V10 engine from a BMW E60 M5, showcasing its high-performance design with intricate details and advanced engineering features, highlighting the power and technology behind this iconic engine.

ENGINE 1

BMW Engine Codes

You may come across many acronyms and short hand "codes" while shopping for parts for your BMW. The BMW E-chassis and F-chassis codes are obvious. But another code refers to the type of engine used in your BMW. BMW engines evolve from one generation to the next but generally derive from one original design. For example, the inline-6 cylinder engines in the E34, E36, E39, E46, E53, Z3 and Z4 can all trace their origin to the M50 introduced in 1991. With revisions and updates over the years it's unlikely that parts will simply interchange so knowing the specific engine type can be very helpful when sourcing parts. BMW has gone through several variations on the engine designations; from the 1960s to the 2000s they had the "M" engine family (not to be confused with BMW Motorsport); from the 2000s-2010s they had an N engine code; from the mid 2010s they have a new modular B engine family. Below are charts detailing the BMW engine family codes with a handy de-coder image so you know how each code is broken down. We concentrated on engines used in the US market, as well as BMW Motorsport production (S code) and racing (P code) 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.

M Code (1964-2006) Regular Production Engines

Engine Code	Engine Size (liters)	# of Cylinders and layout	# of Valves	Camshaft and Valve Timing	HP Rating	Torque Rating	Active Years	Example Models	Features
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; 1982-1988: 3.4L 8.0:1 compression 1988-1989: 3.5L 9.0:1 compression
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	1999-2001	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
M57D30T2	3.0	I6	24	DOHC	265	428	2009-2011	E90 335d, E70 X5 35d	US-spec M57 Diesel; US-specific SCR emissions system.
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
S Code BMW Motorsport-designed Production Engines (names seem to follow the traditional M code logic above, regardless of year)
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	424	406	2015+	F80 M3, F82 M4	TVDI - Turbo Valvetronic Direct Injection
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	Valvetronic	560	502	2011-	F10 M5, F12 M6	S63 with Valvetronic and more boost
S63T2	4.4	V8	32	Valvetronic	567	553	2015-	F85 X5M, F86 X6M	M5 S63TU with higher compression
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 (names seem to follow the traditional M code logic above, regardless of year)
M12/7	1.5-2.0	I4	16	DOHC	250-300+	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
M49	3.5	I6	24	DOHC	430+	310+	1974-1976	3.5 CSL	BMW Motorsport and Schnitzer developed engine for IMSA and Le Mans. Loosely based on M12/7 race engine.
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
P52/P54B20	2.0	I6	24	DOHC	260+	x	2001-2005	E46 320i WTCC	Touring Car engine based on M54 with individual throttles; 9,000 RPM rev limit
P45B20	2.0	I4	16	DOHC	275	x	2005-2012	E90 320si WTCC	based on N45 production engine from homologation special E90 320si
P65	4.0	V8	32	DOHC	480+	x	2010-2011	E92 M3 GT	evolution of P60B40
P65B44	4.4	V8	32	DOHC	480 (est.)	355 (est.)	2011-	E89 Z4 GTE, E89 Z4 GT3	based on S65B44 from M3 GTS; engine differences between GT3 and GTE versions
P66	4.0	V8	32	DOHC	500 (est.)	369 (est.)	2012-	E92 M3 DTM	clean-sheet design, not related to any production engine
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

N Code (2006-2015) Regular Production Engines
Beginning in the early-2000s, BMW revised their naming strategy to get more info out of each character and make it easier to understand updates and revisions. The new BMW engine designs were ground-up fresh designs with groundbreaking advancements in materials and technology. Turbocharging and Diesel engines were also introduced to the US market so BMW had to be more specific in their engine coding.

Engine Code	Engine Size (liters)	# of Cylinders and layout	# of Valves	Camshaft and Valve Timing	HP Rating	Torque Rating	Active Years	Example Models	Features
N20	2.0	I4	16	DOHC	241	258	2012-	F30 320i/328i	single twin-scroll turbo, Valvetronic, direct injection
N51	3.0	I6	24	Valvetronic	230	199	2007-2011	E90 328i SULEV	SULEV low emissions engine
N52B30K0	3.0	I6	24	Valvetronic	215	184	2006	E90 325i	also known as 'low output' N52KP
N52B30M1	3.0	I6	24	Valvetronic	230	199	2007-2012	E90/E92 328i, Z4 3.0i	Medium-output N52KP
N52B30O1	3.0	I6	24	Valvetronic	255	221	2006-2012	E90 330i, E60 528i, Z4 3.0si	High-output N52KP
N52B30T1	3.0	I6	24	Valvetronic	240	230	2010-2012	F10 528i, F25 X3 28i	Top-output N52KP; highest torque of the N52 family; also known internally as N52T
N53	2.5-3.0	I6	24	Valvetronic	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	Valvetronic	302-315	300-330	2010-	E92 335i, F30 335i	single twin-scroll turbo, Valvetronic, direct injection
N62	3.6-4.8	V8	32	Valvetronic	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; 1st gen N63 design (N63B44O0); subject to BMW "Customer Care Package" recall
N63TU	4.4	V8	32	TVDI	445	480	2013-	F10/13 550i/650i, F15/16 X5/X6 50i, F02 750Li	TVDI - Turbo Valvetronic Direct Injection; 2nd gen N63 design (N63B44O1)
N63TU2 (N63R)	4.4	V8	32	TVDI	445	480	2015-	G12 750Li	TVDI - Turbo Valvetronic Direct Injection; 3rd gen N63 design (N63B44O2)
N73	6.0	V12	48	Valvetronic	439	440	2003-2008	E65 760Li	naturally aspirated, Valvetronic, direct injection
N74	6.0-6.6	V12	48	Valvetronic	540-560	550-580	2009+	F02 760Li, Rolls-Royce	twin-turbo, Valvetronic
MINI Production Engines, 2002-2014
W10	1.6	I4	16	DOHC	114	110	2002-2006	MINI R50	Tritec Pentagon engine, co-developed with Chrysler
W11	1.6	I4	16	DOHC	160-168	150-160	2002-2007	MINI R52 R53	supercharged version of W10
N12	1.6	I4	16	DOHC	118	118	2007-2010	MINI R56/R57	aka EP6 Prince engine, co-developed with Peugeot; naturally-aspirated
N14	1.6	I4	16	DOHC	171	177	2007-2010	MINI R56S R57S	aka EP6DTS Prince engine, co-developed with Peugeot; turbocharged
N16	1.6	I4	16	DOHC	118	114	2011-2014	MINI R56/R57	naturally-aspirated; more closely related to BMW N20 engine
N18	1.6	I4	16	DOHC	181	191	2011-2014	MINI R56S/R57S	turbocharged; more closely related to BMW N20 engine

B Code Modular Production Engines (modular engines will be shared among BMW and MINI platforms starting in 2014)
For the 2014 model year BMW began introducing a new modular engine family. The first cars to receive the new "B series" engines were the i8 hybrid sports car and the Mini model range. Both of these cars shared a 3-cylinder turbocharged direct injection with Valvetronic. The modular engine family uses gasoline and diesel engines that share common components and architecture. 60% of the gasoline engine parts are shared among multiple size and cylinder counts (the 3-cylinder shares many of its components with the 4 and 6-cylinder engines). Engine size and layout jumps in 500cc increments - 1.5L I3, 2.0L I4, 2.5L I6, 3.0L I6, etc.

Engine Code	Engine Size (liters)	# of Cylinders and layout	# of Valves	Camshaft and Valve Timing	HP Rating	Torque Rating	Active Years	Example Models	Features
B36	1.5	I3	12	Valvetronic	120-175	?	2014+	MINI F5x	first of the modular BMW engines
B37	1.5	I3	12	DI	95-168	?	2014+	F30 LCI 320d, MINI F5x	modular Diesel
B38A12U0	1.2	I3	12	Valvetronic	100	133	2014+	MINI F5x	Lower output B38A
B38A15M0	1.5	I3	12	Valvetronic	134	162	2014+	MINI Cooper F5x	Medium output B38
B38A15T0	1.5	I3	12	Valvetronic	227	236	2014+	MINI F5x	Top output B38A
B38K15T0	1.5	I3	12	Valvetronic	231	236	2014+	i8	Top B38 output
B48	2.0	I4	16	Valvetronic	192-231	206-258	2014+	F30 LCI, MINI F5x	replaces N20 engine
B48A20M0	2.0	I4	16	Valvetronic & DI	189	207	2014+	MINI F5x Cooper S	Medium output
B48B20M0 B48B20A	2.0	I4	16	Valvetronic & DI	189	207	2016+	F22 220i, F3X LCI 320i/420i	TVDI - Turbo Valvetronic Direct Injection, Medium output
B48B20O0	2.0	I4	16	Valvetronic & DI	225	258	2016+	F22 225i	TVDI - Turbo Valvetronic Direct Injection, Optimal/High output
B48B20O0 B48B20B	2.0	I4	16	Valvetronic & DI	249	258	2016+	F22 230i, F3X LCI 330i/430i	TVDI - Turbo Valvetronic Direct Injection, Optimal/High output
B58B30M0	3.0	I6	24	Valvetronic & DI	322	332	2016+	F3X LCI 340i/440i	TVDI - Turbo Valvetronic Direct Injection, Medium output
B58B30O0	3.0	I6	24	Valvetronic & DI	335	369	2016+	F22 M240i	TVDI - Turbo Valvetronic Direct Injection, Optimal/High output

BMW also has a different numbering system for internal production and assembly use. This is a code stamped on the side of the engine block and is used at the BMW assembly plant and during other servicing when the actual identity of the engine is in question. Most of the time this code is stamped into a flat section on the driver's side (LHD) of the block. However, note that not all blocks were stamped. The stamp will likely be 3 lines of characters -

Engine ID stamp (see breakdown below)
Engine number / serial number
Block part number (for parts ETK or RealOEM programs)

Here is the breakdown for the engine ID stamp:

Chart displaying BMW engine codes and their details, providing a comprehensive reference for various engine types, specifications, and performance characteristics across different BMW models.

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