Engines
Contents
List of Engines
To maintain and repair your engine, you need to know what lump you have under the bonnet of your E30. Below is each engine, listed by model and year, for the E30. By clicking on the engine, you will have access to information regarding Maintenance, Cooling systems, Fuel, Intake, Exhaust and Electrical systems, as well as Common Problems and Upgrades.
| Name | Engine code | Volume | Engine | Valvetrain | Fuel | Output | Torque | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316 | M10B18 M40B16 |
1766cc 1596cc |
4cyl | SOHC 8V | Petrol | 99hp (66kW) @4500 rpm 102hp (75kW) @4500 rpm |
103ft/lb (140Nm) @4250 rpm 105ft/lb (140Nm) @4250 rpm |
1982–1990 1988–1995 |
| 318 | M10B18 M40B18 |
1766cc 1796cc |
4cyl | SOHC 8V | Petrol | 104hp (77kW) @4500 rpm 113hp (85kW) @4500 rpm |
103ft/lb (140Nm) @4250 rpm 122ft/lb (165Nm) @4250 rpm |
1982–1990 1987–1995 |
| 318iS | M42B18 | 1766cc | 4cyl | SOHC 8V | Petrol | 140hp (104kW) @4500 rpm | 127ft/lb (172Nm) @4250 rpm | 1989–1991 |
| 320i | M20B20 | 1990cc | 6cyl | SOHC 12V | Petrol | 123hp (92kW) @5800 rpm 127hp (95kW) @6000 rpm |
125ft/lb (170Nm) @4000 rpm 120ft/lb (164Nm) @4300 rpm |
1982–1985 1985–1991 |
| 320iS | S14 | 1990cc | 4cyl | DOHC 16V | Petrol | 192hp (143kW) @6750 rpm | 155ft/lb (210Nm) @4750 rpm | 1982–1990 |
| 323i | M20B23 | 2316cc | 6cyl | SOHC 12V | Petrol | 139-150hp (104-110kW) @4500 rpm | 0ft/lb (0Nm) @4000 rpm | 1982–1985 |
| 325e | M20B27 | 2693cc | 6cyl | SOHC 12V | Petrol | 127hp (95kW) @4250 rpm | 169ft/lb (230Nm) @3200 rpm | 1982–1990 |
| 325i | M20B25 | 2494cc | 6cyl | SOHC 12V | Petrol | 169hp (125kW) @5800 rpm | 163ft/lb (222Nm) @4300 rpm | 1982–1990 |
| 325iX | M20B25 | 2494cc | 6cyl | SOHC 12V | Petrol | 169hp (125kW) @5800 rpm | 163ft/lb (222Nm) @4300 rpm | 1982–1990 |
| M3 | S14 | 2302cc | 4cyl | DOHC 16V | Petrol | 197hp (147kW) @6750 rpm 212hp (158kW) @6750 rpm |
176ft/lb (0Nm) @4750 rpm 170ft/lb (0Nm) @4600 rpm |
1986–1988 1989–1991 |
| M3 Evolution | S14 | 2302cc | 4cyl | DOHC 16V | Petrol | 197hp (147kW) @6750 rpm | 176ft/lb (0Nm) @4750 rpm | 1987–1987 |
| M3 Evolution II | S14 | 2302cc | 4cyl | DOHC 16V | Petrol | 217hp (162kW) @6750 rpm | 181ft/lb (0Nm) @4750 rpm | 1988–1988 |
| M3 Sport Evolution | S14 | 2467cc | 4cyl | DOHC 16V | Petrol | 235hp (175kW) @6750 rpm | 177ft/lb (0Nm) @4750 rpm | 1990–1990 |
| 324d | M21D24 | 2443cc | 6cyl | SOHC 12V | Diesel | 84hp (63kW) @4600 rpm | 112ft/lb (152Nm) @2400 rpm | 1985–1993 |
| 324td | M21D24 | 2443cc | 6cyl | SOHC 12V | Diesel | 114hp (85kW) @4800 rpm | 162ft/lb (220Nm) @2400 rpm | 1985–1993 |
If you are still unsure about which engine you have in your car, you can find the number on the engine itself.
Maintenance
All engines need looking after, and while simple jobs like Oil Changes are standard to all E30s, some jobs are specific to either the 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder engines. Click on the engine model for your car to get specific information:
Special engines
The following topics are standard maintenance tasks to keep all engines running smoothly
Ancilliaries
The main body of the engine is surrounded by ancillary components to supply fuel, air and spark, as well as devices for lubrication and cooling. The overall engine is controlled by an engine management system.
Fuel
Air
Spark
Cooling
Oil
Engine Management
Upgrades
Engine Swaps
While every E30 is a sublime driving machine, the desire for more power leads many to look at their options. Since many E30 engines are unsympathetic to "tuning" without spending serious cash, the following engines are popular choices to replace your current donk:
