BMW 3.0L (183 cu in) firing order — diagram & guide
Exploring the efficiency and balance of the BMW 3.0L firing order.
Among all the BMW engines, the 3.0-liter straight-six is one of the longest-lasting powertrains and it’s especially popular among enthusiasts. However, the variety of different engine variations like the M52 and the N54 often cause confusion among owners when it comes to the firing order.
So, we’ve decided to give you a complete guide on the BMW 3.0L (183 cu in) firing order and include both the naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants. Once we go through with it, you’ll have an easier time understanding which firing order suits your vehicle the best, as well as learning more about the cylinder layout.
BMW 3.0L firing order
When it comes to the naturally aspirated variations of the BMW’s straight-six engine, the BMW 3.0L firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4 and this goes for most naturally aspirated engines. So, all such 3.0-liter engines like the N52, N53, and N54 feature this same firing order.
Still, some turbocharged engines have a different firing pattern even though the cylinder arrangement matches. Because of that, we have to also dig into the more recent turbocharged straight-six engines.
BMW 3.0L turbo firing order
Unlike the naturally-aspirated engine, the BMW 3.0L turbo firing order is 1-3-5-6-2-4. This goes for the S55 turbo 3.0-liter engine, so there’s a clear difference between that one and the regular 3.0-liter straight-six.
Even though there’s a difference in the firing orders, the cylinder order is still matching for all the 3.0-liter engines so we’ll dig into that next.
BMW 3.0L cylinder diagram
The most important thing besides the firing order for these engines is the cylinder layout. At least there things get easier since the cylinder configuration is pretty simple. All the engine variations are straight-six layouts and that means the cylinders go from 1 to 6 in a straight order.
The first one is the cylinder closest to the radiator up on the front side of the engine. From there, the cylinders simply spread towards the cylinder number six in a straight sequence, front to back.
BMW 3.0L vehicle applications
Now that we’ve got that all cleared up, it’s time to discuss the vehicle applications of this engine. It was used in various forms over the years and that means a variety of BMW vehicles had the 3.0-liter straight-six under the hood, including the following models:
So, now you know that as long as your car has a naturally aspirated engine under the hood, the firing order will be 1-5-3-6-2-4, while the firing order for turbocharged versions is 1-3-5-6-2-4.
Our take
Well, our team hopes that this guide on the BMW 3.0-liter firing order helps keep the engine running smoothly in your car. Remember that the regular and turbocharged versions have different firing orders and check the spark plugs and coils while you are at it.
