The BMW M10 engine made its debut nearly half a century ago. That’s a very long time, and car engines and technology have seen monumental changes since. However, the M10 is arguably the most incredible engine that BMW ever made.
To put things into perspective, I could tell you about how it’s the engine that spawned the S14 engine (the one on the E30 M3), or how a derivative of it made its way onto a title-winning Formula 1 car; but, there’s more to the M10 than just that. Here’s a look at the BMW M10 — one of the best engines ever made.
BMW M10: The Makings of a Legendary Engine
BMW was one of many European manufacturers that had to rebuild itself from scratch following WWII. The Isetta-designed microcars that it sold in the mid-1950s went on to become one of the highest-selling cars at the time, but it wasn’t enough to keep the German manufacturer from nearly going bankrupt.
In 1962, the company introduced a New Class range of sedans, with then Head of Engine Development, Alexander von Falkenhausen, overseeing the powertrain these cars would host. He decided to use a 1.5-liter inline-four engine that he believed could be upsized for better performance down the line. The resulting product is what we know today as the M10.
Ahead of Its Time
A pioneer in building engines, von Falkenhausen, convinced the higher-ups at BMW that the engine should be made of aluminum wherever possible. The M10’s head, front cover, and intake manifold were made of lightweight metal, while cast iron was used for the block. The end product was an extremely durable engine that withstood the most challenging conditions and the test of time.
Photo courtesy: Autowp.ru
Top of the Family Tree
The first of the M10 engines was dubbed the M115 — the last 2 digits implying that it was a 1.5L unit. The 1,499cc, inline-four engine was good for 80hp and 87lb-ft of torque and was first mounted onto the BMW 1500 sedan. This car would go on to cement the manufacturer’s identity as a serious car manufacturer and is essentially the engine that turned the tides in BMW’s favor.
The M10 was produced from 1962-1988, and over its lifespan, saw multiple derivatives and iterations. It was found in just about every important Bimmer of that era, including the now legendary BMW E30 3-Series. Here’s a quick look at them, in order of displacement:
M115 Version
As we just mentioned, this was the first of the M10 engines. From 1962-1964, it was available on the BMW 1500. Over a decade later, it returned on the BMW 1502, producing 75hp and 87lb-ft of torque, this time around.
M116 Version
In 1964, BMW took the M115 engine and gave it a slightly larger bore that took its displacement to 1,573cc. This engine was called the M116. Power and torque figures varied between 85hp and 105hp, and 96lb-ft and 104lb-ft of torque, respectively, depending on which car it was fitted on.
The M116 powered the 1964-1966 BMW 1600, 1966-1975 BMW 1602, and the 1967-1968 BMW 1600 ti.
M41 Version
The M41 engine is essentially the M115 in a different state of tune, owing to a different compression ratio. Peak output figures were rated at 66 kW (90 hp at 6,000rpm and 123lb-ft at 4,000rpm.
This engine powered the first generation of the BMW 3-series — 1975-1980 E21 316.
M98 Version
The M98 is another 1,573cc inline-four unit with a different compression ratio and carburetor (Pierburg 1B2 carburetor), resulting in 75hp and 81lb-ft of torque.
This engine, too, was part of the E21 models — 1981-1983 E21 315.
M10B18 Version
The M10B18 was a 1,766cc iteration of the M10 engine and was available on multiple different models. Power varied from 100hp to 105hp, while torque figures were between 100lb-ft and 107lb-ft.
This engine made its way onto the 1980-1983 E21 320i/320is, the 1980-1983 E12 518, 1982-1987 E30 316, 1982-1988 E30 318i, and the 1981-1988 E28 518i. It’s also the last of the M10 engines and was produced until 1988.
M118 Version
In 1963, BMW introduced the 1800 and 1800ti sedans powered by a 1,773cc iteration of the M10 engine. Called the M118, power ranged from 90hp to 130hp, with torque between 106lb-ft and 116lb-ft, depending on which car it was on.
Apart from the 1800 and 1800ti, the M118 was also at the heart of the 1964-1965 1800tiSA and 1974-1981 E12 518.
M05 Version
The M10 had multiple 1,990cc iterations, and it’s this displacement that saw the most success, as well. The first was the M05 that powered the 1965-1970 BMW 2000CS, 1966-1970 BMW 2000C, 1966-1972 BMW 2000, 1966-1971 BMW 2000ti, and the 1968-1976 BMW 2002.
Peak power was either 100hp or 120hp, while peak torque was 116lb-ft or 123lb-ft, based on which car BMW used it on.
M15 Version
The M15 version introduced a Kugelfischer fuel injection to the previously carburetted 1,990cc engine and produced 130hp and 131lb-ft of torque. It powered the 1970-1973 BMW 2000tii, 1972-1974 BMW 2002tii, and the 1972-1974 BMW E12 520i.
M17 Version
The 1972-1977 BMW E12 520 used the same 1,990cc engine with a carburetor and produced 115hp and 122lb-ft of torque.
M43 Version
Also referred to as the M43/1, this version of the M10 was found on the 1975-1979 BMW E21 320 and the 1975-1979 E21 320i (USA only), producing 109hp and 118lb-ft of torque.
M64 Version
This engine version produced 125hp and 129lb-ft of torque on the 1975-1978 BMW E21 320i and 1975-1979 BMW E12 520i.
M31 Version
From 1973-1975, BMW produced the 2002 Turbo, which used a turbocharged iteration of the 1,990cc M10. Peak output figures were 170hp and 181lb-ft of torque.
BMW M10 In The History Books
Photo courtesy: Autowp.ru
As you can see, the BMW M10 engine has an extensive part in BMW’s journey to becoming a powerhouse in the automotive space. That said, what it’s most remembered for is the fact that it played a part in the development of engines like the S14 and the M31.
S14
The S14 is the engine that sits at the heart of the iconic E30 M3. The inline-four petrol engine is essentially the M10 block mated to the cylinder head from the inline-six S38 engine with two cylinders removed. In the highest state of factory tune, the legendary S14 produced an impressive 235hp at 7,000rpm and 177lb-ft of torque at 4,750rpm.
M12
The BMW M12/13 turbo is perhaps the M10’s most notable achievement. This 1499.8cc, inline-four, turbocharged engine powered the F1 cars of the Brabham, Arrows, and Benetton teams. Nelson Piquet won the F1 Championship in 1983 — the first won with a turbo engine — piloting a Brabham powered by the BMW M12/13 turbo.
While exact power figures were never revealed, engineers at the time mentioned that it was in the whereabouts of a jaw-dropping 1,500hp — a true testament to the durability and potential of the M10 engine.
BMW M10: The Best There Was
The M10 did everything from snatching BMW out of the clutches of bankruptcy to winning the manufacturer a constructor’s title in the most prestigious road-racing championship.
In fact, 1983 was the last year that a street-derived engine accomplished the feat, and it’s very likely that’s an achievement that will never happen again. The engine had so much potential that it ended up producing nearly 20 times as much power as it was initially designed with.
Today, many enthusiasts may remember BMW’s inline-six engines more fondly, but there’s no denying the importance the M10 had in creating the brand we know today.
