Which BMWs Have a V12 Engine? Full List Explained Clearly
Introduction
If you love BMW, you probably think first of their silky inline-sixes or the roar of an M Sport V8. That’s the core of the brand. But BMW also built something even rarer. Something bigger. The BMW V12 engine.
This wasn’t the everyday choice. It was the top shelf. The engine you found in the flagships. Cars that whispered luxury but shouted power the second you pressed the throttle. Smooth. Effortless. Endless. That is a different experience.
And the main question keeps you here: which BMWs actually came with a V12 under the bonnet? Let’s run through the full list, see how these engines evolved and why they still are one of the most prestigious engines in 2025, in an age ruled by EVs.
The Beginning of BMW’s V12
BMW’s first V12 engine came out in 1987. The M70 engine made its debut in the 750i, and it instantly set BMW apart from all other competitors. It was smooth, powerful and built to rival Mercedes flagship sedans.
From there, BMW kept making them better and better from a flagship version, improving every engine with time. There is V12 engine history:
M70 (1987–1994) – The original.
BMW’s first production V12. A 5.0-litre engine with 295 hp and 450 Nm of torque. Back then, it was one of the most powerful engines you could get in a luxury car. It powered the legendary E32 750i and the E31 850i, setting new standards for smoothness and refinement in the late ’80s and early ’90s. For BMW, it wasn’t just about speed. It was about proving they could stand toe-to-toe with Mercedes at the very top.
M73 (1993–2002) – More torque and refinement.
A bigger 5.4-litre engine, V12 with up to 322 hp and 490 Nm of torque was a power beast. You’d find it in the later 7 Series (E38 750i/750iL) and the 8 Series (850Ci). It wasn’t just stronger. It was smoother, quieter and tuned perfectly for long motorway hauls. The kind of engine that made a heavy BMW feel like it could cruise forever.
N73 (2003–2008) – Added direct injection and Valvetronic.
The first V12 in the world with both direct injection and BMW’s clever Valvetronic system. A 6.0-litre monster pushing out 439 hp and 600 Nm. You’d find it in the E65 760i and 760Li, the early-2000s flagship models.
BMW didn’t just chase power in this engine. They focused on refinement and prestige. The N73 ran cleaner, met stricter emissions rules and delivered its power more smoothly than the older BMW engines. It was a big step forward in making the V12 both modern and luxurious, not only for racing.
N74 (2008–2022) – Twin-turbocharged, brutal torque, also used in Rolls-Royce.
A 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12, known as the N74, marked the peak of BMW’s V12 engine game. Early versions made around 535 hp, but in the M760Li xDrive it climbed to 601 hp with a monstrous 850 Nm of torque. A true beast. That meant effortless acceleration, huge power delivered in complete silence, smoothness and luxury experience.
This wasn’t just a BMW thing either. Rolls-Royce adopted the same engine for the Ghost, Wraith and Phantom, tuning it for quiet luxury rather than raw speed. In the 7 Series, though, it was a different story, it gave a near-two-tonne sedan the ability to launch like a sports car, all while keeping the ride calm. The N74 was proof that BMW’s V12 could deliver both prestige and performance in equal measure.
S70 versions – Special motorsport engines, including the one that powered the McLaren F1.
S70 versions – the motorsport legends. These weren’t your everyday BMW V12s. They were built for history.
The S70/2, a 6.1-litre naturally aspirated V12, was the heart of the McLaren F1. With 618 hp, it sent the car to a top speed of 240 mph, making it the fastest production car in the world at that time. Even today, it’s regarded as one of the greatest engines ever made, perfectly blending raw power with razor-sharp response.
Then came the S70/3, a racing variant. It powered the BMW V12 LMR, which famously won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1999. That victory cemented BMW’s V12 reputation, proving it wasn’t just about smooth luxury anymore, it could dominate on the track too.
Each step wasn’t just about power, it was about making the best V12 BMW engine possible.
BMW Cars With a V12 Engine
Here’s the list of BMWs that proudly carried the V12 badge:
If you wanted the very best BMW of its time, this was it. The V12 was always reserved for the flagship and the experience it holds.
The V12 Beyond Luxury Cars
The V12 wasn’t just for big sedans. BMW used it for some truly special projects too:
McLaren F1 – Powered by BMW’s S70/2 V12 and still one of the greatest supercars ever made.
The 6.1-litre engine produced 618 hp and revved past 7,500 rpm, helping the F1 hit 240 mph, a record for a production car that stood for over a decade.
BMW V12 LMR – Won Le Mans in 1999.
Its 6.0-litre racing V12 delivered around 580 hp and the car became BMW’s first and only outright Le Mans winner, proving the V12’s durability on the toughest stage.
Alpina B12 – Rare, tuned versions of the 7 and 8 Series with more power and exclusivity.
Offered in 5.0, 5.7, and 6.0-litre versions, Alpina’s take on the BMW V12 pushed performance higher while adding the brand’s signature luxury touches, making them highly collectible today.
These projects proved BMW’s V12 wasn’t just about smooth cruising. It could win races and set records.
Why Did BMW Build a V12 At All?
The answer is simple: prestige.
A V12 runs smoother than anything else. It also gave BMW status in markets like the U.S. and Middle East, where more cylinders meant more presence. And it allowed BMW to push technology. Like direct injection, Valvetronic and later turbocharging.
It wasn’t about selling millions of cars. It was about showing what BMW could do.
BMW V12 vs Other BMW Engines
Not everyone needs twelve cylinders. For many drivers, a BMW diesel engine is the smarter choice, loads of torque, great fuel economy and built for long distances. Others stick with straight-sixes, which balance performance and efficiency perfectly.
But if you wanted the absolute top, the smoothest and most powerful BMW engine, you wanted to have V12 experience.
Finding BMW Engines Today
BMW stopped making V12 cars in 2022, with the final M760Li Final Edition. That was the end of an era.
Still, if you’re looking for a BMW engine for sale, there are options. Collectors sometimes hunt down rebuilt or used V12s for restoration projects. And for modern BMWs, if you need petrol, hybrid, or BMW diesel engines, specialist suppliers can help.
We, as one of the most reliable BMW breakers for 2012+ BMW parts, MT Auto Parts, we also stock complete 2012+ BMW engines. If you’re replacing a worn-out unit, upgrading, we have options to keep your BMW running smoothly.
Final Thoughts About BMW’s V12 Legacy
So following the main question, which BMWs had a V12 engine? The E32 750i, the E38 750i, the 760i across multiple generations, the first 8 Series, and the rare 850CSi. Add in the McLaren F1 and Alpina specials, you’ve got a true hall of fame you can enjoy. And yet, these are legendary BMW models.
The V12 era may be over, but it left behind a legacy of smoothness and prestige that few engines can match. If perhaps, you’re chasing a collector’s car or simply looking at reliable BMW engines to keep yours alive, the spirit of BMW engineering is still very much here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Which BMW models came with a V12 engine?
BMW’s V12 engines were reserved for flagship models such as the E32 750i/750iL, E38 750i/750iL, E65/E66 760i/760Li, F01/F02 760i/760Li, and the G12 M760Li xDrive. The first 8 Series (E31 850i/850Ci/850CSi) also carried V12 options.
2. What was BMW’s first V12 engine?
The first was the M70, introduced in 1987 in the 750i. It was a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 with around 295 hp, setting BMW apart as a luxury performance leader.
3. Did BMW use its V12 engines outside of luxury sedans?
Yes. The legendary McLaren F1 used BMW’s S70/2 V12, and the BMW V12 LMR race car won the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans. Alpina also built rare V12-powered B12 models.
4. Does BMW still make V12 engines today?
No. BMW stopped production of the V12 in 2022 with the final M760Li Final Edition, marking the end of its V12 era.
