We set out to find the best BMW engine of all time. In this episode of “Changing Lanes”, the official podcast of BMW, we’re about to end the eternal debate among petrolheads and BMW fans, and finally declare the greatest BMW engine of all time. Well, not really, as it’s nearly impossible to pick an engine from over 100 years of engine history at BMW. V12, V8 or straight-six; turbo or naturally aspirated; petrol or diesel engine... the options are seemingly endless. And what about electric engines and hybrids?

So instead of settling on one engine, we’ve come up with a highly subjective list of 12 engine milestones. Think we missed one of the greatest BMW engines? Let us know via changinglanes@bmw.com. 

And if you want to read more about BMW engines, go to BMW.com: 

https://www.bmw.com/en/innovation/outstanding-bmw-engine-models.html 




2:52 min - Inline 6-cylinder BMW Illa aircraft engine (1917)

5:30 min - 2-cylinder boxer engine in the BMW R 5 motorcycle (1936)

6:32 min - Inline 6-cylinder engine in the BMW 328 (1936)

7:45 min - V8-cylinder engine in the BMW 502 (1954)

9:30 min - 4-cylinder turbo engine in the BMW 2002 Turbo (E20) (1973)

11:15 min - Inline 6-cylinder engine in the BMW 3.0 CSL racing coupe (E9) (1974)

13:01 min - 4-cylinder turbo engine in the BMW Formula 1 racing car (1983)

14:47 min - 6-cylinder diesel engine in the BMW 524td (E28) (1983)

15:59 min - V12-cylinder engine in the BMW 750i (E32) (1987)

17:23 min - V10-cylinder engine in the BMW M5 (E60) (2004)

18:34 min - Electric engine in the BMW i3 (I01) (2013)

19:47 min - Hybrid 3-cylinder engine and electric engine in the BMW i8 (I12) (2014)




“Changing Lanes” is the official podcast of BMW. Subscribe for new episodes each week, in which our hosts take you on an exciting journey and talk about innovative technologies, lifestyle, design and more.

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