BMWLand: Where Power Meets Control - UK BMW

Matt H · Posted: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 05:07:26 UTC Post subject: Engine and Model Codes

Model and engine designations

Vehicle designations

E3 2500 - 3.3 Li
E6 1600, 1800, 2000 touring
E9 2500 CS - 3.0 CSi
E12 5 series up to 81 year model (80 model year in Europe)
E12/5 As above with M60 engine (not V8)
E12/6 As above with M68 engine
E12/8 As above for South Africa
E21 3 series up to 83 year model
E21/5 3 series with M60 (not V8)
E23 7 series up to 87 model year (86 Model year in Europe)
E24 6 series
E26 M1
E28 5 series from 82 year model (81 model in Europe)
E30 3 series from 84 year model
E31 8 series
E32 7 series from 88 year model (87 �year model in Europe)
E34 5 series from 89 year model (88 year model in Europe)
E36 3 series from 92 year model
E36/5 3 series hatchback
E36/7 Z3 Roadster
E38 7 series from 95 year model
E39 5 series from 97 year model (96 outside US)
E46 3 series, 4 door from 1999, Coupe from 2000 - 2005
E52 Z8 Roadster
E53 X5 SAV
E60� 5 series 2003 to present
E61� 5 series touring 2003 to present
E65 7 series short wheel base from 2002.
E66 7 series long wheel base from 2002
E85 Z4 Roadster
E87 1 series 2004 to present
E90 3 series 2005 to present
�
Old engine codes, no longer used

M41 4 cylinder 1.6 litre, DIDTA carburetor
M42 4 cylinder 1.8 litre, DIDTA carburetor
M49 6 cylinder 3.4 litre 24 valve Motorsport twin cam.
M60 6 cylinder 2.0 and 2.3 litre carburetor or fuel injected
M68 6 cylinder 2.5 - 2.8 litre carburetor
M69 6 cylinder 3.2 litre fuel injection
M86 6 cylinder 2.8 litre fuel injection (L Jetronic)
M90 6 cylinder 3.5 litre
M92 4 cylinder 1.8 litre K Jetronic fuel injection
M99 4 cylinder 1.8 litre 2B4 carburetor �
M102 6 cylinder 3.2 litre turbocharged

Current engine designations

M10 1.8 or 2.0 litre 4 cylinder single overhead cam , timing chain
M20 2.0, 2.3, 2.5 or 2.7 litre 6 cylinder single overhead cam , timing belt
M21 6 cylinder diesel, 2.4 litre single overhead cam, timing belt. Naturally aspirated or turbocharged.
M30 2.8, 3.0, 3.2 or 3.4 litre 6 cylinder single overhead cam, timing chain. Available with turbocharger
M40 4 cylinder single overhead cam, timing belt
M41 4 cylinder diesel
M42 1.8 litre 4 cylinder dual overhead cam
M43 4 cylinder
M44 1.9 litre 4 cylinder 4 valves
M50 2.0, 2.3 or 2.5 litre 6 cylinder dual overhead cam
M50TU 2.0, 2.3 or 2.5 litre 6 cylinder dual overhead cam, variable intake (VaNoS)
M51 6 cylinder diesel
M52 2.0, 2.3, 2.5 or 2.8 litre 6 cylinder dual overhead cam, variable intake (VaNoS)
M52TU 2.5 and 3.0 litre 6 cylinder dual overhead cam, dual VaNoS
M54 2.5 and 3.0 litre 6 cylinder dual overhead cam, dual VaNoS
M56 2.5 litre 6 cylinder dual overhead cam, dual VaNoS, SULEV (super ultra low emissions vehicle)
M60 V8 �3.0 or 4.0 litre
M62 V8 �3.5 or 4.4 litre
M70 V12 �5.0 litre
M73 V12 5.4 litre
M88 6 cylinder 3.5 litre 24 valve Motorsport engine found in M1 only
M88/3 As above for all other vehicles
S14 2.3 litre 4 cylinder dual overhead cam M power
S38 3.6 or 3.8 litre 6 cylinder dual overhead cam M power
S50 3.0 or 3.2 litre 6 cylinder dual overhead cam M power, dual variable cams (VaNoS) (Non US E36 M3)
S50US 3.0 litre 6 cylinder dual overhead cam M power, variable intake cam (VaNoS)
S52 3.2 litre 6 cylinder dual overhead cam M power, variable intake cam (VaNoS) US market only.
S54 3.2 litre 6 cylinder dual overhead cam M power, dual variable cams
S62 5.0 litre V8 M power quad VaNoS 400hp.
S70 5.6 litre V12 M power

Engine designations are followed by a capacity code, e.g.. M20B25 is an M20 engine, of 2.5 litre capacity.

Vehicle designations are occasionally followed by a variant, e.g. E36/7 is the Z3 roadster.