BMW 7 series engines
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The BMW 7-Series is a comfortable car, the production of which began back in 1979 and continues until January 2019. The engines of the 7 series have undergone many changes over a long period of operation, but have proven themselves to be reliable units, justifying the opinion of high German quality and reliability.
A brief overview of the units of all generations of the BMW 7-Series
A distinctive feature of the BMW 7-Series engines is a large volume, at least two liters. Which during operation reached a record high of 6,6 liters, for example, on the modification of the M760Li AT xDrive, restyling of the 6th generation in 2019. But let's start with the first engine installed on the first generation of this version of the car, namely the M30V28.
M30V28 - a gasoline unit with a volume of 2788 cm3, with a maximum power of 238 horsepower and fuel consumption of up to 16,5 liters per 100 km. 6 cylinders provided a torque of 238 N * m at 4000 rpm. It should be clarified that the M30V28 engine was also installed on cars of the first generation of the BMW 5 series, and was known as a reliable “millionaire”, but with too high fuel consumption. What can I say if cars with M30V28 engines still drive on our roads.
A later model of the M80V30 engine received an increase of 200 cm3 and 2 cylinders. The power remained within 238 horsepower and the consumption of 15,1 liters of AI-95 or AI-98 gasoline was slightly reduced. Like the M30V28 unit, this engine was installed on the fifth BMW series and was recognized as one of the most reliable engines in the automotive world.
But the BMW 7-Series restyling of the 6th generation of January 2019 of the release received various engines in its configuration, including the diesel B57B30TOP with twin turbocharging and a record fuel consumption of 6,4 liters. The car develops 400 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm. And this is only one unit installed on the restyling of the 6th generation, in addition to the B48B20 gasoline, N57D30 diesel and other engines.
Brief technical specifications of BMW 7-Series engines
BMW 7-Series engines, 1st generation, produced from 1977 to 1983, as well as 1st generation restyling (M30V35MAE turbocharged):
| Engine model | M30B28 | M30B28LE | M30B30 | M30B33LE |
| Working volume | 2788 sm3 | 2788 sm3 | 2986 sm3 | 3210 sm3 |
| Power | 165-170 h.p. | 177-185 h.p. | 184-198 h.p. | 197-200 h.p. |
| Torque | 238 N*m at 4000 rpm. | 240 N*m at 4200 rpm. | 275 N*m at 4000 rpm. | 285 N*m at 4300 rpm. |
| Type of fuel | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Fuel consumption | 14-16,5 liters per 100 km | 9,9-12,1 liters per 100 km | 10,8-16,9 liters per 100 km | 10,3-14,6 liters per 100 km |
| Number of cylinders (cylinder diameter) | 6 (86 mm) | 6 (86 mm) | 6 (89 mm) | 6 (89 mm) |
| Number of valves | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Second part of the table:
| Engine model | M30B33 | M30B32LAE turbocharged | М30В35М | M30V35MAE turbocharged |
| Working volume | 3210 sm3 | 3210 sm3 | 3430 sm3 | 3430 sm3 |
| Power | 197 hp | 252 hp | 185-218 h.p. | 252 hp |
| Torque | 285 N*m at 4350 rpm. | 380 N*m at 4000 rpm. | 310 N*m at 4000 rpm. | 380 N*m at 2200 rpm. |
| Type of fuel | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Fuel consumption | 11,5-12,7 liters per 100 km | 13,7-15,6 liters per 100 km | 8,8-14,8 liters per 100 km | 11,8-13,7 liters per 100 km |
| Number of cylinders (cylinder diameter) | 6 (89 mm) | 6 (89 mm) | 6 (92 mm) | 6 (92 mm) |
| Number of valves | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
BMW 7-Series engines, 2nd generation, production from 1986 to 1994:
| Engine model | M60B30 | M30B35LE | M60B40 | M70B50 |
| Working volume | 2997 sm3 | 3430 sm3 | 3982 sm3 | 4988 sm3 |
| Power | 218-238 h.p. | 211-220 h.p. | 286 hp | 299-300 h.p. |
| Torque | 290 N*m at 4500 rpm. | 375 N*m at 4000 rpm. | 400 N*m at 4500 rpm. | 450 N*m at 4100 rpm. |
| Type of fuel | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Fuel consumption | 8,9-15,1 liters per 100 km | 11,4-12,1 liters per 100 km | 9,9-17,1 liters per 100 km | 12,9-13,6 liters per 100 km |
| Number of cylinders (cylinder diameter) | 8 (84 mm) | 6 (92 mm) | 8 (89 mm) | 12 (84 mm) |
| Number of valves | 32 | 12 | 32 | 24 |
BMW 7-Series engines, 3nd generation, production from 1994 to 1998:
| Engine model | M73B54 |
| Working volume | 5379 sm3 |
| Power | 326 hp |
| Torque | 490 N*m at 3900 rpm. |
| Type of fuel | Petrol |
| Fuel consumption | 10,3-16,8 liters per 100 km |
| Number of cylinders (cylinder diameter) | 12 (85 mm) |
| Number of valves | 24 |
BMW 7-Series engines, 4th generation (restyling), production from 2005 to 2008:
| Engine model | M57D30TU2 | N52B30 | N62B40 | M67D44 twin turbocharged | M62B48 | N73B60 |
| Working volume | 2993 sm3 | 2996 sm3 | 4000 sm3 | 4423 sm3 | 4799 sm3 | 5972 sm3 |
| Power | 197-355 h.p. | 218-272 h.p. | 306 hp | 329 hp | 355-367 h.p. | 445 hp |
| Torque | 580 N*m at 2250 rpm. | 315 N*m at 2750 rpm. | 390 N*m at 3500 rpm. | 7,500 N*m at 2500 rpm. | 500 N*m at 3500 rpm. | 600 N*m at 3950 rpm. |
| Type of fuel | Diesel fuel | Petrol | Petrol | Diesel fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Fuel consumption | 6,9-9,0 liters per 100 km | 7,9-11,7 liters per 100 km | 11,2 liters per 100 km | 9 liters per 100 km | 10,7-13,5 liters per 100 km | 13,6 liters per 100 km |
| Number of cylinders (cylinder diameter) | 6 (84 mm) | 6 (85 mm) | 8 (87 mm) | 8 (87 mm) | 8 (93 mm) | 12 (89 mm) |
| Number of valves | 24 | 24 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 48 |
BMW 7-Series engines, 5nd generation, production from 2008 to 2012:
| Engine model | N54B30 twin turbocharged | N57D30OL turbocharged | N57D30TOP twin turbocharged | N63B44 twin turbocharged | N74B60 twin turbocharged |
| Working volume | 2979 sm3 | 2993 sm3 | 2993 sm3 | 4395 sm3 | 5972 sm3 |
| Power | 306-340 h.p. | 245-258 h.p. | 306-381 h.p. | 400-462 h.p. | 535-544 h.p. |
| Torque | 450 N*m at 4500 rpm. | 560 N*m at 3000 rpm. | 740 N*m at 2000 rpm. | 700 N*m at 4500 rpm. | 750 N*m at 1750 rpm. |
| Type of fuel | Petrol | Diesel fuel | Diesel fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Fuel consumption | 9,9-10,4 liters per 100 km | 5,6-7,4 liters per 100 km | 5,9-7,5 liters per 100 km | 8,9-13,8 liters per 100 km | 12,9-13,0 liters per 100 km |
| Number of cylinders (cylinder diameter) | 6 (84 mm) | 6 (84 mm) | 6 (84 mm) | 8 (89 mm) | 12 (89 mm) |
| Number of valves | 24 | 24 | 24 | 32 | 48 |
BMW 7-Series engines, 5th generation (restyling), production from 2012 to 2015:
| Engine model | N55B30 twin turbocharged | N57S turbocharged |
| Working volume | 2979 sm3 | 2933 sm3 |
| Power | 300-360 h.p. | 381 hp |
| Torque | 465 N*m at 5250 rpm. | 740 N*m at 3000 rpm. |
| Type of fuel | Petrol | Diesel fuel |
| Fuel consumption | 6,8-12,1 liters per 100 km | 6,4-7,7 liters per 100 km |
| Number of cylinders (cylinder diameter) | 4 (84 mm) | 6 (84 mm) |
| Number of valves | 16 | 24 |
BMW 7-Series engines, 6nd generation, production from 2015 to 2018:
| Engine model | B48B20 turbocharged | N57D30 | B57D30 | B57B30TOP twin turbocharged | B58B30MO | N63B44TU |
| Working volume | 1998 sm3 | 2993 sm3 | 2993 sm3 | 2993 sm3 | 2998 sm3 | 4395 sm3 |
| Power | 184-258 h.p. | 204-313 h.p. | 249-400 h.p. | 400 hp | 286-340 h.p. | 449-530 h.p. |
| Torque | 400 N*m at 4500 rpm. | 560 N*m at 3000 rpm. | 760 N*m at 3000 rpm. | 760 N*m at 3000 rpm. | 450 N*m at 5200 rpm. | 750 N*m at 4600 rpm. |
| Type of fuel | Petrol | Diesel fuel | Diesel fuel | Diesel fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Fuel consumption | 2,5-7,8 liters per 100 km | 5,6-7,4 liters per 100 km | 5,7-7,3 liters per 100 km | 5,9-6,4 liters per 100 km | 2,8-9,5 liters per 100 km | 8,6-10,2 liters per 100 km |
| Number of cylinders (cylinder diameter) | 4 (82 mm) | 6 (84 mm) | 6 (84 mm) | 6 (84 mm) | 6 (82 mm) | 8 (89 mm) |
| Number of valves | 16 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 32 |
Common BMW 7-Series Engine Problems
BMW - cars with "millionth" engines, but certain problems will accompany the owners of such cars throughout the entire period of operation. Therefore, it is necessary to be prepared for them or to warn in advance, carrying out quality maintenance on time and using only expensive consumables.
- Six-cylinder internal combustion engines of the 7 series with a relatively "small" volume (M30V28, M30V28LE and all models with values up to 3000 cm3) are recognized as the most acceptable and go well with large BMW bodies. The proportional combination of power and speed is supported by an adequate price for maintenance and repair. The only problem: strict maintenance of the temperature regime.
These motors are capricious to temperature changes, so it is often necessary to pay attention to the condition of the cooling system. The use of low-quality antifreeze or antifreeze will lead not only to overheating, but also to possible damage to the pump or cylinder head. By the way, pumps in models up to 3000 cm3 do not differ in durability.
- Both gasoline and diesel units of the 7 series after 300000 km of run often acquire oil smudges. This applies more to internal combustion engines with a volume of up to 3000 cm3. Reasons: oil filter o-ring, cylinder head gasket or crankshaft oil seals. And if the first problem is relatively inexpensive to fix, then the other two can cost a pretty penny.
- The M30V33LE, M30V33, M30V32LAE, M30V35M, M30V35MAE and M30V35LE units differ from other internal combustion engines in their exorbitant oil appetite. The oil system requires frequent diagnostics and no less frequent oil changes. It is better to use expensive lubricants, otherwise a suddenly lit low pressure indicator in the oil system will cause a tow truck to be called.
- N74B60, N73B60, M70B50 and M73B54 are 12-cylinder engines that will be a real headache for owners of the BMW 7 Series. For each such unit, two fuel systems and two control systems are provided. 2 additional systems - 2 times more problems. We can say that a 12-cylinder engine is two 6-cylinder engines, and the cost of its maintenance and repair is corresponding.
There is another important problem of all BMW 7 series ICE models, this is the lack of high-quality and durable substitutes for native parts. Parts from the Chinese or Korean market will cost half as much (which does not always mean a small amount) but may only last a few months. At the same time, there is usually no guarantee, buying a replacement part for a German engine turns into a game of roulette.
The Best and Worst Motors in the BMW 7 Series
In any car model, there are successful configurations and not entirely successful ones. This concept has not bypassed the BMW 7 Series, all generations of which have shown their flaws over 40 years of operation.
M60V40 - recognized as the best unit of all generations of the BMW 7 series, this is a real work of art, designed by the hands of German engineers. The eight-cylinder engine with a displacement of 3900 cm3, equipped with a double turbocharger, shows high speed characteristics and a long operating life. Unfortunately, the production of these engines stopped at 3500 and the repair of such units today will cost half the cost of the car.
N57D30OL and N57D30TOP are acceptable diesel ICEs, relatively inexpensive to maintain, with well-balanced fuel consumption. Paired with an automatic transmission, this motor shows amazing durability. The only node that is not as durable as the internal combustion engine is the turbocharger. If the turbine fails, the repair of which is not always possible, its replacement will cost the owner a pretty penny.
Ksk was indicated above, the twelve-cylinder units are considered the most problematic, especially the N74B60 and N73B60. Constant problems with fuel systems, too expensive repairs, excessive oil consumption - this is just a short list of the least painful problems that await owners of BMW 7 Series with twelve-cylinder internal combustion engines. A separate problem is the colossal fuel consumption, and installing gas-cylinder equipment on a German only adds to his headache.
The choice is always up to the user, but you can immediately download that the BMW 7 Series is not for everyone.
