The U.S. E21 320i & 320iS

When the E21 3-series was introduced, the 320i -being the only fuel injected version- was the only engine that could meet the strict U.S. emission standards. A 3-way catalyst was fitted with Lambda control and a oxygen sensor.

But there were more modifications required before the E21 was allowed in the U.S. The most important things:

·        Lights: sealed beam headlights, larger front indicators, side indicators, side reflectors

·        The federalized big bumpers

·        Dash: mph speedometer, fuel gauge not showing litres but: full, ½, reserve.

When the European E21’s were facelifted in 1979, the U.S. 320i was renewed as well. BMW stopped production of the 2 litre M10 engine en they decided to sell the Euro 318i as the new 320i. The smaller displacement and U.S. restrictions made the new version considerably less powerful but the lightened facelift chassis made up for at least part of the loss.

 <320i        320iS>

Due to a different climate, many air conditioned E21’s were sold in the U.S. Over here in Europe E21’s with A/C are rare! The comfortable and reliable optional ZF 3-speed auto box was popular as well. Strangely, power steering wasn’t!

 

I believe the 320i models sold in Australia and the U.K. were practically the same. Only thing is that they were converted to RHD which required relocation of the brake master cylinder.

 

In 1981 the sporty 320iS was introduced. The same 1.8 litre engine, but with the following extra’s for the ‘demanding driver’:

·        Front air dam

·        5,5x13” special cross spoke light alloy rims

·        Sports suspension with increased diameter front stabilizer bar and the addition of a rear stabilizer bar

·        Limited slip differential (25%)

·        Dual operation manual sunroof

·        Recaro sports seats

·        Leather sport steering wheel and leather gear shift knob

·        Deluxe tool kit

·        Fog lights

·        AM/FM stereo cassette radio

Standard specifications

 Engine

320i 2.0

320i 1.8

320iS

 

Production dates:

11/77 – 08/79

09/79 - 12/82

08/80 - 12/82

 

Units produced

?

Approx. 140.000

Approx. 2.500

 

Type:

inline watercooled 4

inline watercooled 4

inline watercooled 4

 

Bore x Stroke mm

89x80

89x71

89x71

 

Displacement cc

1990

1766

1766

 

Valve Operation

SOHC

SOHC

SOHC

 

Valves / cyl

2

2

2

 

Compression Ratio

8,1 : 1

8,8 : 1

8,8 : 1

 

Injection / Carburetor:

Bosch K-Jetronic

Bosch K-Jetronic

Bosch K-Jetronic

 

Max Torque

152Nm @ 4350

135Nm @ 4500

135Nm @ 4500

 

BHP (DIN)

110 @ 5700

101 @ 5800

101 @ 5800

 

 

 

 

Max rev count (RPM)

6400

6400

6400

 

Engine type code

M10 B20

M10B18

M10B18

 

Timing by:

chain

chain

chain

 

CO %

1.5

1.1

1.1

 

Idle speed (RPM)

850-950

850-950

850-950

 

Oil pressure

0.5 to 1.2 bar at idle to over 4.0 bar running

 

Fan belt size (mm)

9.5 x 975 (auto 950)

Alternator (Bosch)

0120489718 (65A)

with built in controller no.

0192052004

Starter motor (Bosch)

0001311100

 

 

 

 

Chassis and Drivetrain

 

 

 

Transmission

4 speed manual

4 speed manual

5 speed dogleg close ratio manual

Front suspension

MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar

MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar

MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar

Rear suspension

Semitrailing arms, coil springs

Semitrailing arms, coil springs

Semitrailing arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar

Axle Ratio

3.64

3.91 (M) 3.64 (A)

 3.91

 

 

 

 

General

 

 

 

Wheelbase (mm)

2563

2563

2563

Track front/rear (mm)

1366/1376

1366/1376

1366/1376

Alignment (front toe in-mm)

1.5 (+/- 0.5 mm)

1.5 (+/- 0.5 mm)

1.5 (+/- 0.5 mm)

 

Alignment (rear toe in -mm)

2.0 (+/- 0.8 mm)

2.0 (+/- 0.8 mm)

2.0 (+/- 0.8 mm)

 

Brakes front/rear

Solid disc / Drum

Solid disc / Drum

Solid disc / Drum

 

Wheels/Tires

steel 13"x5.5J / 185/70HR13

steel 13"x5.5J / 185/70HR13

steel 13"x5.5J / 185/70HR13

 

Maximum Speed (kph)*

?

?

?

 

Acceleration 0-80 kph*

?

8.1

8.1 

 

Weight (kgs)

1182

1104

1144

 

Battery (Ah)

55

55

55

 

Fuel consumption (DIN litres/100 km) - with standard 5 - gearbox

 

@ 90 km/h

 

 

 

 

@ 120 km/h

 

 

 

 

city

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE

For options, gearbox types, fuse box lay out, paintwork and interior colours,

Valves clearances, brakes, firing order & spark plugs

see the regular specs page

 

 

 

All models

 

 

Fuel tank (ltrs)

58 (52+6)

 

Cylinder head

Aluminum

 

Lubricant (motoroil)

SAE 10W40 SE

 

Change quantity 4 cyl.

3.75 litres

 

Including oil filter add

0.25 litre

 

Gearbox oil - manual

SAE 80

 

Change quantity 4 sp.

1 litre

 

Change quantity 5 sp.

1.4 litres

 

Gearbox oil - auto

Dexron ATF

 

Change quantity - auto

2 litres

 

Diff oil

SAE 90 Transmission

 

Change quantity diff

0.95 litres

 

Power steering

Dexron ATF 77

 

Change quantity

1.2 litre

 

Coolant 4-cylinder

7.2 litres

 

Brake / Clutch

ATE/Castrol/DOT 4

 

Fuel

Unleaded RON 91 

 

 

 

 

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