Four Cylinder · 1962–present
M10 → B48
M10
Legend1962–1988
1.6–2.0L · SOHC · 4-cyl
75–130hp stock · 1,400hp in F1 specification
2002, 2002 Turbo, E21 320i, E30 318i, E21
Powered the BMW F1 turbo engine that made 1,400hp in qualifying trim. One of the most important 4-cylinders ever built.
S14
Legend1987–1991
2.0–2.5L · DOHC · 4-cyl
192–238hp · Individual throttle bodies
E30 M3, E30 M3 Sport Evolution
High-revving motorsport-derived 4-cylinder. The E30 M3 DTM engine. One of the greatest driver's car engines ever put in production.
M40
Phase 31987–1994
1.6–1.8L · SOHC · 4-cyl
102–113hp
E30 316i/318i, E36 316i/318i
Entry-level BMW 4-cylinder. SOHC with a single cam and basic fuel injection. Reliable but not exciting — foundation of many 4-cylinder BMWs.
M42
Phase 31989–1996
1.8L · DOHC · 4-cyl
136hp · 8,000 RPM redline
E36 318i, E36 318is, Z3 1.8
BMW's first 4-valve-per-cylinder 4-cylinder. DOHC, high-revving, and punchy for its era. The basis for the M44.
M44
Phase 31996–2001
1.9L · DOHC · 4-cyl
140hp
E36 318i, E36 318ti, Z3 1.9
Updated M42 with improved fuel injection and single VANOS. The last of the classic BMW inline 4-cylinder family before Valvetronic.
N42
Phase 32001–2005
1.8L · DOHC · 4-cyl
143hp · First Valvetronic 4-cylinder
E46 318i, E46 318Ci
First BMW 4-cylinder with Valvetronic variable valve lift — a major technical leap. Complex but efficient for its time.
N46
Phase 32004–2011
1.6–2.0L · DOHC · 4-cyl
115–150hp
E90 316i/318i, E60 520i, E87 116i
Updated N42 with Double VANOS and Valvetronic. Better fuel economy and reliability than the N42. Widely used across F and E chassis entry models.
N13
Phase 32011–2017
1.6L · Turbo · 4-cyl
136–170hp
F20 116i/118i, F30 316i, Mini Cooper
The Prince engine developed jointly with PSA. Turbocharged 4-cylinder shared with Mini and Peugeot. Not a fan favorite but widely deployed.
N20
Phase 22011–2017
2.0L · Turbo · 4-cyl
184–245hp · Replaced inline-6 in many models
F30 328i, F32 428i, F10 528i, Z4 28i
BMW's TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder that replaced the N52 inline-6. Controversial among purists. Timing chain tensioner and oil filter housing gasket are common failures.
B46
Phase 22014–present
1.5–2.0L · Turbo · 3 or 4-cyl
136–192hp
G20 318i, X1, X2, Mini
Current BMW modular engine family. B46 covers the 1.5L 3-cylinder and 2.0L 4-cylinder entry variants. Fuel efficient, shared across many platforms.
B48
Phase 22014–present
2.0L · Turbo · 4-cyl
184–306hp · Strong tuning potential
G20 320i/330i, G22 430i, X3 30i, Toyota Supra 2.0
The current performance 4-cylinder. The B48 in the Toyota GR Supra 2.0 has made over 400whp on stock internals. Significant tuning community forming around this engine.
Inline-6 Standard · 1968–present
M30 → B58
M30
Legend1968–1994
2.5–3.5L · SOHC · Inline-6
150–218hp · The Big Six
E9 3.0CSL, E24 633i, E28 535i, E32 735i, E34 535i
The engine that defined BMW's reputation for silky smooth inline-6 power. Won 6 European Touring Car championships. Parent of every modern BMW inline-6.
M20
Legend1977–1993
2.0–2.7L · SOHC · Inline-6
122–171hp · The Small Six
E30 320i/325i, E34 520i/525i, E28 520i
The Small Six that made the E30 a legend. Incredibly reliable, simple to work on, and tuneable. The 325i version is still one of the most loved BMW engines among enthusiasts.
M50
Profile live →1989–1996
2.0–2.5L · DOHC · Inline-6
150–192hp · First VANOS
E36 320i/325i, E34 520i/525i
Introduced VANOS variable valve timing to BMW. The first truly modern BMW inline-6. The M50B25 is one of the most swapped and built engines in the community.
M52
Profile live →1994–2000
2.0–2.8L · DOHC · Inline-6
150–193hp · Alloy block
E36 320i/328i, E39 520i/528i, E46 320i/328i (early)
All-aluminum block — lighter than the M50. Double VANOS on the TU variant. The M52TU (1998+) added Double VANOS and DISA — the version in Mike's E46.
M52TU
Guides live →1998–2000
2.0–2.8L · DOHC · Inline-6
150–193hp · Double VANOS + DISA
E46 320i/328i, E39 520i/528i, Z3 2.8
The updated M52 with Double VANOS and DISA intake. The engine in the Bimmer Bytes E46 328i. 16 how-to guides live covering this exact engine.
View E46 guides
M54
Live2000–2006
2.2–3.0L · DOHC · Inline-6
170–231hp · Last pure Silky Six
E46 320i/325i/330i, E39 525i/530i, E60 525i, Z4 2.5i/3.0i, X3/X5
The last naturally aspirated inline-6 before BMW went Valvetronic. Smooth, reliable, and still beloved. The 330i M54 is a favorite for builds. Covered in the E46 guide library.
View E46 guides
N52
Phase 22004–2015
2.5–3.0L · DOHC · Inline-6
177–265hp · Valvetronic NA
E90 325i/330i, E60 525i/530i, E85 Z4, X1/X3
First inline-6 with Valvetronic. Magnesium/aluminum composite block — lighter but requires care. Oil consumption and coolant leaks are common issues on high-mileage examples.
N53
Phase 32007–2013
2.5–3.0L · DOHC · Inline-6
204–272hp · Stratified direct injection
E90 325i/330i (Euro), E60 523i/530i (Euro)
The N52's high-efficiency sibling using stratified direct injection for reduced fuel consumption. Europe-only. More complex than the N52 and rarely seen in North America.
N54
Profile live →2006–2016
3.0L · Twin-Turbo · Inline-6
300–320hp stock · 700+whp proven · Forged internals
E90/E92/E93 335i, E82 135i, E60 535i, E89 Z4 35i, E71 X6 35i, E82 1M
One of the greatest tuner engines ever built. Forged internals from the factory at 300hp. A simple flash turns it into 360hp. Built examples push 700+whp. 5x Engine of the Year.
Full engine profile
N55
Profile live →2009–2019
3.0L · Single Twin-Scroll Turbo · Inline-6
306–340hp stock · 500+whp proven · PWG & EWG variants
F30 335i, F32 435i, F10 535i, F87 M2, F25 X3 35i, E89 Z4 35i
N54's successor with a single twin-scroll turbo and added Valvetronic. More reliable day-to-day. Know your variant — PWG vs EWG tune differently and have different power ceilings.
Full engine profile
B58
Profile live →2015–present
3.0L · Turbo · Inline-6
322–382hp stock · 600+whp proven
G20 M340i, G22 M440i, G30 540i, Toyota GR Supra A90, Z4 M40i
The current silky six king. Shared with the Toyota GR Supra A90 — meaning the B58 tuning community covers two massive markets. Closed-deck block, stronger than the N55, exceptional tuning platform.
Inline-6 M Division · 1978–present
M88 → S58
M88
Legend1978–1989
3.5L · DOHC · Inline-6
277hp · Individual throttle bodies
BMW M1, E28 M535i, E28 M5 (early)
The engine that started M Division's inline-6 legacy. Individual throttle bodies, DOHC, screaming naturally aspirated performance. The spiritual ancestor of every S-series engine.
S38
Legend1986–1995
3.5–3.8L · DOHC · Inline-6
315–340hp · First official M inline-6
E28 M5, E34 M5, E24 M6
The first engine officially badged as an M inline-6. The E34 M5 with the 3.8L S38B38 was the fastest production sedan in the world when launched in 1992.
S50
Legend1992–2000
3.0–3.2L · DOHC · Inline-6
286–321hp · Individual throttles · 7,400 RPM
E36 M3, E36 M3 GT
European S50 used individual throttle bodies and VANOS — one of the greatest driver's car engines of the 1990s. The US got the S52 (see below). The S50B32 in the GT is particularly revered.
S52
Legend1996–2000
3.2L · DOHC · Inline-6
240hp · North America M3 engine
E36 M3 (US/Canada), Z3 M Roadster/Coupe (early)
The detuned US-spec S50 — used throttle bodies from the M52 rather than individual throttles. Still a great engine but not the equal of the European S50. Many have been swapped for European S50 components.
S54
E46 M3 →2000–2006
3.2L · DOHC · Inline-6
333–343hp · 8,000 RPM redline · Double VANOS
E46 M3, E46 M3 CSL, Z3 M, Z4 M
The pinnacle of naturally aspirated BMW inline-6 engineering. 8,000 RPM redline, individual throttle bodies, Double VANOS. The E46 M3 CSL version made 360hp. One of the greatest engines BMW ever built.
S55
Phase 22014–2020
3.0L · Twin-Turbo · Inline-6
425–444hp stock · 650+whp potential
F80 M3, F82 M4, F83 M4, F87 M2 Competition
First turbocharged M inline-6. Water-to-air intercooler. Controversial among purists but a strong tuning platform. Rod bearing failures are a known issue — inspect on any high-mileage example.
S58
Coming soon2019–present
3.0L · Twin-Turbo · Inline-6
480–530hp stock · 650+whp potential
G80 M3, G82 M4, G87 M2, G80 M3 CS (543hp)
Current M Division inline-6 king. Addresses the S55 rod bearing issue. More power, better cooling, stronger rotating assembly. The G80 M3 CS version makes 543hp from the factory — sets the ceiling for what the block can handle stock.
V8 · 1992–present
M60 → S63
M60
Legend1992–1996
3.0–4.0L · DOHC · V8
218–286hp · BMW's first modern V8
E32 740i, E34 540i, E31 840i
BMW's first all-aluminum DOHC V8. Nikasil-lined cylinders were problematic with high-sulfur fuel in North America — many were replaced under warranty with the Alusil M62 block.
M62
Legend1996–2005
3.5–4.4L · DOHC · V8
235–286hp · VANOS V8
E38 740i/740iL, E39 540i, E53 X5 4.4i, E52 Z8
Fixed the Nikasil problems with an Alusil cylinder bore. Added VANOS. The 4.4L M62B44 in the E39 540i is one of the most respected BMW V8s — butter smooth, tuneable, and long-lived.
S62
Legend1998–2003
4.9–5.0L · DOHC · V8
394hp · Individual throttle bodies
E39 M5, E52 Z8
The greatest BMW V8 ever built. Individual throttle bodies, Double VANOS on both cams, 394hp at 6,600 RPM. The E39 M5 is still considered one of the finest performance cars ever made. VANOS failure is the primary maintenance concern.
N62
Phase 22001–2010
3.6–4.8L · DOHC · V8
258–367hp · Valvetronic V8
E65/E66 745i/760i, E60 545i, E63 645i, E53 X5 4.8is
First V8 with Valvetronic. Complex timing chain system — high-mileage examples need careful inspection. The 4.8L N62B48 in the X5 is a popular performance build starting point.
S65
Phase 22007–2013
4.0L · DOHC · V8
414hp · 8,300 RPM · Last NA M V8
E90/E92/E93 M3
The last naturally aspirated V8 from M Division. 8,300 RPM redline, individual throttle bodies, Double VANOS. Rod bearing failures are the primary concern — replace at 60k miles regardless of condition. The sound is irreplaceable.
N63
Profile live →2008–present
4.4L · Twin-Turbo · V8
400–445hp stock · Hot-V twin turbo layout
F10 550i, F01 750i, F15 X5 50i, F16 X6 50i, F06 650i
Hot-V design — turbos mounted inside the V angle for shorter boost path and faster spool. Oil consumption and valve stem seal failures are common. The Bimmer Bytes founder's personal engine — the 550i N63. Full profile coming.
S63
Phase 22009–present
4.4L · Twin-Turbo · V8
553–627hp stock · 800+whp potential
F10 M5, F12/F13 M6, F85 X5 M, F86 X6 M, G30 M5, G14 M8
The M Division hot-V beast. Same architecture as the N63 but built for performance. The Competition variants push 617hp. Massive tuning potential — 800+whp builds exist on stock shortblock.
V10 & V12 · 1986–present
M70 → N74
M70
Legend1986–1994
5.0L · SOHC · V12
295hp · BMW's first V12
E32 750iL, E31 850i
BMW's first V12 — two M20 inline-6s joined at the crank. Silky smooth but complex. The E32 750iL was the most technologically advanced production car of its era. Now an icon among collectors.
S70/2
Legend1994
6.1L · DOHC · V12
627hp · McLaren F1 engine
McLaren F1
Built by Paul Rosche at BMW Motorsport specifically for the McLaren F1. 627hp from a naturally aspirated V12, no power steering, no ABS. Made the F1 the fastest naturally aspirated production car for over two decades.
M73
Legend1994–2001
5.4L · SOHC · V12
326hp · Single VANOS
E38 750iL, E31 850i
Updated V12 to replace the M70. Added single VANOS for better response. The E38 750iL with this engine is one of the most composed grand tourers ever built — and now very affordable.
S85
Legend2005–2010
5.0L · DOHC · V10
507hp · 7,750 RPM · Individual throttles
E60 M5, E63/E64 M6
A racing V10 in a road car. Derived from BMW's Formula 1 program. 507hp, 7,750 RPM, individual throttle bodies. The sound is otherworldly. Throttle actuator failures and rod bearing issues are the primary concerns on aging examples.
N73
Phase 32003–2008
6.0L · DOHC · V12
438hp · Valvetronic V12
E65/E66 760i/760Li
The most technologically advanced V12 BMW ever put in a production car. Valvetronic on both banks. Extremely complex — requires a specialist for major service.
N74
Phase 32009–present
6.0L · Twin-Turbo · V12
536–610hp · Rolls-Royce and 760i
F01/F02 760i, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Rolls-Royce Wraith
BMW's current twin-turbocharged V12. Powers the flagship 760i and all Rolls-Royce V12 models. The pinnacle of BMW engine technology — silky, powerful, and almost absurdly refined.
Turbocharged Classics · 1973–1992
M10 Turbo → M102
M10 Turbo
Legend1973
2.0L · Turbo · 4-cyl
170hp road car · 1,400hp F1
BMW 2002 Turbo
The 2002 Turbo was the first turbocharged production car in Europe. Aggressive, raw, and a landmark in automotive history. The same M10 block was later turbocharged to produce 1,400hp in BMW's Formula 1 program — the most powerful engine per liter in F1 history.
M102
Legend1980–1982
3.2L · Turbo · Inline-6
252hp · BMW's first turbo six
E23 745i (European)
A turbocharged version of the M30 inline-6. The 745i designation was chosen because BMW felt the performance equated to a 4.5L naturally aspirated engine. Europe-only and relatively rare today.
M106
Legend1982–1986
3.4L · Turbo · Inline-6
286hp · South Africa only
E23 745i (South Africa)
A higher-output turbocharged M30 sold exclusively in South Africa. Faster than the standard European 745i. One of the rarest and most obscure BMW performance engines — highly collectible today.