BMW 303

"BMW 315" redirects here. For the 1981–1983 BMW 315, see BMW 3 Series (E21).
BMW 303
1933 BMW 303
Overview
ManufacturerBMW
Production303: 1933–1934
315: 1934–1937
319: 1935–1936
329: 1937[1]
AssemblyGermany: Thuringia, Eisenach
Body and chassis
ClassSmall family car
Body style303, 315, 319: 2-door saloon, 2-door cabriolet
329: 2-door or 4-door cabriolet
LayoutFMR layout
PlatformBMW 303
RelatedBMW 309,
BMW 315/1,
BMW 319/1,
BMW 328
Powertrain
EngineBMW M78 OHV I6
303: 1,173 cc (71.6 cu in), 22.5 kW (31 PS; 30 hp) at 4000 rpm[2]
315: 1,490 cc (90.9 cu in), 25 kW (34 PS; 34 hp) at 4000 rpm[3]
319, 329: 1,911 cc (116.6 cu in), 34 kW (45.6 hp) at 3750 rpm[4]
Transmission4-speed manual, synchromesh on 3rd and 4th[5]
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,400 mm (94.5 in)[3][6]
Length3,900 mm (153.5 in)[3][7]
Width1,440 mm (56.7 in)[3]
Height1,550 mm (61.0 in)[3]
Kerb weight1,808 lb (820 kg)[7]
Chronology
SuccessorBMW 315 (model)
BMW 320 (series)

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.

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.

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