E30 320is/325is

[m_power 0]

What is the difference between a 320 and a 320is? or the difference between a 325 and 325is? Are they a toned down version of the motorsport?

[Guest Denny Crane]

320iS was a to get around portuguese / italian tax laws on cars over 2 litres, used an S14, deststroked to 1.995L. Came in a normal E30 shell - but could be optioned with 15" basket weaves / M-tec bodykit / options.., LHD only.

325iS was built to go group N racing in South Africa, against the Opel Superboss. Came in three iterations, the 325iS, which had alloy doors / guards / bonnet, 3.73LSD, full m-tec bodykit, leather or "uberkaro" check cloth, sunroof (option), powersteering, ABS, 5 lug hubs from the E30 M3, E30 M3 brakes, alpina sway bars, 15" BBS et30 BBS basketweave wheels, a mild 2.7 using a forged BMW crank from the E28 524 turbo diesel, alpina pistons and rods, a cam of unknown spec (milder than the alpina 262 degree unit), and modified BMW management using an Alpina chip.

The 325iS Evo came in two batches (known as the Evo 2 and 3 respectively), and had some slight changes compared to the Evo 1. These included a 3.91:1LSD, all alloy panels reverted to steel, a full alpina C2 2.7 motor and management, including the head which featured bigger valves on the exhaust side.

Neither are better versions of the "motorsport" which was an appearance only package for the NZ market (included an LSD)

[bravo 35]

And to add to the confusion, in some markets (US and UK for instance) the Motorsport was called a 325iSport instead of a M325i.

And then there is the 318iS which had a different front lip and possibly other cosmetic upgrades, but I'm not enough of an expert to know.

[cainchapman 0]

Denny is correct. Outside of the E30 M3, the E30 320iS was the 2nd best E30.

It was a de-stroked S14 and running gear fitted into the E30 with Motorsport spoilers. LHD only. As rare as rocking horse sh*t.

[Mike 1]

Was the 320iS 5 or 4 lug?

[Guest Denny Crane]

Production Versions:

AK95: Italy and Portugal-spec two-door, 11/87-11/90

AC95: Italy and Portugal-spec four-door, 09/87-07/90

History

What makes the E30 320is unique?

The E30 320is is a special 3 Series model that was sold exclusively in Italy and Portugal in order to take advantage of the reduced taxes in those countries for cars with engines that displace two liters or less. It is powered by a 1990cc version of the four-cylinder S14 engine developed by BMW Motorsport for the E30 M3 and also shares its close-ratio Getrag gearbox with the M3. However, all other components are standard 3 Series items.

Where was the E30 320is built?

The E30 320is was built on the normal Regensberg assembly line alongside the other 3 Series models.

If the E30 320is is powered by an M engine, why is not badged as an M model?

The reason the E30 320is is not badged as an M model ultimately comes down to marketing: Unlike the limited-production M3, which was created primarily as a competition machine and utilizes many unique exterior body panels and chassis components, the 320is was never intended to be a homologation special. It was conceived instead as a sportier and more affordable alternative to the torquier and more refined 325i, which was taxed heavily in Italy and Portugal due to its 2.5-liter engine.

Production Data

How many versions of the E30 320is were developed?

BMW developed the E30 320is only in non-catalyst, left-hand drive form and exported it exclusively to Italy and Portugal. Both two-door and four-door body styles were offered.

How many of each version were produced?

Two-door: 2,540 built from 11/87 thru 11/90

Four-door: 1,206 built from 09/87 thru 07/90

What changed during the production of the E30 320is?

There were no mechanical changes to the E30 320is during the three years that it was produced. However, there were a number of minor cosmetic and equipment variations that also apply to every E30 3 Series model built during the same period.

Drivetrain

What makes the two-liter S14 engine unique?

The two-liter S14 engine in the E30 320is is essentially identical to the 2,302cc version found in the E30 M3 except for its shorter stroke (72.6mm versus 84mm) that yields an overall displacement of 1,990cc. Like all S14 engines, it combines the basic four-cylinder block from the M10 family with a four-valve head derived from the one used on the six-cylinder M88 and S38 motors. Special features of this engine include individual throttle plates for each cylinder, machined intake and exhaust ports, and a crankshaft with eight counterweights. Like the M88 and S38, the S14 does not have hydraulic lifters, and thus requires periodic valve adjustments.

The two-liter S14 is rated at 192 hp (DIN) at 6,900 rpm and 155 lb/ft of torque at 4,900 rpm. This is down slightly compared to the non-catalyst, 2.3-liter S14 used in the E30 M3 which is rated at 200 hp (DIN) at 6,750 and 176 lb/ft of torque at 4,750 rpm.

The S14 engine fitted to the 320is has an identical appearance to the unit found in the E30 M3 and thus shares the "BMW M Power" inscription on its cam cover.

What kind of gearbox does the E30 320is have?

Like the European-spec E30 M3, the sole gearbox for the E30 320is is a close-ratio Getrag 260 five-speed manual with a "dogleg" shift pattern and the following ratios: 3.72 (1), 2.40 (2), 1.77 (3), 1.26 (4), 1.00 (5). This is mated to a shorter (compared to the M3) 3.46:1 rear axle ratio with limited-slip differential.

Chassis

How is the suspension of the E30 320is different from that of a standard E30 3 Series?

Like all E30 3 Series, the suspension of the 320is consists of a MacPherson strut/semi-trailing arm design. However, the springs, shocks and anti-roll bars are of the more aggressive "Sportfahrwerk" specification, also offered on other E30 models such as the UK-spec 325i Sport.

What kind of steering does the E30 320is have?

The 320is uses the standard E30 power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system with an overall ratio of 20.5:1.

What size brakes does the E30 320is have?

The E30 320is shares its braking system with the six-cylinder E30 models and thus is equipped with 10.2-inch (260mm) vented disc brakes in the front and 10.2-inch (260mm) solid disc brakes in the rear. ABS was fitted as standard equipment.

What are the factory wheel and tire sizes for the E30 320is?

The E30 320is is equipped exclusively with 195/65VR14 tires. These are mounted to one of two different alloy wheel designs, both of which were shared with other E30 3 Series models: The 6.5x14-inch cross-spoke wheel (standard on the two-door) or the more plain 6x14-inch alloy (standard on the four-door).

Cosmetics

How is the exterior of the E30 320is different from that of a regular 3 Series?

The exterior of the 320is can only be identified from other E30 3 Series models by its "320is" badging on the trunk lid, though this could be deleted upon request. (The curved dual exhaust tips are also unlike those of any other four-cylinder 3 Series but are shared with the six-cylinder E30 325i.)

What items were fitted as standard equipment to the exterior of the E30 320is?

The exterior of the four-door E30 320is is equipped only with fog lights, 14-inch alloy wheels and a body-color rear spoiler. The two-door version adds the complete M-Technic II aero package (identical to the one fitted to the UK-spec 325i Sport and available as an accessory on all other E30 3 Series models), which consists of a deeper front airdam, additional lower side body panels, an extended valance under the rear bumper and a two-piece rear spoiler. In addition, the two-door E30 320is is also equipped with body-color rearview mirror housings, Shadowline (dechromed) window trim and 14-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels for a sportier appearance.

How is the interior of the E30 320is different from that of a regular 3 Series?

The interior of the E30 320is is identical to that of other 3 Series models with the sole excpetion of its unique instrument cluster that utilizes the same tachometer with integrated oil temperature gauge as the E30 M3, but lacks the red needles and M logo between the two main dials. Also, the gear shift knob is of the older non-ergonomic design that was phased out on other E30 3 Series models (with the exception of the M3) in September, 1987.

What interior features were included as standard equipment on the E30 320is?

The interior of the four-door E30 320is is quite Spartan, offering only the basics such as power mirrors, central locking and a rear-window defroster as standard equipment. The two-door model adds map lights in the rear view mirror, sport seats, a three-spoke leather-wrapped M-Technic steering wheel and a leather shift knob.

Factory options for both two-door and four-door versions of the 320is included: air conditioning, power windows, manual sunroof, power sunroof, digital clock, on-board computer and leather upholstery.

Special Versions

Were there any special editions of the E30 320is?

There were no factory special editions of the E30 320is.

Color and Upholstery Selections

Exterior Colors:

Alpine White II (218), Cinnabar Red* (138), Brilliant Red** (308), Diamond Black metallic (181), Delphin Grey metallic (184), Salmon Silver metallic *(203), Sterling Silver metallic** (244)

*Thru 8/89

**From 9/89

Interior Colors:

Anthracite cloth, Grey cloth, Natur cloth, Black leather, Cardinal Red leather, Natur leather, Silvergrey leather

Edited May 13, 2007 by Denny Crane

[Gus 5]

yeah..i want one!

would seriously consider making myself a RHD 323iS if i ever came across a s14 + box!

[m325i 709]

Mean info.

Whats is the source?

[Guest Denny Crane]

http://www.bmwmregistry.com

[Andrew 30]

And then there is the 318iS which had a different front lip and possibly other cosmetic upgrades, but I'm not enough of an expert to know.

318iS: Front lip, black headliner, sport seats, different springs/shocks/sways, different motor - twin cam 1.8 m42.

[nath 134]

The US also did a car with 325iS badge, was just like NZ's m325, but without the kit usually

[m_power 0]

Ah i see now. I knew the 320is had an s14, but i didnt know why. Thanks for the info guys, especially sam.