BMW 3-Series engines
The BMW 3 Series are German compact luxury cars produced by the car manufacturer BMW AG since 1975. In 2011, the 6th generation of the model was released. The 3 Series is BMW’s bestseller as it accounts for about a third of its sales. Every year, about 0.5 million copies of a 3-series auto are released from the manufacturer’s plant. About 20% of them are sold in the North American market. There is also an M-version of the car – BMW M3, which is more powerful and sporty.
The BMW 3-Series was offered with 45 engines since 1977 (36 petrol, 9 diesel). Displacement ranges from 1.5 to 3.0 liters, power output from 86 to 400 hp. 39 use a timing chain and 4 a timing belt. 16 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the BMW M50B20 (about 400,000 km).
BMW 3-Series engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 3-Series E21 1977–1982 | |||||||
| BMW M20B20 | 1977–1982 | 2.0 L | 122 hp | petrol | 4.25 L | ~300,000 km | |
| BMW 3-Series E30 1982–1994 | |||||||
| BMW M20B20 | 1982–1992 | 2.0 L | 122 hp | petrol | 4.25 L | ~300,000 km | |
| BMW M20B25 | 1985–1993 | 2.5 L | 163 hp | petrol | 4.75 L | ~300,000 km | |
| BMW M21D24 | 1985–1991 | 2.4 L R6 | 86–115 hp | diesel, NA / turbo | belt | 5.5–5.75 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M40B18 | 1987–1994 | 1.8 L R4 | 113 hp | petrol | belt | 4 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M40B16 | 1988–1994 | 1.6 L R4 | 100–102 hp | petrol | belt | 4 L | ~275,000 km |
| BMW M42B18 | 1989–1992 | 1.8 L R4 | 140 hp | petrol | chain | 5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW 3-Series E36 1990–2001 | |||||||
| BMW M40B16 | 1990–1994 | 1.6 L R4 | 100–102 hp | petrol | belt | 4 L | ~275,000 km |
| BMW M50B20 | 1991–1995 | 2.0 L R6 | 150 hp | petrol | chain | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW M50B25 / M50B25TU | 1991–1995 | 2.5 L R6 | 192 hp | petrol | chain | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW M42B18 | 1991–1995 | 1.8 L R4 | 140 hp | petrol | chain | 5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M51D25 | 1991–1999 | 2.5 L R6 | 115–143 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–7 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M43B18 | 1992–2001 | 1.8 L R4 | 115 hp | petrol | chain | 4 L | ~320,000 km |
| BMW M40B18 | 1992–1993 | 1.8 L R4 | 113 hp | petrol | belt | 4 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M43B16 | 1994–2000 | 1.6 L R4 | 102 hp | petrol | chain | 4 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M52B20 / M52TUB20 | 1994–1998 | 2.0 L R6 | 150 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M41D17 | 1994–2000 | 1.7 L R4 | 90 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28 | 1995–1999 | 2.8 L R6 | 193 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25 | 1995–2000 | 2.5 L R6 | 170 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M44B19 | 1996–2000 | 1.9 L R4 | 140 hp | petrol | belt | 5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M43B19 / M43TU | 1999–2001 | 1.9 L R4 | 105–118 hp | petrol | chain | 4 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW 3-Series Compact E46 1995–2000 | |||||||
| BMW M41D17 | 1995–2000 | 1.7 L R4 | 90 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW 3-Series E46 1998–2007 | |||||||
| BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28 | 1998–2000 | 2.8 L R6 | 193 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25 | 1998–2000 | 2.5 L R6 | 170 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M43B19 / M43TU | 1998–2002 | 1.9 L R4 | 105–118 hp | petrol | chain | 4 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M43B16 | 1998–1999 | 1.6 L R4 | 102 hp | petrol | chain | 4 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M52B20 / M52TUB20 | 1998–2000 | 2.0 L R6 | 150 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M47D20 | 1998–2006 | 2.0 L R4 | 116–163 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 5–5.2 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M57D30 | 1999–2006 | 2.9–3.0 L R6 | 184–286 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.75–8 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW M54B30 | 2000–2006 | 3.0 L R6 | 231 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~330,000 km |
| BMW M54B25 | 2000–2006 | 2.5 L R6 | 192 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~320,000 km |
| BMW M54B22 | 2000–2006 | 2.2 L R6 | 170 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N42B18 | 2001–2004 | 1.8 L R4 | 116 hp | petrol | chain | 4.25 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N42B20 | 2001–2004 | 2.0 L R4 | 143 hp | petrol | chain | 4.25 L | ~275,000 km |
| BMW N46B20 | 2003–2007 | 2.0 L R4 | 129–170 hp | petrol | chain | 4.25 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N46B18 | 2003–2005 | 1.8 L R4 | 116 hp | petrol | chain | 4.25 L | ~320,000 km |
| BMW 3-Series E90 2005–2013 | |||||||
| BMW N46B20 | 2005–2012 | 2.0 L R4 | 129–170 hp | petrol | chain | 4.25 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N52B30 | 2005–2013 | 3.0 L R6 | 218–272 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~275,000 km |
| BMW N52B25 | 2005–2013 | 2.5 L R6 | 177–218 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW M57D30 | 2005–2012 | 2.9–3.0 L R6 | 184–286 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.75–8 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW M47D20 | 2005–2007 | 2.0 L R4 | 116–163 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 5–5.2 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW N54B30 | 2006–2010 | 3.0 L R6 | 306–340 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 6.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N45B20S | 2006 | 2.0 L R4 | 177 hp | petrol | chain | 4.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N45B16 | 2006–2009 | 1.6 L R4 | 116 hp | petrol | chain | 4.5 L | ~320,000 km |
| BMW N53B30 | 2007–2013 | 3.0 L R6 | 204–272 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N43B20 | 2007–2011 | 2.0 L R4 | 122–170 hp | petrol | chain | 4.25 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N47D20 | 2007–2013 | 2.0 L R4 | 116–218 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 5.2 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N43B16 | 2008 | 1.6 L R4 | 122 hp | petrol | chain | 4.25 L | ~240,000 km |
| BMW N57D30 | 2008–2013 | 3.0 L R6 | 204–381 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–7.2 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N55B30 | 2010–2012 | 3.0 L R6 | 306–370 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW 3-Series F30 2011–2019 | |||||||
| BMW B57D30 | 3.0 L R6 | 265–400 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | ~350,000 km | ||
| BMW N20B20 | 2011–2016 | 2.0 L R4 | 156 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5 L | ~220,000 km |
| BMW N47D20 | 2011–2015 | 2.0 L R4 | 116–218 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 5.2 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N55B30 | 2012–2015 | 3.0 L R6 | 306–370 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N13B16 | 2012–2015 | 1.6 L R4 | 102–177 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 4.25 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N57D30 | 2012–2019 | 3.0 L R6 | 204–381 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–7.2 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW B47 (C20/D20) | 2015–2018 | 2.0 L R4 | 116–231 hp | diesel | chain | ~350,000 km | |
| BMW B58B30 | 2015–2018 | 3.0 L R6 | 326–388 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | ~300,000 km | |
| BMW B48B20 / B48A20 | 2015–2018 | 2.0 L R4 | 156–306 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5.25 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW B38 | 2015–2018 | 1.5 L R3 | 102 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 4.25 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW 3-Series GT F34 2013–2016 | |||||||
| BMW N20B20 | 2013–2016 | 2.0 L R4 | 156 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5 L | ~220,000 km |
| BMW 3-Series F34 2014–present | |||||||
| BMW N57D30 | 2014–present | 3.0 L R6 | 204–381 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–7.2 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW B58B30 | 2016–2020 | 3.0 L R6 | 326–388 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | ~300,000 km | |
| BMW 3-Series G20 2018–present | |||||||
| BMW B57D30 | 3.0 L R6 | 265–400 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | ~350,000 km | ||
| BMW N20B16 | 2018–present | 1.6 L R4 | 143–170 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5 L | ~200,000 km |
| BMW B47 (C20/D20) | 2019–present | 2.0 L R4 | 116–231 hp | diesel | chain | ~350,000 km | |
| BMW B58B30 | 2019–present | 3.0 L R6 | 326–388 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | ~300,000 km | |
| BMW B48B20 / B48A20 | 2019–present | 2.0 L R4 | 156–306 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5.25 L | ~250,000 km |
BMW 3-Series engine FAQ
What engines were used in the BMW 3-Series?
BMW 3-Series E21 (1977–1982): BMW M20B20; BMW 3-Series E30 (1982–1994): BMW M20B20, BMW M20B25, BMW M21D24, BMW M40B18, BMW M40B16 and BMW M42B18; BMW 3-Series E36 (1990–2001): BMW M40B16, BMW M50B20, BMW M50B25 / M50B25TU, BMW M42B18, BMW M51D25, BMW M43B18, BMW M40B18, BMW M43B16, BMW M52B20 / M52TUB20, BMW M41D17, BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28, BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25, BMW M44B19 and BMW M43B19 / M43TU; BMW 3-Series Compact E46 (1995–2000): BMW M41D17; BMW 3-Series E46 (1998–2007): BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28, BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25, BMW M43B19 / M43TU, BMW M43B16, BMW M52B20 / M52TUB20, BMW M47D20, BMW M57D30, BMW M54B30, BMW M54B25, BMW M54B22, BMW N42B18, BMW N42B20, BMW N46B20 and BMW N46B18; BMW 3-Series E90 (2005–2013): BMW N46B20, BMW N52B30, BMW N52B25, BMW M57D30, BMW M47D20, BMW N54B30, BMW N45B20S, BMW N45B16, BMW N53B30, BMW N43B20, BMW N47D20, BMW N43B16, BMW N57D30 and BMW N55B30; BMW 3-Series F30 (2011–2019): BMW B57D30, BMW N20B20, BMW N47D20, BMW N55B30, BMW N13B16, BMW N57D30, BMW B47 (C20/D20), BMW B58B30, BMW B48B20 / B48A20 and BMW B38; BMW 3-Series GT F34 (2013–2016): BMW N20B20; BMW 3-Series F34 (2014–present): BMW N57D30 and BMW B58B30; BMW 3-Series G20 (2018–present): BMW B57D30, BMW N20B16, BMW B47 (C20/D20), BMW B58B30 and BMW B48B20 / B48A20.
Which BMW 3-Series engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable BMW 3-Series engines are: BMW M50B20 — about 400,000 km; BMW M50B25 / M50B25TU — about 400,000 km; BMW M57D30 — about 400,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.
How much oil does the BMW 3-Series engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: BMW B38 — 4.25 L (0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40); BMW B48B20 / B48A20 — 5.25 L (0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40); BMW M20B20 — 4.25 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-50 / 15W-50); BMW M20B25 — 4.75 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-50 / 15W-40 / 15W-50); BMW M21D24 — 5.5–5.75 L (5W-40); BMW M40B16 — 4 L (5W-30); BMW M40B18 — 4 L (5W-30); BMW M41D17 — 5 L (5W-40); BMW M42B18 — 5 L (0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-40); BMW M43B16 — 4 L (5W-30); BMW M43B18 — 4 L (5W-30); BMW M43B19 / M43TU — 4 L (5W-30); BMW M44B19 — 5 L (0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-40 / 15W-50); BMW M47D20 — 5–5.2 L (5W-40 (M47D20) 5W-30 (M47TU, M47TU2)); BMW M50B20 — 5.75 L (5W-30); BMW M50B25 / M50B25TU — 5.75 L (5W-30); BMW M51D25 — 6.5–7 L (5W-40); BMW M52B20 / M52TUB20 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M54B22 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M54B25 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M54B30 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M57D30 — 6.75–8 L (5W-40); BMW N13B16 — 4.25 L (5W-30); BMW N20B16 — 5 L (5W-30); BMW N20B20 — 5 L (5W-30); BMW N42B18 — 4.25 L (5W-30); BMW N42B20 — 4.25 L (5W-30); BMW N43B16 — 4.25 L (5W-30); BMW N43B20 — 4.25 L (5W-30); BMW N45B16 — 4.5 L (5W-30); BMW N45B20S — 4.5 L (5W-30); BMW N46B18 — 4.25 L (5W-30); BMW N46B20 — 4.25 L (5W-30); BMW N47D20 — 5.2 L (5W-30); BMW N52B25 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW N52B30 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW N53B30 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW N54B30 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW N55B30 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW N57D30 — 6.5–7.2 L (5W-30).
Does the BMW 3-Series have a timing belt or chain?
Timing chain: BMW B38, BMW B47 (C20/D20), BMW B48B20 / B48A20, BMW B57D30, BMW B58B30, BMW M41D17, BMW M42B18, BMW M43B16, BMW M43B18, BMW M43B19 / M43TU, BMW M47D20, BMW M50B20, BMW M50B25 / M50B25TU, BMW M51D25, BMW M52B20 / M52TUB20, BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25, BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28, BMW M54B22, BMW M54B25, BMW M54B30, BMW M57D30, BMW N13B16, BMW N20B16, BMW N20B20, BMW N42B18, BMW N42B20, BMW N43B16, BMW N43B20, BMW N45B16, BMW N45B20S, BMW N46B18, BMW N46B20, BMW N47D20, BMW N52B25, BMW N52B30, BMW N53B30, BMW N54B30, BMW N55B30 and BMW N57D30; timing belt: BMW M21D24, BMW M40B16, BMW M40B18 and BMW M44B19. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.
Was the BMW 3-Series available with a diesel engine?
Yes: BMW B47 (C20/D20), BMW B57D30, BMW M21D24, BMW M41D17, BMW M47D20, BMW M51D25, BMW M57D30, BMW N47D20 and BMW N57D30.
Engine details
BMW M21D24
This diesel engine does not tolerate prolonged overheating, cylinder head cracks appear.
BMW M51D25
The main problem with this diesel engine is cylinder head cracking due to overheating.
BMW M41D17
This diesel engine is afraid of overheating, it causes cracks in the block head.
BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25
The first years used nikasil coating of cylinders and it quickly collapsed.
BMW M47D20
A number of diesel versions are equipped with intake flaps that can fall into the cylinders.
BMW M57D30
The intake manifold flaps here can suddenly come off and fall into the cylinders.
BMW M54B22
This engine is very afraid of overheating, monitor the condition of the cooling system.
BMW N54B30
The main problems of the engine are associated with the direct fuel injection system.
BMW N47D20
The most famous problem of the motor in stretching the timing chain on runs up to 100,000 km.
BMW N57D30
The service life of this diesel engine is highly dependent on the quality of the fuel and oil used.
BMW N55B30
This unit does not tolerate non-original oil and instantly cokes.
BMW B38
Engines until 2015 suffered from excessive axial clearance on the crankshaft and the thrust bearing collapsed at 50,000 km. And then the…
BMW N20B16
Due to the insufficient performance of the oil pump, these motors often wedge.
BMW B47 (C20/D20)
Most of the problems with this engine are related to the EGR system, which is called AGR here. In the early years,…
BMW B48B20 / B48A20
Compared to their predecessors, the B48 series engines are no longer so prone to oil consumption, however, closer to 100,000 km, valve…
BMW B57D30
The most famous problem of this diesel engine is the contamination of the intake manifold and its swirl flaps, which results in…
BMW B58B30
Most of the complaints on the specialized forums are related to a decrease in the coolant level. The exact cause is unknown,…
Models with the same engines
- BMW 5-Series 31 shared engines
- BMW 1-Series 15 shared engines
- BMW X3 15 shared engines
- BMW 7-Series 11 shared engines
- BMW X5 11 shared engines
- BMW Z3 10 shared engines
- BMW Z4 10 shared engines
- BMW 6-Series 9 shared engines
- BMW 4-Series 8 shared engines
- BMW 2-Series 7 shared engines