BMW ENGINE CODES
Engine codes
We have tried to find information on BMW engine codes to help us and our customers identify which engine and ultimately which flywheels they require. Please bare in mind we are a machine shop / manufacturers and not experts on BMW's and the following is information found on the internet from various sources. If you know some information to be incorrect or indeed have more information to help us and our customers identify BMW flywheels we would be grateful to hear from you, info@ttvracing.com
An "M" means that the engine has been developed by BMW, while an "S" means that it's an M-engine modified for extra performance by BMW Motor sport. Following the letter is a number that identifies the model.
BMW usually specifies the engine designation followed by the engine capacity, as the M52B25 is the 2.5-liter version of the M52. The "B" in M52B25 stands for "Benzene", the German word for petrol (UK) or gasoline (USA), whereas a Diesel engine would use the code "D". Finally, sometimes you will see an engine code with a suffix, as the M06 is also known as the M30B25V with the V meaning "Vergasser" or Carburetor.
M10 This 4 cylinder 8 valve engine was used in the,1502, 1600-2, 1802, E21/E30 316, E28 518i, early E30 318i, 2002, E21 320, 2002 tii and 2002 turbo
M20 (Little six) This 6 cylinder 12 valve engine was used in the E21 320, E21 320i/6, E30, E34, E21/30 323i, 325i, E34 525i, 325e and 528e
M30 (Big six) This 6 cylinder 12 valve engine was used in the 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 and 735i
M40 This 4 cylinder 8 valve engine was used in the post -87 E30 316i, 318i, 518i, Pre-93 E36 316i and european 318i.
M42 This is the 4 cylinder 16 valve engine found in the E30/36 318is and Z3.
M50 This 6 cylinder 24 valve engine was used in 320i,520i, 325i and 525i.
M52 This is the 6 cylinder 24 valve engine used in E39 520i, E36 323i, E39 523i, E36 328i, E39 528i, 728i
M54 This 6 cylinder 24 valve engine can be found in the '99 Z3, E39 and E46 six cylinder models
M60 This is the all alloy V8 32 valve engine found in the 530i, 730i, 540i, 740i and 840i
S14 The S14 is a 4 cylinder 16 valve engine found in the E30 M3
S50 This engine is the 6 cylinder 24 valve engine used in the E36 M3 (92-95)
S52 The S52 is the later version of the S50 and is also a 6 cylinder 24 valve engine found in the later models of the E36 M3 (96-2000)
S54 This engine is the 6 cylinder 24 valve engine used in the E46 M3 and the M Roadster
S62 The S62 is the V8 32 valve engine found in the E39 M5
E87 The E87 is a 4 cylinder 16 valve 2 liter diesel used in the 120D from 2004
N47 This is the all alloy 4 cylinder 16 valve 2 liter or 1.8 liter Diesel engine found in the 118D and 120D from 2007
We hope this helps!