The BMW 730i in the second 7 Series generation (E32, built 1986–1994) was built with one engine, the M60B30: a 3.0 L petrol V8 with 218 hp.
This guide tells you which engine your 730i has, what goes wrong with it, what a replacement costs from our stock and what else to plan for when you fit one.
- Generation: second 7 Series, 1986–1994
- Body styles: E32 (saloon)
- Engines: M60B30
- Output: 218 hp
- Replacement engines in stock: ask the desk for the next arrival
Which engine is in your 730i?
| Engine code | Built | Power | Torque | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M60B30 | 1992–1996 | 218 hp | 290 Nm | 3.0 L petrol V8, naturally aspirated |
M60B30 in the 730i
The M60B30 was used in the E32 730i, built 1992–1996. It is a 3.0 L naturally aspirated petrol V8 with 218 hp and 290 Nm.
Reading the code: M marks an M-series code, the naming BMW used for its engine families up to the early 2000s; 60 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 30 is the capacity in decilitres, so 3.0 litres.
730i engines by model year
| Model year | Engine |
|---|---|
| 1992 | M60B30 (218 hp) |
| 1993 | M60B30 (218 hp) |
| 1994 | M60B30 (218 hp) |
The 730i kept the same engine for the whole E32 run, which makes ordering simple: any unit with the same code fits, subject to the gearbox, drive type and sump.
Other cars with the same engine as the 730i
A replacement engine does not have to come from another 730i. These models left the factory with the same engine code, so a unit from any of them is a candidate donor once the sump, mounts and ancillaries are matched to your car.
M60B30: BMW E34 530i V8.
How to confirm your engine code
The 730i only used the M60B30, but the exact version can still change with the build date, gearbox and market. Send us the last seven characters of the VIN and we read the engine code from BMW's records, or look for the code stamped on the block. How to find your BMW engine code.
Known 730i engine problems
The M60B30 in the 730i shares the known weak points of the M60 family. Full M60 guide.
| Known fault | What to check |
|---|---|
| Nikasil bore damage | A cold and hot compression test or a leak-down test on all eight cylinders is the only reliable check. |
| Timing chain guides and tensioners | Listen for a rattle on a cold start, especially from the front of either bank. |
| Coolant leaks in the valley | Look at the back of the engine for coolant trails and pressure-test the system. |
| Valve cover and spark plug tube gaskets | Pull a coil and check the well for oil. |
| Engine wiring harness | Flex the harness gently and look for cracked insulation near the heads. |
Nikasil bore damage. Sulphur in fuel reacted with the Nikasil coating in some markets during the 1990s. Damaged bores lose compression, causing hard starting when warm, rough idle and poor running. Many engines were replaced under warranty, so survivors are often good units.
Timing chain guides and tensioners. The duplex chains last, but the plastic guide rails age and can crack, and tensioners lose their seal.
Coolant leaks in the valley. Coolant pipes and the water pump lead into the valley under the intake manifold. Leaks are hidden until coolant pools and corrodes.
Valve cover and spark plug tube gaskets. Oil seeps into the plug wells and onto the exhaust manifolds.
Engine wiring harness. Harness insulation becomes brittle with heat and age.
Symptoms to watch for on the 730i
Rattle for a few seconds after a cold start. The classic sign of a weak timing chain tensioner or stretched chain. It must be checked quickly: a chain that jumps a tooth can bend valves.
Hard starting when warm and low compression. On engines with Nikasil bores, the bore coating may be damaged. A leak-down test confirms it.
Looking after the 730i engine
- Oil: 5W-40 or 10W-40 fully synthetic, about 7.5 litres with filter.
- Service interval: Oil every 10,000 km or yearly; cooling system parts every 80,000 to 100,000 km.
- Timing drive: Duplex timing chains at the front, one per bank, with hydraulic tensioners.
- Workshop notes: Ask for a compression test before purchase. Replace the valley coolant pipes and water pump while the engine is out.
Buying a used engine for the 730i: checklist
- Gearbox and flywheel match. Manual and automatic engines differ at the flywheel or flexplate, and sometimes at the crankshaft spigot. Make sure the engine you buy matches your gearbox or that you transfer the right parts.
- Ask how the donor car was damaged. Most good used engines come from cars with body damage. A front-end impact can crack sensors, the timing cover or the sump; a rear or side impact usually leaves the engine untouched. The yard records the damage on each unit.
- Sump, oil pickup and drive variants. Rear-drive, xDrive and front-drive cars can use different sumps, oil pickups and engine mounts even with the same engine code. Check that the sump matches your subframe and front axle.
- Why your old engine failed. Before fitting a replacement, find out why the original failed. An overheating radiator, a blocked intercooler or a failed turbo can destroy a second engine if they are not fixed.
- Look at the oil and coolant. Clean oil without metal particles and coolant without oil are good signs. Milky oil, oily coolant or a burnt smell mean the engine needs further checks before it is fitted.
- Timing chain noise. Listen for a rattle at the front of the engine for the first seconds after a cold start. On an engine that cannot be run, look at the chain guides through the oil filler or with the valve cover off.
- Bore coating. Early engines with Nikasil bores can be damaged by high-sulphur fuel. A compression or leak-down test is the only reliable check; units with Alusil or iron bores are not affected.
- Originality and numbers. For collectible cars, the engine number and correct ancillaries add value. Photograph the stamp and keep it with the car's documents.
- Both cylinder banks. On a V engine, check compression, plugs and coils on both banks. Faults on one bank alone are common and easy to miss on a quick test.
BMW 730i replacement engine cost
We do not have a 730i engine on the shelf at the moment. Send us your VIN or the code you need and the desk will tell you when the next unit arrives and what it will cost.
On top of the engine, budget for the workshop's labour and the parts that are best replaced while the engine is out: engine mounts, the rear main seal, cooling parts, a clutch or converter seal, fluids and filters.
Will it fit my 730i?
Engine swaps and upgrades for the 730i
These engines were fitted to other versions of the E32 at the factory, which makes them the most practical upgrades: the body was designed around them and many parts are shared.
Can I fit the M60B40 in my 730i?
Yes, it is one of the more common upgrades. Both are petrol V8 engines, so the mounting points are similar, but the M60B40 needs its own wiring and engine control unit, the matching gearbox or clutch, and often a different sump, cooling and exhaust. The gain is 68 hp and 110 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.
Can I fit the M70B50 in my 730i?
It is a conversion rather than a replacement: the M70B50 is a V12 and your M60B30 a V8, so mounts, sump, cooling, exhaust, wiring and the engine control unit all change. The gain is 82 hp and 160 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.
Fitting a replacement engine in the 730i
- Inspect or replace the timing chain parts. Look at the guides and tensioner. On high-mileage engines, replacing them now costs far less than doing it later.
- Fill with the right oil and prime it. Fill with new oil of the correct specification and a new filter. Crank with the fuel and ignition disabled until oil pressure builds.
- Coding and adaptations. On modern BMWs, the engine ECU must be matched to the car's immobiliser (CAS, FEM or BDC). Reset adaptations, register the battery and clear faults with diagnostic software.
- First start and leak check. Start the engine, let it idle and watch oil pressure, temperature and fault codes. Check for leaks and bleed the cooling system.
- First 1,000 km. Drive gently for the first few hundred kilometres, vary the engine speed and avoid full load. Change the oil and filter after about 1,000 km to remove any assembly debris.
The full fitting and first-start procedure.
730i engine questions
How much is a replacement M60B30 engine for a BMW E32 730i?
A used M60B30 for the BMW E32 730i costs from about 1.650 € to 2.700 € in our yard. The price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.
Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. Inside the EU there is no import duty. Outside the EU, the receiver pays local duty and VAT.
A replacement engine is often much cheaper than rebuilding a damaged one, and much faster. The M60B30 you buy is photographed and checked in Hamburg before it is listed.
Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop. Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.
See all M60 Engines · Search M60B30 in the shop
What is the BMW M60B30 engine?
The BMW M60B30 is a 3.0 liter (2,997 cc) petrol engine from the M60 family. It has a V8, DOHC, 32 valve layout with no turbo (naturally aspirated), and makes 160 kW (218 HP) with 290 Nm of torque. BMW built it from 1992 to 1996 and it meets the Euro 1 emission standard.
You find the M60B30 in the BMW E34 530i and BMW E32 730i. What we list: BMW M60 3.0 and 4.0 V8 engines for E34 and E32.
At Autowerke Engines every M60B30 is a real used engine from our yard in Hamburg. Each engine in the yard is inspected in Hamburg. The code is matched to the listing, the parts on the engine are recorded, the openings are sealed and the real unit is photographed. Each listing shows the year, the mileage and the price, so you can compare units side by side.
Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.
See all M60 Engines · Search M60B30 in the shop
What should I replace when I fit a used M60B30 engine?
A used engine lasts longest when it starts life in your car with fresh fluids and new seals. Fit a new oil filter and fresh oil of the grade BMW lists for this engine, and refill the coolant with the correct BMW antifreeze mix. Change the drive belt, the thermostat and the water pump seals if they look tired, because they are cheap while the engine is out. Use new gaskets for the exhaust manifold, the intake and the sump plug, and check every hose clip before the first start.
Look at the engine mounts and the clutch or the torque converter while the engine is out. Old mounts can crack a new engine's brackets, and a worn clutch is much easier to change now.
Before the first start, turn the engine over without fuel until the oil pressure light goes out. Then let it idle, check for leaks, and drive gently for the first few hundred kilometres.
The warranty asks for fitting by a qualified mechanic and the correct oil, coolant and filters. Keep your receipts in case you ever need to make a claim.
See all M60 Engines · Search M60B30 in the shop
Which cars use the BMW M60B30 engine?
BMW fitted the M60B30 to the BMW E34 530i and BMW E32 730i. These cars were built with this engine from about 1992 to 1996.
The badge on the boot is not enough to be sure. The same model name can hide two different engines, for example after a facelift or a change in emission rules. Always read the engine code stamped on the block, or look it up with your VIN.
Other engines in the same M60 family are the M60B40 (286 HP). They look alike but differ in power, parts and electronics, so they are not always a direct swap.
Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.
See all M60 Engines · Search M60B30 in the shop
How much is a replacement M60B30 engine for a BMW E32 730i?
A used M60B30 for the BMW E32 730i costs from about 1.650 € to 2.700 € in our yard. The price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.
Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. Inside the EU there is no import duty. Outside the EU, the receiver pays local duty and VAT.
A replacement engine is often much cheaper than rebuilding a damaged one, and much faster. The M60B30 you buy is photographed and checked in Hamburg before it is listed.
Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop. Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.
See all M60 Engines · Search M60B30 in the shop
How much does a used BMW M60B30 engine cost?
A used BMW M60B30 engine in our yard usually costs between 1.650 € and 2.700 €. The exact price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.
Our units show recorded mileage from about 22,000 km up to around 200,000 km. Lower mileage and more ancillaries mean a higher price. Each listing shows its own price, and the price you see is the price you pay. Prices include VAT for private buyers.
Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. If you order a gearbox or a second engine on the same order, the fee is still charged once.
Inside the EU there is no import duty. For the UK and other non-EU countries, import duty and local VAT are paid by the receiver, and we supply a commercial invoice.
See all M60 Engines · Search M60B30 in the shop
What is the difference between the M60B30 and other M60 engines?
The M60B30 makes 160 kW (218 HP) and 290 Nm. The other M60 engines are: M60B40 with 210 kW (286 HP) and 400 Nm (1992 to 1996).
Engines in one family share a basic block, but the turbo, the injection, the sensors and the engine computer can differ. A higher power version often has different pistons, a bigger turbo or a different fuel system.
This is why we ask for the exact code. Fitting a different version can work, but the wiring, the software and sometimes the gearbox must be changed to match.
Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.
See all M60 Engines · Search M60B30 in the shop
Delivery, warranty and payment
Every 730i engine we sell is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped before it leaves Hamburg. You receive photographs of the packed engine and a tracking number.
Delivery is door to door and included in the price. Most European addresses receive the engine within five to ten working days; Germany and its neighbours are usually faster.
A 12-month warranty covers eligible internal failure when the engine is fitted by a qualified workshop with new fluids and filters. You can pay by card, bank transfer or crypto and receive the invoice by email straight away.
