BMW M3 E30
The BMW M3 E30 (1986–1991): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 1 version in the United States.
Model codes: E30
Dimensions, weights and capacity
| Specification | Europe | North America | Wikipedia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | |||
| Length | – | – | 4,345 mm |
| Width | – | – | 1,680 mm |
| Height | – | – | 1,370 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm RDW | – | 2,562 mm |
| Weights and towing | |||
| Kerb weight | 1,225 kg RDW | – | 1,165–1,360 kg |
| Mass in running order | 1,325 kg RDW | – | – |
| Gross vehicle weight | 1,600 kg RDW | – | – |
| Seats and space | |||
| Seats | 4 RDW | – | – |
| Doors | 2 RDW | – | – |
| Luggage space (EPA) | – | 340 L EPA | – |
| Passenger space (EPA) | – | 2,294 L EPA | – |
Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: Wikipedia, RDW type approvals (Netherlands), US EPA fuel economy data. Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reliability and owner reports
UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age
| Age at test | Pass rate | UK average | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 years and older | 93.5% (91.3–95.1) | 69.2% | 673 |
What the MOT finds
| Area | This model | UK average, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 6.5% | 28.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.8% | 17.1% |
| Brakes | 5.3% | 36.4% |
| Suspension | 4.9% | 41.6% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 4.3% | 18.6% |
| Tyres | 2.7% | 31.2% |
First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)
Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)
2 complaints for model years 1988–1988.
Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints
The BMW M3 E30’s 1 version
United States 1 version
Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.
| Years and version | Engine | Fuel | Gearbox | Drive | Consumption (combined) | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1991(FFS) (MPFI) · (FFS) | 2.3 L | Petrol | 5-speed manual | Rear-wheel drive | 18 MPG (13.1 L/100 km) EPA | 307 g/km |
Similar models from other brands
Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.