BMW 502

BMW 502: which version to buy — 2.6 MT vs 3.2 MT

If you are choosing a BMW 502 rather than reading a general overview, the catalogue has one generation (1954–1961), one body type (Cabrio), and two named versions: 2.6 MT and 3.2 MT. Both are Gasoline, 8 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, 2 valves per cylinder, No boost, Carburetor, Front, longitudinal engine, Manual 4-speed, RWD.

If you are choosing a BMW 502 rather than reading a general overview, the catalogue has one generation (1954–1961), one body type (Cabrio), and two named versions: 2.6 MT and 3.2 MT. Both are Gasoline, 8 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, 2 valves per cylinder, No boost, Carburetor, Front, longitudinal engine, Manual 4-speed, RWD. The measured differences are displacement and power: 2.6 MT is 2580 cm³ and 100 hp (75 kW); 3.2 MT is 3168 cm³ and 140 hp (103 kW). Top speed is 160 km/h on both. Price, kerb weight, 0–100, and fuel use are not measured in this dataset, so a “buy” decision here is a specs decision, not a market one.

BMW 502 specs: two versions, one generation

There is 1 generation. Restyling is not listed as a separate generation.

1 generation (1954–1961) is a Cabrio with 2 versions: 2.6 MT (1954–1961) and 3.2 MT (1954–1961). Years, body, gearbox type, drive, and cylinder count do not change between them. Searches for BMW 502 saloon, BMW 502 coupe, BMW 502i, or BMW 502d do not match extra catalogue versions here: this file lists only the Cabrio 2.6 MT and 3.2 MT. BMW 501 vs 502 is a different model pair and is not in this data.

BMW 502 V8 engine: what 2.6 MT and 3.2 MT actually differ by

Both engines are Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder units with Carburetor feed, No boost, Front, longitudinal placement, and 2 valves per cylinder.

2.6 MT displacement is 2580 cm³; 3.2 MT is 3168 cm³. The gap is 588 cm³, which is 22.8% more volume on 3.2 MT (588 ÷ 2580).

2.6 MT power is 100 hp / 75 kW; 3.2 MT is 140 hp / 103 kW. The gap is 40 hp and 28 kW, which is 40% more horsepower on 3.2 MT (40 ÷ 100) and 37.3% more kilowatts (28 ÷ 75).

Specific output from these figures:

• 2.6 MT: 100 hp ÷ 2.580 L = 38.8 hp per litre; 75 kW ÷ 2.580 L = 29.1 kW per litre.
• 3.2 MT: 140 hp ÷ 3.168 L = 44.2 hp per litre; 103 kW ÷ 3.168 L = 32.5 kW per litre.

3.2 MT therefore makes 5.4 hp per litre more and 3.4 kW per litre more than 2.6 MT. Extra displacement is not the whole story: power rose faster than capacity (40% power vs 22.8% volume).

Bore and stroke is 74 × 75 on 2.6 MT and not measured on 3.2 MT. Compression ratio is not measured on both. Torque (Nm) and torque rpm are not measured on both. Power rpm is not measured on both. Fuel grade is not measured on both.

If the search is “BMW 502 V8 engine” or “BMW 502 engine,” both versions are that V-shaped 8; the buy split is 2580 cm³ / 100 hp versus 3168 cm³ / 140 hp, not a different cylinder count.

BMW 502 specs table

Feed is Carburetor on 2.6 MT and 3.2 MT. Engine position is Front, longitudinal on both. Valves per cylinder: 2 on both.

Performance, mpg, and top speed

0–100 km/h is not measured for 2.6 MT and not measured for 3.2 MT. You cannot rank sprint from this file.

Top speed is 160 km/h on 2.6 MT and 160 km/h on 3.2 MT. The extra 40 hp does not show up as a higher catalogue maximum: the measured ceiling is the same number.

City, highway, and combined consumption are not measured for both. CO2 is not measured. Eco class is not measured. “BMW 502 mpg” cannot be answered with a litre figure from this dataset.

What can be said without inventing times: 3.2 MT has 40% more horsepower at the same 160 km/h cap and the same Manual 4 / RWD layout. Whether that extra power is usable in acceleration is not measured.

Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels

Kerb weight is not measured for 2.6 MT and not measured for 3.2 MT. Gross weight is not measured on both. Ground clearance is not measured. Fuel tank is not measured. Wheel sizes are not measured.

Weight per horsepower cannot be calculated: there is no kerb mass to divide. “What the extra 40 hp costs in kilos” is not measured.

Chassis items that are listed and are the same: front suspension Independent, torsion on 2.6 MT and on 3.2 MT; rear suspension not measured on both; front brakes Drum on both; rear brakes not measured on both.

Which BMW 502 version to choose

There is no generation-to-generation change to buy into: one generation, 1954–1961, Cabrio, two engines. The choice is 2.6 MT versus 3.2 MT.

Choose 2.6 MT if you want the smaller Gasoline V-shaped 8: 2580 cm³, 100 hp, 75 kW, bore and stroke 74 × 75 (the only version where that pair is measured), Manual 4, RWD, top speed 160 km/h. Specific output is 38.8 hp/L. You give up 40 hp and 588 cm³ versus 3.2 MT. You do not give up a different gearbox, drive, boost, or body: those match.

Choose 3.2 MT if the point of a BMW 502 V8 for you is the larger engine: 3168 cm³, 140 hp, 103 kW, 44.2 hp/L, same Manual 4, same RWD, same 160 km/h. You gain 40% horsepower and 22.8% displacement. You do not gain a higher listed top speed. Bore and stroke on 3.2 MT is not measured.

Price is not measured, so “what the extra money buys” cannot be a currency answer. In catalogue arithmetic, the step from 2.6 MT to 3.2 MT buys 40 hp, 28 kW, 588 cm³, and 5.4 hp per litre more specific output. It does not buy a different transmission, a different drive, a different body, a later generation, or a higher 160 km/h figure.

Reliability and common problems are not measured in this data; do not treat silence as a clean bill of health.

For sale listings (BMW 502 for sale, cabriolet for sale, V8 for sale, 1955 BMW 502 for sale, engine for sale) are outside this file. Match a listing to the exact names 2.6 MT or 3.2 MT and to 100 hp versus 140 hp so two cars with similar badges are not mixed.

Short rule: same Cabrio, same years, same Manual 4 RWD V-shaped 8. 2.6 MT = 2580 cm³ / 100 hp / 38.8 hp/L. 3.2 MT = 3168 cm³ / 140 hp / 44.2 hp/L. Top speed 160 km/h either way. Weight, 0–100, mpg, tank, and price: not measured.