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    BMW Engine Codes

    You may come accross many acronyms and short hand "codes" while shopping for parts for your BMW. One type of code that comes up frequently is used to designate which engine is used in your car.

    Here is the original BMW engine code breakdown (up to c.2001):



    Beginning in the early-2000s, BMW changed their engine coding slightly to make it easier to understand updated versions of engines.




    This list is some of the more common engine code designations that a US enthusiast may encounter. Engines may change from one type to another based on different factors, including model year and even geographical region. This list includes the engine code, number of cylinders, engine size, the BMW models it's typically found in, and other important information. We have intentionally left off engines not commonly available or known to the US market.

    Engine Code Engine Size (liters) # of Cylinders
    and layout    		 # of Valves Camshaft and Valve Timing HP Rating Torque Rating Active Years Example Models Notes
    M Code Regular Production Engines
    M10 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 I4 8 SOHC 98-104 104-107 1964-1985 2002, E21 320i, E30 318i M31 turbo version = 168hp
    M20 2.0-2.7 I6 12 SOHC 121-168 120-180 1983-1992 E21 323i, E30 325e, E30 325i, E34 525i M20B25 = 325i engine
    M20B27 = 325e engine
    M21 2.4 I6 12 SOHC 84-114 112-162 1983-1985 524td turbo diesel
    M30 2.5-3.5 I6 12 SOHC 175-208 159-225 1968-1993 E9 2800, E24 633CSi, E28 535i, E34 535i carburetor up to 1975
    M40 1.6, 1.8 I4 8 SOHC 102-113 104-120 1987-1991 E30 318i Euro models
    M42 1.8 I4 16 DOHC 138 129 1988-1995 E30 318is, E36 318i, E36 318ti S42B20 used in BTCC racing
    M44 1.9 I4 16 DOHC 138 133 1996-1999 E36 318ti, Z3 1.9 US OBD-II models
    M50 2.0-2.5 I6 24 DOHC 150-189 140-181 1990-1992 E34 525i, E36 325i non-VANOS valve timing
    M50TU 2.0-2.5 I6 24 DOHC 150-189 140-180 1993-1995 E34 525i, E36 325i with VANOS valve timing
    M52 2.0-2.8 I6 24 DOHC 150-190 140-210 1996-1999 E36 328i, E39 528i, Z3 2.8 VANOS on intake cam
    M52TU 2.0-2.8 I6 24 DOHC 150-190 140-180 1993-1995 E39 528i, E46 323i/328i VANOS on intake and exhaust cams
    cable-actuated throttle
    M54 2.2-3.0 I6 24 DOHC 168-228 155-221 2001-2006 E39 525i/530i, E46 325i/330i VANOS on intake and exhaust cams
    Drive-by-Wire throttle
    M56 2.5 I6 24 DOHC 192 181 2001-2005 E46 325i SULEV low emissions engine for CA, MA, NY, VT
    M60 3.0-4.0 V8 32 DOHC 215-282 214-295 1992-1995 E34 530i, E32 740iL Nikasil-lined block
    M62 3.5-4.6 V8 32 DOHC 232-342 236-354 1996-2003 -1998 E39 540i, E31 840ci, E53 X5 4.6is non-VANOS valve timing
    M62TU 3.5-4.4 V8 32 DOHC 235-282 254-325 1998-2003 1999+ E39 540i, E53 X5 4.4i with VANOS valve timing
    M70 5.0 V12 24 SOHC 300 330 1988-1995 E31 850i, E32 750iL BMW's first V12
    M73 5.4 V12 24 SOHC 320 360 1996-1998 E31 850ci, E38 750iL OBD-II compliant version of M70
    M73TU 5.4 V12 24 SOHC 320 360 1999-2001 E38 750iL also used in Rolls-Royce models
    M88/1 3.5 I6 24 DOHC 272 243 1978-1981 E26 M1 used exclusively in the M1 supercar
    M88/3 3.5 I6 24 DOHC 282 251 1983-1989 Euro E24 M635CSi related closely to S38 used in US M5/M6
    N20 2.0 I4 16 DOHC 241 258 2012- F30 328i single twin-scroll turbo,
    Valvetronic, direct injection
    N51 3.0 I6 24 DOHC 215 184 2007-2011 E90 328i SULEV SULEV low emissions engine
    N52 3.0 I6 24 DOHC 215 184 2006 E90 325i also known as 'low output' N52
    N52B30M1 3.0 I6 24 DOHC 230 199 2007-2012 E90/E92 328i, Z4 3.0i Medium-output N52
    N52B30O1 3.0 I6 24 DOHC 255 221 2006-2012 E90 330i, E60 528i, Z4 3.0si High-output N52
    N53 2.5-3.0 I6 24 DOHC 190-270 173-240 2007-2011 Euro E90 325i, Euro E60 523i, Euro F10 525i Euro-spec version for lower market Euro models
    N54 3.0 I6 24 DOHC 306-335 295-332 2007-2010 E90/E92 335i, E60 535i, E82 1M twin-turbo, direct injection
    N55 3.0 I6 24 DOHC 302-315 300-330 2010- E92 335i, F30 335i single twin-scroll turbo, Valvetronic, direct injection
    N62 3.6-4.8 V8 32 DOHC 272-367 262-369 2001-2010 E60 545i/550i, E65 745/750, E70 X5 4.8 naturally aspirated, Valvetronic
    N63 4.4 V8 32 DOHC 402 440 2008- F10 550i, E71 X6 50i, F02 750Li twin turbo
    S Code BMW Motorsport-designed Production Engines
    S14 2.0-2.5 I4 16 DOHC 195-235 155-177 1987-1991 E30 M3, E30 320is based on M88/S38 engine design
    S38 3.5-3.8 I6 24 DOHC 252-335 243-295 1986-1995 E28 M5, E24 M6, E34 M5 further development of M88 engine
    S50 EU 3.0-3.2 I6 24 DOHC 280-321 240-260 1993-1999 Euro E36 M3, Euro MZ3 not based on M50, single and double VANOS
    S50 US 3.0 I6 24 DOHC 240 225 1995 US E36 M3, Japan-spec E36 M3 directly based on M50
    S52 3.2 I6 24 DOHC 240 240 1996-2000 US E36 M3, US MZ3 Japan-spec E36 M3 directly based on M52
    S54 3.2 I6 24 DOHC 333-343 257-269 2001-2008 E46 M3, MZ3, Z4 M further development of Euro S50B32
    S55 3.0 I6 24 DOHC 430 (est) x 2015+ F80 M3, F82 M4
    S62 4.9 V8 32 DOHC 394 369 1999-2003 E39 M5, E52 Z8 loosely based on M62 but with individual throttles, double VANOS
    S63 4.4 V8 32 DOHC 550 500 2009-2011 E70 X5 M, E71 X6 M Motorsport-built version of N63
    S63TU 4.4 V8 32 DOHC 560 502 2011- F10 M5 S63 with Valvetronic
    and more boost
    S65 4.0-4.4 V8 32 DOHC 414-444 300-320 2008-2012 E90 M3, E92 M3 GTS based on S85 V10
    last naturally-aspirated M engine
    S70 5.6 V12 48 DOHC 380 410 1994-1995 E31 850CSi Motorsport evolution of M70 engine
    S70/2 6.0-6.1 V12 48 DOHC 627-680 480 1994-1997 McLaren F1 not based on an M70 engine
    shares many design points with Euro S50
    S85 5.0 V10 60 DOHC 500 384 2006-2010 E60 M5, E63 M6 technology derived from Formula 1
    P Code BMW Motorsport Race Engines
    M12/7 2.0 I4 16 DOHC 300+ x 1968-1972 2002, Formula 2, 320i based on M10 4-cylinder but with 4-valve heads; naturally-aspirated
    M12/M13/1 1.4-1.5 I4 16 DOHC 350-1,300 x 1979-1988 320i Group 5, March GTP, Brabham Formula 1 single turbo, decimated n/a competitors before turbos were outlawed; up to 5.5bar of boost in F1
    S42B20 2.0 I4 16 DOHC 300 x 1992-1998 E36 318is BTCC SuperTouring engine, based on M42 4-cyl
    P50B32 3.2-3.4 I6 24 DOHC 400-425 x 1997-2001 E36 M3 GTR, E46 M3 based on Euro S50B32, used in E36 PTG racecars and first E46 PTG cars
    S70/3 6.0 V12 48 DOHC 650+ x 1995-1997 McLaren F1 GTR winner of 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans; similar in design to S70/2
    P75B60 6.0 V12 48 DOHC 650+ x 1998-2001 BMW V12 LMR Prototype, E53 X5/LM winner of 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans; ground-up evolution of S70/3
    P54B32 3.2-3.4 I6 24 DOHC 425-450 x 2001-2003 E46 M3 race engine based on S54 street engine; used in ALMS prior to 4.0 P60 V8
    P60B40 4.0 V8 32 DOHC 444-470 x 2003-2005 E46 M3 GTR race-only engine not based on a true production model
    P54B20 2.0 I6 24 DOHC 275+ x 2001-2005 E46 320i WTCC Touring Car engine based on M54 with S54-style intake
    P45B20 2.0 I4 16 DOHC 275 x 2005-2012 E90 320si WTCC based on N45 production engine from homologation special E90 320si
    P65B40 4.0 V8 32 DOHC 480 x 2010- E92 M3 GT evolution of P60B40
    P84 3.0 V10 40 Pneumatic 925+ x 2004-2005 WilliamsBMW F1 19,000 RPM rev limit; 1,500km lifespan (4 times longer than 2002 F1 rules)
    P86 2.4 V8 32 Pneumatic 720+ x 2006-2009 BMW Sauber F1 Team 19,000 RPM rev limit