BMW 320i (E36)

BMW 3 series 1991 2.0 petrol description

Sedan BMW 320i has been produced from January, 1991 to April, 1998. It has six-cylinder petrol engine with displacement of 2.0 litres, which produces power of 150 horsepower on 5900 rpm and torque 190 Nm (Newton metres) on 4200 revolutions per minute.

This 6-cylinder 24-valve engine camshaft is driven by chain (What is an engine chain and belt? ). Engine has fuel injection system without turbocharger. The engine meets the Euro 2 emissions standard. Average engine life expectancy (mileage before serious repairs are needed) is from 270 000 to 450 000 kilometres. Remember that engine life depends on regular maintenance and the quality of the materials used (oils, fuels, etc.).
More engine specs 
This BMW 3 series 2.0 engine oil type is 5W-30 and oil capacity is 6.5 litres.

BMW 320i has classical rear wheel drive (RWD) and automatic gearbox with 5 gears.
BMW 320i accelerates to speed 100 kilometres per hour in 11 seconds. The maximum speed of this car is 214 km/h.

The fuel consumption of this BMW 320i in combined mode (combining urban and highway driving) is 10 litres per 100km (10 km/l), fuel consumption in city - 15 l/100km, highway fuel economy - 7.5 l/100km. Fuel tank capacity is 65 litres or 17.17 gallons, which gives a mileage up to 640 kilometers without refueling in urban cycle and even up to 860 kilometers on highway.
According to user reviews, the real everyday fuel consumption of this BMW is in line with, and sometimes even lower than, the manufacturer's stated combined consumption. More - Real BMW 3 series fuel consumption.

BMW 3 series safety

During safety testing BMW 3 series has obtained 2 stars from five, which means quite low safety level.
Adults (driver and passenger) safety of BMW 3 series is evaluated with two stars, and for pedestrian protection BMW 3 series got two stars.

With the same engine there is also BMW 3 series version with manual gearbox (BMW 320i MT) available, which is more dynamic - it reaches 100 km/h 1.1 seconds faster (in 9.9 seconds), moreover, it is more economic with manufacturer's fuel consumption is lower by 1 litres per 100 km or 10 % - 9.0 litres per 100 km, whereas users reported real fuel consumption is lower by 0.4 litres per 100 km or 4 % - 9.3 litres per 100 km.
BMW 3 series 1991

BMW 320i technical data

Model: BMW 320i
Body style: Sedan
Production period: 1991. January ... 1998. April 
Engine: 1991 cm3 Petrol, 6 cylinders CO2 emissions: no data
Power: 150 HP ON 5900 RPM Torque: 190 NM ON 4200 RPM
Gearbox: Automatic gearbox (5 gears) Drive type: Rear wheel drive (RWD)
Maximum speed: 214 km/h Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 11.0 seconds
Fuel consumption (l/100km): 10.0 (combined) 15.0 (urban) 7.5 (highway)
Real fuel consumption: 10.7 l/100km (22 MPG) by user reviews from various sources
Fuel tank capacity: 65 litres (17.2 gallons)
Car dimensions: 4.43m (length) 1.70m (width) 1.39m (height)
Turning diameter: 10 meters
Trunk capacity: 435 litres
Gross weight: 1795 kg

BMW 320i engine M52B20

Engine reliability:

Overall, this engine can last around 270,000 to 450,000 km if properly maintained, using the correct quality oil and fuel, and carrying out regular checks and maintenance.
The engine has hydraulic valve tappets (lifters), which provide quieter operation and do not require periodic adjustment, but are more complex in design and can cause serious engine damage in the event of failure.
Engine displacement 1991 cm3
Number of cylinders 6
Bore (cylinder diameter) 80 mm
Stroke length (piston move) 66 mm
Compression ratio 11 : 1
Camshaft drive Timing chain

Chain motors are considered more reliable, chain replacement usually is required less often than a timing belt, but they are often louder and vibrate more.

Fuel system Injection
BMW 320i oil type 5W-30
Oil capacity 6.5 litres (6.9 quarts)
Coolant capacity 10.5 litres (11.1 quarts)
Power 150 HP ON 5900 RPM
Torque 190 NM ON 4200 RPM
Start of production (year) 1994
Duration of production 7 years
Engine also used on BMW 5 sērija BMW Z3

Generally, the use of an engine in several models and its long production run is an indication of the quality of the engine and the success of its design.

All BMW 3 series sedan [1991 - 1998] modifications

Modification Engine Power Consumption Gearbox
BMW 316i Jan 1991 — Sep 1993 1.6 Petrol 99 HP 7.9 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 316i Jan 1991 — Sep 1993 1.6 Petrol 100 HP 8.4 l/100km Automatic (4)
BMW 316i Sep 1993 — Apr 1998

Most fuel efficient petrol version by real consumption

1.6 Petrol 102 HP 7.7 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 316i Sep 1993 — Apr 1998 1.6 Petrol 102 HP 8.4 l/100km Automatic (4)
BMW 318tds Oct 1994 — Apr 1998

Most fuel efficient diesel version

1.7 Diesel 90 HP 6.5 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 318i Jan 1991 — Sep 1993 1.8 Petrol 113 HP 8.3 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 318i Jan 1991 — Sep 1993 1.8 Petrol 113 HP 8.6 l/100km Automatic (4)
BMW 318i Sep 1993 — Apr 1998 1.8 Petrol 115 HP 7.9 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 318i Sep 1993 — Apr 1998 1.8 Petrol 115 HP 8.6 l/100km Automatic (4)
BMW 318is Jan 1991 — Dec 1996

Most fuel efficient petrol version

1.8 Petrol 140 HP 6.9 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 318is Jan 1991 — Dec 1996

Most fuel efficient petrol version

1.8 Petrol 140 HP 6.9 l/100km Automatic (4)
BMW 318is Mar 1996 — Apr 1998

Most fuel efficient petrol version by real consumption

1.9 Petrol 140 HP 8.0 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 318is Mar 1996 — Apr 1998 1.9 Petrol 140 HP 8.8 l/100km Automatic (4)
BMW 320i 2.0 Petrol 150 HP 9.0 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 320i 2.0 Petrol 150 HP 10.0 l/100km Automatic (5)
BMW 323i Mai 1995 — Apr 1998 2.5 Petrol 170 HP 9.0 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 323i Mai 1995 — Apr 1998 2.5 Petrol 170 HP 10.0 l/100km Automatic (5)
BMW 325i Jan 1991 — Mar 1995 2.5 Petrol 192 HP 8.8 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 325i Jan 1991 — Mar 1995 2.5 Petrol 192 HP 9.3 l/100km Automatic (5)
BMW 325td 2.5 Diesel 115 HP 7.4 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 325td 2.5 Diesel 115 HP 8.4 l/100km Automatic (4)
BMW 325tds Sep 1993 — Apr 1998

Most powerfull diesel version (143 HP)

2.5 Diesel 143 HP 7.3 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 325tds Sep 1993 — Apr 1998

Most powerfull diesel version (143 HP)

2.5 Diesel 143 HP 8.3 l/100km Automatic (5)
BMW 328i Jan 1995 — Apr 1998

Most dynamic version - 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds

2.8 Petrol 193 HP 9.2 l/100km Manual (5)
BMW 328i Jan 1995 — Apr 1998

Most powerfull petrol version (193 HP)

2.8 Petrol 193 HP 10.0 l/100km Automatic (5)
BMW 3 series 1991 reviews
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