BMW M73

Design

Compared with its M70 predecessor, the M73 features an updated roller-rocker valve-train and an increased displacement, due to a bore increase of 1 mm ending with a cylinder bore of 85mm and a stroke increase of 4 mm to have a final piston stroke of 79mm. While most other engines in the BMW range had switched to dual overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder, the M73 used a single overhead camshaft and with two valves per cylinder. However, BMW engineers did create a prototype four-valve per cylinder V12, called the M72, which developed 265 kW and 530 Nm of torque. However, this 48-valve engine did not fulfill the comfort demands of the large sedan class in all respects and, as a result, did not go into production.

These engines have two separate Bosch Motronic engine control units, which are connected to a third single Siemens control unit, called EML. The engine utilizes four knock sensors mounted on the heads, a cam position sensor mounted on the right head and two crank sensors, one for each ECU. Throttle by wire is used. Similar to its predecessor, the M70, spark distributors are still present for each cylinder bank.

The hydrogen versions of the engine feature a \lambda \ge 3.0 lean burn concept, which allows quality torque control similar to a Diesel engine (i. e. no engine throttling). Due to the lower LHV of a hydrogen-air mixture, and the fact that the engine was designed as a Bi-Fuel (petrol and hydrogen) engine, the power output is reduced by 38 per cent compared to the petrol only version of the engine.

Models

M73B54

Applications:

• 1994–1998 E38 750i/750iL/L7
• 1994–1999 E31 850Ci

M73TUB54

Due to more stringent emissions standards, the 1999 model year marked the addition of an electronically heated catalyst, variable MAP thermostat, and water cooled alternator.

Applications:

• 1998–2001 E38 750i/750iL/L7/hL
• 1998 Cardi Curara
• 1999–2002 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph
• 2009–2010 Simbol Design Lavazza GTX
• 2013 Monte Carlo Automobile Rascasse

M72B54 prototype

In 1989, as part of a feasibility study, BMW's engine development department produced a four-valve version of its V12 engine. Only one engine was produced, having an up-sized variant of the M70B50 engine called the M72B54. Bore and stroke was increased to 85mm and 79mm and the total displacement of 5.4L was achieved, matching the values of the standard M73 engine. The power and torque both increased to 265 kW and 530 Nm respectively.

Awards

• 1999 International Engine of the Year - Best Above 4.0 Litre category winner

References

References

1. "Information on M73 engines".
2. "BMW Super Bild Of The Day: 5.4 liter BMW V12".
3. "M73 Training Reference Manual".
4. "E38 750iL Engine electrical system engine".
5. (February 2002). "Der Zwölfzylinder-Wasserstoffmotor im BMW 750hL". MTZ Motortechnische Zeitschrift.
6. (February 2002). "Der Zwölfzylinder-Wasserstoffmotor im BMW 750hL". MTZ Motortechnische Zeitschrift.
7. (February 2002). "Der Zwölfzylinder-Wasserstoffmotor im BMW 750hL". MTZ Motortechnische Zeitschrift.
8. "BMW M70, M72 and M73 V12 Engines".
9. (July 2025). "BMW M72 twelve-cylinder four-valve engine".