The M57 is such a good base to extract a lot more power than stock that it has also found fans in the U.S., where tuners like to push engines to the extreme. It is preferred thanks to its tough cast iron block, high-quality construction, and a history of reliability. Subsequent generations of the straight-six diesel moved to an aluminum alloy block, which is why the older unit is often chosen for big-power applications.
Tuners can come close to doubling an M57’s output by giving it new (and bigger turbochargers), a larger intercooler, a higher-flow fuel system with uprated injector nozzles, and a software remap. If the car that receives this modified engine with over 500 horsepower has a manual gearbox, it will probably need an upgraded clutch to handle all the extra oomph and not shatter as it struggles to send the extra torque to the wheels.
The quickest-accelerating and most powerful diesel BMW ever is a stripped-out E81 1 Series (originally a 118d) sporting a heavily modified M57 engine. It is a drag car project created by a specialist tuner in Romania, and it has 1,020 horsepower and 1,217 pound-feet (1,650 Nm) of torque. That’s remarkable for any engine, let alone a 3.0-liter diesel. What makes the feat even more impressive is the fact that around 75% of all its drivetrain components are stock, confirming this engine’s reputation for reliability.
The car would have been difficult to control with rear-wheel drive, so it was given all-wheel drive from a different BMW, allowing it to complete the quarter-mile in just 8.31 seconds.
