With a production run of 27 years, it is BMW's longest produced engine and was used in many car models.

[1] 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.

It combines the block from the motorsports BMW M88 DOHC engine with the M30's SOHC cylinder head.

This version uses dual Solex Zenith 35/40 INAT carburettors, has a compression ratio of 9.0:1 and produces 110 kW (150 PS; 148 bhp) in most applications.

[9] Applications: In 1981, Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection was added to the 2,494 cc (152.2 cu in) version.

Peak power remained unchanged at 110 kW (148 bhp), however torque increased slightly to 215 N⋅m (159 lb⋅ft).

Applications: 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 125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp) and 235 N⋅m (174 lb⋅ft).

Applications: In 1977, Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection was added to the 2,788 cc (170.1 cu in) version.

Based on the M30B28V version with a 3 mm (0.12 in) larger bore, the M30B30V produces 132 kW (180 PS; 178 bhp) and 255 N⋅m (188 lb⋅ft),[26][27] uses dual Zenith 35/40 INAT carburettors and has a compression ratio of 9.0:1.

[31] The M30B30 produces up to 147 kW (200 PS; 197 bhp) and 272 N⋅m (200 lb⋅ft),[32] depending on the model year and whether a catalytic converter is fitted.

Applications: The M30B34 engines sold in Europe and most other markets used a 10.0:1 compression ratio and produced 160 kW (218 PS; 215 hp).

[15] It was also offered without a catalytic converter for certain markets; this version produces 162 kW (220 PS; 217 hp) and 315 N⋅m (232 lb⋅ft) at the same engine speeds.

[56] 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.

These upgrades include Bosch Motronic engine management and an increased displacement to 3,430 cc (209.3 cu in).