M30B** reference?

[Robert Bondi]

What's a good reference to review for self education on the different
variations of the M30 (B**) motor? I'm fairly familiar with our own FAQs, so I don't think it's anywhere in there?

[Trevor M]

Production of the M30 spanned 28 years and came in many versions. The differences were mainly displacement but there were others as the engine evolved. The Bxx number many refer to is the displacement... ie B28 = 2.8l engine and B35 = 3.5 litre.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M30

[Robert Bondi]

That's simple enough. My 530i has an M30B30. Thanks.

If BMW wasn't violating the usual rules of rounding, I might have made the connection earlier, i.e. 3210 cc rounds to 3.2L, hence the M30B32; however, those cars are badged as 3.3L engines.

[Mike W.]

It's all approximate, a 3453, early 3.5 is a B34, as is a 3430, mid 80's B34. However a late 80s/early 90s 3430 is a B35. 3.3s as small as they are are B32's even though the trunk in some places like here said 33. However in other places it said 32, ie the euro 732i. Then again, there was the ultra rare E3, 3.3 with the long stroke that was 3299 or something. I mention that just for confusion sake.

[wkohler]

It's all approximate, a 3453, early 3.5 is a B34, as is a 3430, mid 80's B34. However a late 80s/early 90s 3430 is a B35. 3.3s as small as they are are B32's even though the trunk in some places like here said 33. However in other places it said 32, ie the euro 732i. Then again, there was the ultra rare E3, 3.3 with the long stroke that was 3299 or something. I mention that just for confusion sake.

Roald Dahl wrote a story "The Hitchhiker" featuring the 3.3 Li.

[Mike W.]

The "long stroke" 3.3s were carb'd, not injected. FI had the regular 3.3.

[wkohler]

I know nothing about any of that. Just throwing that out there.