BMW M30B25
Even after brief overheating the cylinder head can warp.
BMW 5-Series engines
The BMW 5-Series is a mid-size luxury vehicle produced since 1972 by BMW AG. Since 2017, the 7th generation of the model has been released. The car was produced in the sedan and station wagon bodies. Cars were assembled in Germany, China, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, India and, starting from the 4th generation, in Russia. At the moment, in the world there are about 8 million copies of the 5-series cars produced by BMW. About 50 thousand cars are sold annually in the USA and China.
The BMW 5-Series was offered with 46 engines since 1973 (9 diesel, 37 petrol). Displacement ranges from 1.6 to 4.8 liters, power output from 86 to 530 hp. 41 use a timing chain and 2 a timing belt. 15 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the BMW M30B30 (about 400,000 km).
BMW 5-Series engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 5-Series E12 1973–1981 | |||||||
| BMW M30B25 | 1973–1981 | 2.5 L R6 | 145–150 hp | petrol | chain | ||
| BMW M30B28 | 1974–1981 | 2.8 L R6 | 165–184 hp | petrol | chain | ||
| BMW M30B30 | 1975–1978 | 3.0 L | 184–197 hp | petrol | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km | |
| BMW M20B20 | 1977–1981 | 2.0 L | 122 hp | petrol | 4.25 L | ~300,000 km | |
| BMW M30B35LE | 1979–1981 | 3.5 L R6 | 218 hp | petrol | chain | 5.75 L | |
| BMW 5-Series E28 1981–1988 | |||||||
| BMW M20B20 | 1981–1987 | 2.0 L | 122 hp | petrol | 4.25 L | ~300,000 km | |
| BMW M30B25 | 1981–1987 | 2.5 L R6 | 145–150 hp | petrol | chain | ||
| BMW M30B28 | 1981–1987 | 2.8 L R6 | 165–184 hp | petrol | chain | ||
| BMW M21D24 | 1983–1987 | 2.4 L R6 | 86–115 hp | diesel, NA / turbo | belt | 5.5–5.75 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M30B35 / M30B34 | 1985–1988 | 3.4 L | 185 hp | petrol | chain | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW 5-Series E34 1987–1996 | |||||||
| BMW M30B35 / M30B34 | 1987–1992 | 3.4 L | 185 hp | petrol | chain | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW M20B20 | 1988–1990 | 2.0 L | 122 hp | petrol | 4.25 L | ~300,000 km | |
| BMW M30B30 | 1988–1990 | 3.0 L | 184–197 hp | petrol | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km | |
| BMW M21D24 | 1988–1991 | 2.4 L R6 | 86–115 hp | diesel, NA / turbo | belt | 5.5–5.75 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M20B25 | 1989–1990 | 2.5 L | 163 hp | petrol | 4.75 L | ~300,000 km | |
| BMW M40B18 | 1989–1994 | 1.8 L R4 | 113 hp | petrol | belt | 4 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M50B20 | 1990–1996 | 2.0 L R6 | 150 hp | petrol | chain | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW M50B25 / M50B25TU | 1990–1996 | 2.5 L R6 | 192 hp | petrol | chain | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW M51D25 | 1991–1996 | 2.5 L R6 | 115–143 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–7 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M60B30 | 1992–1995 | 3.0 L V8 | 218 hp | petrol | chain | 7.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M60B40 | 1993–1995 | 4.0 L V8 | 286 hp | petrol | chain | 7.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M43B18 | 1994–1996 | 1.8 L R4 | 115 hp | petrol | chain | 4 L | ~320,000 km |
| BMW 5-Series E39 1995–2004 | |||||||
| BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28 | 1995–2000 | 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 M52B20 / M52TUB20 | 1995–2000 | 2.0 L R6 | 150 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M62B44 | 1996–2003 | 4.4 L V8 | 286 hp | petrol | chain | 7.5 L | ~330,000 km |
| BMW M62B35 | 1996–2003 | 3.5 L V8 | 235–245 hp | petrol | chain | 7.5 L | ~320,000 km |
| BMW M51D25 | 1996–2000 | 2.5 L R6 | 115–143 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–7 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW M57D30 | 1998–2004 | 2.9–3.0 L R6 | 184–286 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.75–8 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW M54B30 | 2000–2004 | 3.0 L R6 | 231 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~330,000 km |
| BMW M54B25 | 2000–2004 | 2.5 L R6 | 192 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~320,000 km |
| BMW M54B22 | 2000–2003 | 2.2 L R6 | 170 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M57D25 | 2000–2004 | 2.5 L R6 | 163–177 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–7.25 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW M47D20 | 2000–2004 | 2.0 L R4 | 116–163 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 5–5.2 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW 5-Series E60 2003–2010 | |||||||
| BMW N62B44 | 2003–2005 | 4.4 L V8 | 320–333 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~320,000 km |
| BMW M54B30 | 2003–2005 | 3.0 L R6 | 231 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~330,000 km |
| BMW M54B25 | 2003–2005 | 2.5 L R6 | 192 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~320,000 km |
| BMW M54B22 | 2003–2005 | 2.2 L R6 | 170 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M57D25 | 2003–2007 | 2.5 L R6 | 163–177 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–7.25 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW M57D30 | 2003–2010 | 2.9–3.0 L R6 | 184–286 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.75–8 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW N52B25 | 2004–2010 | 2.5 L R6 | 177–218 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N62B48 | 2005–2010 | 4.8 L V8 | 360–367 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | |
| BMW N62B40 | 2005–2010 | 4.0 L V8 | 306 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~310,000 km |
| BMW N52B30 | 2005–2010 | 3.0 L R6 | 218–272 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~275,000 km |
| BMW M47D20 | 2005–2007 | 2.0 L R4 | 116–163 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 5–5.2 L | ~350,000 km |
| BMW N53B30 | 2006–2010 | 3.0 L R6 | 204–272 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N53B25 | 2006–2010 | 2.5 L R6 | 190 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~275,000 km |
| BMW N54B30 | 2007–2010 | 3.0 L R6 | 306–340 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 6.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N46B20 | 2007–2010 | 2.0 L R4 | 129–170 hp | petrol | chain | 4.25 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N43B20 | 2007–2009 | 2.0 L R4 | 122–170 hp | petrol | chain | 4.25 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N47D20 | 2007–2010 | 2.0 L R4 | 116–218 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 5.2 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW 5-Series F07 2009–2017 | |||||||
| BMW N63B44 | 2009–2017 | 4.4 L V8 | 408–530 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N55B30 | 2009–2017 | 3.0 L R6 | 306–370 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N57D30 | 2009–2017 | 3.0 L R6 | 204–381 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–7.2 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW 5-Series F10 2009–2017 | |||||||
| BMW N53B30 | 2009–2013 | 3.0 L R6 | 204–272 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N63B44 | 2010–2017 | 4.4 L V8 | 408–530 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N55B30 | 2010–2017 | 3.0 L R6 | 306–370 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N52B30 | 2010–2011 | 3.0 L R6 | 218–272 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~275,000 km |
| BMW N52B25 | 2010–2011 | 2.5 L R6 | 177–218 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N57D30 | 2010–2017 | 3.0 L R6 | 204–381 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–7.2 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N47D20 | 2010–2017 | 2.0 L R4 | 116–218 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 5.2 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N20B20 | 2011–2016 | 2.0 L R4 | 156 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5 L | ~220,000 km |
| BMW N20B16 | 2013–2016 | 1.6 L R4 | 143–170 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5 L | ~200,000 km |
| BMW 5-Series G30 2017–present | |||||||
| BMW B57D30 | 3.0 L R6 | 265–400 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | ~350,000 km | ||
| BMW N63B44 | 2017–present | 4.4 L V8 | 408–530 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW B47 (C20/D20) | 2017–2019 | 2.0 L R4 | 116–231 hp | diesel | chain | ~350,000 km | |
| BMW B58B30 | 2017–present | 3.0 L R6 | 326–388 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | ~300,000 km | |
| BMW B48B20 / B48A20 | 2017–present | 2.0 L R4 | 156–306 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5.25 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N20B16 | 2017–present | 1.6 L R4 | 143–170 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 5 L | ~200,000 km |
BMW 5-Series engine FAQ
What engines were used in the BMW 5-Series?
BMW 5-Series E12 (1973–1981): BMW M30B25, BMW M30B28, BMW M30B30, BMW M20B20 and BMW M30B35LE; BMW 5-Series E28 (1981–1988): BMW M20B20, BMW M30B25, BMW M30B28, BMW M21D24 and BMW M30B35 / M30B34; BMW 5-Series E34 (1987–1996): BMW M30B35 / M30B34, BMW M20B20, BMW M30B30, BMW M21D24, BMW M20B25, BMW M40B18, BMW M50B20, BMW M50B25 / M50B25TU, BMW M51D25, BMW M60B30, BMW M60B40 and BMW M43B18; BMW 5-Series E39 (1995–2004): BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28, BMW M52B25 / M52TUB25, BMW M52B20 / M52TUB20, BMW M62B44, BMW M62B35, BMW M51D25, BMW M57D30, BMW M54B30, BMW M54B25, BMW M54B22, BMW M57D25 and BMW M47D20; BMW 5-Series E60 (2003–2010): BMW N62B44, BMW M54B30, BMW M54B25, BMW M54B22, BMW M57D25, BMW M57D30, BMW N52B25, BMW N62B48, BMW N62B40, BMW N52B30, BMW M47D20, BMW N53B30, BMW N53B25, BMW N54B30, BMW N46B20, BMW N43B20 and BMW N47D20; BMW 5-Series F07 (2009–2017): BMW N63B44, BMW N55B30 and BMW N57D30; BMW 5-Series F10 (2009–2017): BMW N53B30, BMW N63B44, BMW N55B30, BMW N52B30, BMW N52B25, BMW N57D30, BMW N47D20, BMW N20B20 and BMW N20B16; BMW 5-Series G30 (2017–present): BMW B57D30, BMW N63B44, BMW B47 (C20/D20), BMW B58B30, BMW B48B20 / B48A20 and BMW N20B16.
Which BMW 5-Series engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable BMW 5-Series engines are: BMW M30B30 — about 400,000 km; BMW M30B35 / M30B34 — about 400,000 km; BMW M50B20 — about 400,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.
How much oil does the BMW 5-Series engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: 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 M30B30 — 5.75 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-40/ 15W-40); BMW M30B35 / M30B34 — 5.75 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-40/ 15W-40); BMW M30B35LE — 5.75 L (5W-30); BMW M40B18 — 4 L (5W-30); BMW M43B18 — 4 L (5W-30); 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 M57D25 — 6.5–7.25 L (5W-30, 5W-40); BMW M57D30 — 6.75–8 L (5W-40); BMW M60B30 — 7.5 L (5W-30); BMW M60B40 — 7.5 L (5W-30); BMW M62B35 — 7.5 L (5W-30); BMW M62B44 — 7.5 L (5W-30); BMW N20B16 — 5 L (5W-30); BMW N20B20 — 5 L (5W-30); BMW N43B20 — 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 N53B25 — 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); BMW N62B40 — 8 L (5W-30); BMW N62B44 — 8 L (5W-30); BMW N62B48 — 8 L (5W-30); BMW N63B44 — 8.5 L (5W-30).
Does the BMW 5-Series have a timing belt or chain?
Timing chain: BMW B47 (C20/D20), BMW B48B20 / B48A20, BMW B57D30, BMW B58B30, BMW M30B25, BMW M30B28, BMW M30B35 / M30B34, BMW M30B35LE, BMW M43B18, 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 M57D25, BMW M57D30, BMW M60B30, BMW M60B40, BMW M62B35, BMW M62B44, BMW N20B16, BMW N20B20, BMW N43B20, BMW N46B20, BMW N47D20, BMW N52B25, BMW N52B30, BMW N53B25, BMW N53B30, BMW N54B30, BMW N55B30, BMW N57D30, BMW N62B40, BMW N62B44, BMW N62B48 and BMW N63B44; timing belt: BMW M21D24 and BMW M40B18. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.
Was the BMW 5-Series available with a diesel engine?
Yes: BMW B47 (C20/D20), BMW B57D30, BMW M21D24, BMW M47D20, BMW M51D25, BMW M57D25, BMW M57D30, BMW N47D20 and BMW N57D30.
Engine details
BMW M30B28
Even after brief overheating the cylinder head can warp.
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 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 M57D25
You need to know what the temperature of the engine should be and constantly monitor this indicator, otherwise there is a high…
BMW M54B22
This engine is very afraid of overheating, monitor the condition of the cooling system.
BMW N62B44
The main problems of the motor are associated with malfunctions of the Valvetronic and VANOS systems.
BMW N62B40
The main problems of the motor are associated with malfunctions of the Valvetronic and VANOS systems.
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 N63B44
This engine has so many problems it would take forever to list them all.
BMW N55B30
This unit does not tolerate non-original oil and instantly cokes.
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 3-Series 31 shared engines
- BMW 7-Series 24 shared engines
- BMW 6-Series 16 shared engines
- BMW X3 15 shared engines
- BMW X5 14 shared engines
- BMW 1-Series 11 shared engines
- BMW Z4 10 shared engines
- BMW X6 9 shared engines
- BMW 4-Series 8 shared engines
- BMW X4 7 shared engines