BMW E39 - engines installed in the iconic 5-series car

The German manufacturer has left customers with a large selection of powertrains available on the E39. Engines were produced in gasoline and diesel versions, and among this large group there are several instances that are considered iconic. We present the most important information about the engines installed on the BMW 5 Series, as well as news about the units that are considered the most successful!

E39 - gasoline engines

At the beginning of the production of the car, the M52 inline six was installed, as well as the BMW M52 V8. In 1998, a decision was made to carry out a technical upgrade. This included the introduction of a double VANOS system in the M52 variant and a single VANOS system in the M62 model. Thus, the performance associated with Nm at low rpm has been improved.

The following changes took place two years later. The M52 series was replaced by the 54-row BMW M6, while the M62 remained on the V8 models. The new drive received very good reviews and in 10 and 2002 was included in the top ten best motors in the world according to Ward magazine. On the 2003i model, the M54B30 engine was installed.

E39 - diesel engines

Vehicles with a diesel engine were equipped with a turbocharged diesel engine with spark ignition - model M51 inline 6. In 1998 it was replaced by the M57 and fitted to the BMW 530d. This did not mean the end of its use - it was used in 525td and 525td for several years.

The next change came with the advent of 1999. So it was with the BMW 520d model - the M47 four-cylinder turbodiesel. It is worth noting that this was the only E39 variant in which a unit with such specifics was installed.

The best choice - gasoline units that have proven themselves the most

E39 cars were characterized by a rather large curb weight. For this reason, the 2,8 liter engine with 190 hp was considered the best combination of power and relatively low operating costs, as well as an upgraded 3-liter version with 231 hp. - M52 and M54. 

Vehicle users noticed that, among other things, the fuel consumption of all 6-row variants is the same, so buying a 2-liter version of the power unit for the BMW E39 did not make much sense. A well-groomed 2,5-liter version was considered a better solution. Individual variants had the following designations: 2,0L 520i, 2,5L 523i and 2,8L 528i.

What types of diesel should you pay attention to?

For diesel units, the M51S and M51TUS variants with high pressure fuel pumps were a good choice. They were very reliable. Key components such as the timing chain and turbocharger functioned reliably even with a range of around 200 km. km. After overcoming this distance, the most expensive service event was the repair of the injection pump.

Modern diesel engine M57

Modern engines have also appeared in the BMW range. So called engines with direct fuel injection. Turbo diesels with the Common Rail system were designated 525d and 530d and their working volume was 2,5 liters and 3,0 liters, respectively. 

The engine model was received positively and noted as having a higher level of reliability compared to the M51 - it is worth noting that this was directly related to the use of high-quality oil, on which the technical condition of the engine depended. 

Faulty cooling system

There are several common problems that arise when operating popular drive units. The most frequent failures were related to the cooling system. 

Its failure could be caused by a malfunction of the auxiliary fan motor, thermostat, or a clogged radiator and irregular fluid changes in this assembly. The solution might be to replace the entire system every 5-6 years because that is their average lifespan. 

Emergency ignition coils and electronics

In this case, the problems could start when the user stopped using non-original spark plugs. Branded spare parts are usually enough for 30-40 thousand km. km. 

E39 engines also had many electronic design elements. Defects could be associated with damaged lambda probes, of which there were as many as 4 in the mounted motors. There was also a breakdown of the air flow meter, crankshaft position sensor and camshaft.

Tuning drives installed on the E39

The big advantage of the E39 engines was their flexibility for tuning. One of the most popular options was to refine the engine's capabilities with a sports exhaust system without catalytic converters with 4-2-1 manifolds, as well as cold air intake and chip tuning. 

For naturally aspirated models, a compressor was a good solution. One of the advantages of this idea was the high availability of spare parts from trusted manufacturers. After setting the engine to stock, the power of the power unit and torque increased. 

Are there engine models worth paying attention to?

Unfortunately, not all motorcycle models were successful. This applies to gasoline units that use a nickel-silicon cylinder coating.

The nikasil layer has been destroyed and the entire block needs to be replaced. This group includes engines built up to September 1998, after which BMW decided to replace the Nikasil with a layer of Alusil, which ensured greater durability. 

BMW E39 - used engine. What to look for when buying?

Due to the fact that many years have passed since the moment of production, it is necessary to pay special attention to the technical condition of the purchased drive. At the very beginning, it is worth checking if the block is made of nikasil. 

The next step is to check the condition of the heatsink and the fan cut-off thermal coupling. The thermostat and air conditioner radiator fan must also be in good condition. The BMW E39 engine in the right condition will not overheat and will give you a lot of driving pleasure.