The F-series engines are based on the BMW M60 and M62 V8 engines.
The F1 engine is based on the M60B40 engine from the BMW 740i with 282bhp (210kW) and 400Nm. It was the first V8 engine for Alpina. The F1 engine was introduced in the E32 B11 4.0 and E34 B10 4.0 in early 1993.
The M60 engine series has Nikasil – and later Alusil – applied to line the cylinders during the production process, which greatly increased the complexity of changing the cylinder bore afterwards. Modifications included custom pistons, camshafts, air intake, modified cylinderhead, exhaust manifold, exhaust and reprogrammed engine management.
The F1/1 engine is a slightly modified version of the F1 engine, to fit in the more compact engine compartment of the E36 3-series. Changes from the F1 engine included air intake, engine mounts, oilpump, oilpan and exhaust manifold.
For the F2 engine, a custom engine block was developed by Alpina for production by BMW. This engine was introduced in the E34 B10 4.6 in late 1994.
Changes from the F1 engine included larger cylinder bore from 89mm to 93mm, which increased engine capacity to 4.6 liters, custom crankshaft and airbox.
The F2/1 engine is a slightly modified version of the F2 engine, to fit in the more compact engine compartment of the E36 3-series. It was introduced in the E36 B8 4.6 in early 1995.
Changes from the F2 engine include air intake, engine mounts, oilpump, oilpan and exhaust manifold. The more restrictive exhaust manifold resulted in slight power reduction from the F2 engine.
In 1996, BMW introduced a major update – the M62 engine series.
The F3 engine is based on the M62B44 engine from the BMW 540i with 282bhp (210kW) and 420Nm. The F3 engine was introduced in the E39 B10 V8 in late 1996. Modifications include custom engine block, crankshaft, pistons, camshafts, air intake, modified cylinder head, exhaust manifold, exhaust and reprogrammed engine management.
In 1998, BMW introduced the first technical update of the M62 engine with single-VANOS – variable valve timing – on both intake cams, as well as EML electronic throttle control.
The F4 engine is based on the M62B44TÜ engine from the BMW 540i with 282bhp (210kW) and 440Nm. The F4 engine was introduced in the E39 B10 V8 in late 1998. Changes from the F3 engine are limited to the technical update, engine power increased slightly.
The F4/1 is an updated version of the F4 engine focused on fuel efficiency and emissions. It was introduced in the E39 B10 V8/1 in late 2000.
The F5 engine was introduced in the E39 B10 V8 S in late 2002. The main modification from the F4/1 engine is a longer stroke from 85mm to 89mm, increasing engine capacity to 4837cc. Changes from the F4/1 engine include crankshaft, intake camshaft and oilpan. Exhaust camshafts are sourced from the BMW X5 4.6iS.
The F4 engine was productionized by BMW into the M62B46 engine for installation in the X5 4.6iS and Morgan Aero 8 GTN in late 2001. The engines are quite similar but not all parts are interchangeable.
F engines | ||||
F1 | F1/1 | F2 | F2/1 | |
BMW basis | M60B40 | |||
Displacement | 3982 cc | 4619 cc | ||
Power | 315PS / 232kW 5800rpm |
315PS / 232kW 5800rpm |
340PS / 250kW 5700rpm |
333PS / 245kW 5700rpm |
Torque | 410Nm 4600rpm |
410Nm 4600rpm |
480Nm 3900rpm |
470Nm 3900rpm |
Compression | 10,0:1 | 10,0:1 | 10,5:1 | 10,5:1 |
DME | Bosch M3.3 | Bosch M3.3 | Bosch M3.3 | Bosch M3.3 |
Applications | E32 B11 4.0 E34 B10 4.0 |
E36 B8 4.0 | E34 B10 4.6 | E36 B8 4.6 |
F engines | ||||
F3 | F4 | F4/1 | F5 | |
BMW basis | M62B44 | M62B44TÜ | M62B44TÜ | M62B44TÜ |
Displacement | 4619 cc | 4619 cc | 4619 cc | 4837 cc |
Power | 340PS / 250kW 5700rpm |
347PS / 255kW 5700rpm |
347PS / 255kW 5700rpm |
375PS / 276kW 5800rpm |
Torque | 470Nm 3800rpm |
480Nm 3700rpm |
480Nm 3700rpm |
510Nm 3800rpm |
Compression | 10,5:1 | 10,5:1 | 10,5:1 | 10,5:1 |
DME | Bosch M5.2.1 | Bosch M5.2.1 | Bosch ME7.2 | Bosch ME7.2 |
Emissions | Euro II | Euro II | Euro III | Euro III |
Applications | E39 B10 V8 | E39 B10 V8 | E39 B10 V8/1 | E39 B10 V8 S E52 Roadster V8 |