BMW 303
The BMW 303 was a small family saloon produced by BMW in 1933 and 1934. It was the first BMW motor car with a six-cylinder engine and the first BMW motor car with the "kidney grille" associated with the brand. The platform developed for the 303 was used for several other BMW cars, including the BMW 309, a four-cylinder version of the 303, the BMW 315, a 1.5-litre version of the 303 which replaced it in 1934 and was built until 1937, the BMW 319, a 1.9-litre version of the 303 produced alongside the 315 from 1935 to 1937, and the BMW 329, a development of the 319 with styling based on the newer, larger BMW 326, that briefly replaced the 319 in 1937.
| BMW 303 | |
|---|---|
1933 BMW 303 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Production | 303: 1933–1934 315: 1934–1937 319: 1935–1936 329: 1937 |
| Assembly | Germany: Thuringia, Eisenach |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car |
| Body style | 303, 315, 319: 2-door saloon, 2-door cabriolet 329: 2-door or 4-door cabriolet |
| Layout | FMR layout |
| Platform | BMW 303 |
| Related | BMW 309, BMW 315/1, BMW 319/1, BMW 328 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | BMW M78 OHV I6 303: 1,173 cc (71.6 cu in), 22.5 kW (31 PS; 30 hp) at 4000 rpm 315: 1,490 cc (90.9 cu in), 25 kW (34 PS; 34 hp) at 4000 rpm 319, 329: 1,911 cc (116.6 cu in), 34 kW (45.6 hp) at 3750 rpm |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual, synchromesh on 3rd and 4th |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 3,900 mm (153.5 in) |
| Width | 1,440 mm (56.7 in) |
| Height | 1,550 mm (61.0 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,808 lb (820 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | BMW 315 (model) BMW 320 (series) |
The 303 platform was also used for the BMW 315/1 and BMW 319/1. These were high-performance versions of the 315 and 319 respectively, with tuned engines and lightweight roadster bodywork. The 315/1 and 319/1 were replaced by the BMW 328 in 1936.