Understanding the logic of how engines are labeled will make it faster and easier to find what kind of engine is in front of you and which car it belongs to.
The marking of BMW engines consists of a set of numbers and letters that represent information about the technical specification of the engine. At first glance, it may seem that there is no logic in this set, and the numbers are random. However, this is not the case and it is similar to the vehicle marking system – the VIN Number (Vehicle Identification Number) is the way by which manufacturers mark which version the car belongs to.
In the tables below, an example of the engine code is presented in the upper-left corner, and the symbol whose meaning is understood in this table is highlighted in red.
BMW “M”, “N”, “P” and “S” Engine Series
Engine family
| M52B25TU | Engine family (generation) |
|---|---|
| This letter indicates which engine family the power unit belongs to. | |
| B | BMW modular engine developed after 2013. |
| M | BMW engines developed before 2001. |
| N | BMW engines developed since 2001. |
| P | BMW Motorsport racing engines (non-serial). |
| S | BMW Motorsport racing engines (serial). |
| W | Engines supplied by an external supplier. |
Number of cylinders
| M52B25TU | Number of Cylinders |
|---|---|
| 3 | Inline 3-cylinder |
| 4 | Inline 4-cylinder |
| 5 | Inline 6-cylinder |
| 6 | 8-cylinder (V-shaped) |
| 7 | 12-cylinder (V-shaped) |
| 8 | 10-cylinder (V-shaped) |
Engine variation
| M52B25TU | Engine Variation |
|---|---|
| This figure indicates a change in the original (basic) design of the engine. The numbers are sequential in the development number, but not necessarily replacing the previous engine. For example, the M52 is a fuel-injected engine and the M51 is a diesel engine, but both are based on the original M50 design. However, the M52 is not an updated version of the M51. | |
| 0 | Original design. |
| 1 to 9 | Sequential changes. |
Fuel type
| M52B25TU | Fuel Type |
|---|---|
| This letter indicates the type of fuel, as well as the direction of installation of the engine. | |
| A | Petrol mounted transversely |
| B | Petrol, installed longitudinally |
| C | Diesel, installed transversely |
| D | Diesel, installed longitudinally |
| E | Electric |
| G | Natural Gas |
| H | Hydrogen |
Engine capacity
| M52B25TU | Engine Capacity |
|---|---|
| These two numbers indicate the engine capacity in liters. | |
| 30 | 3.0 liters |
| 25 | 2.5 liters |
| 18 | 1.8 liters |
| 12 | 1.2 liters |
Technical update
| M52B25TU | Technical Update |
|---|---|
| The designation TU means that the engine has a “Technical update”, which means that significant changes have occurred. Not all engines receive the designation “TU”. |
Differences in engine designations of the BMW “N” family
Performance Class
| N52B30T1 | Performance class |
|---|---|
| On new BMW engines, the “N” 7th position of the engine code contains a letter denoting the performance class. | |
| K | Lowest |
| U | Lower |
| M | Middle |
| O | Upper |
| T | Top |
| S | Super |
Technical update
| N52B30T1 | Technical Update |
|---|---|
| On new BMW engines, the “N” 8th position of the engine code contains a number that indicates the technical version of the engine in sequential order for each update. This new designation encoding replaces the older “TU” style or a technical upgrade of the “M” engine family. | |
| 0 | New development |
| 1 to 9 | Redesign |
Let’s consolidate our knowledge
List of BMW Engines
The table below includes the engine code, the number of cylinders, the engine volume, the number of valves, the horsepower range, torque, the BMW model of the motor on which it is installed, the time period of use of a particular engine and many other important information.
| Code | Capacity | Layout | Number of Valves | Gas Distribution System | Power | Torque | Production Years | Example Models | Comments |
| M and N Codes (Serial Cars) | |||||||||
| 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 |
| M57N2 | 3.0 | I6 | 197-286 | 400-580 | 2000-2014 | 3 E90, E91, E92 325d, 330d: 5 E60/61 525d, 530d, X5 E70 3.0d, X6 E71 30dX X5 E70 3.0sd i 3.5d, X6 E71 35dX | straight-6 diesel engine (так же turbo-disel) | ||
| 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 |
| N13/N18 | 1.6 | I4 | 136-170 | 220-250 | F20 114i, 116i, F30 316i, F20 118i, MINI Cooper S F56 | ||||
| N20 | 2.0 | I4 | 16 | DOHC | 181 | 258 | 2012- | E84 X1 20i, 28i, F25 X3 20i, 28i, F30 320i, 328i, F10 520i, 528i, E89 Z4 20i, 28i, F20 125i | single twin-scroll turbo, |
| 241 | Valvetronic, direct injection | ||||||||
| N26 | 2.0 | I4 | 16 | DOHC | 241 | 258 | 2012- | F30 328i | SULEV low emissions engine for US |
| 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, E63 630i | High-output N52 |
| N53 | 2.5-3.0 | I6 | 24 | DOHC | 190-270 | 173-240 | 2007-2011 | Euro E90 325i, 330i, Euro E60 523i, 525i, Euro F10 525i, 530i | 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 | 300 | 2010- | E82 135i, E90, E92 335i, F30 335i, E84 X1, F25 X3, E70 X5, E71 X6 xDrive 35i, F10 535i, F07 535i, | single twin-scroll turbo, Valvetronic, direct injection |
| N55HP | 3.0 | I6 | 24 | DOHC | 315 | 330 | 2010 | F12 640i, F21 M135i, F01 740i | 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, E63 645Ci, 650i | naturally aspirated, Valvetronic |
| 4.3-4.7 | |||||||||
| N63 | 4.4 | V8 | 32 | DOHC | 402 | 440 | 2008- | F10 550i, E71 X6 50i, F02 750Li, F12/13 650i, F07 550i GT | twin turbo |
| S Codes for Motorsport Series | |||||||||
| 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 | 3.0 | I6 | 24 | DOHC | 240 | 240 | 1996-2000 | US E36 M3, US MZ3 Japan-spec E36 M3 | directly based on M52 |
| S54 | 3.0 | 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 |
| Wiesmann GT MF5 | |||||||||
| S63TU | 4.4 | V8 | 32 | DOHC | 560 | 502 | 2011- | F10 M5, F12/13 M6, F06 M6 Grand Coupe | 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 Codes for Motorsport Race Series | |||||||||
| 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 streetengine; 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 |
Serial Number Location on Different BMW Engines
The question also often arises where the serial number of the engine is located. It is especially unpleasant to look for it in a hurry, when during registration actions, the inspector himself cannot find it. In such cases, I recommend finding its location in advance and cleaning the room from dirt.
BMW M30 Engine
BMW M40 Engine
BMW M41 Engine
BMW M47 Engine
This engine was installed on models: BMW 118d/120d E87, BMW 318d/320d E46/E90, BMW 520d E39/E60 and BMW X3 E83.
BMW M52 Engine
BMW M54 Engine
BMW M57 Engine
BMW M67 Engine
BMW N40 Engine
BMW N42 Engine
BMW N45 Engine
BMW N46 Engine
BMW N52 Engine
BMW N62 Engine
BMW N73 Engine
BMW S54 Engine
BMW S85 Engine
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Hi
i noticed there is no mention of M43 engine in the above list, just wondering what is the reason?
thanks
Looks like i’ve forgot it =(
where is the n47 list??