BMW 3 Series E30Saloon/Coupé/Convertible1982–1994

BMW 3 Series E30 Engines -The Complete UK Guide

Every engine fitted to the E30 -from the carburetted 1.8-litre M10 four-cylinder to the 2.5-litre M20 straight-six, plus the M3's iconic S14 and BMW's first-ever diesel. Real UK replacement costs, honest reliability data, and the timing belt and cooling system weaknesses that define this classic generation. Backed by real UK E30 enquiries in 2025 [BMW-VERIFIED].

Explore E30 Engines
E30Enquiries (2025)BMW-VERIFIED
Saloon/Coupé/Convertible/Touring
10Engine Codes
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BMW 3 Series E30 Engine Codes -The Complete Database

Every engine fitted to the E30 -from the entry-level four-cylinder to the range-topping M3 and the diesel that started BMW's diesel journey.

Engine CodeFuelPowerYearsReliabilityEnquiriesAvg. Recon Cost
M10B18M10Petrol90 hp (66 kW)1982–1987★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]-(pattern data)£1,200–£2,500 [BMW-QUOTE]
M10B18iM10Petrol101–105 hp (74–77 kW)1983–1987★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]-(pattern data)£1,200–£2,500 [BMW-QUOTE]
M40B16M40Petrol100–102 hp (73–75 kW)1987–1994★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]-(pattern data)£1,500–£2,800 [BMW-QUOTE]
M42B18M42Petrol134–140 hp (100–103 kW)1989–1991★★★★½ [PROVISIONAL]-(pattern data)£2,000–£3,500 [BMW-QUOTE]
M20B20M20Petrol125–129 hp (92–95 kW)1982–1993★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]-(pattern data)£2,000–£4,000 [BMW-QUOTE]
M20B23M20Petrol139–150 hp (102–110 kW)1982–1986★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL]-(pattern data)£2,500–£4,500 [BMW-QUOTE]
M20B25M20Petrol168–171 hp (125–126 kW)1985–1991★★★★½ [PROVISIONAL]-(pattern data)£2,500–£5,000 [BMW-QUOTE]
M20B27M20Petrol121 hp (90 kW)1984–1987★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL]-(pattern data)£2,500–£4,500 [BMW-QUOTE]
S14B23S14Petrol192–197 hp (143–147 kW)1986–1991★★★★½ [PROVISIONAL]-(pattern data)£5,000–£10,000 [BMW-QUOTE]
M21D24M21Diesel86 hp (63 kW)1985–1990★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL]-(pattern data)£2,000–£4,000 [BMW-QUOTE]
BMW 3 Series E90

Overview

BMW 3 Series E30 -Overview

The BMW E30, produced from 1982 to 1994, is the second generation of the 3 Series and one of the most beloved BMWs ever built.

It was the first 3 Series to be offered in four-door saloon and estate ("Touring") body styles, alongside the two-door saloon and convertible. The E30 also introduced BMW's first diesel engine (M21) and the first all-wheel-drive 3 Series (325iX). The M3, powered by the high-revving S14 four-cylinder, established BMW's M division as a force in motorsport.

Key Facts

Platform

BMW E30 (second-generation 3 Series)

Predecessor

BMW 3 Series E21

Successor

BMW 3 Series E36

Sibling body styles in this generation

2-door saloon, 4-door saloon, convertible, Touring (estate)

Market Intelligence

The E30 generated real UK engine enquiries in 2025 [BMW-VERIFIED], with the M20B25 (325i) and S14 (M3) accounting for the majority of demand as these cars enter modern classic and collector territory.

Best & Worst Engines

M21D24 (324d, 1985–1990) – "BMW's first diesel is a rugged six-cylinder unit that delivers 86 hp and 153 Nm of torque – modest by modern standards, but reliable and efficient. It was the only diesel option in the E30 range and remains a curio for collectors." engine

Best Diesel Overall

M21D24 (324d, 1985–1990) – "BMW's first diesel is a rugged six-cylinder unit that delivers 86 hp and 153 Nm of torque – modest by modern standards, but reliable and efficient. It was the only diesel option in the E30 range and remains a curio for collectors."

Who it's for: buyers who want a slice of BMW diesel history and don't need performance.

M20B25 (325i, 1985–1991) – "The 2.5-litre straight-six is the E30's sweet spot – 171 hp of smooth, linear power with a sonorous exhaust note that defines the classic BMW six experience. No turbos, no complex electronics – just a well-sorted engine that rewards maintenance." engine

Best Petrol Overall

M20B25 (325i, 1985–1991) – "The 2.5-litre straight-six is the E30's sweet spot – 171 hp of smooth, linear power with a sonorous exhaust note that defines the classic BMW six experience. No turbos, no complex electronics – just a well-sorted engine that rewards maintenance."

Who it's for: buyers who want the definitive E30 driving experience.

S14B23 (M3, 1986–1991) – "The M3's high-revving four-cylinder is a masterpiece, but it's also the most expensive E30 engine to maintain. Timing chain tensioner wear and expensive parts availability mean this is not an engine for the faint-hearted – a full rebuild can exceed £10,000." engine

Highest Risk

S14B23 (M3, 1986–1991) – "The M3's high-revving four-cylinder is a masterpiece, but it's also the most expensive E30 engine to maintain. Timing chain tensioner wear and expensive parts availability mean this is not an engine for the faint-hearted – a full rebuild can exceed £10,000."

Who it's for: collectors and enthusiasts with deep pockets.

S14B23 Engine Rebuild – "The S14's individual throttle bodies, high-compression internals and limited parts supply make a full rebuild one of the most expensive bills in the classic BMW world – £5,000–£10,000 for a proper rebuild is not unusual." engine

Most Expensive Failure

S14B23 Engine Rebuild – "The S14's individual throttle bodies, high-compression internals and limited parts supply make a full rebuild one of the most expensive bills in the classic BMW world – £5,000–£10,000 for a proper rebuild is not unusual."

Who it's for: only buyers with a dedicated restoration budget.

M42B18 (318is, 1989–1991) – "The 16-valve 1.8-litre four-cylinder delivers 136 hp with a 7,000 rpm redline – it's the sportiest four-cylinder E30, cheaper to run than the sixes, and genuinely fun to drive. Timing chain (not belt) and well-sorted injection make it a reliable choice." engine

Best Value

M42B18 (318is, 1989–1991) – "The 16-valve 1.8-litre four-cylinder delivers 136 hp with a 7,000 rpm redline – it's the sportiest four-cylinder E30, cheaper to run than the sixes, and genuinely fun to drive. Timing chain (not belt) and well-sorted injection make it a reliable choice."

Who it's for: buyers who want E30 handling without the six-cylinder running costs.

M20B23 (323i, 1982–1986) – "The 2.3-litre straight-six was the range-topper before the 325i arrived – 150 hp, smooth and free-revving. Most buyers overlook it in favour of the 325i, but it's cheaper to buy and shares much of the same character." engine

Most Overlooked

M20B23 (323i, 1982–1986) – "The 2.3-litre straight-six was the range-topper before the 325i arrived – 150 hp, smooth and free-revving. Most buyers overlook it in favour of the 325i, but it's cheaper to buy and shares much of the same character."

Who it's for: buyers who want six-cylinder E30 charm on a budget.

BMW 3 Series E30 -Ownership Economics

EngineTypical MileageCommon Major FailureRepair Cost (Specialist)Replacement Cost (Recon)Ownership Verdict
M10B18 (316/318i)80k–150kTiming belt, carburettor£300–£600£1,200–£2,500
Solid – bulletproof, cheap to run.
M40B16 (316i)80k–120kTiming belt, water pump£300–£600£1,500–£2,800
Solid – simple, reliable four.
M42B18 (318is)80k–120kTiming chain tensioner, cooling£400–£800£2,000–£3,500
Best Value – sporty, reliable, chain-driven.
M20B20 (320i)80k–150kTiming belt, water pump, head gasket£400–£800£2,000–£4,000
Solid – six-cylinder charm, moderate costs.
M20B23 (323i)80k–150kTiming belt, cooling system£400–£800£2,500–£4,500
Overlooked – cheap entry to six-cylinder E30.
M20B25 (325i)80k–150kTiming belt, cooling system, head gasket£500–£1,000£2,500–£5,000
Best Petrol – the definitive E30 engine.
M20B27 (325e)100k–200kTiming belt, low-revving issues£400–£800£2,500–£4,500
Watch – economical but an acquired taste.
S14B23 (M3)50k–100kTiming chain tensioner, valve adjustment£1,000–£2,500£5,000–£10,000
Expensive – collector's engine with collector's bills.
M21D24 (324d)100k–200kInjection pump, glow plugs£400–£800£2,000–£4,000
Niche – BMW's first diesel; a curio.

The E30 rule

A £2,500–£5,000 M20B25 recon against a £4,000–£12,000 E30 325i sits at 21–125% of the car's value. On a sub-£5,000 example, that brushes our 70% BMW threshold – we'll honestly tell you to walk away unless the car is exceptional. Against a £10,000+ low-mileage example, the same recon drops to a routine 25–50% – a repair decision, not a financial one. For the M3, the economics are different – values are high enough that even a £10,000 rebuild is a viable investment on a £25,000+ car.

Key Takeaways

  • Which E30 Costs Least To Own?

    M10B18 (316) – simple, bulletproof, cheap parts.

  • Which E30 Costs Most To Own?

    S14B23 (M3) – high-performance four with expensive parts.

  • Which E30 Is Best Value?

    M42B18 (318is) – four-cylinder fun with chain-driven reliability.

Common Problems

E30 Engine Replacement Costs -By Engine and Condition

Core Variants

Diesel & Petrol Lineup

Diesel Variants

324d

Petrol Variants

316316i318i318is320i323i325e325es325i325iXM3

Scope note: All variants listed are E30 only. The E30 was offered in multiple body styles – 2-door saloon, 4-door saloon, convertible and Touring (estate) – with engine availability varying by body style and market. The 325iX was the first BMW production car with all-wheel drive. The M3 is a separate model with the S14 engine.

Market Intelligence

Most Requested E90 Engines (2025)

  1. 1.1. M20B25 (325i) – the definitive six-cylinder, highest enquiries
  2. 2.2. S14B23 (M3) – collector and performance enquiries
  3. 3.3. M42B18 (318is) – four-cylinder sporty enquiries [PATTERN DATA].

Most Requested E90 Variants

  1. 1.1. 325i
  2. 2.2. M3
  3. 3.3. 318is [PATTERN DATA].

Average E90 Replacement Cost

£1,200–£10,000 supply only [BMW-QUOTE].

Most Common E90 Failures

  1. 1.1. Timing belt failure (M10/M40/M20)
  2. 2.2. Cooling system leaks
  3. 3.3. M20 head gasket failure [PATTERN DATA].
Live Feed
VehicleLocationIssueEnquiries
BMW 325i (M20B25)

BMW 325i (M20B25)

Birmingham
Timing belt enquiry

5

enquiries

BMW M3 (S14B23)

BMW M3 (S14B23)

London
Valve adjustment

3

enquiries

BMW 318is (M42B18)

BMW 318is (M42B18)

Manchester
Cold-start rattle

2

enquiries

Updated Monthly

FAQ

BMW 3 Series E90 rear three-quarter view

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