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A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:09 pm
by old_skool
Hi everyone,

Is there such a thing available?

I, for one dont know the difference between an M50 and M60 engine and whether it could be found in an E34 or an E36 etc. and I'm sure I'm not alone.

I think some people find it all a bit daunting, including myself. Couldn't someone take the initiative to help the uneducated by writing a definitive guide to model codes ie. E numbers and engine codes Ie. M + S numbers. This could be tabulated quite simply :mad: and posted at the top of the tech. forum (or wherever).

I think this would increase the interest and understanding to all users.

(I'll get off my soap box now :roll:)

Your opinions?

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:13 pm
by E30Mark
hang on i've got a great link to a .pdf somewhere.............

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:22 pm
by E30Mark

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:27 pm
by old_skool
WOW :mad:

"ask and you shall receive", nice one. Can this not be narrowed down (plagerised) a bit and be posted as a sticky?

As ever - very impressive Mark :thumb:

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:28 pm
by EThreezero
BMW Engine Codes, a bit of a mess but there you go. :D

Ever wonder what engine code your BMW uses? These are the current codes used.

BMW Engine Codes

Engine Code Cylinders Engine Size Applications
M10 4 2 Valve 1.6, 1600, 2002, 320i, 318i 1.8, 2.0 Liter
M20 I-6 2 Valve 2.0, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7 liter 323i, 325e, 325i, 528e
M21 I-6 Turbocharged Diesel 524td
M30 I-6 2 Valve 2.8, 3.0, 3.3, 3.5 liter 528i thru 81 630csi,633csi,635csi, 533i,535i thru 92, 733i,735i thru 92

M42 4 4 Valve 1.8 liter 318i/is 90 thru 95
M44 4 4 Valve 1.9 liter 318i 96 on, Z3 1.9
M50 I-6 4 Valve 2.5 liter 325i 92-95, 525i 91-95
M52 I-6 4 Valve 2.5, 2.8 liter 325i 96-99 328i 96-99

M52TU I-6 4 Valve 2.5, 2.8 liter 323i 99-00 328i 99-00
M54TU I-6 4 Valve 2.5, 3.0 liter 325, 330 01+

M60 V8 4 Valve 3.0, 4.0 liter 530i,540i 93-95 740i 93-95
M62 V8 4 Valve 4.4 liter 740i 95-99, 540i 97+
M70 V12 2 Valve 750il, 850i
N62 V8 4 Valve 745i 02
N73 V12 4 Valve 760i 02
S14 4 4 Valve 2.3, 2.5 liter M3 88-91
S38 I-6 4 Valve 3.6, 3.8 liter M5, M6
S50 I-6 4 Valve 3.0 liter M3 95
S52 I-6 4 Valve 3.2 liter M3 96- 99
S54 I-6 4 Valve 3.2 liter M3 01+
M Roadster 01+
M Coupe 01+
S62 V8 4 Valve 5 liter M5 00+
Z8 00-02

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 12:30 pm
by old_skool
:bow:

We all need to get out more :teehee:

Top info bud :D

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:45 pm
by DaleR
M40/M41/M43 are missing off that list :P

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 6:53 pm
by jmc330i
toitliketoiger wrote:
S50 I-6 4 Valve 3.0 liter M3 95
S52 I-6 4 Valve 3.2 liter M3 96- 99
The 3.2 M3 Euro engine is an S50 - S50B32.

S52 is the US version.

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 8:15 pm
by DaveD
this guy has obviously forgotten more than i will ever know...or want to know :mad:

http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmw.html

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 9:19 pm
by EThreezero
jmc330i wrote:
toitliketoiger wrote:
S50 I-6 4 Valve 3.0 liter M3 95
S52 I-6 4 Valve 3.2 liter M3 96- 99
The 3.2 M3 Euro engine is an S50 - S50B32.

S52 is the US version.

It was simply cut and pasted from the first site i came across, which evidently must have been American. I was only trying to pass on a bit of helpfull info to a fellow zoner. I am surprised some fcuker did'nt comment on how litre was spelled. I'll know in futre not to post untill i am sure the contents are 100% correct :roll:
Cheers for the nit-pickin anyway guys.

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2006 10:58 pm
by old_skool
I'll know in futre not to post untill i am sure the contents are 100% correct
Cheers for the nit-pickin anyway guys.
Don't get down buddy. I appreciated it as did many others. Top info - you get three gold stars :clap:

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:28 am
by Brianmoooore
toitliketoiger wrote:
jmc330i wrote:
toitliketoiger wrote:
S50 I-6 4 Valve 3.0 liter M3 95
S52 I-6 4 Valve 3.2 liter M3 96- 99
The 3.2 M3 Euro engine is an S50 - S50B32.

S52 is the US version.
It was simply cut and pasted from the first site i came across, which evidently must have been American. I was only trying to pass on a bit of helpfull info to a fellow zoner. I am surprised some fcuker did'nt comment on how litre was spelled. I'll know in futre not to post untill i am sure the contents are 100% correct :roll:
Cheers for the nit-pickin anyway guys.
It's not nit picking, neither is it a criticism. One of the Uk's most common engines, the M40, wasn't sent to the US, and one of the most desirable E30 implants, the S50B32 is missing from the list as well. What are we supposed to do? Ignore the omissions

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:43 am
by jmc330i
Brianmoooore wrote:
toitliketoiger wrote:
jmc330i wrote: The 3.2 M3 Euro engine is an S50 - S50B32.

S52 is the US version.
It was simply cut and pasted from the first site i came across, which evidently must have been American. I was only trying to pass on a bit of helpfull info to a fellow zoner. I am surprised some fcuker did'nt comment on how litre was spelled. I'll know in futre not to post untill i am sure the contents are 100% correct :roll:
Cheers for the nit-pickin anyway guys.
It's not nit picking, neither is it a criticism. One of the Uk's most common engines, the M40, wasn't sent to the US, and one of the most desirable E30 implants, the S50B32 is missing from the list as well. What are we supposed to do? Ignore the omissions
Not having a go mate, just adding something that was missing - although I didnt bother with the M40 because I dont consider it a proper engine :duck: (Joking BTW 8) )

I would say the S50B32 isnt on the list as they never got it in the US - they got the rather boring S52B32 which is really just an M50 based engine.

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:07 pm
by EThreezero
Brianmoooore wrote: What are we supposed to do? Ignore the omissions

Well why not???? is it really neccesary to point out holes when the correct info could just be posted up instead? as i said before it was just a quick cut and paste job albeit a bit blindly done, i did'nt realise it was American info at the time. Someone could have just said hey mate thats the American version youve posted there, heres the uk info. Again i will never post in a similar situation again unless im certain the info's 100% correct. I was'nt even upset about it in the first place i was just being sarcy with my original retort but the above quote really hit a nerve and i was surprised to read it.

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:41 pm
by jmc330i
toitliketoiger wrote:
Brianmoooore wrote: What are we supposed to do? Ignore the omissions

Well why not????
Youre joking right??
is it really neccesary to point out holes when the correct info could just be posted up instead?
I posted the correct info about the Euro 3.2 and also what the S52 is. I wasnt trying to nit pick or point out holes, just posting correct info to help out fellow zoners 8)

I can see where youre coming from, but how can someone post a correction to some info without it coming across as pointing out holes? Besides, AFAIK the info you gave was correct but as it was possibly a US list some of the UK engine codes were missing - myself and Brian were just addressing that.

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:32 pm
by EThreezero
[quote="jmc330i"]I can see where youre coming from, but how can someone post a correction to some info without it coming across as pointing out holes? [quote]


By saying "hey mate not pickin holes but......." instead of just correcting a mistake without any other word said, yes/no? anyway who gives a fook the devastating news ive been waiting on for the last 36 hours turned out to be happy news afterall, thank christ!!. I think this thread should be locked before it makes post whores of us both :wink: :D :D :D

Re: A definitive guide to engine codes?

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:05 pm
by jmc330i
toitliketoiger wrote:
jmc330i wrote:I can see where youre coming from, but how can someone post a correction to some info without it coming across as pointing out holes?

By saying "hey mate not pickin holes but......." instead of just correcting a mistake without any other word said, yes/no?
I didnt think I was correcting a mistake (there was no wrong info), I was just adding something that was missing.

Had you written/copy and pasted something that was wrong, then fair enough I would of said something like "hey mate not pickin holes but.......", actually TBH I would of just said 'nah mate thats wrong' :lol:
I was just simply adding another engine code and explaining the S52 reference for those that didnt know.


I think locking this thread might be a bit harsh - its not like we have started calling each other names 8O :lol:
Hope the news you spoke about wasnt too serious - sounds like it turned out ok though :cool: