BMW 303

"BMW 315" redirects here. For BMW 315 cars after 1975, see BMW 3 Series.
BMW 303

1933 BMW 303
Overview
Manufacturer BMW
Production 303: 1933–1934
315: 1934–1937
319: 1935–1936
329: 1937[1]
Assembly Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany
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), 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp) at 4000 rpm[2]
315: 1,490 cc (90.9 cu in), 34 PS (25 kW; 34 hp) at 4000 rpm[3]
319, 329: 1,911 cc (116.6 cu in), 45 bhp (33.6 kW) at 3750 rpm[4]
Transmission 4-speed manual, synchromesh on 3rd and 4th[5]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,400 mm (94.5 in)[3][6]
Length 3,900 mm (153.5 in)[3][7]
Width 1,440 mm (56.7 in)[3]
Height 1,550 mm (61.0 in)[3]
Kerb weight 1,808 lb (820 kg)[7]
Chronology
Successor BMW 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.

Design, engineering, and styling

Chassis and suspension

Upon its introduction in 1933, the 303 was the largest car BMW had made.[7] The wheelbase of the 303 was 2,400 millimetres (94.5 in),[6][8] an increase of 300 millimetres (11.8 in) over the 3/20. The track, 1,150 millimetres (45.3 in) at the front and 1,220 millimetres (48.0 in) at the rear, was also wider than the 3/20's 1,100 millimetres (43.3 in) front and rear. Unlike the 3/20's backbone chassis,[8] the 303 had a ladder frame made from tubular side members and box-section cross members.[7]

The independent front suspension used a transverse mounted leaf spring mounted above the wheel centre line. The hubs were located with the spring mounts at the top and control arms at the bottom.[7] The rear suspension used a live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs,[7] a conventional system neither as advanced nor as troublesome as the 3/20's swing axles.[9]

The 303 was the first German car in its size and price class to have automatic "one-shot" chassis lubrication. Each wheel had a drum brake; all four were operated through the pedal using rods and levers, while the rear brakes were also operated by cables from the handbrake lever.[10]

Engine

Main article: BMW M78

The 303 was the first BMW car to use a straight-6 engine. The M78 1182 cc six-cylinder engine was developed from the four-cylinder engine used in the 3/20. The engine had the same bore and stroke as the four, but the bore spacing was increased to allow for further increases in bore and to provide for crankshaft bearings between the ends of the crankshaft. The crankshaft ran in four plain bearings.[2]

Styling

The 303 was the first BMW to use the 'kidney grill',[7] which has since become a defining feature of the company's models.[7][9]

Two-door saloon and cabriolet bodies were manufactured, at first by Daimler-Benz's coachworks in Sindelfingen, and later by Ambi-Budd in Berlin. Ambi-Budd would also offer a two seat sports cabriolet for the 303.[7]

Reception

At the time it was being made, the 303 was the least expensive six-cylinder car in Germany. However, it was considered underpowered, with a top speed of 56 miles per hour (90 km/h). The combination of soft spring rates at the front and hard spring rates at the rear caused understeer, body roll, and a generally unsettling pitching movement.[10] 2300 BMW 303s were produced up to 1934,[11] when the 303 was replaced by the 315.[12]

Models developed from the 303

309

BMW 309

1934 BMW 309
Overview
Manufacturer BMW
Production 1934–1936
Assembly Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany
Body and chassis
Class Small family car
Body style 2-door saloon, 2-door cabriolet, 2-door tourer
Layout FMR layout
Platform BMW 303
Related BMW 303, BMW 315, BMW 319
Powertrain
Engine OHV I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,400 mm (94.5 in)[6]
Length 153.5 in (3,899 mm)[7]
Kerb weight 1,654 lb (750 kg)[13]
Chronology
Predecessor BMW 3/20
Successor BMW 600

The BMW 309 was a development of the 303. A replacement for the 3/20, the 309 was a 303 with a four-cylinder engine developed from the M78 six-cylinder engine used in the 303. The 309's engine had the bore increased from 56 mm (2.2 in) to 58 mm (2.3 in) which, with a stroke of 80 mm (3.1 in), gave a capacity of 845 cc (51.6 cu in) and maximum power of 22 PS (16 kW; 22 hp) at 4000 rpm.[13]

In addition to the body styles offered with the 303, the 309 was also available as a tourer.[13]

With the same body as the 303, the 309 offered the same amount of room at a lower cost and a lower tax rating based on its smaller engine.[14] The 309 was manufactured from 1934 to 1936, with a total of 6,000 made.[1]

Six-cylinder successors: 315, 319, and 329

BMW 315

The 315 replaced the 303 in 1934.[1] The 315 differed from the 303 mainly with its larger engine, with increases in both the bore, to 58 mm (2.3 in) from 56 mm (2.2 in), and the stroke, to 94 mm (3.7 in) from 80 mm (3.1 in).[2][12]

The 319 were introduced in 1935. Produced alongside the 315, the 319 differed from it mainly by its new, larger engine had a bore of 65 mm (2.6 in), and a stroke of 96 mm (3.8 in), resulting in a displacement of 1,911 cc (116.6 cu in). This resulted in an increase in power to 45 bhp (33.6 kW) at 3750 rpm.[4] The kerb weight of the 319 was 850 kg (1,874 lb), and the fuel capacity was 40 L (11 US gal; 9 imp gal).[15]

Upon the introduction of the BMW 326 in 1936, the 315 and 319 were no longer BMW's largest cars.[16]

The 315 and 319 were discontinued in 1937. A total of 9,765 BMW 315s were built, including two-door saloon cars, touring cars, convertibles, sport convertibles, and 315/1 roadsters. A total of 6,646 BMW 319s of all types were built by the end of production in 1937.[1]

The 329 replaced the 319 in early 1937. The 329 was basically a 319 with the front bodywork and fenders from the BMW 326. The 329 was available only as a convertible, with either two or four doors. The 329 was replaced by the 326-based BMW 320 later in 1937.[17]

BMW 303-based cars
BMW 315 
BMW 319 convertible 
BMW 329 

315/1 and 319/1 roadsters

BMW 315/1, BMW 319/1

BMW 315/1 roadster
Overview
Manufacturer BMW
Production 315/1: 1934–1937
319/1: 1935–1937[1]
Assembly Eisenach, Germany
Designer Peter Schimanowski[18]
Body and chassis
Class Sports car
Body style roadster
Layout FR layout
Related BMW 319/1
BMW 328
Powertrain
Engine BMW M78 OHV I6
315/1: 1,490 cc (90.9 cu in), 40.6 PS (29.9 kW; 40.0 hp) at 4300 rpm[19]
319/1: 55 bhp (41.0 kW) at 4000 rpm[4]
Transmission 4-speed manual[20]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,400 mm (94.5 in)[19]
Length 3,800 mm (149.6 in)[19]
Width 1,440 mm (56.7 in)[19]
Height 1,350 mm (53.1 in)[19]
Kerb weight 750 kg (1,653 lb)[19]
Chronology
Predecessor BMW Wartburg
Successor BMW 328

The BMW 315/1 was a sports car based on the 315 saloon. It used the same chassis as the 315 saloon and had an engine of the same displacement. However, with compression ratio increased to 6.8:1[19][18] from 5.6:1 in the saloon,[2][3] and with the use of three Solex carburetors,[19][18] power increased to 40.6 PS (29.9 kW; 40.0 hp) at 4300 rpm, while the roadster bodywork reduced kerb weight to 750 kg (1,653 lb).[19]

The BMW 319/1 was a 1.9 litre version of the 315/1 introduced alongside the 319 in 1935. The dimensions of the 319's engine with the performance modification of the 315/1's engine resulted in 55 bhp (41.0 kW) at 4000 rpm in the 319/1 roadster[4]

Production of the 315/1 and 319/1 roadsters ended in 1936, with 242 of the 315/1 roadsters and 102 of the 319/1s built.[20] The 315/1 and 319/1 were replaced by the BMW 328,[17] which was based on an all-new tubular steel ladder frame, but used the steering gear and suspension of the 319/1.[21]

BMW 315/1 and 319/1
1935 Frazer Nash BMW 315/1 for the UK market 
1935 BMW 315/1 sports roadster 

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to BMW 303.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to BMW 315.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to BMW 319.
Citations
Bibliography
BMW road car timeline, 1920s–1940s — next »
Type 1920s 1930s 1940s
89 0123456789 0123456789
Straight-4 Dixi 3/15/Dixi 3/15 DA/Dixi 3/15 DA1/ 3/15 DA2/ 3/15 DA4 3/20 309
Straight-6 303
315, 319 329 320 321 321
326 326
327 327
335
Sports car DA-3 Wartburg 315/1, 319/1 328
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