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BMW has built its legacy on creating engines that balance performance, reliability, and innovation. Whether you’re into high-revving naturally aspirated classics or modern turbocharged monsters, the Bavarian marque has delivered some of the most iconic powerplants in automotive history.
This list ranks the best BMW engines of all time, based on driving feel, tuning potential, motorsport pedigree, and legendary status in the BMW community. Scroll down to vote for your favorites — or discover an underrated gem you didn’t know about.
1. S54 – The High-Rev Hero from the E46 M3
- Type: 3.2L Inline-6, Naturally Aspirated
- Power: 333 hp
- Used in: E46 M3, Z4 M
- Why it ranks high: The S54 is a purist’s engine — no turbo lag, sky-high redline (8,000 rpm), and raw response. It’s a motorsport-derived straight-six that sounds glorious and delivers a direct, visceral feel.
2. B58 – The Modern Turbocharged Workhorse
- Type: 3.0L Turbocharged Inline-6
- Power: 322–382 hp (varies by model)
- Used in: G20 340i, Toyota Supra (A90), Z4 M40i
- Why it ranks high: BMW finally nailed turbo refinement with the B58. It’s smooth, torquey, and has proven to be highly tunable. It’s also surprisingly reliable — a rare thing for modern turbo engines.
Looking for a B58 engine for sale? Sites like mtautoparts.com stock tested, warrantied engines from late-model BMWs across the UK.
3. S65 – The V8 That Screams Like a Supercar
- Type: 4.0L Naturally Aspirated V8
- Power: 414 hp
- Used in: E90/E92/E93 M3
- Why it ranks high: Born from F1 inspiration, the S65 is the only V8 M3 ever made. It revs to 8,400 rpm and rewards drivers who love to row through gears. It’s raw, dramatic, and aging like fine wine.
4. M50 – The Bulletproof ’90s I6
- Type: 2.5L/2.8L Inline-6, NA
- Power: 189–190 hp
- Used in: E34 5 Series, E36 3 Series
- Why it ranks high: A legend in the tuning world. The M50 is overbuilt, iron-block strong, and a favorite for turbo builds and swaps. It also marked BMW’s transition to DOHC inline-6s.
5. S63 – Twin-Turbo V8 Madness
- Type: 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8
- Power: 560–627 hp
- Used in: F10/F90 M5, F13 M6, X5M/X6M
- Why it ranks high: Brutal power delivery with modern efficiency. Tuners love it, and it’s been the heart of every M5 and M6 since 2010. The S63B44T4 in the M5 CS is the most powerful BMW production engine ever.
MT Auto Parts stocks used S63 engines for sale with low mileage and 30-day warranties — ideal for rebuilds, swaps, or replacing a tired M powertrain.
6. N54 – The OG Twin-Turbo Inline-6
- Type: 3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-6
- Power: 300 hp (stock), 400+ hp (tuned)
- Used in: E90 335i, 135i, 740i
- Why it ranks high: The N54 was BMW’s first mass-production turbocharged inline-6 — and tuners quickly discovered it could handle big boost. It’s often dubbed the “2JZ of Germany.”
7. M54 – Reliable, Revvy, and DIY Friendly
- Type: 2.5L/3.0L Inline-6, NA
- Power: 184–231 hp
- Used in: E46 330i, Z3, E39 5 Series
- Why it ranks high: Smooth, easy to maintain, and fun to drive. The M54 may not have huge power, but it’s a perfect daily or weekend warrior engine. Pair it with a header upgrade and a tune for surprising gains.
8. B47 – BMW’s Modern Diesel Champ
- Type: 2.0L 4-Cylinder Turbo Diesel
- Power: 150–231 hp
- Used in: 320d, 520d, X3
- Why it ranks high: Efficient, torquey, and cleaner than older diesels. The BMW B47 engine is used across BMW’s most popular executive and fleet models — great for commuting with punch and economy.
9. S70/2 – The McLaren F1’s Engine (Yes, Really)
- Type: 6.1L V12, NA
- Power: 627 hp
- Used in: McLaren F1
- Why it ranks high: The greatest BMW engine most people never drove. This V12 was engineered for the world’s fastest car in the ’90s. It was BMW Motorsport’s ultimate engine.
10. M88 – The First True BMW M Engine
- Type: 3.5L Inline-6, NA
- Power: 277 hp
- Used in: M1, E28 M5
- Why it ranks high: The engine that started it all. The M88 powered the legendary BMW M1 and first-gen M5. Motorsport DNA through and through.
Final Thoughts
If you’re into vintage straight-sixes, naturally aspirated screamers, or modern turbo monsters, BMW’s engine legacy is rich and diverse. Some are known for reliability, others for pure performance — and some, like the B58 or S63, offer both.
Need a legendary engine for your next project or repair?
mtautoparts.com has one of the UK’s best selections of used BMW engines, including the S63, B58, and many more, including BMW engine parts — tested, warrantied, and shipped UK-wide.
