BMW M30B28
Even after brief overheating the cylinder head can warp.
BMW 6-Series engines
The BMW 6-Series is a series of German business-class cars produced by BMW AG since 1976. The 1st generation was produced until 1989. In 2003, production of the 6th series was resumed with the release of the 2nd generation of the model. Since 2017, the 4th generation of the model has been released. Initially, the car was made in a coupe body, later convertible and fastback versions were added. In the 4th generation, the model is presented in the back of a 5-door hatchback with the name “6-Series Gran Turismo”. In the North American market and in Japan, the car was sold under the name M6.
The BMW 6-Series was offered with 17 engines since 1976 (4 diesel, 13 petrol). Displacement ranges from 2.0 to 4.8 liters, power output from 116 to 530 hp. All of them use a timing chain. 8 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the BMW M30B30 (about 400,000 km).
BMW 6-Series engines by generation
| Engine | Years | Volume | Power | Fuel | Timing | Oil | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 6-Series E24 1976–1989 | |||||||
| BMW M30B30 | 1976–1979 | 3.0 L | 184–197 hp | petrol | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km | |
| BMW M30B35LE | 1978–1982 | 3.5 L R6 | 218 hp | petrol | chain | 5.75 L | |
| BMW M30B28 | 1979–1987 | 2.8 L R6 | 165–184 hp | petrol | chain | ||
| BMW M30B35 / M30B34 | 1982–1989 | 3.4 L | 185 hp | petrol | chain | 5.75 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW 6-Series E63 2003–2010 | |||||||
| BMW N62B44 | 2003–2005 | 4.4 L V8 | 320–333 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | ~320,000 km |
| BMW N52B30 | 2004–2010 | 3.0 L R6 | 218–272 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~275,000 km |
| BMW N62B48 | 2005–2010 | 4.8 L V8 | 360–367 hp | petrol | chain | 8 L | |
| BMW N53B30 | 2007–2010 | 3.0 L R6 | 204–272 hp | petrol | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW M57D30 | 2007–2010 | 2.9–3.0 L R6 | 184–286 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.75–8 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW 6-Series E64 2007–2010 | |||||||
| BMW M57D30 | 2007–2010 | 2.9–3.0 L R6 | 184–286 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.75–8 L | ~400,000 km |
| BMW 6-Series F12 2011–2018 | |||||||
| BMW N63B44 | 2011–2018 | 4.4 L V8 | 408–530 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW N55B30 | 2011–2018 | 3.0 L R6 | 306–370 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 6.5 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N57D30 | 2011–2018 | 3.0 L R6 | 204–381 hp | diesel, turbo | chain | 6.5–7.2 L | ~300,000 km |
| BMW N63B40 | 2012–2015 | 4.0 L V8 | 408–449 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW 6-Series F06 2012–2018 | |||||||
| BMW N63B44 | 2012–2018 | 4.4 L V8 | 408–530 hp | petrol, turbo | chain | 8.5 L | ~250,000 km |
| BMW 6-Series G32 2017–present | |||||||
| BMW B57D30 | 3.0 L R6 | 265–400 hp | diesel, turbo | 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 |
| Other BMW 6-Series engines generation not specified | |||||||
| BMW B47 (C20/D20) | 2014–present | 2.0 L R4 | 116–231 hp | diesel | chain | ~350,000 km | |
BMW 6-Series engine FAQ
What engines were used in the BMW 6-Series?
BMW 6-Series E24 (1976–1989): BMW M30B30, BMW M30B35LE, BMW M30B28 and BMW M30B35 / M30B34; BMW 6-Series E63 (2003–2010): BMW N62B44, BMW N52B30, BMW N62B48, BMW N53B30 and BMW M57D30; BMW 6-Series E64 (2007–2010): BMW M57D30; BMW 6-Series F12 (2011–2018): BMW N63B44, BMW N55B30, BMW N57D30 and BMW N63B40; BMW 6-Series F06 (2012–2018): BMW N63B44; BMW 6-Series G32 (2017–present): BMW B57D30, BMW B58B30 and BMW B48B20 / B48A20.
Which BMW 6-Series engine is the most durable?
By rated service life the most durable BMW 6-Series engines are: BMW M30B30 — about 400,000 km; BMW M30B35 / M30B34 — 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 6-Series engine take?
Engine oil capacity with filter: BMW B48B20 / B48A20 — 5.25 L (0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 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 M57D30 — 6.75–8 L (5W-40); BMW N52B30 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW N53B30 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW N55B30 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW N57D30 — 6.5–7.2 L (5W-30); BMW N62B44 — 8 L (5W-30); BMW N62B48 — 8 L (5W-30); BMW N63B40 — 8.5 L (5W-30); BMW N63B44 — 8.5 L (5W-30).
Does the BMW 6-Series have a timing belt or chain?
Timing chain: BMW B47 (C20/D20), BMW B48B20 / B48A20, BMW B57D30, BMW B58B30, BMW M30B28, BMW M30B35 / M30B34, BMW M30B35LE, BMW M57D30, BMW N52B30, BMW N53B30, BMW N55B30, BMW N57D30, BMW N62B44, BMW N62B48, BMW N63B40 and BMW N63B44.
Was the BMW 6-Series available with a diesel engine?
Yes: BMW B47 (C20/D20), BMW B57D30, BMW M57D30 and BMW N57D30.
Engine details
BMW M57D30
The intake manifold flaps here can suddenly come off and fall into the cylinders.
BMW N62B44
The main problems of the motor are associated with malfunctions of the Valvetronic and VANOS systems.
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 N63B40
First of all, this is an oil burner due to the wear of the valve stem seals and the occurrence of rings.
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 16 shared engines
- BMW 7-Series 15 shared engines
- BMW X5 10 shared engines
- BMW 3-Series 9 shared engines
- BMW X3 8 shared engines
- BMW X6 8 shared engines
- BMW 4-Series 6 shared engines
- BMW X4 6 shared engines
- BMW 1-Series 5 shared engines
- BMW 2-Series 4 shared engines