BMW M30
Encyclopedia
The BMW M30 is an inline-6 cylinder engine built by BMW
and was used in many different models since 1968. It was originally developed in the late 1960s as an extended 2.5-liter version of the robust inline four-cylinder BMW M10
first used in the 'Neue Klasse' BMW 1500, with which it shares a number of design features, including a 30-degree cant to the right for a lower profile, a crossflow head design, and a chain-driven single overhead cam with rocker arm valve actuation. The 'Big Six,' also known as the 'Senior Six,' got its informal names after the introduction of a smaller BMW M20
belt-driven SOHC six-cylinder in the late 1970s.
The M30 powered a series of BMW 6-cylinder E9
and BMW E24
coupes to European Touring Car Championship
(ETCC) throughout the 1970s and into the middle 1980s, even though a more powerful DOHC 24-valve head had been developed for high-performance motorsports and street use.
A production turbo variant of the M30 designated the M102B32 or M106B34 (depending on 3.2 or 3.4-liter displacement) was used in the BMW E23
Seven Series where it was designated "745i", based on a then-current projection that the horsepower produced was roughly equal to that of a 4.5-liter normally aspirated engine. The 3.5 DOHC M5 and M6 engine was used in the South African 745i from 1984 to 1986.
Newer M30 engines featured Bosch
L-Jetronic multipoint fuel injection and Motronic.
BMW's M30 straight six-cylinder engines had the longest production run of any BMW engine, dating back to the 1968 E3 sedans and E9
coupes. The last use of the block was the 1994 E32
730i. Displacement ranged from 2.5 to 3.4 liters with a 100 mm bore spacing.
The M30 engine's bottom end is virtually 'bulletproof' and a true workhorse. The M30's timing chain is designed to last the life of the engine and it will, if the timing chain tensioner is maintained. Unfortunately, over time and use, the plastic parts in it can fail but they are easily replaced. The alloy head is prone to warping if the engine is overheated (especially around the somewhat restricted cooling system passages near the middle), but with regular cooling system maintenance, oil changes, and other routine maintenance, the M30 can routinely run well past 250000 miles (402,335 km).
Applications:
04/1981-12/1987 * E28
528i
, the 3.0 L (2986 cc) M30B30 produced 185 hp. The engine continued in production until 1994.
Applications:
3.0 L (2986 cc) Applications:
3.4 L (without catalytic converter)
Applications:
Applications:
3.5 L M90 (3453 cc) Applications:
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
and was used in many different models since 1968. It was originally developed in the late 1960s as an extended 2.5-liter version of the robust inline four-cylinder BMW M10
BMW M10
The BMW M10/M12 was a straight-4 piston engine produced from 1961 to 1987. Displacement ranged from 1499 cc to 1990 cc.The engine was designed by noted engineer and race driver Baron Alex von Falkenhausen. He was asked to design a small-displacement engine, but felt that this would be...
first used in the 'Neue Klasse' BMW 1500, with which it shares a number of design features, including a 30-degree cant to the right for a lower profile, a crossflow head design, and a chain-driven single overhead cam with rocker arm valve actuation. The 'Big Six,' also known as the 'Senior Six,' got its informal names after the introduction of a smaller BMW M20
BMW M20
The M20 is an inline-6 piston engine by BMW.Initially designated M60, the 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1977 BMW 520/6 and 320/6 as an entirely new design. With displacements ranging from 2.0 to 2.7 liters, it was the "little brother" to the larger BMW M30 engine. It had ...
belt-driven SOHC six-cylinder in the late 1970s.
The M30 powered a series of BMW 6-cylinder E9
BMW E9
-BMW 2.5CS:The last version of the E9 to be introduced was the 2.5CS in 1974. This was a response to the 1973 oil crisis, such that the buyer could choose the smaller, more economical engine. The engine, from the 2500 sedan, displaced and produced at 6000 revolutions per minute...
and BMW E24
BMW E24
The BMW E24 series was the first BMW 6 Series coupé, produced by the German automaker BMW between the 1976 and 1989 model years. The 6 Series name reappeared with the BMW E63 chassis beginning in the 2004 model year. The E24 borrowed heavily from contemporary 5-series cars .- Model history :The...
coupes to European Touring Car Championship
European Touring Car Championship
The European Touring Car Championship was an international touring car racing series organised by the FIA. It had two incarnations, the first one between 1963 and 1988, and the second between 2000 and 2004...
(ETCC) throughout the 1970s and into the middle 1980s, even though a more powerful DOHC 24-valve head had been developed for high-performance motorsports and street use.
A production turbo variant of the M30 designated the M102B32 or M106B34 (depending on 3.2 or 3.4-liter displacement) was used in the BMW E23
BMW E23
The BMW E23 is the first BMW 7 Series luxury car, produced by the German automaker BMW. Replacing the BMW E3 large sedan, the E23 was produced for ten years from 1977 to 1987 and was replaced by the BMW E32 7 Series in 1986.-Design and features:...
Seven Series where it was designated "745i", based on a then-current projection that the horsepower produced was roughly equal to that of a 4.5-liter normally aspirated engine. The 3.5 DOHC M5 and M6 engine was used in the South African 745i from 1984 to 1986.
Newer M30 engines featured Bosch
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
L-Jetronic multipoint fuel injection and Motronic.
BMW's M30 straight six-cylinder engines had the longest production run of any BMW engine, dating back to the 1968 E3 sedans and E9
BMW E9
-BMW 2.5CS:The last version of the E9 to be introduced was the 2.5CS in 1974. This was a response to the 1973 oil crisis, such that the buyer could choose the smaller, more economical engine. The engine, from the 2500 sedan, displaced and produced at 6000 revolutions per minute...
coupes. The last use of the block was the 1994 E32
BMW E32
After almost 7 years in development since September 1979, in July 1986, BMW introduced the second generation of the 7 series, known internally as the E32. Aimed at the high end of the luxury market, the car offered some of the latest innovations in automotive technology, and a new, top-of-the-line...
730i. Displacement ranged from 2.5 to 3.4 liters with a 100 mm bore spacing.
The M30 engine's bottom end is virtually 'bulletproof' and a true workhorse. The M30's timing chain is designed to last the life of the engine and it will, if the timing chain tensioner is maintained. Unfortunately, over time and use, the plastic parts in it can fail but they are easily replaced. The alloy head is prone to warping if the engine is overheated (especially around the somewhat restricted cooling system passages near the middle), but with regular cooling system maintenance, oil changes, and other routine maintenance, the M30 can routinely run well past 250000 miles (402,335 km).
Known Problems
These problems may not necessarily apply to all versions of the M30 engine.- An "oil spray bar" is mounted above the camshaft. This hollow metal tube has perforations on its underside that spray oil over the camshaft and rocker arms, but with time the two banjo boltsBanjo fittingA Banjo fitting comprises a perforated hollow bolt and spherical union for fluid transfer. They are commonly found in automotive fuel, oil and hydraulic systems ....
that hold the bar in place can loosen. As a result, oil passage through the spray bar will get restricted, and some of the camshaft and rocker arms may not get cooled and/or lubricated properly, leading to fatal wear.
- On some models, the return valve in the oil filter housing fails with time, thus making oil run out after stopping the engine, instead of keeping it in the housing. While not a critical problem, it results in the engine needing up to five seconds to build up proper oil pressure upon engine start. BMW replaced the oil filter housing with a more durable valve around 1991.
- While not a problem by design, the spacing between the valve rocker arms and the valves must be adjusted approximately every 30000 km (18,641.2 mi). Failure to adjust might lead to poor running, increased fuel consumption, and engine wear.
- The engine fan is mounted with a viscous coupling that expands when heated. As the engine becomes warm, the coupling gets a better grip on the fan, thus leading to increased rotation of the fan, and more airflow. If this viscous coupling fails, the fan will only rotate relatively slowly (as driven by the engine by a V-belt), and will not provide sufficient cooling, leading to overheating. Overheating can extremely quickly lead to engine failure, such as a destroyed headgasket or a warped or partly melted cylinder headCylinder headIn an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
.
- There are many of these that have overheating problems. Check the viscous clutch for the cooling fan like stated above, but even more important is to make sure the cooling system is filled, then run the car and watch as the coolant runs down... keep filling as the car gets to operating temperature.
| Engine | Displacement | Power: kW (hp:BHP/PS) @ RPM | Torque | Redline | CR | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M30B25LE | |2.5 L (2494 cc/152 in³) | 110 kW (147/150) @ 5500 | 215 N·m (158 ft·lbf) @ 4000 | 9.6 | 1981 | |
| M30B28LE | 2.8 L (2788 cc/170 in³) | 132 kW (174/177) @ 5800 | 240 N·m (177 ft·lbf) @ 4000 | 9.3 | 1977 | |
| M30B28 | 135 kW (181/184) @ 5800 | 240 N·m (177 ft·lbf) @ 4200 | 6500 | 9.3 | 1979 | |
| M30B30 | 3.0 L (2986 cc/182 in³) | 135 kW (181 hp) @ 5800 | 255 N·m (188 ft·lbf) @ 3500 | 1976 | ||
| 140 kW (188 hp) @ 5800 | 260 N·m (191 ft·lbf) @ 4000 | 6200 | 9.0 | 1986 | ||
| M30B32 | 3.2 L (3210 cc/195 in³) | 145 kW (194 hp) @ 5500 | 285 N·m (210 ft·lbf) @ 4300 | 1979 | ||
| M30B32LAE | 185 kW (248 hp) @ 5200 | 380 N·m (280 ft·lbf) @ 2600 | 1980 | |||
| M30B32LE | 145 kW (194 hp) @ 5500 | 280 N·m (206 ft·lbf) @ 4300 | 1976 | |||
| M30B34 | 3.4 L (3430 cc/209 in³) | 155 kW (207/211 hp) @ 5700 | 305 N·m (224 ft·lbf) @ 4000 | 6200 | 8.0 | 1986 |
| M30B34M | 136 kW (182/185) @ 5400 | 290 N·m (213 ft·lbf) @ 4000 | 8.0 | 1984 | ||
| 160 kW (214/218) @ 5500 | 310 N·m (228 ft·lbf) @ 4000 | 10.0 | 1982 | |||
| M30B34MAE | 185 kW (248 hp) @ 4900 | 380 N·m (280 ft·lbf) @ 2200 | 1982 | |||
| M30B35 | 155 kW (211PS) @ 5700 | 305 N·m (225 ft·lbf) @ 4000 | 6200 | 9.0 | 1988 |
M30B28
2,8 L (2788 cc)Applications:
- 1979-1987 E24BMW E24The BMW E24 series was the first BMW 6 Series coupé, produced by the German automaker BMW between the 1976 and 1989 model years. The 6 Series name reappeared with the BMW E63 chassis beginning in the 2004 model year. The E24 borrowed heavily from contemporary 5-series cars .- Model history :The...
628CSiBMW 6 SeriesBMW 6 Series refers to several generations of executive coupés produced by BMW.The first was the E24, being derived from the E12 & E28 5 Series 4-door sedans. The E24 launched in 1976 to replace the 3.0CS & 3.0CSi . 14 years later, in 2003, BMW released the all new E63/E64 which was available as a...
04/1981-12/1987 * E28
BMW E28
The BMW E28 BMW 5-Series was made between 1981 and 1988. It replaced the BMW E12 in 1981 and was replaced by the BMW E34 in 1989.E28 Production started in July 1981 and ended in December 1987...
528i
BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series is a mid-size / executive car manufactured by BMW since 1972. The car, now in its sixth generation, is sold in sedan and touring body styles....
M30B30
Introduced in 1986 with the E32BMW E32
After almost 7 years in development since September 1979, in July 1986, BMW introduced the second generation of the 7 series, known internally as the E32. Aimed at the high end of the luxury market, the car offered some of the latest innovations in automotive technology, and a new, top-of-the-line...
, the 3.0 L (2986 cc) M30B30 produced 185 hp. The engine continued in production until 1994.
Applications:
- 1976-1981 E12BMW E12The BMW E12 BMW 5-Series was made between 1972 and 1981. The E12 was the first series to bear the 5 Series name: the '5' denoting BMW's fifth 'New Class' platform. Designed as a replacement for the popular BMW New Class mid-size sedan, the E12 5-Series models were smaller than the large BMW E3...
5-series - 1986-1994 E32BMW E32After almost 7 years in development since September 1979, in July 1986, BMW introduced the second generation of the 7 series, known internally as the E32. Aimed at the high end of the luxury market, the car offered some of the latest innovations in automotive technology, and a new, top-of-the-line...
7-Series - 1988-1993 E34BMW E34The BMW E34 is the version of the BMW 5 Series automobile built from February 1988 to 1995 with the Touring model ending June 1996. It replaced the BMW E28 in 1988 and was replaced by the E39 in 1996....
5-Series
3.0 L (2986 cc) Applications:
- 1976-1989 E24BMW E24The BMW E24 series was the first BMW 6 Series coupé, produced by the German automaker BMW between the 1976 and 1989 model years. The 6 Series name reappeared with the BMW E63 chassis beginning in the 2004 model year. The E24 borrowed heavily from contemporary 5-series cars .- Model history :The...
630CS
M30B32
3.2 L (3210 cc) Applications:- 1976-1984 E24BMW E24The BMW E24 series was the first BMW 6 Series coupé, produced by the German automaker BMW between the 1976 and 1989 model years. The 6 Series name reappeared with the BMW E63 chassis beginning in the 2004 model year. The E24 borrowed heavily from contemporary 5-series cars .- Model history :The...
633CSi - 1978-1984 E23BMW E23The BMW E23 is the first BMW 7 Series luxury car, produced by the German automaker BMW. Replacing the BMW E3 large sedan, the E23 was produced for ten years from 1977 to 1987 and was replaced by the BMW E32 7 Series in 1986.-Design and features:...
BMW 7-Series - 1983-1984 E28BMW E28The BMW E28 BMW 5-Series was made between 1981 and 1988. It replaced the BMW E12 in 1981 and was replaced by the BMW E34 in 1989.E28 Production started in July 1981 and ended in December 1987...
533i - 1986 E30BMW E30The BMW E30 was a compact executive car produced by BMW. It was replaced by the BMW E36 in 1990. BMW continued to produce the cabriolet E30 well into 1993. The Touring remained in production until 1994 when the E36 touring replaced it...
333i (South Africa only)
M30B34
3.4 L (with catalytic converter)- 8.0:1 compression ratioCompression ratioThe 'compression ratio' of an internal-combustion engine or external combustion engine is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity...
- 185 BHP /188 PS
3.4 L (without catalytic converter)
- 10.0:1 compression ratioCompression ratioThe 'compression ratio' of an internal-combustion engine or external combustion engine is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity...
- 214 BHP / 218 PS
Applications:
- 1985-1988 E28BMW E28The BMW E28 BMW 5-Series was made between 1981 and 1988. It replaced the BMW E12 in 1981 and was replaced by the BMW E34 in 1989.E28 Production started in July 1981 and ended in December 1987...
5-Series - 1985-1987 E24BMW E24The BMW E24 series was the first BMW 6 Series coupé, produced by the German automaker BMW between the 1976 and 1989 model years. The 6 Series name reappeared with the BMW E63 chassis beginning in the 2004 model year. The E24 borrowed heavily from contemporary 5-series cars .- Model history :The...
6-Series - 1985-1987 E23BMW E23The BMW E23 is the first BMW 7 Series luxury car, produced by the German automaker BMW. Replacing the BMW E3 large sedan, the E23 was produced for ten years from 1977 to 1987 and was replaced by the BMW E32 7 Series in 1986.-Design and features:...
7-Series
M30B35
- 3.4-liter (3430 cc) SOHC inline 6-cylinder
- 9.0:1 compression ratioCompression ratioThe 'compression ratio' of an internal-combustion engine or external combustion engine is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity...
- 208 bhp / 211 PS @ 5700 rpm torque @ 4000 rpm
- 87 AKI / 91 RON octane fuel or better recommended
Applications:
- 1988-1989 E24BMW E24The BMW E24 series was the first BMW 6 Series coupé, produced by the German automaker BMW between the 1976 and 1989 model years. The 6 Series name reappeared with the BMW E63 chassis beginning in the 2004 model year. The E24 borrowed heavily from contemporary 5-series cars .- Model history :The...
635CSi - 1988-1993 E34BMW E34The BMW E34 is the version of the BMW 5 Series automobile built from February 1988 to 1995 with the Touring model ending June 1996. It replaced the BMW E28 in 1988 and was replaced by the E39 in 1996....
535i - 1988-1992 E32BMW E32After almost 7 years in development since September 1979, in July 1986, BMW introduced the second generation of the 7 series, known internally as the E32. Aimed at the high end of the luxury market, the car offered some of the latest innovations in automotive technology, and a new, top-of-the-line...
735i
3.5 L M90 (3453 cc) Applications:
- 1978-1983 E24BMW E24The BMW E24 series was the first BMW 6 Series coupé, produced by the German automaker BMW between the 1976 and 1989 model years. The 6 Series name reappeared with the BMW E63 chassis beginning in the 2004 model year. The E24 borrowed heavily from contemporary 5-series cars .- Model history :The...
635CSi - 1980-1981 E12BMW E12The BMW E12 BMW 5-Series was made between 1972 and 1981. The E12 was the first series to bear the 5 Series name: the '5' denoting BMW's fifth 'New Class' platform. Designed as a replacement for the popular BMW New Class mid-size sedan, the E12 5-Series models were smaller than the large BMW E3...
M535i
See also
- BMW M10BMW M10The BMW M10/M12 was a straight-4 piston engine produced from 1961 to 1987. Displacement ranged from 1499 cc to 1990 cc.The engine was designed by noted engineer and race driver Baron Alex von Falkenhausen. He was asked to design a small-displacement engine, but felt that this would be...
- 4-cylinder engine M30 was based on. - BMW M20BMW M20The M20 is an inline-6 piston engine by BMW.Initially designated M60, the 12-valve, belt driven SOHC design was introduced in the 1977 BMW 520/6 and 320/6 as an entirely new design. With displacements ranging from 2.0 to 2.7 liters, it was the "little brother" to the larger BMW M30 engine. It had ...
- 6-cylinder "small six" engine.