BMW M60

Development

During the 1970s, BMW produced a prototype V8 engine for the E23 7 Series, however this engine did not reach production.

Development of the M60 began in 1984.

Design

The M60 engine has double overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder. The camshaft is driven by a dual-row timing chain

To reduce weight, the engine uses aluminum for both the engine block and cylinder head, magnesium valve covers and a plastic intake manifold. The dry weight of the engine is between 175 kg and 203 kg.

Versions

M60B30

The M60B30 has a bore of 84 mm and a stroke of 67.6 mm,

Applications:

• 1992–1995 E34 530i
• 1992–1994 E32 730i
• 1994–1996 E38 730i

M60B40

The M60B40 has a bore of 89 mm and a stroke of 80 mm, It had a forged crankshaft.

Applications:

• 1993–1995 E34 540i
• 1992–1994 E32 740i
• 1994–1996 E38 740i
• 1992–1996 E31 840i
• 1993–1998 De Tomaso Guarà

Alpina versions

Alpina produced a high compression (10.8:1) version of the M60B40 for the BMW Alpina B10 4.0 (based on the E34 5 Series) and the B11 4.0 (based on the E32 7 Series) and in some B8 4.0 models (based on the E36 3 Series) produced for the Japanese market. The M60 engine produced 234 kW in the B10 4.0. 4619 cc 93 mm 85 mm The engine's displacement was later enlarged to 4619 cc for use in the B8 4.6 and B10 4.6. The power output is 253 kW in the B10 4.6 and 248 kW in the B8 4.6.

Nikasil damage from high-sulfur fuels

The M60 uses Nikasil- an alloy containing aluminium, nickel and silicon alloy- to line the cylinders bores. In fuels with high sulfur content (such as used fuels sold at the time in the United States, United Kingdom and South America), the sulfur damages the Nikasil bore lining, causing the engine to lose compression. In the U.S. and U.K., sulfur rich fuel is being phased out.

BMW replaced engines under warranty and Nikasil was eventually replaced by Alusil.

Nikasil engines are unlikely to be a problem today, as cars with affected engines are off the road or have received replacement engines.

References

References

1. "The Lost BMW V8 and V12 Engines From the 1970s".
2. "BMW M60 engine".
3. "M60 engine specs".
4. (17 April 2015). "BMW M60B40 Engine".
5. "BMW M60 and M62 V8 Engines".
6. (8 October 2014). "BMW M60 and M62 engines".
7. "SBT 4.0 Liter V8 Engine – M60".
8. "E34 B10 4.0".
9. "E36 B8 4.6".
10. "ALPINA Automobiles based on BMW 5 Series E34".
11. "E34 B10 4.6".
12. "Tier 2 Vehicle & Gasoline Sulfur Program".
13. (11 November 2000). "No fuel like a low-sulphur fuel".
14. "BMW World – Nikasil".
15. "The BMW V8 Nikasil myth".