Engine FAQ

BMW Engine FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Contributed by: Jared Robinson

Horsepower quotes may not always reflect US Rating, If there are two HP numbers, lower HP number generally denotes US rating

m10

M10

Straight 4 cylinder SOHC 8V. 1966-1987. 83kg 180lbs
Used in 1502, 1600-2, E21 316/318i/320-4, E30 316, 2002tii and 2002 turbo
1.5 (75bhp), 1.6 (85bhp), 1.8 (90-98bhp), 2.0 (100bhp), 2.0i
(125bhp), 2.0tii (130bhp), 2.0turbo (170bhp)

m20

M20

Straight 6 cylinder SOHC 12V. Baby Six. 1977-1992. 117kg 258lbs

Used in E21 320, E21 320i/6, E28, E30, E34, E21/30 323i, E30
325e and E28 528e

2.0i (129bhp), 2.3i (143bhp), 2.5i (170bhp), 2.7e (125bhp)

m30e

M30

Straight 6 cylinder SOHC 12V. Big Six. 1973-1993. 143kg 315lbs

Used in E12 525/528, E28 525i, E23 725i, 2800CS, E28 528i, E23 728i, 3.0CS/i/L, 3.0Si, E12 530i, E23 730i, 3.3Li, 633, 732i, 733i, 535i, 635i, 735i, E12 M535 2.5i (150bhp), 2.8i (184bhp), 3.0 (185-208bhp), 3.3 (200-206bhp), 3.5 (218bhp)

M102

Straight 6 cylinder SOHC 12V Turbo. Big Six Turbo. 1984-1986.
145kg 320lbs.

Used only in the E23 745i

3.2L or 3.4L Turbo (252bhp)

M40

Straight 4 cylinder SOHC 8V. Replaced the M10. 1987-1993. 81kg
178lbs

Used in post 87 E30 316i/318i, E34 518i, Pre 93 E36 316i

1.6 (102bhp), 1.8 (122bhp)

M42

Straight 4 cylinder DOHC 16V. 1989-1996. 100kg 220lbs

Used in E30 and E36 318is, Z3

1.8 (138-142bhp)

M43

Straight 4 SOHC 8V. 1993-1998. 83kg 183lbs

Used in post-93 E36 316i/318i, E34/39 518i.

1.6 (102bhp), 1.8 (115bhp)

M43TU

Straight 4 SOHC 8V. 1998 on. 83kg 183lbs

Used in E46 318i

1.9 (118bhp)

m44

M44

Straight 4 DOHC 16V. 1996 on. 102kg 225lbs

Used in E36 318iS, Z3

1.9 (142-150bhp)

m50tu

M50/M50TU

Straight 6 DOHC 24V/Straight 6 DOHC 24V with Single VANOS. 1989-1998.
136kg 299lbs

Used in E36 320i/325i, E34/39 520i/525i, Variation of this was
used in the Early US E36 M3

2.0 (150bhp), 2.5 (192bhp), 3.0 (240bhp) Sometimes referred to
as S50US. Engine shares more common parts with M50 than Euro S50, but is a motorsport engine.

M52/M52TU

Straight 6 DOHC 24V with Single VANOS/Straight 6 DOHC 24V with
Double VANOS. 1996-1999. Iron Block in US, Alloy Block in Europe . 118kg 260lbs (alloy) 140kg 308lbs

Used in E39 520i/523i/528i, E36 323i/328i, E38 728i, Variation
of this was used in late US E36 M3.

2.0 (150bhp), 2.5 (170bhp), 2.8 (193bhp), 3.2 (240bhp) Sometimes
referred to as S52US. Engine shares more common parts with M52 than Euro S52, but is a motorsport engine.

M54

Straight 6 DOHC 24V with Dual VANOS. 2000-present. 126kg 277lbs

Used in late model Z3, all E39 and E46 six cylinder models

2.0 (150bhp), 2.2 (170bhp), 2.5 (184-192bhp), 2.8 (193bhp), 3.0
(231bhp)

M56

Straight 6 DOHC 24V Dual VANOS with ULEV. 2002-present. 127kg
280lbs

Used in some E39 and E46 six cylinder models

2.5 (184bhp)

m60

M60

V8 DOHC 32V. 1992-1996. 146kg 321lbs

Engine blocks were made of Nikasil (Silicone Injected Nickel)
which were prone to failure over time. Many have been replaced with the newer Alusil (Silicone injected Aluminum)
engines/

Used in E34 530i, E32 730i, 740i, 840i

3.0 (218bhp), 4.0 (286bhp)

m62

M62/M62TU

V8 DOHC 32V/V8 DOHC 32V   Single VANOS. 1996-present. Alusil Engine block. Pre 98 engines were non-VANOS.
140kg 308lbs

Used in E38 730i/740i, E39 540i, X5 and 840i

3.5 (235bhp), 4.4L (286bhp), 4.6 (340bhp)

m70

M70

V12 SOHC 24V. 1988-1994. 155kg 341lbs

Used in E32 750il, 850i

5.0 (300bhp)

M73

V12 SOHC 24V Single VANOS. 1995-2001. Pre 98 engines were non-VANOS.
150kg 330lbs

5.4L (326bhp)

s14

S14

Straight 4 DOHC 16V Solid Lifter Valvetrain and Individual Throttle
Bodies. 1987-1991. 106kg 234lbs

Used in the E30 M3 and Italian only E30 320is

2.0L (195bhp) 2.3L (192-200bhp), 2.5L (215-238bhp)

s38

Original S38 (Also known as M88 and M88/3)

Straight 6 DOHC 24V Solid Lifter Valvetrain and Individual Throttle
Bodies. 1979-1980, 1986-1990. 146kg 321lbs

Used in M1, E28 M5, M6, SA E23 745i

3.5L (277-286bhp)

s38m1

Updated S38

Straight 6 DOHC 24V Solid Lifter Valvetrain and Individual Throttle
Bodies. 1988-1996. 151kg 332lbs

Used in E34 M5

3.6 (315bhp), 3.8 (340bhp)

s50

S50

Straight 6 DOHC 24V Solid Lifter Valvetrain with Single VANOS
and Individual Throttle Bodies. (Dual Vanos on 3.2Ls) 1992-2000. 152kg 333lbs

Used in non-US E36 M3

3.0 (286bhp), 3.2L (321bhp)

s54

S54

Straight 6 DOHC 24V Solid Lifter Valvetrain with Dual VANOS and
Individual Throttle Bodies. 2001-present. 148kg 326lbs

Used in the E46 M3 and the last of the Z3 M-Coupe and M-Roadster.

3.2 (321-343bhp)

s62

S62

V8 DOHC 32V Solid Lifter Valvetrain with Dual VANOS and Individual
Throttle Bodies. 1999-present. 158kg 348lbs

Used in E39 M5 and Z8

4.9L (400bhp)

S70

V12 SOHC 24V. 1995-1997. 165kg 363lbs

Used in 850CSi

5.6L (380bhp)

s702

S70/2

Used in McLaren F1 (Was originally developed for M8)

Type 6.1 liter, 48 valve V-12 with aluminum block and heads, 627 bhp
Bore and stroke 3.38 x 3.41 in (86 x 87 mm)
Weight 266Kg
Displacement 370 cubic in, 6064 cc
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Engine control system Bosch Motronic with port fuel injection
Emissions controls 3-way catalytic converter feedback fuel-air-ratio control auxiliary air pump
Valve gear Chain-driven double overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, hydraulic lifters, variable intake timing Solid
Lifter Valvetrain with Single VANOS and Individual Throttle Bodies
Power (SAE net) 618 bhp @ 7400 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 479 ft-lb @ 4000 rpm
Redline 7500 rpm

M21

straight 6 SOHC 12V Diesel. 1983-1991 126kg 278lbs

Used in 324td, 524d/td

2.4 (112bhp), 2.4 Turbo (115bhp)

M41

Straight 4 SOHC 8V Diesel. 1995-on. 108kg 238lbs

Used in E36 318tdS

1.7 Turbo (90bhp)

M51

Straight 6 SOHC 12V Diesel. 1995-on.   132kg 291lbs

Used in E36 325td/S, E34 and E39

2.5 Turbo (115bhp), 2.5 Intercooled Turbo (143bhp)

M47

Straight 4 DOHC 16V Diesel. 1998-on. 117kg 258lbs

Used in E46 320d

2.0 Turbo (136bhp)

M55

Straight 6 DOHC 24V Diesel. 2000-on.   132kg 291lbs

Used in E46 and E39s.

2.5 Turbo (170bhp), 3.0 Turbo (183bhp)

M67

V8 DOHC 32V Diesel. 1999-on. 192kg 423lbs

Used in E38 740d

4.0 Turbo (245bhp)

N44TU

Straight 4 DOHC 16V Dual VANOS with Valvetronic

Used in E46 318i

1.6 (115bhp), 1.8 (143bhp)

N62

V8 DOHC 32V Dual VANOS with Valvetronic

Used in E65 745i

4.4 (325bhp)

N73

V12 DOHC 48V Dual VANOS with Valvetronic

Used in E65 760i

6.0 (438bhp)

w10

W10

Straight 4 SOHC 16V

Used in Mini One, Mini Cooper

1.6 (90-115bhp)

W11

Straight 4 SOHC 16V with Eaton Supercharger

Used in Mini Cooper S

1.6 Supercharged (163bhp)