Original BMW 80°C Thermostat with Housing for BMW E30 M3 (1988–1991)

Built to open at 80°C, this Original BMW thermostat is the complete thermostat and housing assembly that controls coolant flow between the S14 engine and the radiator on the 1988–1991 BMW E30 M3. A thermostat stays closed while the engine warms up, keeping coolant circulating inside the engine, then opens to send coolant through the radiator once operating temperature is reached. Its valve is moved by a wax pellet that expands as it melts at a set temperature, and on this part that point is 80°C. BMW supplies it as one assembly per car, and it weighs 470 g (1 lb).

As an Original BMW Part, this thermostat carries a 24-month parts warranty.

Part number 11-53-1-315-537 entered production in November 1989 and replaces the earlier 11-53-1-309-786. It also cross-references to 11-53-1-311-654, so an E30 M3 that came with either of those numbers is looking at the same job. Because the housing comes with the thermostat, the whole unit changes as one piece instead of a bare thermostat insert. BMW applies the same assembly to the E30 M3 Cabrio as well as the coupe-bodied M3 covered by the S14 engine.

Technical Details

• Manufacturer BMW, sold as an Original BMW Part
• Part number 11-53-1-315-537
• BMW part name thermostat
• Opening temperature 80°C
• Complete assembly with housing
• Quantity one per car
• Weight 470 g (1 lb)
• In production from November 1989
• Replaces 11-53-1-309-786
• Cross-references to 11-53-1-311-654
• 24-month Original BMW Parts warranty

Common Questions

Can it replace the earlier 11-53-1-309-786 thermostat?
Yes. BMW marks the change as exchangeable retrospectively, so this thermostat can go into cars built with the earlier part, including early E30 M3s made before November 1989.

What happens when a thermostat fails?
A thermostat stuck closed keeps coolant out of the radiator and the engine overheats. Stuck open, it sends coolant through the radiator constantly and the engine struggles to warm up, while a valve that only partly opens or closes raises fuel consumption and emissions.

PMB Performance can help with the rest of your E30 M3 cooling system parts.

Fitment & Compatibility

Compare your production year and trim against the table below. With over 20 years of parts and fitment experience, PMB Performance can match this to your VIN.