Original BMW 10.5 mm Locating Dowel Sleeve, BMW 2002, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, and More (1967–2024)

The Original BMW 10.5 mm locating dowel sleeve aligns mating engine parts, including the cylinder head, on BMW cars from the 1967 1600 and 2002 through the 2024 M850i xDrive. BMW calls the part simply a dowel and gives its diameter as 10.5 mm. It weighs 1 gram, it is made in Germany, and it is sold and priced individually. A locating dowel carries no clamping load of its own. It holds two machined faces in exact register so the gasket and bolts can seal the joint where they should. BMW uses this sleeve in more than one location, which is why it appears in so many engine families.

Original BMW Parts carry a 24-month parts warranty.

The current number entered production in June 1988 and replaced the earlier 11-12-1-278-954. BMW marks the change as exchangeable retrospectively, so the newer dowel also suits engines built before 1988. The part also cross-references to 11-11-0-601-105. Across its long run, BMW pairs this dowel with the M10 four-cylinder, the M20 and M30 sixes, the S14 and S38 motorsport engines, and the M40, M42, M43, M44, M50, M52, S50, and S52 generation. Later applications include the N20, N52, N54, N55, B46, and B48 engines.

Technical Details

• Manufacturer: BMW, sold as an Original BMW part
• Part number: 11-12-1-726-238
• BMW part name: dowel
• Diameter: 10.5 mm
• Weight: 1 g (0.04 oz)
• Production start: June 1988
• Supersedes: 11-12-1-278-954, exchangeable retrospectively
• Country of manufacture: Germany
• Sold individually
• Warranty: 24 months

Common Questions

Is this dowel sold individually or as a set?
It is sold and priced each. Order the quantity your job calls for.

My old parts carry 11-12-1-278-954. Will this replace it?
Yes. BMW replaced that number with 11-12-1-726-238 and marks the change as exchangeable retrospectively.

What size is it?
BMW specifies a 10.5 mm diameter.

Fitment & Compatibility

Confirm your model year and submodel against the table below before ordering. PMB Performance has spent over 20 years matching parts to vehicles and can verify this against your VIN.