Plentywahalla
Junior Member
What does anybody know of BMW inboards being used in Class 3 115bhp. Long before BMW set up their infated Marine Division, their Competitions Department developed a couple of marine engines. They were looking for ways to exploit their new M10 2 litre slant four engines designed for the 'New Class' cars such as the 2002ti. They made two versions, a '411' 130bhp with two twin choke sidedraft Solex, and a derated version '410' 115bhp with a single choke downdraught Solex.
I know from reading other historic reports that BMW engines appeared in offshore powerboats in '69 / '70 era. As these were the only marinized engine BMW made at this time I assume they must have been into class 3.
BMW didn't launch their Marine Division until 1977 with engines aimed at the leisure market. Those models were not well engineered and made for mass market. They made some simple mistakes with galvanic issues and their outdrive legs were rubbish. The general impression left behind was that BMW marine engines were a failure and the whole division and Belgian factory sold ten years later to Brunswick Corp.
The original 410 and 411 were virtually hand built with high compession heads and all copper fabricated heat exchangers and headers. They were different animal altogether, but they seem to have been forgotten by the history books. Here is a pic of my 411, note the commission plate says BMW, not BMW Marine. Any knowledge from the history books would be very welcome.
I know from reading other historic reports that BMW engines appeared in offshore powerboats in '69 / '70 era. As these were the only marinized engine BMW made at this time I assume they must have been into class 3.
BMW didn't launch their Marine Division until 1977 with engines aimed at the leisure market. Those models were not well engineered and made for mass market. They made some simple mistakes with galvanic issues and their outdrive legs were rubbish. The general impression left behind was that BMW marine engines were a failure and the whole division and Belgian factory sold ten years later to Brunswick Corp.
The original 410 and 411 were virtually hand built with high compession heads and all copper fabricated heat exchangers and headers. They were different animal altogether, but they seem to have been forgotten by the history books. Here is a pic of my 411, note the commission plate says BMW, not BMW Marine. Any knowledge from the history books would be very welcome.
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