1992 BMW 3 Series

The 1992 3-Series lineup gained the 325is Sedan. The lineup now consisted of the 318i sedan, 318is Coupe, 318i convertible, 325is coupe, and the 325i convertible. Pricing began at nearly $23,000 for the 318i sedan and rose to just over $30,000 for the 325isedan and 325is Coupe. The base engine was a dual-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine displacing 110 cubic-inches and offering 138 horsepower. It featured dual resonance fuel injection, a cast-iron block and aluminum alloy head. A five-speed manual transmission was standard with a four-speed automatic available.

The BMW 3 Series was now in its six generation since succeeding the 2002 model in 1975. It generally accounted for 30 percent of the company's annual car sales, is the best-selling car in its class, and is almost as well known in America, Asia and Australia as it is in Europe. The model's second incarnation, the E30, was introduced in 1982. It enjoyed a ten-year production run where it could be purchased in no less than five body styles which included two and four-door Saloons, five-door Touring and two-door Convertible.

The 318i was temporarily dropped in 1985, only to re-appear in 1991 sporting a new DOHC powerplant. The suspension setup was independent all round by MacPherson struts, lower wishbones and coil springs at the front and semi-trailing arms and coil springs at the rear. Steering was by rack and pinion.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2017