BMW 7-Series engines

The BMW 7 Series is a series of German luxury sedan cars produced by BMW AG since 1977. Since 2015, the 6th generation of models has been released. The latest generation machines are based on the OKL platform. The chassis of this modular platform is created using the carbon fiber reinforcement technology used in modern BMW i electric vehicles. About 50 thousand 7-series cars are produced annually, most of which are sold in the USA and China.

BMW 7 series, 1st generation (E23), 1977–1987

First generation BMW 7 series, 1977–1987 The first BMW 7-series in the body of the E23 appeared before the public in 1977. Its progenitor was the large BMW New Six sedan, from which, by the way, the 7-series initially completely borrowed the engine range. Under the hood of a luxury car, there were six-cylinder engines with a volume of 2.5-3.5 liters.

In 1980, a version appeared with the only turbo engine in the line – 745i. The volume of this engine was 3.2 liters, and the maximum power was 252 hp. But this is not the limit – for the South African market there was a special version of the 745i with a 286-horsepower naturally aspirated engine, however, only a little more than two hundred such cars were produced. In addition to the engine, the buyer had to choose a transmission – a three- or four-speed automatic or a four- or five-speed manual.

BMW 7 series, 2nd generation (E32), 1986–1994

Second generation BMW 7 series, 1986–1994 By 1986, the E23 was noticeably outdated and could not keep up with its competitor in the face of Mercedes. It was this year that it was replaced by the new 7-series with the factory designation E32. The first years of production, the novelty used all the same three-liter engines from its predecessor, and they were equipped with a manual gearbox with five gears or a four-speed automatic transmission.

1987 was the date when an executive car for the first time combined comfort and enviable speed characteristics. We are talking about the appearance of a version of the 750i, in which a 300-horsepower V12 raged under the hood, and which accelerated to 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds. This sedan was the first BMW to feature an electronic speed limiter at around 250 km/h.

In 1992, the model was restyled, giving the “thirty-second” two new V8 engines with volumes of 3 and 4 liters for the 730i and 740i versions, respectively.

BMW 7 series, 3rd generation (E38), 1994–2001

Third generation BMW 7 series, 1994–2001 It was impossible to delay updating the 7-series, and in 1994 the Bavarians showed the third generation of the 7-series in the back of the E38.

The car looked much fresher and even more dynamic, and, by the way, it not only looked more dynamic, but also was. Comfort was also taken care of in the 7 series – many innovative electronic systems were introduced that made the work of power units, transmission and suspension more measured. Buyers were offered gasoline versions of the 728i, 730i, 735i, 740i and 750i with engines from 2.8 to 5.4 liters and power from 193 to 326 hp, as well as for the first time in the history of the 7-series diesel 725tds, 730d and 740d, whose engines produced 143, 193 and 245 hp, respectively.

BMW 7 series, 4th generation (E65), 2001–2008

Fourth generation BMW 7 series, 2001–2008 At the turn of the millennium, all automobile companies sought to show something fundamentally new, tearing patterns. The development of the fourth generation BMW 7-series just refers to this period. As a result, the 7-series in the back of the E65 turned out to be very unusual, significantly different from its predecessor and had several unusual elements, such as, for example, a rear bumper that hid the exhaust system pipes from the eyes. Not everyone considered this design successful, but sales did not worsen from this. The simplest engine for the novelty was a 228-horsepower gasoline unit for the 730i version, and the pinnacle of progress was the six-liter V12 from the 760i. The power of this engine reached 445 hp, which allowed the impressive flagship to gain 100 km / h in 5.5 seconds.

In 2005, there was a restyling that brought changes not only to the interior and exterior, but also to the engine range. The same six-liter giant remained the top one, but almost all of its younger brothers were replaced with more technologically advanced engines.

BMW 7 series, 5th generation (F01/F02), 2008–2015

Fifth generation BMW 7 series, 2008–2015 The BMW 7-series executive sedan has been produced since 2008 in Germany, in 2012 the car was modernized.

The car was equipped with petrol and diesel engines 3.0, 4.4, 6.0. Drive – rear or full. The car is offered in both regular and extended versions. The gearbox is only an eight-speed automatic.

BMW 7 series, 6th generation (G11/G12), 2015

Sixth generation BMW 7 series, 2015 The BMW 7 Series is a large executive sedan, the sixth generation of which has been produced since 2015 at the plant in Dingolfing, Germany.

The cars are equipped with petrol and diesel turbo engines, all versions have an eight-speed automatic transmission. The drive can be rear or full. In 2019, the model was restyled.

The BMW 7-Series was offered with 34 engines since 1977 (28 petrol, 6 diesel). Displacement ranges from 2.0 to 6.6 liters, power output from 115 to 635 hp. All of them use a timing chain. 15 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the BMW M30B30 (about 400,000 km).

BMW 7-Series engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
BMW 7-Series E23 1977–1987
BMW M30B301977–19793.0 L R6184–197 hppetrolchain5.75 L~400,000 km
BMW M30B281977–19862.8 L R6165–184 hppetrolchain5.5 L
BMW M30B35LE1978–19823.5 L R6218 hppetrolchain5.75 L
BMW M30B251981–19862.5 L R6145–150 hppetrolchain5.5 L
BMW M30B35 / M30B341982–19873.4 L R6185 hppetrolchain5.75 L~400,000 km
BMW 7-Series E32 1987–1994
BMW M70B501987–19945.0 L V12petrolchain7.5 L~340,000 km
BMW M60B301992–19943.0 L V8218 hppetrolchain7.5 L~300,000 km
BMW M60B401992–19944.0 L V8286 hppetrolchain7.5 L~350,000 km
BMW 7-Series E38 1994–2001
BMW M73B541994–20015.4 L V12326 hppetrolchain8.5 L~350,000 km
BMW M52B28 / M52TUB281995–20012.8 L R6193 hppetrolchain6.5 L~350,000 km
BMW M62B441996–20014.4 L V8286 hppetrolchain7.5 L~330,000 km
BMW M62B351996–20013.5 L V8235–245 hppetrolchain7.5 L~320,000 km
BMW M51D251996–20002.5 L R6115–143 hpdiesel, turbochain6.5–7 L~350,000 km
BMW M57D301998–20012.9–3.0 L R6184–286 hpdiesel, turbochain6.75–8 L~400,000 km
BMW M67D401999–20013.9 L V8238–258 hpdiesel, turbochain8.75 L~350,000 km
BMW 7-Series E65 2001–2008
BMW N62B442001–20054.4 L V8320–333 hppetrolchain8 L~320,000 km
BMW N62B362001–20053.6 L V8272 hppetrolchain8 L~300,000 km
BMW M54B302002–20053.0 L R6231 hppetrolchain6.5 L~330,000 km
BMW N73B602002–20086.0 L V12445 hppetrolchain8.5 L~320,000 km
BMW N62B482005–20084.8 L V8360–367 hppetrolchain8 L
BMW N62B402005–20084.0 L V8306 hppetrolchain8 L~310,000 km
BMW N52B302005–20083.0 L R6218–272 hppetrolchain6.5 L~275,000 km
BMW M67D442005–20084.4 L V8299–329 hpdiesel, turbochain9.25 L~350,000 km
BMW 7-Series F01 2008–2015
BMW N63B442008–20154.4 L V8408–530 hppetrol, turbochain8.5 L~250,000 km
BMW N54B302008–20123.0 L R6306–340 hppetrol, turbochain6.5 L~250,000 km
BMW N57D302008–20153.0 L R6204–381 hpdiesel, turbochain6.5–7.2 L~300,000 km
BMW N74B602009–20156.0 L V12544 hppetrol, turbochain10.5 L~300,000 km
BMW N55B302012–20153.0 L R6306–370 hppetrol, turbochain6.5 L~300,000 km
BMW N63B402012–20154.0 L V8408–449 hppetrol, turbochain8.5 L~250,000 km
BMW 7-Series G11 2015–present
BMW B57D303.0 L R6265–400 hpdiesel, turbochain~350,000 km
BMW B58B302015–20183.0 L R6326–388 hppetrol, turbochain~300,000 km
BMW N74B662016–present6.6 L V12570–632 hppetrol, turbochain10.5 L~320,000 km
BMW B48B20 / B48A202019–present2.0 L R4156–306 hppetrol, turbochain5.25 L~250,000 km
BMW 7-Series G70 2022–2026
BMW S682022–20264.4 L V8489–635 hppetrol, turbochain10.75 L~250,000 km

BMW 7-Series engine FAQ

What engines were used in the BMW 7-Series?

BMW 7-Series E23 (1977–1987): BMW M30B30, BMW M30B28, BMW M30B35LE, BMW M30B25 and BMW M30B35 / M30B34; BMW 7-Series E32 (1987–1994): BMW M70B50, BMW M60B30 and BMW M60B40; BMW 7-Series E38 (1994–2001): BMW M73B54, BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28, BMW M62B44, BMW M62B35, BMW M51D25, BMW M57D30 and BMW M67D40; BMW 7-Series E65 (2001–2008): BMW N62B44, BMW N62B36, BMW M54B30, BMW N73B60, BMW N62B48, BMW N62B40, BMW N52B30 and BMW M67D44; BMW 7-Series F01 (2008–2015): BMW N63B44, BMW N54B30, BMW N57D30, BMW N74B60, BMW N55B30 and BMW N63B40; BMW 7-Series G11 (2015–present): BMW B57D30, BMW B58B30, BMW N74B66 and BMW B48B20 / B48A20; BMW 7-Series G70 (2022–2026): BMW S68.

Which BMW 7-Series engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable BMW 7-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 7-Series engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: BMW B48B20 / B48A20 — 5.25 L (0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40); BMW M30B25 — 5.5 L (5W-30); BMW M30B28 — 5.5 L (5W-30); 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 M51D25 — 6.5–7 L (5W-40); BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28 — 6.5 L (5W-30); BMW M54B30 — 6.5 L (5W-30); 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 M67D40 — 8.75 L (5W-30); BMW M67D44 — 9.25 L (5W-30); BMW M70B50 — 7.5 L (5W-40); BMW M73B54 — 8.5 L (5W-40); BMW N52B30 — 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 N62B36 — 8 L (5W-30); BMW N62B40 — 8 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); BMW N73B60 — 8.5 L (5W-40); BMW N74B60 — 10.5 L (5W-30); BMW N74B66 — 10.5 L (5W-30); BMW S68 — 10.75 L (0W-30).

Does the BMW 7-Series have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: BMW B48B20 / B48A20, BMW B57D30, BMW B58B30, BMW M30B25, BMW M30B28, BMW M30B30, BMW M30B35 / M30B34, BMW M30B35LE, BMW M51D25, BMW M52B28 / M52TUB28, BMW M54B30, BMW M57D30, BMW M60B30, BMW M60B40, BMW M62B35, BMW M62B44, BMW M67D40, BMW M67D44, BMW M70B50, BMW M73B54, BMW N52B30, BMW N54B30, BMW N55B30, BMW N57D30, BMW N62B36, BMW N62B40, BMW N62B44, BMW N62B48, BMW N63B40, BMW N63B44, BMW N73B60, BMW N74B60, BMW N74B66 and BMW S68.

Was the BMW 7-Series available with a diesel engine?

Yes: BMW B57D30, BMW M51D25, BMW M57D30, BMW M67D40, BMW M67D44 and BMW N57D30.

Engine details

BMW M30B25

BMW M30B25

1968–1987 · 2.5 L R6 · petrol · 145–150 hp · chain

Even after brief overheating the cylinder head can warp.

BMW M30B28

BMW M30B28

1968–1987 · 2.8 L R6 · petrol · 165–184 hp · chain

Even after brief overheating the cylinder head can warp.

BMW M30B30

BMW M30B30

1971–1994 · 3.0 L R6 · petrol · 184–197 hp · chain

BMW M30B35LE

BMW M30B35LE

1978–1982 · 3.5 L R6 · petrol · 218 hp · chain

BMW M70B50

BMW M70B50

1987–1994 · 5.0 L V12 · petrol · chain

First of all, you should know that the BMW 750 usually consumes about 25 liters per hundred.

BMW M51D25

BMW M51D25

1991–2001 · 2.5 L R6 · diesel · 115–143 hp · chain

The main problem with this diesel engine is cylinder head cracking due to overheating.

BMW M60B30

BMW M60B30

1992–1996 · 3.0 L V8 · petrol · 218 hp · chain

BMW M60B40

BMW M60B40

1992–1998 · 4.0 L V8 · petrol · 286 hp · chain

BMW M73B54

BMW M73B54

1994–2002 · 5.4 L V12 · petrol · 326 hp · chain

First of all, owners should not be embarrassed by fuel consumption of 20 liters per 100 km.

BMW M62B35

BMW M62B35

1996–2003 · 3.5 L V8 · petrol · 235–245 hp · chain

BMW M62B44

BMW M62B44

1996–2005 · 4.4 L V8 · petrol · 286 hp · chain

BMW M57D30

BMW M57D30

1998–2012 · 2.9–3.0 L R6 · diesel · 184–286 hp · chain

The intake manifold flaps here can suddenly come off and fall into the cylinders.

BMW M67D40

BMW M67D40

1999–2005 · 3.9 L V8 · diesel · 238–258 hp · chain

This motor is very reliable, but it is difficult to find a service station that will undertake its repair.

BMW M54B30

BMW M54B30

2000–2006 · 3.0 L R6 · petrol · 231 hp · chain

BMW N62B36

BMW N62B36

2001–2004 · 3.6 L V8 · petrol · 272 hp · chain

The main problems of the motor are associated with malfunctions of the Valvetronic and VANOS systems.

BMW N62B44

BMW N62B44

2001–2006 · 4.4 L V8 · petrol · 320–333 hp · chain

The main problems of the motor are associated with malfunctions of the Valvetronic and VANOS systems.

BMW N73B60

BMW N73B60

2002–2008 · 6.0 L V12 · petrol · 445 hp · chain

The main problems are associated with rapid coking due to the direct injection system.

BMW N52B30

BMW N52B30

2004–2011 · 3.0 L R6 · petrol · 218–272 hp · chain

BMW M67D44

BMW M67D44

2005–2008 · 4.4 L V8 · diesel · 299–329 hp · chain

This motor is very reliable, but it is difficult to find a service station that will undertake its repair.

BMW N62B40

BMW N62B40

2005–2010 · 4.0 L V8 · petrol · 306 hp · chain

The main problems of the motor are associated with malfunctions of the Valvetronic and VANOS systems.

BMW N54B30

BMW N54B30

2006–2016 · 3.0 L R6 · petrol · 306–340 hp · chain

The main problems of the engine are associated with the direct fuel injection system.

BMW N57D30

BMW N57D30

2008–present · 3.0 L R6 · diesel · 204–381 hp · chain

The service life of this diesel engine is highly dependent on the quality of the fuel and oil used.

BMW N63B44

BMW N63B44

2008–present · 4.4 L V8 · petrol · 408–530 hp · chain

This engine has so many problems it would take forever to list them all.

BMW N55B30

BMW N55B30

2009–2018 · 3.0 L R6 · petrol · 306–370 hp · chain

This unit does not tolerate non-original oil and instantly cokes.

BMW N74B60

BMW N74B60

2009–present · 6.0 L V12 · petrol · 544 hp · chain

The main problems of the motor are associated with rapid coking at idle.

BMW N74B66

BMW N74B66

2010–present · 6.6 L V12 · petrol · 570–632 hp · chain

The main problems of the motor are associated with rapid coking at idle.

BMW N63B40

BMW N63B40

2012–2015 · 4.0 L V8 · petrol · 408–449 hp · chain

First of all, this is an oil burner due to the wear of the valve stem seals and the occurrence of rings.

BMW B48B20 / B48A20

BMW B48B20 / B48A20

2014–present · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 156–306 hp · chain

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

BMW B57D30

2015–present · 3.0 L R6 · diesel · 265–400 hp · chain

The most famous problem of this diesel engine is the contamination of the intake manifold and its swirl flaps, which results in…

BMW B58B30

BMW B58B30

2015–present · 3.0 L R6 · petrol · 326–388 hp · chain

Most of the complaints on the specialized forums are related to a decrease in the coolant level. The exact cause is unknown,…

BMW S68

BMW S68

2022–present · 4.4 L V8 · petrol · 489–635 hp · chain

The engine is new and detailed failure statistics have not been collected yet.

BMW N62B48

BMW N62B48

4.8 L V8 · petrol · 360–367 hp · chain

Models with the same engines

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