BMW M30

The BMW M30 is a SOHC straight-six petrol engine which was produced from 1968 to 1995. With a production run of 27 years, it is BMW's longest produced engine and was used in many car models.

The first models to use the M30 engine were the BMW 2500 and 2800 sedans. The initial M30 models were produced in displacements of Template:Convert and Template:Convert. Larger displacement versions were introduced over time, with the largest version being Template:Convert, which was sometimes badged as "3.5 litres".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As per the BMW M10 four-cylinder engine from which the M30 was developed, the M30 has an iron block, an aluminium head and an overhead camshaft with two valves per cylinder.

The engine was given the nicknames of 'Big Six' and 'Senior Six', following the introduction of the smaller BMW M20 straight-six engine in the late 1970s. The M30 was produced alongside the M20 throughout the M20's production, and prior to the introduction of the BMW M70 V12 engine in 1987, the M30 was BMW's most powerful and largest regular production engine.

Following the introduction of the BMW M50 engine in 1990, the M30 began to be phased out.

Ward's have rated the M30 as one of the "Top Engines of the 20th Century".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Design

The M30 was originally developed in the late 1960s, loosely based on the BMW M10 four-cylinder engine first used in the BMW New Class sedans and coupes.<ref name="AU71">Template:Citation</ref>Template:Refpage Initially, the engine code was "M06" and the "M68", until all versions began to use the "M30" prefix in 1981.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="carthrottle.com">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="drive4corners.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

Common features between the M10 and M30 include a profile lowering 30-degree slant to the right, a crossflow cylinder head, and chain-driven camshaft with rocker arm valve actuation.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Further similarities include a cast-iron block with an aluminium head and a forged crankshaft. The first two M30 engines introduced were the Template:Cvt and the Template:Cvt versions, which both used an Template:Convert bore.<ref name="AU71"/>

M30B35LE/M90 engine

Template:Main The M30B35LE engine, also called the M90, was used in several models from 1979-1982. It combines the block from the motorsports BMW M88 DOHC engine with the M30's SOHC cylinder head.

Versions

Version	Displacement	Power output	Torque	Year
M30B25V	Template:Convert	Template:Cvt at 6,000 rpm	Template:Convert at 3,700 rpm	1968
M30B25			Template:Convert at 3,700 rpm	1981
M30B28V	Template:Convert	Template:Cvt at 6,000 rpm	Template:Convert at 3,700	1968
M30B28		Template:Convert at 5,800 rpm	Template:Convert at 4,200 rpm	1977
M30B30V	Template:Convert	Template:Cvt at 6,000 rpm	Template:Convert at 3,700 rpm	1971
M30B30		Template:Cvt at 5,500 rpm	Template:Convert at 4,300 rpm	1971
M30B32	Template:Convert	Template:Cvt at 5,500 rpm	Template:Convert at 4,300 rpm	1976
M30B33V	Template:Convert	Template:Convert at 5,500 rpm	Template:Convert at 3,500 rpm	1973
M30B34	Template:Convert	Template:Convert at 5,800 rpm	Template:Convert at 4,200 rpm	1982
M30B35		Template:Convert at 5,700 rpm	Template:Convert at 4,000 rpm	1988

M30B25V

File:M30 BMW-Museum IMG20141113 (cropped).jpg

BMW M30 with carburettor
in BMW Museum

File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F027640-0006, München, BMW Autowerk.jpg

M30 production in Munich

File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F027640-0009, München, BMW Autowerk.jpg

M30 production in Munich

The first Template:Convert version of the M30 was introduced in the 1968 E3 2500. This version uses dual Solex Zenith 35/40 INAT carburettors, has a compression ratio of 9.0:1 and produces Template:Convert in most applications.<ref name=BC3840530>Template:Cite web</ref> It has a bore of Template:Convert and a stroke of Template:Convert.

The M30B25 has previously been called the M06 and M68, prior to BMW retroactively renaming it the M30B25V (V for Vergaser- carburettor in German).<ref name=Easter>Template:Cite web</ref>

Applications:

• 1968–1977 E3 2500
• 1974–1975 E9 2.5 CS
• 1973–1976 E12 525 — Template:Cvt,<ref name=BC3840530/> Solex 4A1 carburettorTemplate:Citation needed
• 1976–1981 E12 525

M30B25

In 1981, Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection was added to the Template:Convert version. Peak power remained unchanged at Template:Convert, however torque increased slightly to Template:Convert.

Applications:

• 1981-1987 E28 525i<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 1981-1986 E23 725i<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>

M30B28V

In its original form, the carburetted 2.8 used two Solex Zenith "35/40 INAT" carburetors, the compression ratio is 9.0:1 and the engine produces Template:Cvt and Template:Cvt.<ref name="AU71"/>Template:Refpage The specifications went on to vary depending on the model year, carburettor and country. The bore is Template:Convert and the stroke is Template:Convert.

This version has also been known as the M06 and M68, prior to BMW renaming it the M30B28V.

Applications:

• 1968-1977 E3 2800 / 2.8L — Template:Cvt<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Oswald>Template:Cite book</ref>
• 1968-1971 E9 2800 CS — Template:Convert<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 1971-1971 E3 Bavaria — Template:Convert,<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> United States only
• 1974-1976 E12 528 — Template:Cvt dual Zenith INAT carburettors<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Refpage<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 1976-1978 E12 528 — Template:Cvt, Solex 4A1 carburettor<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Refpage
• 1977-1979 E23 728 — Template:Cvt, Solex 4A1 carburettor<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

M30B28

In 1977, Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection was added to the Template:Convert version.<ref name=Oswald /> Power increased to Template:Convert and torque increased to Template:Convert.

• 1977-1978 E12 528i — North America only, Template:Convert, 9.0:1 compression ratio
• 1978-1981 E12 528i — Template:Cvt<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 1979-1986 E23 728i
• 1979-1987 E24 628CSi
• 1981-1987 E28 528i<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

M30B30V

Based on the M30B28V version with a Template:Convert larger bore, the M30B30V produces Template:Cvt and Template:Convert,<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> uses dual Zenith 35/40 INAT carburettors and has a compression ratio of 9.0:1. In United States trim, this engine produced Template:Cvt at 5800 rpm.<ref name=scimp>Template:Cite book</ref>

Applications:

• 1971-1975 E9 3.0 CS
• 1971-1972 E9 3.0 CSL
• 1971-1974 E3 3.0 S / 3.0 L / Bavaria
• 1976-1979 E24 630 CS — Template:Cvt, Pierburg 4A1 carburetor<ref name=Oswald /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 1977-1979 E23 730 — Template:Cvt, Solex 4 A 1 carburettor<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

M30B30

The fuel injected version of the Template:Convert M30 debuted in 1971 in the E9 3.0 CSi and initially used the Bosch D-Jetronic mechanical fuel injection system.<ref name="autospeed">Template:Cite web</ref> In 1976, the fuel injection system was upgraded to Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection.<ref name="autospeed"/> The M30B30 produces up to Template:Cvt and Template:Cvt,<ref name="TAM74/75">Template:Cite book</ref> depending on the model year and whether a catalytic converter is fitted. The compression ratio is 9.2:1. With catalytic converter, compression ratio is 9:1.

Applications:

• 1971-1975 E9 3.0 CSi — Template:Cvt<ref name="TAM74/75"/>
• 1972-1973 E9 3.0 CSL — Template:Cvt
• 1972-1975 E3 3.0 Si — Template:Convert
• 1975-1978 E12 530i — North America only, Template:Convert<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 1976-1976 E12 530 MLE — South Africa only, Template:Convert<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 1977-1978 E24 630CSi — North America only, Template:Convert<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 1986-1995 E32 730i — Template:Convert<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="bmw-grouparchiv.de">Template:Cite web</ref>
• 1988-1990 E34 530i — Template:Convert

M30B32

Despite having a capacity of Template:Convert, this engine appeared in many cars badged so as to suggest Template:Convert of displacement- such as the 633i, 3.3 Li, and 733i. The compression ratio is 8.8:1. In the E24 633CSi coupe, the M30B32 uses Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection.<ref name=Oswald /> The US version used L-Jetronic from 1978 until mid-1981, changing over to Motronic digital fuel injection in June of that year. The 1979 732i is BMW's first use of Bosch's Motronic fuel injection.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The bore is Template:Convert and the stroke is Template:Convert.

Applications:

• 1973-1975 E9 3.0 CSL — Template:Cvt, Template:Convert
• 1976-1984 E24 633CSi — Template:Convert in Euro spec, Template:Convert in USA spec
• 1976-1979 E3 3.3 Li — Template:Cvt<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
• 1977-1984 E23 733i — Template:Cvt in Euro spec,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Convert in USA spec
• 1979-1981 E12 533i — North America only, Template:Convert<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
• 1979-1986 E23 732i — Template:Convert
• 1982-1984 E28 533i — North America only, Template:Cvt
• 1984-1986 E30 333i — South Africa only, Template:Cvt, special ALPINA Intake plenum and exhaust manifold, modified L-Jetronic Injection. Only 210 (including six test cars) were produced for local Group 1 homologation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

M30B33V

The carburetted M30B33 produces Template:Cvt and Template:Convert.<ref name="AR74">Template:Citation</ref><ref name=WC75>Template:Cite book</ref> It has a bore of Template:Convert and a stroke of Template:Convert.

Applications:

• 1973-1975 E3 3.3 L<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

M30B34

The M30B34 engines sold in Europe and most other markets used a 10.0:1 compression ratio and produced Template:Cvt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In North America and Japan, the M30B34 used an 8.0:1 compression ratio and produced Template:Cvt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This engine was also offered in Europe from the latter half of 1985 until mid-1987.<ref name=Oswald />Template:Refpage In all markets, the Bosch Motronic digital fuel injection system was used. The bore is Template:Convert and the stroke is Template:Convert.

Applications:

• 1982-1987 E23 735i / L7
• 1982-1987 E24 635CSi / L6 — Template:Cvt in Euro spec<ref name=Oswald />Template:Refpage
• 1985-1988 E28 535i / 535is / M535i

M30B35

File:Bmw-m30b35-right.jpg

M30B35

This engine has a capacity of Template:Convert, despite the "B35" model code. It produces Template:Cvt at 5700 rpm and Template:Cvt at 4000 rpm, has a compression ratio of 9.0:1 and uses Bosch Motronic 1.3 digital fuel injection.<ref name=Oswald /> It was also offered without a catalytic converter for certain markets; this version produces Template:Cvt and Template:Cvt at the same engine speeds.<ref name=PressE32>Template:Cite book</ref>

Applications:

• 1988-1989 E24 635CSi
• 1986-1992 E32 735i<ref name=PressE32/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• 1987-1992 E34 535i
• 1988-1989 Rayton Fissore Magnum 3.5<ref name="AR89">Template:Cite book</ref>

Turbocharging

The M30 was the basis for the turbocharged M102 and M106 engines.

The Alpina B10 Biturbo used a modified version of the M30, with two turbochargers and forged pistons. Producing Template:Cvt at 6000 rpm and Template:Cvt at 4000 rpm, the engine made this car the fastest sedan in the world. The final 50 M30 blocks were shipped to Alpina for use in the final 50 B10 Biturbos.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

M102

The M102 was produced from 1980 to 1982. It was BMW's first turbocharged six-cylinder engine.

The M102 (also known as M30B32LAE)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> has a displacement of Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The KKK K27 turbocharger produces Template:Convert of boost<ref name="Turbo"/> and an air-to-air intercooler is used.<ref name="The BMW Six Cylinder Guide">Template:Cite web</ref> The compression ratio is 7.0:1.<ref name="Turbo">Template:Cite web</ref>

The M102 produces Template:Cvt<ref name="AutoSpeed"/> and was used in the E23 7 Series, in the model was designated "745i".<ref name="AutoSpeed">Template:Cite web</ref> The M102 was not available in right-hand drive cars, leading to the South African 745i using the BMW M88 naturally aspirated DOHC straight-six engine instead.

Applications:

• 1980–1982 E23 745i

M106

The M106 (also called M30B34MAE) replaced the M102 and was produced from 1982 to 1986.

Some of the M106's upgrades over its predecessor are a result of the M30B34 version of the M30, which was also released in 1982. These upgrades include Bosch Motronic engine management and an increased displacement to Template:Convert. The compression ratio was increased from 7.0:1 to 8.0:1.<ref name="The BMW Six Cylinder Guide"/><ref name= "www.paultan.org"/>

Peak power output is the same Template:Cvt as the M102,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> however it occurs at lower RPM<ref name="www.paultan.org">Template:Cite web</ref> and peak boost is reduced from Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

There was no direct successor to the M106, however BMW's next turbocharged petrol engine was the BMW N54, introduced in 2006.

Applications:

• 1982–1986 E23 745i

Motorsport

File:BMW E24 635 CSi Grp A Works Original BMW Teile front side.JPG

E24 635 CSi Group A

The M30 block powered a series of E9 CSL and E24 6 Series coupes to European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) throughout the 1970s and into the middle 1980s, as more powerful DOHC 24-valve heads had been developed for high-performance motorsports and street use. The BMW M49 and later BMW M88 high-performance engines are based on the M30 block.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Clear

See also

• BMW
• BMW M10, the four-cylinder engine that the M30 was based on.
• BMW M20, the smaller straight-six engine which was sold alongside the M30 for many years.
• BMW M88, the high-performance, DOHC, straight-six engine that was sold alongside the M30 from 1978-1989
• BMW S38, the catalyzed version of— and ultimately the successor to— the M88, which was sold alongside the M30 from 1986-1995.
• List of BMW engines