1990 BMW M3 Coupe 5MT
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1988 BMW M3 in Greenpoint, front right by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: BMW M3 E30 ML25 by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: BMW M3 E30 1 by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: BMW M3 E30 Evolution Heck 2025-06-28 by Strubbl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: BMW M3 E30 black interior by Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1990 BMW M3 Coupe 5MT is a 192-hp 2.3-liter inline-4 coupe with a 5-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $34,950 MSRP and is rated at 18 mpg combined.
It makes 192 horsepower. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (18 mpg combined).
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Coupe |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $34,950 ($86,907 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.3L Inline-4 DOHC 16-valve (S14) |
| Displacement | 2.3 L |
| Horsepower | 192 hp |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 15 MPG |
| Highway | 26 MPG |
| Combined | 18 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1990 BMW M3 Coupe 5MT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
1 recall on file with NHTSA for the 1990 BMW M3. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Feb 1, 1993 · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Consequence: VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
NHTSA campaign 93V015000
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1990 BMW M3. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.