BMW 5 series e34 engines
Engines

BMW 5 series e34 engines

BMW 5 series cars in the E 34 body began to be produced from January 1988. The development of the model began in 1981. It took four years to choose the specifics of the design and develop the series.

The model represents the third generation of the series. It replaced the body of the E 28. In the new car, the developers managed to combine the characteristic features of the brand and modern technologies.

Test drive BMW E34 525

In 1992, the model was restyled. The main changes affected the power units - gasoline and diesel engines were replaced by more modern installations. In addition, the designers replaced the old grille with a wider one.

The sedan body was discontinued in 1995. The station wagon was assembled for another year - until 1996.

Powertrain models

In Europe, the third generation sedan of the fifth series was introduced with a wide choice of powertrains:

EngineCar modelVolume cube cm.Maximum power, hp With.fuel typeAverage

consumption

M40B185181796113Petrol8,7
M20B205201990129Petrol10,3
M50B205201991150Petrol10,5
M21D24524td2443115Diesel7,1
M20B255252494170Petrol9,3
M50B25525i / iX2494192Petrol10,7
M51D25525td / tds2497143Diesel8,0
M30B305302986188Petrol11,1
M60B305302997218Petrol10,5
M30B355353430211Petrol11,5
M60B405403982286Petrol15,6

Consider the most popular engines.

M40B18

The first in-line 4-cylinder gasoline engine of the M 40 family. They began to complete cars since 1987 as a replacement for the outdated M 10 engine.

The unit was used only on units with the index 18i.

Installation features:

According to experts, this unit is rather weak for the top five. Despite economical fuel consumption and the absence of problems with increased oil consumption, drivers note the absence of the dynamics inherent in the cars of the series.

The timing belt requires special attention. Its resource is only 40000 km. A broken belt is guaranteed to bend the valves, so the maintenance schedule should be followed.

With careful operation, the engine life exceeds 300000 km.

It is worth noting that a limited series of engines with a similar volume, running on a gas mixture, was released. In total, 298 copies left the assembly line, which were installed on the 518 g model.

M20B20

The engine was installed on BMW 5 series cars with the 20i index. The engine was produced between 1977 and 1993. The first engines were equipped with carburetors, which were later replaced by an injection system.

Among motorists, due to the specific shape of the collector, the engine was nicknamed "spider".

Distinctive features of the unit:

Due to the lack of hydraulic lifters, it is necessary to adjust the valves at intervals of 15000 km.

The main disadvantage of the installation is the unfinished cooling system, which has a tendency to overheat.

Power 129 l. With. - a weak indicator for such a heavy car. However, it is perfect for lovers of leisurely trips - operation in a quiet mode allows you to significantly save fuel.

M50B20

The engine is the smallest straight-six. Serial production was launched in 1991 as a replacement for the M20V20 power unit. The modification affected the following nodes:

The main difficulties in operation are associated with malfunctions of ignition coils and injectors, which become clogged when using low-quality gasoline. Approximately every 100000 you will have to change the valve stem seals. Otherwise, increased consumption of engine oil is possible. Some owners are faced with malfunctions of the VANOS system, which is solved by purchasing a repair kit.

Despite its age, the engine is considered one of the most reliable. As practice shows, with careful handling, the resource before overhaul can reach 500-600 thousand km.

M21D24

Diesel in-line six with a turbine, developed on the basis of the M20 gasoline engine. It features an aluminum overhead cam block head. The power supply system is equipped with a distribution-type injection pump manufactured by Bosch. To control the injection, there is an electronic control unit ME.

In general, the unit is considered quite reliable without any problems in operation. Despite this, the motor was not popular with the owners, due to its low power.

M20B25

Gasoline straight-six with an injection power system. It is a modification of the M20V20 engine. It was installed on cars of the 5 series BMW 525i in the back of E 34. Features of the unit:

The main advantages of the engine are a good resource and excellent dynamics. Acceleration time to 100 km / h is 9,5 seconds.

Like other models of the family, the motor has problems with the cooling system. In the event of a malfunction, the engine is very easy to overheat. In addition, after 200-250 thousand kilometers, the cylinder head will have to be changed, due to the wear of the camshaft beds.

M50B25

The representative of the new family, which replaced the previous model. The main changes concern the head of the block - it has been replaced by a more modern one, with two camshafts for 24 valves. In addition, the VANOS system was introduced and hydraulic lifters were installed. Other changes:

The unit inherited problems and difficulties in operation from its predecessor.

M51D25

Modification of the diesel unit. The predecessor was accepted by motorists without much enthusiasm - the main complaints concerned low power. The new version is more dynamic and more powerful - this figure reaches 143 hp. With.

The motor is an in-line six with an in-line arrangement of cylinders. The cylinder block is made of cast iron, and its head is made of aluminum. The main changes relate to the gas recirculation system and the high-pressure fuel pump operation algorithm.

M30B30

The engine was installed on BMW 5 series cars with the 30i index. This line is considered the most successful in the history of the concern. The engine is a 6-cylinder in-line unit with a volume of 3 liters.

A distinctive feature is the gas distribution mechanism with one shaft. Its design has not changed over the entire period of production of the motor - from 1971 to 1994.

Among motorists, he is known as the "big six".

The problems do not differ from the larger brother of the line - M30V35.

M30B35

A large-volume in-line six petrol engine, which was installed on BMW cars with the 35i index.

From the older brother - M30V30, the engine is distinguished by an increased piston stroke and an increased cylinder diameter. The gas distribution mechanism is equipped with one shaft for 12 valves - 2 for each cylinder.

The main problems of engines are related to overheating. This is a common disease of 6-cylinder units from a German manufacturer. Untimely troubleshooting can lead to a violation of the cylinder head plane, as well as the formation of cracks in the block.

Despite the fact that this power unit is considered obsolete, many motorists prefer to use this particular model. The reason for the choice is ease of maintenance, good service life and the absence of any special problems.

M60V40/V30

A bright representative of high-power units was produced in the period from 1992 to 1998. He replaced the M30B35 as an intermediate link between inline sixes and large V12 engines.

The engine is an 8-cylinder unit with a V-shaped arrangement of cylinders. Distinctive features:

Owners of the M60B40 note an increased level of vibration at idle. The problem is usually solved by adjusting the valve timing. Also, it will not be superfluous to check the gas valve, lambda, and also measure the compression in the cylinders. The engine is very sensitive to fuel quality. Working on bad gasoline leads to rapid wear of the nikasil.

As practice shows, the engine life of the unit is 350-400 thousand km.

In 1992, on the basis of this engine, as a replacement for the M30V30, a more compact version of the V-shaped eight - M60V30 was developed. The main changes affected the KShM - the crankshaft was replaced with a short-stroke one, and the cylinder diameter was reduced from 89 to 84 mm. The gas distribution and ignition systems were not subject to change. In addition, the electronic control unit remained the same.

The unit also adopted shortcomings in operation from its predecessor.

Which engine should you choose?

As we have seen, various engines were installed on the BMW E 34, ranging from 1,8 to 4 liters.

The M 50 series engines received the best reviews among domestic motorists. Subject to the use of high-quality fuel and compliance with the maintenance regulations, the unit has established itself as a reliable engine without any problems in operation.

Despite the rather high reliability of the motors of the series, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the age of the youngest unit exceeds 20 years. When choosing a car, you should take into account the age problems of the engine, as well as the conditions of service and operation.

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