Ever talked to somebody about BMWs? Of course you have. If you tell him/her you've got a 5 series he/she may ask what type. Then it dawns on you, 5 series could mean FOUR different types of BMW! An original late 70's model, the revised 81-87 car, the radically new 88-96 car or a brand spanking new 97 model.

Now imagine you need to order a part from BMW. Clearly asking for a front bumper for a 5 series isn't going to get you far. Neither will the year as a 1996 5 series could be one of two models. What we need is a model code for both the car and the engine. People on the BMW digest also use these codes frequently to avoid confusing between models so knowing them is useful.

If anyone finds errors or omissions please tell me. Eventually a dedicated page will appear for each model and engine, sleep is for wimps!

Car Model Designations

Engine Designations

Not all engines are available in all markets. For example, smaller engines tend not to be available in the US. Diesel engines were not available in the UK until fairly recently. Power figures are for european models, most older US engines tend to be restricted by emissions regulations.

Engines are designated in the format M10B20, which is the 2.0 version of the M10.

S implies a Motorsport engine for an //M car, such as S14B23 for the E30 M3 2.3's engine.

BMW changed the M in favour of N for engines developed after about 2001, so we now have N52B30. N engines tend to be Valvetronic unless they're turbocharged.

You can also read this page about BMW engine history.

BMW Code

Size(litres)

Cyl

Valves per Cyl

Power (bhp@rpm)

Torque (lb/ft@rpm)

BHP/ litre

Torque/ litre

Manufactured

Bore x Stroke (mm)

Timing

Weight (kg)

VANOS

Used in

Notes & Comments

M10

1.5 1.6 1.8 1.8i 2.0 2.0i 2.0tii 2.0 turbo

4

2

75 @ ? 85 @ 5700 90->98 @ 5250 105 @ ? 100 @ 5500 125 @ 5700 130 @ 5800 170 @ 5800

? 91@ 3000 108 @ 3000 106 @ ? 116 @ 3000 129 @ 4350 131 @ 4500 181 @ 4000

50 53.1 52.2 58.3 50 62.5 65 85

? 56.9 60 59 58 65 65 90.5

75 66 -> 69? 71 -> 87 81 -> 87 68 -> 75 E21 320i / E12 520i 71 -> 75 73 -> 74

82x71 84x71 89x71 89x71 89x80 89x80 89x80 89x80?

Chain

82

No

1502 1600-2 1802, E21/E30 316 E28 518i, early E30 318i 2002, E21 320 2002 tii 2002 turbo

2002 turbo was world's first production turbo. 2002ti had 120bhp Also in E21 316, 318i, 320/4, E30 316

M20 (little six)

2.0 2.0i 2.3i 2.5i 2.7eta

6

2

? 129 @ 6000 143 @ 5300 170 @ 5800 125 @ 4250

? 120 @ 4000 151 @ 4000 167 @ 4000 177 @ 3250

? 64.5 62.2 68 46.3

? 60 65.7 66.8 65.6

77->92

80x66 80x66 80x76.8 84x75 84x81

Belt

117

No

E21 320 E21 320i/6, E30, E34 E21/30 323i 325i, E34 525i 325e,528e

The "little six", called M60 initially. Early 2.3 in E21 323i was Jetronic-K, E30 323i was Jetronic-L. Later E30 323i's have 10bhp more. Eta is lower rpm fuel saver. Can be identified bt longer intake manifold runners, has fewer camshaft bearings.

M30 (big six)

2.5 carb 2.5i 2.8 carb 2.8i 3.0 early 3.0 late 3.3 3.5

6

2

150 @ ? 150 @ 5500 165? 184 @ 5800 185->208 @ ? 188@ 5800 200->206 (euro) 218@ 5200

? 159 @ 4000 ? 177 @ 4000 188 @ ? 192 @ 4000 209 @ ? 229 @ 4000

60 60 58.9 65.7 61.7 62.7 60.6 62.3

? 63.6 ? 63.2 62.7 64 63.3 67.4

73->81 81->88 74->77 81->87/8 1970s 1987->93 early 80s 77/8 -> 93

? ? 86x80 86x80 89x80 89x80 86x86 92x86

Chain

143

No

E12 525 E28 525i, E23 725i E12 528, 2800/CS E28 528i, E23 728i 3.0CS/i/L,3.0Si 6 cyl 530i & 730i 3.3Li/633, 732i/733i 535i,635i,735i

Classic "big six".

M102

3.4

6

2

252 @ 5200

279 @ 2200

74.1

82.1

84-> 86?

?

Chain

145

No

E23 745i

M30 with turbo. Early versions wee 3.3.

M40

1.6 1.8

4

2

102 @ 5500 115 @ 5500

105 @ 4250 122 @ 4250

63.8 63.9

63.8 67.8

87? -> late 93

84x72 84x81

Belt

81

No

post -87 E30 316i, 318i, 518i, Pre-93 E36 316i, euro 318i.

Replaced by M43

M42

1.8

4

4

140 @ 6000

129 @ 4500

77.8

71.7

89 -> 96

84x81

Chain

100

No

E30/36 318is, Z3

Beware of proile gasket in pre 93 engines.

M43

1.6 1.8

4

2

102 @ 5500 115 @ 5500

111 @ 3900 124 @ 3900

63.8 63.9

69.3 68.9

late '93 -> late 98

84x72 84x81

Chain

83

No

Post '93 E36 316i, euro 318i (except Coupe), 518i

Euro only, replaced M40

M43TU

1.9

4

2

103 @ ? 118 @ 5500

122 @ ? 133 @ 3900

54.2 62.1

64.2 70

98 on

85x83.5

Chain

83?

No

E46 318i all models inc. Coupe

316i used detuned 1.9. Replacement for M43. Has twin balancer shafts to improve smoothness. Easy to spot, M43tu has plastic intake manifold vs metal on M43.

M44

1.9

4

4

140 @ 6000

133 @ 4300

73.7

70

96 on

85x83.5

Chain

102

No

E36 318iS, Z-3

Improved M42, low friction valve gear and MAF instead of AFM.

M50/M50TU

2.0 2.5 3.0

6

4

150 @ 5900 192 @ 5900 240 @ 6000

140 @ 4700 181 @ 4700 (4200 for TU) 225 @ 4250

75 76.8 80

70 72.4 75

89? -> 98 89? -> 95 95

80x66 84x75 ?

Chain

136

Single on TU

320i,520i 325i, 525i Early US E36 M3

TU model had VANOS. I don't have earlier M50 figures.

M52/M52TU

2.0 2.5 2.8 3.0 3.2

6

4

150 @ 5900 170 @ 5500 193 @ 5300 241 @ 6900

140 @ 4200 180 @ 3950 207 @ 3950 236 @ 3600

75 68 68.9 75.3

70 72 74 73.8

96 on 95 on 95 on 96->99

80x66 84x75 84x84 ?

Chain

118 euro 140? USA

Single Double on TU

E39 520i E36 323i, E39 523i E36 328i, E39 528i, 728i Late US E36 M3

Iron block in US, Alloy in europe.

M54

2.2 2.5 3.0

6

4

170 @ ? 192 @ ? 231 @ ?

155 @ 3500 181 @ 3500 221 @ 3500

77.3 76.8 77

70.5 72.4 73.7

autumn 2000 autumn 2000 early 2000

?

Chain

126

Double

'99 Z3, E39 and E46 six cylinder models

Based on M52. Shows what the M52 should have been! Main difference is double VANOS and a less restrictive intake manifold.

M60

3.0 4.0

V8

4

218 @ 5800 286 @ 5800

229 @ 4500 295 @ 5100

72.7 71.5

76.3 73.8

April 92 -> 96

84x67.6 89x80

Chain

146

No

530i 730i 540i, 740i, 840i

All alloy.

M62

3.5 4.4 4.6

V8

4

235 @ 5700 286 @ 5700 350?

236 @ 4700 310 @ 3900 ?

67.1 65 76?

67.4 70.5 ?

late 96 on

84x78.9 92x82.7 ?

Chain

140

Single after 98

730i 540i, 740i,840i

Improved M60

M70

5.0

V12

2

300 @ 5200

332 @ 3900

60

66.4

88-> 94

84x75

Chain

155

No

750il 850i

Classic V12

M73

5.4

V12

2

326 @ 5000

361 @ 3900

60.4

66.9

95/6? on

85x79

Chain

150

Single after 98

E38 750iL ?

Newest V12

N42

1.8 2.0

4

4

113 @ 5500 140 @ 6000

129 @ 3750 147 @ 3750

62.8 70

71.7 73.5

2001 - 2003

?

Chain

100 (short)

Valvetronic

E46 three

BMW's first Valvetronic engine

N43

1.8 2.0

4

4

143 @ 6000 170 @ 6700

139 @ 4250 154 @ 4250

79.4 85

77.2 77

2007 only

84x90

Chain

103 (short)

Valvetronic

E90 three

Replaced by N46, quite rare. Used High Precision injection. 1.8 version was a detuned 2.0, same block

N45 / N45N

1.6 2.0

4

4

115 @ 6000 173 @ 7000

110 @ 4300 147 @ 4250

71.9 86.5

68.8 73.5

2007 on

? ?

Chain

79 (short)

NOT Valvetronic

E90 316i / 116i

2.0 was used in rare E90 320Si saloon homologation special. Normal throttle body makes more high end bhp than valvetronic.

N46 / N46N

1.8 2.0

4

4

115 @ 5500 150 @ 6200

129 @ 3750 147 @ 3750

63.9 75

71.7 73.5

2004 on

? ?

Chain

96 (short)

Valvetronic

E90 three, 1 series

1.8 version was a detuned 2.0, same block but different ecu and camshafts

N52 / N52N

2.5 (523i) 2.5 3.0

6

4

175 @ 5800 215 @ 6500 272 @ 6650

170 @ 3500-5000 184 @ 2750-4250 232 @ 2750-4250

70 86 90.7

68 73.6 77.3

2004 to 2007

? ? 85x88

Chain

161

Valvetronic.

Used in E90, E65, etc.

BMW's first Valvetronic six. Magnesium and aluminium block! US late e60 528 / e90 328 had detuned 3.0 engines. e60 523i had detuned N52B25.

N53

2.5 3.0

6

4

? 272 @ 6700

? 236 @ 2750

? 90.7

? 78.7

2007 on

? ?

Chain

126 (short)

Non Valvetronic. Dual VANOS

E90 / 1 series / E60

Replacement for N52 using high pressure injection (GDI). Not sold in USA.

N54

3.0

6

4

306 @ 5800

295 @ 1300-5000

102

98.3

2006 on

84x89.6

Chain

195

Non Valvetronic. Dual VANOS

E90 335i / E60 535i

Twin turbos in series. 306bhp is a very conservative figure, can be a lot higher in real life. Based on M54 block, not N54 magnesium/aluminium block.

N62

3.6 4.0 4.4 4.8

8

4

272 @ 6200 306 @ 6300 319 or 333 @ 6100 360 or 367 @ 6300

266 @ 3700 288 @ 3500 325 or 332 @ 3700 369 or 361 @ 3400

75.6 76.5 73.9 75.4

73.9 72 75 76

2003 on

? ? 92x82.7 93x88

Chain

265

Valvetronic Dual VANOS

X5, E65, E60, etc.

Replacement for M62

N63

4.4

8

4

400 @ ?

450 @ ?

90.9

102.3

2008 on

?

Chain

?

NOT Valvetronic Dual Vanos

X6

Reverse flow V8! Twin turbos are in the V valley, intakes are at the sides to improve packaging.

N73

6.0

12

4

445 @ 6000

441 @ 3950

74.2

73.5

2003 on

?

Chain

?

Valvetronic

E65 670Li

BMW's largest production engine, 6.0 V12. Very economical for it's size.

S14

2.3 2.5

4

4

200 @ 6750 215 @ 6750

177 @ 4600 181 @ 4750

87 86

77 72.4

87 -> 89 90 -> 91

93.2x83.8 ?

Chain

106

No

E30 M3

Several models used. Basically a four cylinder S38.

S38 early

3.5

6

4

277 @ 6500 286 @ 6500

238 @ 5000 245 @ 4500

79.1 81.7

68 70

79 - > 80 86 -> 90

93.2x83.8

Chain

146

No

M1 E28 M5, M6

24 valve M30

S38 late

3.6 3.8

6

4

315 @ 6900 340 @ 6900

260 @ 4750 289 @ 4500

87.5 89.5

72.2 76

88 -> 91 92 -> 96

?

Chain

151

No

E34 M5

Spotter's tip: 3.8 used one coil per cylinder, 3.6 had a normal distributor.

S50

3.0

6

4

286 @ 7000

236 @ 3600

95.3

78.7

92 ->95

?

Chain

152

Single

E36 M3

early euro

S52

3.2

6

4

321 @ 7400

258 @ 3250

100.3

80.6

96 -> 2000

86.4x91

Chain

152

Double

E36 M3 (Euro)

Late model Euro.

S54

3.2

6

4

343 @ 7900

269 @ 4900

107.2

84.1

2001 on

?

Chain

217

Double

E46 M3 //M Roadster

E46 M3 M Roadster has 321bhp. US version 333bhp or 315 for Roadster.

S62

4.9

8

4

400 @ 6600

369 @ 3800

81.6

75.3

99 on

94x89

Chain

158

Dual

E39 M5

Double VANOS.

S65

4.0

8

4

420 @ 8300

295 @ 3900

105

73.8

2007 on

92x75.2

Chain

202

Dual

E90 M3

4 litre V8, first V8 in an M3. Wet sump, unlike V10 S85 version.

S70

5.6

12

2

380 @ 5300

406 @ 4000

67.9

72.5

94->97?

?

Chain

165

No?

E31 850CSi

//M Tweaked M70

S85

5.0

10

4

507 @ 7750

384 @ 6100

101.4

76.8

2005 on

92x75.2

Chain

?

Double

E60 M5, new M6

V10, inspired by Formula 1 engine. Dry sump!

M21 Diesel

2.4 2.4 Turbo

6

2

86 @ 4600 115 @ 4800

112 @ 2500 155 @ 2400

35.8 47.9

46.7 64.6

85 -> 86 83-> 91?

80x81

Belt

126

No

324td, 524d/td

Never available in UK. Was used by Ford.in US.

M41Diesel

1.7 turbo

4

2

90 @ 4400

140 @ 2000

53

82.4

95 on

80x82.8

Chain?

108

No

E36 318TDS

Cut down 2.5tds

M51 Diesel

2.5 TD 2.5 TDS

6

2

115 @ 4800 143 @ 4800

162 @ 2400 206 @ 2200

46 57.2

64.8 82.4

95 on

80x82.8

Chain

132

No

E36 325TD/S, E34, E39

TDS has intercooler

M47 / M47N/ M47N2 Diesel

1.8 2.0

4

4

115 @ ? 136 @ 4000

195 @ ? 207 @ 1750

68

103.5

98 on

?

Chain

117

No?

E46 320d

Variable incidence turbo.

M57 / M57N / M57N2 Diesel

2.5 3.0

6

4

170 @ 4000 183 @ ?

258 @ 2000 300 @ 1750

68 61

103.2 100

autumn 2000 on

? 84x90

Chain

168

No?

E46, E39

Replaced M51 M57N is upgraded, later version from mid 2003

M57T30 (306D4)

3.0

6

4

272 @ 4400

413 @ 2000

91

138

2004 on

?

Chain

?

No?

E60 535d

Twin turbo M57

M67/ M67TU Diesel

3.9 4.4

V8

4

245 @ 4000 329 @ 3800

413 @ 1750-2500 552 @ 1900-2500

61.2 74.8

103.2 125.5

98 on

?

Chain

192

No?

E38 740d, E65 740d 4.4 in E66 745d

Variable incidence turbo.

VANOS = variable valve timing.

To convert from ft/lb to Nm multiply by 1.36 (100ft/lb = 136Nm).

To convert from BHP to kW multiply by 0.735 (100 bhp = 73.35kW).

Engine weights are for a dry engine with no manifolds, starter motor, alternator, etc. They will vary by 2 or 3 kg for different types of fuel injection and model year. US M50 had an iron block due to sulphur problems and is much heavier than euro. Anti-pollution kit will add a few kgs to earlier US spec engines. Where you see (short) this means the weight is for a short engine with no heads or ancillaries.

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