|
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
| Model |
Year |
Cars |
114 / E6
E10 / E12 |
67 - 77 |
1502, 1600, 1602, 1800, 1802, 2000, 2002ti/tii
E10 was the touring three door model
E20 was the 2002 tii & turbo |
| E3 |
68 - 77 |
2500, 2800, Bavaria, 3.0S/Si, 3.3Li |
| E9 |
65- 75 |
2000CS, 2500CS, 2800CS, 3.0CS/i/L |
| E12 |
72- 81 |
518, 518i, 520, 520i, 535, 525i, 528i, 530i, M535i |
| E21 |
75-83 |
316, 318i, 320, 320i/s, 323i |
| E23 |
78-87 |
725i, 728, 728i, 730i, 732i, 733i, 735i, 745i, L7 |
| E24 |
77-89 |
628i, 630CS/i, 633CSi, 635CSi, M635CSi, L6 (highline) |
| E26 |
78-81 |
M1 |
| E28 |
82-88 |
518i, 520i, 524td, 525i/e, 528e, 533i, 535i, M535i, M5 |
| E30 |
83-91 |
316, 316i, 318i/s, 320i, 323i, 324td, 325e, 325i/ix/is, M3 |
| E31 |
90 on |
840i, 840Ci, 850i, 850Ci, 850CSi |
| E32 |
88-94 |
730i, 735i/iL, 740i/iL, 750iL |
| E34 |
88-96 |
518i, 520i, 525i/x, 525td/s, 530i, 535i, 540i, M5 |
| Z1 (E30) |
89-91 |
Z1 convertible |
| Z3 (E36/7) |
96 on |
Z3 convertible and Z3 coupe (Z5) |
| E36 |
91 - 99 |
316i, 318i/s/ti/tds, 320i, 323i, 325i/td/tds, 328i/s, M3,Z3 |
| E38 |
95 - 2002 |
728i, 730i, 730d, 735i, 740i/iL, 750i/L |
| E39 |
97 - 2003 |
late 1990s 5 series 520i, 523i, 528i, 530d, 535i, 540i, M5 |
| E46 |
late 98 - 2005 |
Fourth 3 series |
| E52 |
2000 - 2002 |
Z8 Roadster |
| E53 |
2000 - 2007 |
X5 four wheel drive SAV |
| E60 E61 |
2002 |
Current five series, E61 is touring variant |
| E63 |
late 2001 |
New six series at last! 635Ci, 645Ci, M6. |
| E64 |
2003 |
Six series cabriolet |
| E65 |
2002 |
Current seven series (the ugly one) |
| E66 |
2002 |
long wheel base E65 seven series |
| E70 |
2007 |
Second generation X5 |
| E81 |
late 2002 |
1 series three door |
| E83 |
2003 |
X3 SAV |
| E85 |
2002 |
Z4 Roadster |
| E86 |
2006 |
Z4 Coupe |
| E87 |
2003 |
1 series five door. |
| E90 |
2005 |
Fifth three series, 4 door saloon |
| E91 |
2005 |
Fifth three series, touring five door |
| E92 |
2006 |
Fifth three series, coupe |
| E93 |
2007 |
Fifth three series, cabriolet |
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.
|
