| 17 version of the engine | 1234 | | Typ | 518i | 518i | 520i | 520i 24V | 520i 24V |
| Engine | benzynowy | benzynowy | benzynowy | benzynowy | benzynowy |
| Type of injection | pośredni MPI | pośredni MPI | pośredni MPI | pośredni MPI | pośredni MPI |
| Engine Code | M40B18 | M43B18 | M20B20 | M50B20 | M50B20TU |
| Years of mounting | 1989-1994 | 1994-1995 | 1988-1991 | 1990-1992 | 1992-1995 |
| Cylinders/valves | R4/8 | R4/8 | R6/12 | R6/24 | R6/24 |
| Displacement [cm³] | 1796 | 1796 | 1990 | 1990 | 1990 |
| Power [kW/PS/RPM] | 83/113/5500 | 85/115/5500 | 95/129/6000 | 110/150/5900 | 110/150/5900 |
| Torque [Nm/RPM] | 162/4250 | 168/3900 | 174/4000 | 190/4700 | 190/4200 |
| Timing gear | pasek | łańcuch | pasek | łańcuch | łańcuch |
| Particle filter | - | - | - | - | - |
| Gearbox | manual. 5b/aut. 4b | manual. 5b/aut. 4b | manual. 5b/aut. 4b | manual. 5b/aut. 4b | manual. 5b/aut. 5b |
| Drivetrain | tylny | tylny | tylny | tylny | tylny |
| Brakes, front/rear | tarczowe/tarczowe | tarcz./tarcz. | tarcz./tarcz. | tarcz./tarcz. | tarcz./tarcz. |
| Front suspension | kol. MacPhersona | kol. MacPhersona | kol. MacPhersona | kol. MacPhersona | kol. MacPhersona |
| Rear suspension | wielowahaczowe | wielowahaczowe | wielowahaczowe | wielowahaczowe | wielowahaczowe |
| Curb weight [kg] | 1360/1400 | 1360/1400 | 1400/1420 | 1425/1445 | 1445/1480 |
| Body dimensions [mm] | 4720/1751/1412 | 4720/1751/1412 | 4720/1751/1412 | 4720/1751/1412 | 4720/1751/1412 |
| Luggage capacity [l] | 460 | 460 | 460 | 460 | 460 |
| Acceleration 0-100km/h (0-62mph) [s] | 12,8/14,1 | 12,3/13,7 | 11,9/13,9 | 10,6/12,2 | 10,6/11,7 |
| Top speed [km/h] | 194/191 | 198/192 | 203/198 | 211/207 | 211/207 |
| Fuel cons. (city/h-way/comb.) [l/100km] | 11,6/6,8/9,0 | 11,5/6,2/8,6 | 13,5/7,4/9,9 | 14,2/7,0/9,9 | 12,5/6,5/9,0 |
| Fuel tank capacity [l] | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Ratio kg/PS | 12.04/12.39 | 11.83/12.17 | 10.85/11.01 | 9.5/9.63 | 9.63/9.87 |