never drove one with a 6 cyl. (325, etc.) I would've loved to see the difference.

[@jorgegomez1816]

Y

[@MetikalMan]

It’s quite interesting they didn’t name this 328e. Considering the same engine is used in the 528e.

[@pbfloyd13]

@ 2:20 is that a Bitter?

[@jorgegomez1816]

YA ESTOY ULTRA ORGULLOSO DE MI MISMO SOLO SE VIVE UNA VEZ ALEGRIA 2.022

[@jorgegomez1816]

IGUAL DE DOMINANTES COMO EN LA PREHISTORIA ELLAS SUMISAS HOMBRE DOMINANTE QUE SEA SU COMPORTAMIENTO

[@dylanrc2994]

The BMW e30 is a wonderful car. My choice is a convertible after the facelift. Definitely with a six-cylinder engine 😉

[@jorgegomez1816]

SIN MAS INFINITA INTELIGENCIA NO HAY MAS IMVENTOS

[@vj5225]

To start at $21,000 back in 83 was a lot of money. I'm sure the car gave you all the comfort creatures you wanted though. For BMWs it's best to wait 3 years after production to buy. Way cheaper.

[@tymobyrne4451]

I have this car in a 5 speed version, Mum got it new in 1984. Rust free runs like a top only 80,000 miles just broken in. Can get 40mpg if you try, amazing,

[@sammyt3514]

Never sell that car; it's a gem.

[@alfamonk]

5000rpm? This was the economy tuned 325? We had a 525e in the UK but the 325 had a 2.5 IIRC

[@1kingtiger3]

alfamonk yes. Economy Tuned. Because of old Oil Crisis, a Gas was still more expensive than before

[@almorgan3462]

Looking for 325E30 Side marker lights frame

[@jorgegomez1816]

La antena torturadora en los oceanos como el titanic (telegrafo) esta en todo el planeta

[@soundseeker63]

Check control and electronically monitored servicing schedule!? In 1983.... that must have seemed space age back then. Though 121hp from the 2.7 liter isn't very impressive.

[@jorgegomez1816]

EL UNIVERSO DIOS

[@jorgegomez1816]

CRECER EN MEMORIA

[@pbfloyd13]

5:49 Someone's been watching Top Gear...;-)

[@MrCarGuy]

You must be quite a special child.

[@pbfloyd13]

MrCarGuy20 I like to think so...

[@jorgegomez1816]

INEXISTENCIA DEL SER HUMANO

[@luxurreview]

0-60 in 9 seconds while the Cadillac Cimarron did it in 14 seconds. The interior in the BMW was ahead of Its time. What was Cadillac thinking i

[@charlesmacgilchrist3648]

Little wonder bmw became popular in the us post fuel crisis with cars like these.

[@whoohaaXL]

The E stood for efficiency...Made with lighter, yet weaker engine internals...Hence the 5000 redline.

[@kevinpatrickmacnutt]

Not true, it was basically a gas powered engine geared like a diesel. I had a 1982 BMW 528e with that engine and managed to get 320,000 miles out of it. Modified, it's also the engine used in the Alpina cars from that era.

[@whoohaaXL]

Kevin MacNutt You might wanna look that up..... This car definitely had different internals than the staple Inline-6 they regularly always used, Nothing to do with diesel gearing. Diesels are geared that way because of the engine's powerband being over by 3000 rpm max (in most cases) This cars engine had FOUR cam bearnings (instead of 7 as usual BMWS I6's) Also a more restrictive head AND SINGLE valve springs instead of double coil. Thus the weaker internals AND lower redline. This PARTICULAR engine was made this way, as I am well aware that their tried and true I-6 in everything else was the basis for their race engines.

[@whoohaaXL]

The 2693 cc M20B27 was designed for efficiency (thus the e for the Greek letter eta in 325e) and low-rev torque.[25] Compared with the M20B25, the stroke is increased from 75 mm (3.0 in) to 81 mm (3.2 in).[24] The B27 used the head casting of '200' which had smaller valves, different camshafts, fewer cam journals, and single valve springs to increase efficiency. Due to these changes the rev limit on the B27 was reduced.Power output is 121 hp (90 kW) at 4,250 rpm for M20B27 engines produced up until 1986 and 127 hp (95 kW) at 4,800 rpm for the "325es" model produced in 1987.[24] Peak torque is 170 lb·ft (230 N·m) at 3,250 rpm for M20B27 engines. In 1987, the fuel injection was upgraded from Motronic 1.0 to Motronic 1.1/1.3.[24] In the early 1990's BMW South Africa used components from the Alpina C3 2.7 to produce a E30 specifically for Stannic Group N production car racing. The first iteration of this engine used in the E30 325iS produced 145kw and the second revision, often referred to as "Evo2" or on the VIN plate as "HP2" produced 155kw

[@charlesmacgilchrist3648]

Net max power was at 4250 so it was over by 4800 anyway. The auto used less fuel at 75mph than a manual 318i because of the longer gearing.

[@jorgegomez1816]

El hombre tiene practicamente el mismo (ci) inteligencia que un caballo un gato un perro

[@trp5530]

"Oriental aerodynamic" :-D

[@jorgegomez1816]

EL UNICO CAMINO BUENOS AIRES ARGENTINA■■■■■■■■■■■

[@jorgegomez1816]

■TORTURA A LA REINA DALE SIN PIEDAD

[@jorgegomez1816]

COMERCIO AMBULANTE EN SUECIA CON PROVIDENCIA Y GENTE APOYA

[@jorgegomez1816]

LA PLATA MUEVE AL MUNDO

[@jorgegomez1816]

■■■■ EL MUNDO ES EL QUE FLAGELA A TODOS CON ESA IDEA GUEONA

[@losh330]

OMG. MY EYES ARE BLEEDING FROM THE AMERICAN REQUIRED BUMPERS!

[@nunyabizness8226]

Lucian Spampinato You're out of your mind. Diving board bumpers are period perfect.

[@compu85]

@@nunyabizness8226 Bumpers that are designed to bump!

[@jorgegomez1816]

LOS GESTOS Y EXPRECIONES SICOLOGICAS

[@jorgegomez1816]

8 DE 10 NO QUIEREN LA INEXISTENCIA DEL HOMBRE

[@jorgegomez1816]

EXISTEN DIOS EL UNIVERSO Y TECNOLOGIA

[@jorgegomez1816]

MEMORIA

[@jorgegomez1816]

AGUANTO UNA SEMANA ENTERA

[@jorgegomez1816]

La carrera en chile con mas demanda 2021 (software)

[@jorgegomez1816]

[[[[[[HAY QUE GOZAR YO [[[[[ ESTOY EXELENTE [[[[ CON ESTA INFORMACION [[[[[[[[[

[@jorgegomez1816]

ESXTINCION DEL SER HUMANO

[@jorgegomez1816]

EL MAGNETISMO ARTIFICIAL FLAGELA

[@jorgegomez1816]

HAY MUCHOS PERSEGUIDOS QUE CREEN QUE LA MAGIA EXISTE SEUDO MAGIA

[@bobratu9029]

that is a car.period.

[@jorgegomez1816]

PERIODO CHACABUCO 99 Y CHACABUCO DE AL FRENTE ■■HAY QUE COMBATIR POR LA RIQUEZA

[@jorgegomez1816]

NO HAY QUE DARLES CONFIANZA SON COMO EL HERMANO DE ALONSO

[@jorgegomez1816]

EL MUNDO MAGNETISMO NATURAL

[@jorgegomez1816]

LO MEJOR NO EXISTEN LAS MALDICIONES

[@jorgegomez1816]

SON SOLO LLAMADOS GENIOS LOS GENIOS NO EXISTEN

[@jorgegomez1816]

LA COMPUTACION ES FISICA LAS 2 HARDWARE Y SOFTWARE

[@jorgegomez1816]

TAMBIEN HAY BUENOS Y BUENAS

[@jorgegomez1816]

HAS EL VIDEO LLEGA HA 10M DE VISITAS Y LISTO

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I'm Turning Japanese ! The Vapors

[@jorgegomez1816]

ME INDEPENDIZO EN UN LUGAR LO MAS CHICO Y BARATO POSIBLE LA PLANTA CABAÑA

[@jorgegomez1816]

NADIE PARA A LOS 2.000M DE GUIAS

[@jorgegomez1816]

ME VENGO CONTINUAMENTE

[@jorgegomez1816]

MORIR = SER UNA COSA MATERIAL UNO ES UNA COSA

[@jorgegomez1816]

NO EXISTE EL FUTURO NI EL PASADO __ PLATA AL MES__

[@jorgegomez1816]

■■■■■ FISICA■■■■

[@jorgegomez1816]

NO ME VOY AHORA

[@jorgegomez1816]

YA TE OLVIDE HACE TIEMPO ________ VACAN PARA MI

[@jorgegomez1816]

LA PLATA ES LO QUE MUEVE AL MUNDO PORQUE EL MUNDO ASI LO QUIERE

[@jorgegomez1816]

15 AÑOS

[@jorgegomez1816]

IR A BUENOS AIRES MEDIO MES

[@jorgegomez1816]

MANTENERSE EN EL PODER EL HOMBRE . APLASTA Y HACE SUFRIR AL HOMBRE ESO ES TODO PISAR___PISAR____

[@jorgegomez1816]

SIN REMORDIMIENTO

[@jorgegomez1816]

COMENTARIOS Y BENGANZA

[@jorgegomez1816]

■■■■■■■■■■■■■ TOMA GUEON MENOSPRECIANDOME ME DIJO EL PAPITO

[@jorgegomez1816]

ESTAN OBLIGADOS A MANTENERME

[@jorgegomez1816]

HOMBRE DOMINANTE CON LAS PERSONAS COMO MAYER LES GUSTA A LAS MUJERES

[@8584zender]

It redlined at what, 2500 rpm like a garbage truck?

[@kgarba9253]

5k. I have one with the lsd and it's quick enough

[@louiev1ll3]

@@kgarba9253 did you use the stock 325e transmission?

[@kgarba9253]

@@louiev1ll3 yup cars since been sold but yup regular old getrag 260. Have a 90 325i now