The BMW 503 3.2 MT is described below in terms of ordinary ownership habits, the short hops, longer weekend runs and small logistical decisions that shape how any car is actually used.
1 generation · Coupe
Generation photo. Individual trim appearance may differ.
The highest speed a vehicle can sustain under manufacturer test conditions. Some cars are electronically limited below their mechanical potential. Glossary entry
185 km/h
Engine type
Gasoline
Transmission
Manual
Type of boost?
A turbocharger or supercharger compresses the air entering the engine so a smaller engine can produce more power. Naturally aspirated engines draw air without a compressor. Glossary entry
No
Type of drive?
Which wheels receive power: front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive can send power to every wheel for extra traction. Glossary entry
RWD
Bore and stroke?
The diameter of a cylinder (bore) and the distance the piston travels inside it (stroke). Together they determine the displacement of the engine. Glossary entry
Not provided
Engine capacity?
The total volume swept by all pistons inside the cylinders, usually stated in cubic centimetres or litres. Larger displacement often means more power but higher consumption. Glossary entry
3168 cm³
Engine location
Front, longitudinal
Number of gears?
How many fixed forward ratios a gearbox offers. More gears can improve economy and refinement; continuously variable transmissions have no fixed steps. Glossary entry
4
Maximum power?
A unit of engine or motor output. One metric horsepower is about 0.735 kilowatts. Peak power is normally reached at high engine speed. Glossary entry
140 hp
Maximum power, kw?
A unit of engine or motor output. One metric horsepower is about 0.735 kilowatts. Peak power is normally reached at high engine speed. Glossary entry
100 kW
Compression ratio?
The ratio between the largest and smallest volume of a cylinder as the piston moves. Higher ratios improve efficiency but may require higher-octane fuel. Glossary entry
Not provided
Maximum power rpm
4800 rpm
Maximum torque N⋅m
Not provided
Maximum torque rpm
Not provided
Acceleration to 100?
The time a vehicle needs to reach 100 km/h from a standstill, a common shorthand for overall performance. Glossary entry
13 s
Engine power system
Carburetor
Number of cylinders
8
Valves per cylinder?
The number of intake and exhaust valves in each cylinder. Four valves per cylinder is common and helps the engine breathe at higher speeds. Glossary entry
2
Cylinder arrangement
V-shaped
Maximum power ICE
Not provided
Maximum power ICE
Not provided
Energy & emissions
ECO class
Not provided
Battery power
Not provided
Fuel grade
Not provided
Mild Hybrid?
A car with a small electric motor and battery that assist the combustion engine and recover braking energy but cannot drive on electricity alone. Glossary entry
Not provided
Battery type
Not provided
CO2 emissions?
The amount of carbon dioxide released per kilometre under a standardised test. Lower figures usually go hand in hand with lower fuel consumption. Glossary entry
Not provided
Full charge home
Not provided
Power consumption
Not provided
Fuel tank capacity
Not provided
Full public charging time
Not provided
Driving range, maximum?
The distance an electric or plug-in vehicle can travel on a full charge under a stated test cycle. Temperature, speed and load change the real result. Glossary entry
Not provided
Driving range, minimum?
The distance an electric or plug-in vehicle can travel on a full charge under a stated test cycle. Temperature, speed and load change the real result. Glossary entry
Not provided
Fuel consumption city
Not provided
Average consumption
Not provided
Fuel consumption highway
Not provided
Dimensions & body
Doors number
2
Number of seats
4
Width
1710 mm
Height
1440 mm
Length
4750 mm
Body type
Coupe
Wheelbase?
The distance between the centres of the front and rear wheels. A longer wheelbase usually gives more cabin space and a calmer ride; a shorter one helps agility and parking. Glossary entry
2835 mm
U-turn diameter
Not provided
Depth of the ford to be crossed
Not provided
Body style
Coupe
Rear track width?
The distance between the centres of the two wheels on the same axle. A wider track generally improves stability in corners. Glossary entry
Not provided
Trunk volume max
Not provided
Trunk volume min
Not provided
Front track width?
The distance between the centres of the two wheels on the same axle. A wider track generally improves stability in corners. Glossary entry
Not provided
Max weight
Not provided
Curb weight?
The weight of the vehicle with all standard equipment and fluids but without passengers or cargo. Glossary entry
Not provided
Ground clearance, maximum?
The gap between the lowest point of the underbody and the road. More clearance helps on rough roads and steep driveway ramps. Glossary entry
Not provided
Ground clearance, minimum?
The gap between the lowest point of the underbody and the road. More clearance helps on rough roads and steep driveway ramps. Glossary entry
Not provided
Identity & configuration
Vehicle class
S
Right-hand drive
No
Additional specifications
Stop
1959-12-31
Start
1956-01-01
Wheel size
Not provided
Rear brakes
Not provided
Front brakes
Drum
Rear suspension
Not provided
Front suspension
Independent, torsion
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Not provided means the source has no value. Zero remains zero. Units are shown as supplied; range test cycles are only stated when known.
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Engine and Transmission
On the open road, most drivers value being able to hold a steady cruise without constantly adjusting, since that is what makes a longer journey restful. In town the priority shifts to smooth low-speed progress, where gentle inputs count for more than pace.
Drivetrain and Everyday Driving
Familiarity with the controls tends to show up in awkward moments rather than easy ones: reversing in the dark, pulling away on a slope, or clearing a misted screen in a hurry. Habit handles these tasks when concentration is already occupied.
Body and Practicality
Luggage rarely arrives in tidy shapes, so what usually helps is a load area that can be reached easily and a lid that stays out of the way while hands are full. Soft bags also adapt where rigid cases will not.
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