M20, M40, M42 ?????????????????

[BruceVeedub]

I keep hearing these engine codes banded around - wondering what I have in my 1990 325i Cab - daft newbie question but would appreciate the answer!

[aceraf]

I keep hearing these engine codes banded around - wondering what I have in my 1990 325i Cab - daft newbie question but would appreciate the answer!

M20B25

[aceraf]

M20 part is the engine type, M20's are 6 cyclinder ones, and the B25 is the engine size.

[BruceVeedub]

cheers guys

[da4x4turbo]

M40 = 316i / 318i
M42 = 318is
M20 = 320/325i.... If it's M20B20 it's a 2.0litre Straight Six, If it's M20B25 it's the 2.5Litre

Other common ones:

M30 = The 3.5 Litre 12V engine that often ends up in an E30. M30B35
M50 = 2.0Litre (M50B20) and 2.5Litre (M50B25) 24V found in the E36 3-Series and E34 5-Series + Others
M52 = 2.8Litre (M52B28) 24V found in the E36 3-Series and E39 5-Series + Others

S14 = E30 M3 Engine
S50 = 3.0Litre and 3.2 Litre found in the E36 M3. Again these will be B30 and B32 respectively.
S52 = The Engine in the US Spec E36 M3.
S54 = The engine in the E46 M3
S62 = The 5.0Litre V8 in the E39 M5


There's loads more...

[BruceVeedub]

any particular meaning to the letters M and B?

[da4x4turbo]

any particular meaning to the letters M and B?

I guess M = Motor, B = Bore???

The S in S50, S52, S54 could be for Sport ??? As these are motorsport division engines???


Totally stabbing in the dark here.