325 engine or 525 engine, how do you tell the difference?

[Ferngee]

If I was looking at a 1993 325 engine on the ground and a 1993 525 engine on the ground, How would I be able to tell the difference between the two?

[Bear]

A 325 and a 525 are the same engine, just in different models (3 or 5 series) both are 2.5 Liter inline sixes.

[Stu Mc]

Originally Posted by Ferngee

If I was looking at a 1993 325 engine on the ground and a 1993 525 engine on the ground, How would I be able to tell the difference between the two?

If it's out of a 325, the engine mounting arms will look like these:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...96&hg=11&fg=10

If it's out of a 525, the mounting arms will look like these:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...84&hg=11&fg=10

Also, a 525i engine will have the sump of the oil pan toward the front of the engine. The 325i engine will have the sump toward the rear of the engine.