Performance Review: BMW 3 Series 325i Sport Manual E30 - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series 325i Sport Manual E30 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 2494cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 3 Series shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1209 kgs (2665 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series 325i Sport Manual E30 in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2494cc 12V St6 engine produces 171 bhp (127 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 167 lb-ft (226.4 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 3 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe (166.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 3 Series.

The BMW 3 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 141.4 bhp per ton and 138.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 3 Series competing with the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe (166.4 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (166.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 3 Series generating around 138.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198 (163.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Renault Megane 2.0 T Renaultsport Trophy 225 (163.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series 325i Sport Manual E30 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This BMW 3 Series 325i Sport Manual E30 is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.74 secs @ 86.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (15.68 secs), the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 (15.69 secs), and the 2003 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 Hemi (15.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the BMW 3 Series 325i Sport Manual E30 has a maximum speed of 138mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 3 Series equals the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (149 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 BMW 3 Series 325i Sport Manual E30 then how about the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (149 mph), the 2022 Porsche 911 Dakar 3.0 Turbo 992 II (149 mph), or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (149 mph).

Related Links:

1986 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison