BMW M30

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BMW M30 engine
Manufacturer BMW
Production 19681994
Successor BMW M60 V8
Class Straight-6
Engine(s) 2.5 L (2494 cc/152 in³)
2.8 L (2788 cc/170 in³)
3.0 L (2986 cc/182 in³)
3.2 L (3210 cc/195 in³)
3.4 L (3430 cc/209 in³)

The BMW M30 is an inline-6 cylinder engine built by BMW and was once used in all of its six cylinder cars. 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 '70s.

The M30 powered a series of BMW 6-cylinder E9 and BMW E24 coupes to European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) throughout the '70s 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 M102B35 (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 1984-1986.

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 250,000 miles.


Models
Engine Displacement Power: kW (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) ? kW (?/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
138 kW (185 hp) @ 5800 260 N·m (191 ft·lbf) @ 4000 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 hp) @ 5700 305 N·m (224 ft·lbf) @ 4000 6200 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


[edit] M30B25V

Applications:

  • 1973-1976 E12 525
  • 1976-1981 E12 525


[edit] M30B25

Applications:

  • 1981-1987 E28 525i


[edit] M30B28

2.8 L (2788 cc) Applications:

[edit] M30B30

Introduced in 1986 with the E32, the 2.9 L (2986 cc) M30B30 produced 185 hp. The engine continued in production until 1994.

Applications:

3.0 L (2986 cc) Applications:


[edit] M30B32

3.2 L (3210 cc) Applications:


[edit] M30B34

3.4 L

Applications:

3.4 L (3430 cc) Applications:

  • 1983-1993 Europe
  • 1985-1993 US


[edit] M30B35

  • 3.4 liter (3430 cc) SOHC inline-6 cylinder
  • 9.0:1 compression ratio
  • 208 hp @ 5700 rpm
  • 225 ft·lbf torque @ 4000 rpm
  • 87 Octane fuel or better recommended

Applications:

3.5 L (3453 cc) Applications:

3.5 L (3453 cc) DOHC Applications:

  • 1987-1989 E24 M6
  • 1984-1988 M635csi/M6
  • 1984-1986 745i - South Africa

[edit] See also

  • BMW M10 - 4 cylinder engine M30 was based on
  • BMW M20 - 6 cylinder "little six" engine

[edit] References