Definitive list of models with the N51?

MWC · 07-07-2021, 08:41 AM

Is there a definitive list of which BMW models came with the N51?

I have been searching but have not been able to find anything that makes it clear. I'm looking to buy an N52 for a race car and want to be absolutely sure I avoid the N51. Did any X3s come with N51s or were they only sold in the 1 and 3 series?

Is there a way you can tell the engines apart? Vin number? some kind of marking?

Thanks!

CTinline-six · 07-07-2021, 09:01 AM

On the front of the engine there is a marking that will say N51B30A. I'll see if I can snap a pic of mine later.

sprp85 · 07-07-2021, 10:25 AM

I remember VIN numbers do decode into N51 or N52.

mapleleaf1773 · 07-07-2021, 10:48 AM

If it has secondary Air its N51.

N52 doesn't have secondary Air. Easiest was to tell

mike5124 · 07-08-2021, 03:55 PM

If it says SULEV under the hood it's N51. You can also tell if you see secondary air pump. It came in the 128i and 328i, not sure if it came on X-series but I would assume so.

You can also decode the VIN, bimmer.work has been pretty accurate as far as I know.

07-07-2021, 08:41 AM	#1
MWC New Member 4 Rep 8 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Race car, 997.2 C2s Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Definitive list of models with the N51? Is there a definitive list of which BMW models came with the N51? I have been searching but have not been able to find anything that makes it clear. I'm looking to buy an N52 for a race car and want to be absolutely sure I avoid the N51. Did any X3s come with N51s or were they only sold in the 1 and 3 series? Is there a way you can tell the engines apart? Vin number? some kind of marking? Thanks!
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07-07-2021, 09:01 AM	#2
CTinline-six Hoonigan 6947 Rep 3,017 Posts Drives: '09 328i, '98 Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i N51 [0.00]	On the front of the engine there is a marking that will say N51B30A. I'll see if I can snap a pic of mine later. __________________ "Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." -Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park
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07-07-2021, 10:25 AM	#3
sprp85 Lieutenant 98 Rep 406 Posts Drives: S54/N52 Join Date: May 2014 Location: MA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 E46 M3 [0.00] 2007 E91 328i [0.00]	I remember VIN numbers do decode into N51 or N52.
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07-07-2021, 10:48 AM	#4
mapleleaf1773 First Lieutenant 423 Rep 411 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 328i XDrive Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: West Virginia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i XDrive [0.00]	If it has secondary Air its N51. N52 doesn't have secondary Air. Easiest was to tell
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07-08-2021, 03:55 PM	#5
mike5124 Private First Class 40 Rep 144 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i (E90) Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	If it says SULEV under the hood it's N51. You can also tell if you see secondary air pump. It came in the 128i and 328i, not sure if it came on X-series but I would assume so. You can also decode the VIN, bimmer.work has been pretty accurate as far as I know.
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