What engine is in my BMW?
When it comes to driving a BMW, the engine is one of the biggest selling points. Learn more about your engine setup in our guide
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BMW engines are one of the main things that draw motorists to the brand – they're well-built, powerful and can be relied on.
When it comes to maintaining your used BMW, it’s important you know the basics of each engine function.
This will help you be able to identify any parts that need repairs or replacements through wear and tear.
How to identify my BMW engine
Identifying the engine in your BMW is the best way to make repairs run smoothly.
This will help anyone working on the car know what parts are compatible.
Each BMW engine gets a six-digit code assigned by the factory it was built in, consisting of letters and numbers that correlate to different areas of your engine.
To find this code for your BMW, check your registration certificate, owner’s manual or the engine base.
BMW engine codes
Once you’ve found your engine code, you’re probably wondering what all the numbers and letters mean.
Each part of the code has its own unique meaning that can tell you a lot about your car.
First digit – engine family
M, N, B, S, P, W
This letter highlights the engine family of the car and can indicate if your BMW has a standard engine, a racing setup or an engine that’s shared with another manufacturer.
For example, a ‘P’ engine is a BMW Motorsport racing engine and a ‘B’ set-up is a standard modular engine from 2016 onwards.
Second digit – cylinders
4, 5, 6, 7, 8
The second digit in the BMW engine code will be a number that correlates to the cylinder count.
For example, ‘6’ stands for the coveted V8 engine, while ‘4’ is an inline four-cylinder.
Third digit – engine variation
0, 1 to 9
The third digit in the code shows the basic design of the engine and whether it’s a revision of the original design.
Original engines have the ‘0’, while revisions after that can have 1 to 9. This is different than the technical update (‘TU’ end suffix explained below) as it indicates a much bigger update.
Fourth digit – fuel type
A, B, C, D, E, G, H
This one is easy enough – it simply indicates the type of fuel your BMW runs on and the direction of how it’s installed in the engine.
For example, ‘A’ stands for a petrol setup that’s fitted transversely, while ‘D’ stands for diesel fitted longitudinally.
Fifth and sixth digits – size
30, 25, 18, 12
These two numbers describe the capacity of the engine in litres – also known as ‘displacement’ – or simply the size of the engine.
You can work out what these digits mean by viewing the number as ‘3.0’ and ‘1.2’, for example.
Optional seventh and eighth digits – technical update
TU
A ‘TU’ added at the end of the engine code means the engine has gone through a technical update.
These are not major changes so don’t warrant a change to the usual engine code.
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Which of these engines is best for me?
There are plenty of BMW engines on offer, but the best one will depend on your individual needs.
For something powerful but reliable, the BMW B58 engine is a great option. It’s a 3.0-litre turbocharged, straight six-cylinder setup that can offer up to 335hp in the standard form. You can find the B58 in models like the BMW X5 and BMW M240i.
Another reliable choice is the N55 engine that sits in BMWs like the X6 and M2. This is a turbocharged engine with a straight six-cylinder configuration, and replaced the N54 engine that came before it.
For something with real fire behind it, the BMW N63 engine is a twin-turbo V8 engine is a great option. You can find this engine in the BMW 550i model, X6 and 750i and can expect up to 523hp, depending on the model you choose.
If you’re not a petrolhead and would rather choose your perfect BMW engine based on how they drive and their efficiency rather than their build, it’s worth checking out our reviews. You can find the best BMW engine for your needs, based on your ideal criteria.