E21 Models Described
Know your E21 models. Below you will find a description of each E21 model, when it was built, and how they all differ from each other.
Note: Many of the specs quoted below are for 1981 model year. Many of these may have been slightly different for other years. Performance numbers (when listed) are from BMW's 1981 sales literature.
An entry level model, the 315 (and the US 320i) continued in production for 1983 after the rest of the line had been replaced by the E30 models. In general, the 315 was considered a "de-contented" E21 - i.e. it did not come with the same trim level as the rest of the line. For example, in 1981 the 315 did not have halogen headlights, an electric outside mirror, bright trim around the side windows, carpeting on the rear shelf, map pockets on the doors, glovebox illumination, roof grab handles nor trunklid tool kit. It had a carburated 1573cc M10 engine that depending on the year developed around 55 kW (75 bhp). The 4 speed transmission was standard through most (if not all) of production, and used a 4.11:1 axle ratio. (5 speed overdrive was optional.) It came with 13X5 steel wheels and 165R13 tires. Top speed was given as 154 km/h (95 mph), 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 14.8 seconds. Brakes and suspension were the same as all other four cylinder E21s of the same vintage. It did not come with a tachometer, but rather a large analog clock in its place.
The 316 started production with a carburated 1573cc M10 engine, which grew to 1766cc for the 1981 and later model years. The later 1.8L engine developed 66 kW (90bhp). The 4 speed transmission was again standard, 5 speed overdrive or automatic was optional. It came with a 3.91:1 axle ratio, and 13X5.5 steel wheels still with 165R13 tires. When equipped with the manual transission, top speed was given as 163 km/h 101 mph), 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 12.5 seconds. Brakes and suspension were the same as all other four cylinder E21s of the same vintage. It did not come with a standard tachometer.
Very similar in engine and equipment to the later 316. I do not have performance data for this model.
The 318i was essentially the same as the later US 320i. It had a 1766cc M10 with K-Jetronic injection which developed 77 kW (105 bhp). Top speed was listed as 171 km/h (103 mph) and 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.5 seconds (all figures with manual transmission). The rear sway bar was standard, and the rest of the equipment and features were the same as the 316.
320 (M10 Euro) - Model years 1976-79
The 320 (M10) was offered as a premium E21 model until the six cylinder models entered full production. It had a carburated 1990cc M10 engine that developed 109 bhp. The rest of the car was pretty typical of all the rest of the E21 line, although the 320 (M10) did come with the quad headlights that were used on the US 320i and the later six cylinder E21s. No performance data available.
320i (M10 Euro) - Model years 1976-78
The short-lived top of the line E21, it was offered as a stopgap until the six cylinder models were released. Its 1990cc M10 had K-Jetronic injection and developed 129 bhp. I suspect that the wider 185/70R13 tires were standard on this model. I have no other performance data available.
320i (Early US) - Model years 1977-79
Essentially the same car as the above listed 320i (M10 Euro) with the addition of federally required safety and emission controls.
320i (Late US) - Model years 1980-83
Essentially the same car as the above listed 318i with the addition of federally required safety and emission controls, and the quad headlights that BMW used to denote the top E21 models.
320 (M20) - Model years 1978-82
Commonly known these days as the 320/6. Its 1990cc M20 six cylinder engine was fed by a four barrel carburator, and it developed 90 kW (122 bhp). It had a 3.64:1 axle ratio and came with 185/70R13 tires standard. With the manual transmission top speed was 181 km/h (112 mph), and 0-100 km/h (62 mph) took 10.7 seconds. Tachometer and upgraded interior was standard.
The 323i is the car that most people in the US think of when gray market E21s are mentioned (assuming they've ever heard of them). Its 2315cc engine developed 105 kW (143 bhp) using K-Jetronic injection. It had a 3.45:1 axle ratio with a rated top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and would do 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.5 seconds.Trim and equipment levels were the same as the 320/6, but also had four wheel disc brakes (front vented), dual exhaust and larger diameter front strut tubes.