BMW M30

The "big six" BMW M30 is an inline-6 cylinder engine built by BMW and used in many of its cars, such as the BMW 535i. BMW's 3.5L straight six cylinder motors had the longest production run of any BMW engine, dating back to the 1968 E3 and E9 cars. The last use of the block was the 1993 E34 535i. Displacement ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 liters with a 100 mm bore spacing.

The 3.5L engine is 'bulletproof' and a true workhorse. Instead of the more common timing belt, the M30 had a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. With regular oil changes and maintenance they have routinely lasted 250,000 miles or more.

Models

Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Redline	Year
M30B25	2.4 L (2494 cc/152 in³)	110 kW (147 hp) @ 5500	215 N·m (158 ft·lbf) @ 4000		1981
		110 kW (147 hp) @ 5500	215 N·m (158 ft·lbf) @ 4000		1981
M30B28LE	2.7 L (2788 cc/170 in³)	135 kW (181 hp) @ 5800	240 N·m (177 ft·lbf) @ 4200		1979
		135 kW (181 hp) @ 5800	240 N·m (177 ft·lbf) @ 4200		1979
M30B30	2.9 L (2986 cc/182 in³)	135 kW (181 hp) @ 5800	255 N·m (188 ft·lbf) @ 3500		1976
		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
		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
		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
		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
		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
		155 kW (207 hp) @ 5700	305 N·m (224 ft·lbf) @ 4000	6200	1986
M30B34M		136 kW (182 hp) @ 5400	290 N·m (213 ft·lbf) @ 4000		1984
		160 kW (214 hp) @ 5500	310 N·m (228 ft·lbf) @ 4000		1982
		136 kW (182 hp) @ 5400	290 N·m (213 ft·lbf) @ 4000		1984
		160 kW (214 hp) @ 5500	310 N·m (228 ft·lbf) @ 4000		1982
M30B34MAE		185 kW (248 hp) @ 4900	380 N·m (280 ft·lbf) @ 2200		1982
		185 kW (248 hp) @ 4900	380 N·m (280 ft·lbf) @ 2200		1982

2.8 L (2788 cc) Applications:
* 1979-1989 E24 628CSi

3.0 L (2986 cc) Applications:
* 1976-1979 E24 630CS
* 1976-1979 E24 633CSi

3.2 L (3210 cc) Applications:
* 1976-1984 E24 635CSi

3.5 L (3453 cc) Applications:
* 1978-1989 E24 628CSi

3.5 L (3453 cc) DOHC Applications:
* 1987-1989 E24 M6

M30B30

Introduced in 1986 with the E32, the 3.0 L M30B30 produced 188 hp. The engine continued in production until 1994.

Applications:
* 1986-1991 E28 5-Series
* 1986-1994 E32 7-Series
* 1988-1994 E34 5-Series

M30B34

3.4 L

Applications:
* 1986-1994 E28 5-Series
* 1986-1989 E24 6-Series
* 1986-1994 E32 7-Series
* 1988-1994 E34 5-Series

M30B35

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

Applications:
* 1989-1993 E34 535i
* 1988-1992 E32 735i

See also