Note: Always use a calibrated torque wrench. Replace torque-to-yield (TTY) fasteners after removal. When in doubt, consult the full service manual for your specific engine and model year (1984-1993).
BMW E30 Quick Reference Guide: Most Looked Up Torque Specs
The E30 numbers people actually search for. Full system-by-system tables are below.
| Fastener |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (lb-ft) |
| Wheel Lug Bolts |
100 +/- 10 Nm |
74 +/- 7 lb-ft |
| Rear Axle / Hub Nut |
195-210 Nm |
144-155 lb-ft |
| Cylinder Head Bolts - Stage 1 |
30 Nm |
22 lb-ft |
| Crankshaft Center Bolt (M16 Stretch - Replace!) |
330 Nm |
244 lb-ft |
| Front Brake Caliper to Steering Arm |
110 Nm |
81 lb-ft |
| Engine Oil Drain Plug (M22) |
60 Nm |
44 lb-ft |
| Spark Plug to Cylinder Head |
25 Nm |
18 lb-ft |
E30 Head Bolt Torque: the M20 six, M40 and M42 fours run Stage 1 = 30 Nm (22 lb-ft) with NEW bolts, then +90 deg, then +90 deg. Head bolts are torque-to-yield, so replace them once they come out. Note the early M10 four uses a different procedure (around 60 Nm then angle stages) - do not apply the 30 Nm numbers to an M10 car. Full sequence is in the Cylinder Head table below.
BMW E30 Wheel Bolt, Hub & General Maintenance Torque
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Wheel Lug Nuts |
100 +/- 10 Nm |
74 +/- 7 lb-ft |
| Engine Oil Drain Plug (M12) |
25 Nm |
18 lb-ft |
| Engine Oil Drain Plug (M22) |
60 Nm |
44 lb-ft |
| Oil Filter Housing Cover |
25 Nm |
18 lb-ft |
| Spark Plug to Cylinder Head |
25 Nm |
18 lb-ft |
| Oxygen Sensor to Exhaust |
55 +/- 5 Nm |
40 +/- 4 lb-ft |
BMW E30 Cylinder Head Bolt Torque & Sequence
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Cylinder Head Bolts - Stage 1 |
30 Nm |
22 lb-ft |
| Cylinder Head Bolts - Stage 2 |
+90 deg |
+90 deg |
| Cylinder Head Bolts - Stage 3 |
+90 deg |
+90 deg |
| Cylinder Head Cover (M6 Screws) |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Cylinder Head Cover (M7 Screws) |
15 Nm |
11 lb-ft |
| Chain Tensioner to Cylinder Head |
40 Nm |
30 lb-ft |
| Chain Sprocket to Camshaft Flange (M6) |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Spark Plugs (M12) |
23 Nm |
17 lb-ft |
Engine - Timing Chain & Front Cover
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Timing Chain Cover to Block (M6) |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Timing Chain Cover to Block (M7) |
15 Nm |
11 lb-ft |
| Timing Chain Cover to Block (M8) |
20 Nm |
15 lb-ft |
| Pulley to Vibration Damper |
22 Nm |
17 lb-ft |
| Crankshaft Center Bolt (M16 Stretch - Replace!) |
330 Nm |
244 lb-ft |
Engine - Intake & Exhaust
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Intake Manifold to Cylinder Head |
30-33 Nm |
22-24 lb-ft |
| Intake Manifold Support to Manifold |
15 Nm |
11 lb-ft |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head (M7) |
15 Nm |
11 lb-ft |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head (M8) |
20 Nm |
15 lb-ft |
Cooling System
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Coolant Drain Plug to Cylinder Block |
50 Nm |
36 lb-ft |
| Radiator Cooling Fan to Coolant Pump |
40 Nm |
30 lb-ft |
| Radiator Drain Screw |
2.5 Nm |
22 in-lb |
| Thermostat Housing Bolts |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
Engine Electrical
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Wiring to Alternator (M8 Nut) |
12 Nm |
106 in-lb |
| Wiring to Alternator (M6 Nut) |
5 Nm |
44 in-lb |
Drive Belts
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Alternator Belt Tensioning Gear |
7 Nm |
62 in-lb |
| Power Steering Belt Tensioning Gear |
8 - 8.5 Nm |
71 - 75 in-lb |
| Tensioning Gear Locking Nut |
24 Nm |
18 lb-ft |
Engine Mounts
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Engine Mount to Subframe (M8) |
22 Nm |
17 lb-ft |
| Engine Mount to Subframe (M10) |
45 Nm |
33 lb-ft |
Front Suspension
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Control Arm Ball Joint to Steering Arm |
65 Nm |
48 lb-ft |
| Control Arm Bushing Carrier to Body |
42 Nm |
30 lb-ft |
| Control Arm to Subframe Crossmember (M10 Nut) |
42 Nm |
31 lb-ft |
| Stabilizer Bar Link to Control Arm (M8) |
42 Nm |
31 lb-ft |
| Stabilizer Bar Link to Strut (M3 Models) |
59 Nm |
44 lb-ft |
| Stabilizer Bar to Subframe Crossmember |
22 Nm |
16 lb-ft |
| Strut to Body (Upper Mount) |
22 Nm |
16 lb-ft |
Rear Suspension
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Shock Absorber to Trailing Arm (Lower Mount) |
72-87 Nm |
52-63 lb-ft |
| Shock Absorber to Upper Mounting Bracket |
13-15 Nm |
9-11 lb-ft |
| Shock Absorber Upper Bracket Nuts to Body |
22-24 Nm |
16-17 lb-ft |
| Stabilizer Bar to Trailing Arm |
22-24 Nm |
16-17 lb-ft |
Steering
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Outer Tie Rod End to Steering Arm |
45 Nm |
33 lb-ft |
| Outer Tie Rod End Lock Nut |
35 Nm |
26 lb-ft |
| Inner Tie Rod to Steering Gear |
71 Nm |
52 lb-ft |
| Steering Shaft with External Hexagon |
65 Nm |
48 lb-ft |
| Steering Rack to Subframe (M8) |
42 Nm |
31 lb-ft |
Brakes
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Front Brake Caliper to Steering Arm |
110 Nm |
81 lb-ft |
| Rear Brake Caliper to Trailing Arm |
67 Nm |
50 lb-ft |
| Brake Rotor to Wheel Hub/Drive Flange |
16 Nm |
12 lb-ft |
| Brake Pad Carrier Mounting (7mm Screw) |
5 Nm |
44 in-lb |
Drivetrain
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Final Drive Filler Plug |
55 Nm |
41 lb-ft |
| Rear Axle Nut (Stub Axle to Hub) |
195-210 Nm |
144-155 lb-ft |
| Inner CV Joint to Final Drive Flange (Hex Bolts) |
58-63 Nm |
42-46 lb-ft |
| Final Drive Rubber Mount to Body |
80-87 Nm |
59-64 lb-ft |
| Transmission to Engine (M10) |
45 Nm |
33 lb-ft |
General Bolt Tightening Torques by Size
When no specific torque is given, use these maximum values based on bolt class 8.8:
| Bolt Size |
Class 8.8 Max |
| M6 |
10 Nm |
| M7 |
15 Nm |
| M8 |
25 Nm |
| M10 |
50 Nm |
| M12 |
90 Nm |
| M14 |
135 Nm |
| M18 |
280 Nm |
Related Torque & Repair Guides
Important Notes
Torque-to-Yield Fasteners
The following fasteners are torque-to-yield (TTY) and must be replaced after removal:
- Cylinder head bolts
- Crankshaft center bolt (M16 stretch bolt)
- Connecting rod bolts
Tightening Sequence
For cylinder heads and other multi-bolt components, always tighten in a crisscross pattern from the center outward. Refer to the service manual for specific sequences.
Thread Preparation
- Apply fresh engine oil to bolt threads unless otherwise specified
- Clean bolt holes of debris and old thread locker
- Use specified thread locker where indicated
