BMW 135i (E82) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW 135i in the first 1 Series coupé generation (E82, built 2007–2013) was built with one engine, the N54B30: a 3.0 L petrol inline-6 with 306 hp.

Below you will find how to identify the engine in your 135i, the faults to look for, current prices for a replacement and the swap options that make sense.

• Generation: first 1 Series coupé, 2007–2013
• Body styles: E82 (coupé)
• Engines: N54B30
• Output: 306 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 221 from 2.382,00 €

Which engine is in your 135i?

N54B30 in the 135i

The N54B30 was used in the E82 135i, built 2006–2016. It is a 3.0 L twin-turbo petrol inline-6 with 306 hp and 400 Nm.

Reading the code: N marks an N-series code, the generation of BMW engines introduced from 2001; 54 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 30 is the capacity in decilitres, so 3.0 litres.

135i engines by model year

The 135i kept the same engine for the whole E82 run, which makes ordering simple: any unit with the same code fits, subject to the gearbox, drive type and sump.

Other cars with the same engine as the 135i

A replacement engine does not have to come from another 135i. These models left the factory with the same engine code, so a unit from any of them is a candidate donor once the sump, mounts and ancillaries are matched to your car.

N54B30: BMW E90 335i, BMW E92 335i, BMW E60 535i, BMW E89 Z4 35i.

How to confirm your engine code

The 135i only used the N54B30, but the exact version can still change with the build date, gearbox and market. Send us the last seven characters of the VIN and we read the engine code from BMW's records, or look for the code stamped on the block. How to find your BMW engine code.

Known 135i engine problems

The N54B30 in the 135i shares the known weak points of the N54 family. Full N54 guide.

High-pressure fuel pump. Early HPFPs failed, causing long starts and limp mode. Updated pumps fixed most issues.

Wastegate rattle. Turbo wastegate arms wear and rattle; turbos can also leak oil.

Piezo injectors. Injectors can leak; updated revisions are more reliable.

Electric water pump. The pump fails around 100,000 km.

Charge pipe and oil leaks. The plastic charge pipe cracks; oil filter housing and valve cover gaskets leak.

Carbon build-up. Intake valves carbon up and need walnut blasting.

Symptoms to watch for on the 135i

Rattle for a few seconds after a cold start. The classic sign of a weak timing chain tensioner or stretched chain. It must be checked quickly: a chain that jumps a tooth can bend valves.

Whistle, loss of boost or limp mode. A split charge pipe, a sticking wastegate or worn turbo bearings. Check the pipes first, then the turbo shaft for play.

Poor low-down torque and uneven idle. VANOS seals or solenoids. The engine may run well at high revs but feel flat and lumpy at low speed.

Long cranking before the engine starts. On direct-injection engines, a weak high-pressure fuel pump or leaking injector lets pressure drop when the engine is off.

Looking after the 135i engine

• Oil: 5W-30 BMW Longlife-01, about 6.5 litres.
• Service interval: Oil every 10,000 km; plugs every 40,000 km.
• Timing drive: Timing chain at the front.
• Workshop notes: Fit new plugs, check injectors and confirm the HPFP revision before installing.

Buying a used engine for the 135i: checklist

1. List of what is fitted. Engines are sold with different ancillaries: some have the turbo, injectors, manifolds, alternator and starter, others are long blocks. Agree the list in writing so you know which parts must come from your old engine.
2. Sump, oil pickup and drive variants. Rear-drive, xDrive and front-drive cars can use different sumps, oil pickups and engine mounts even with the same engine code. Check that the sump matches your subframe and front axle.
3. Confirm the exact engine code. Read the code stamped on the block and compare it with the code for your car. Send us the last seven characters of the VIN and we confirm the match before anything is paid.
4. Look at the oil and coolant. Clean oil without metal particles and coolant without oil are good signs. Milky oil, oily coolant or a burnt smell mean the engine needs further checks before it is fitted.
5. Compression or leak-down figures. Even compression across all cylinders tells you more than mileage. Ask for the figures, not just a pass or fail, and compare the highest and lowest readings: a spread above 10 to 15 percent deserves a question.
6. Turbocharger shaft play and oil. Rotate the compressor wheel by hand. A small amount of side play is normal; in-and-out play or wheel contact with the housing is not. Oil pooled in the intake or intercooler pipes points to worn seals.
7. Timing chain noise. Listen for a rattle at the front of the engine for the first seconds after a cold start. On an engine that cannot be run, look at the chain guides through the oil filler or with the valve cover off.
8. VANOS operation. Rough idle, a rattle from the front of the head and a loss of torque at low revs point to VANOS seals or solenoids. These are serviceable parts and are easier to renew with the engine out.
9. Double VANOS units and solenoids. Ask for the adaptation values or fault history if the engine was running. Solenoids are inexpensive and are often replaced as a matter of course on a used engine.
10. Injectors and high-pressure fuel pump. Direct-injection engines rely on high-pressure pumps and precise injectors. Ask whether the injectors are original or updated and whether there were fuel pressure faults.
11. Electric water pump. This engine uses an electric water pump. It fails without warning and needs a diagnostic bleeding routine when it is replaced or the system is refilled.

BMW 135i replacement engine cost

Across 221 135i engine units in our stock today, prices start at 2.382,00 € and reach 5.821,00 €. The median — the price in the middle of the range — is 3.607,00 €.

Prices depend on the exact version, the donor's mileage, how complete the engine is and the demand for that code. Higher-output versions, low mileage and dressed engines with turbo, injectors and ancillaries cost more; long blocks and higher mileage cost less.

135i engine prices by model year

Engines from 2000–2004 have a median of 5.659,00 €, while units from 2015–2019 sit at 3.380,00 €. Newer engines usually cost more because they come from younger donor cars with lower mileage and later updates.

135i engine prices by mileage

Mileage matters less than history on a well-maintained BMW engine, but it is a useful guide. A low-mileage unit from a younger car gives you more life for a modest premium.

57 of these come from E82 donor cars, priced from 2.914,00 € to 5.630,00 €. An engine from the same body is the most direct swap because the sump, mounts and ancillaries already match.

On top of the engine, budget for the workshop's labour and the parts that are best replaced while the engine is out: engine mounts, the rear main seal, cooling parts, a clutch or converter seal, fluids and filters.

Replacement engines in stock for the 135i

These 135i units are in our Hamburg yard right now. Each listing shows real photographs of the engine you receive, its mileage and what is fitted.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2008, 181,100 km4.054,00 €BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2009, 153,500 km3.358,00 €BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2008, 100,300 km3.778,00 €BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2008, 125,500 km4.252,00 €BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2010, 88,200 km3.961,00 €BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2007, 131,300 km3.009,00 €BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2007, 200,000 km4.228,00 €BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2010, 112,800 km3.721,00 €BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2006, 179,200 km3.761,00 €BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2008, 92,000 km4.184,00 €BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2010, 21,800 km3.595,00 €BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2009, 163,200 km3.017,00 €

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2008, 181,100 km — 4.054,00 €, reduced from 5.500,00 €. It comes from a 2008 donor car with 181,100 km, and 11 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2009, 153,500 km — 3.358,00 €, reduced from 4.550,00 €. It comes from a 2009 donor car with 153,500 km, and 26 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2008, 100,300 km — 3.778,00 €, reduced from 4.950,00 €. It comes from a 2008 donor car with 100,300 km, and 18 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2008, 125,500 km — 4.252,00 €, reduced from 5.300,00 €. It comes from a 2008 donor car with 125,500 km, and 21 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2010, 88,200 km — 3.961,00 €, reduced from 4.950,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car with 88,200 km, and 30 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2007, 131,300 km — 3.009,00 €, reduced from 3.700,00 €. It comes from a 2007 donor car with 131,300 km, and 14 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2007, 200,000 km — 4.228,00 €, reduced from 5.300,00 €. It comes from a 2007 donor car with 200,000 km, and 15 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2010, 112,800 km — 3.721,00 €, reduced from 4.850,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car with 112,800 km, and 24 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2006, 179,200 km — 3.761,00 €, reduced from 4.850,00 €. It comes from a 2006 donor car with 179,200 km, and 26 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2008, 92,000 km — 4.184,00 €, reduced from 5.050,00 €. It comes from a 2008 donor car with 92,000 km, and 30 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2010, 21,800 km — 3.595,00 €, reduced from 4.500,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car with 21,800 km, and 20 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E82 135i N54B30 Engine 2009, 163,200 km — 3.017,00 €, reduced from 4.200,00 €. It comes from a 2009 donor car with 163,200 km, and 22 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

Will it fit my 135i?

Fitting a replacement engine in the 135i

1. Inspect or replace the timing chain parts. Look at the guides and tensioner. On high-mileage engines, replacing them now costs far less than doing it later.
2. Prepare the turbo. Fit new oil feed and return seals, clean the intercooler and pipes of any oil or debris from the old engine, and prime the turbo with oil before starting.
3. Reset VANOS adaptations. Clear the VANOS adaptations so the ECU learns the camshaft positions of the new engine.
4. Fill with the right oil and prime it. Fill with new oil of the correct specification and a new filter. Crank with the fuel and ignition disabled until oil pressure builds.
5. Coding and adaptations. On modern BMWs, the engine ECU must be matched to the car's immobiliser (CAS, FEM or BDC). Reset adaptations, register the battery and clear faults with diagnostic software.
6. First start and leak check. Start the engine, let it idle and watch oil pressure, temperature and fault codes. Check for leaks and bleed the cooling system.
7. First 1,000 km. Drive gently for the first few hundred kilometres, vary the engine speed and avoid full load. Change the oil and filter after about 1,000 km to remove any assembly debris.

The full fitting and first-start procedure.

135i engine questions

Will the N54B30 engine fit my BMW E82 135i?

Yes, if your BMW E82 135i was built with the N54B30. BMW used this 3.0 liter (2,979 cc) petrol engine with 225 kW (306 HP) in the E82 135i from about 2006 to 2010.

In our records the N54B30 is the engine for the E82 135i, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your E82 has a manual or an automatic gearbox. The flywheel or the flex plate and some sensors depend on it.

Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all N54 Engines · Search N54B30 in the shop

Will the N54B30 engine fit my BMW E82 135i?

Yes, if your BMW E82 135i was built with the N54B30. BMW used this 3.0 liter (2,979 cc) petrol engine with 225 kW (306 HP) in the E82 135i from about 2006 to 2010.

In our records the N54B30 is the engine for the E82 135i, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your E82 has a manual or an automatic gearbox. The flywheel or the flex plate and some sensors depend on it.

Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all N54 Engines · Search N54B30 in the shop

What should I replace when I fit a used N54B30 engine?

A used engine lasts longest when it starts life in your car with fresh fluids and new seals. Clean the intercooler and the intake pipes, and fill the turbo oil feed with clean oil before the first start, so the turbo never runs dry. Fit a new oil filter and fresh oil of the grade BMW lists for this engine, and refill the coolant with the correct BMW antifreeze mix. Use new gaskets for the exhaust manifold, the intake and the sump plug, and check every hose clip before the first start.

Look at the engine mounts and the clutch or the torque converter while the engine is out. Old mounts can crack a new engine's brackets, and a worn clutch is much easier to change now.

Before the first start, turn the engine over without fuel until the oil pressure light goes out. Then let it idle, check for leaks, and drive gently for the first few hundred kilometres.

The warranty asks for fitting by a qualified mechanic and the correct oil, coolant and filters. Keep your receipts in case you ever need to make a claim.

See all N54 Engines · Search N54B30 in the shop

How much is a replacement N54B30 engine for a BMW E60 535i?

A used N54B30 for the BMW E60 535i costs from about 3.000 € to 4.700 € in our yard. The price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. Inside the EU there is no import duty. Outside the EU, the receiver pays local duty and VAT.

A replacement engine is often much cheaper than rebuilding a damaged one, and much faster. The N54B30 you buy is photographed and checked in Hamburg before it is listed.

Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop. Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all N54 Engines · Search N54B30 in the shop

How much does a used BMW N54B30 engine cost?

A used BMW N54B30 engine in our yard usually costs between 3.000 € and 4.700 €. The exact price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

Our units show recorded mileage from about 22,000 km up to around 200,000 km. Lower mileage and more ancillaries mean a higher price. Each listing shows its own price, and the price you see is the price you pay. Prices include VAT for private buyers.

Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. If you order a gearbox or a second engine on the same order, the fee is still charged once.

Inside the EU there is no import duty. For the UK and other non-EU countries, import duty and local VAT are paid by the receiver, and we supply a commercial invoice.

See all N54 Engines · Search N54B30 in the shop

Does a used N54B30 engine come with a warranty?

Yes. Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop.

The warranty does not cover damage from wrong fitting, overheating, low oil, wrong fluids or fuel, engines that were opened or modified without our approval, or labour and towing costs.

To claim, send us your order number, a short description of the problem, photos or a video, and a mechanic's report if we ask for one. If the claim is approved, we repair, replace or refund the engine.

Keep the receipts for the fitting, the oil and the filters. They make any claim quick and simple.

See all N54 Engines · Search N54B30 in the shop

Will the N54B30 engine fit my BMW E71 X6 xDrive35i?

Yes, if your BMW E71 X6 xDrive35i was built with the N54B30. BMW used this 3.0 liter (2,979 cc) petrol engine with 225 kW (306 HP) in the E71 X6 xDrive35i from about 2006 to 2010.

In our records the N54B30 is the engine for the E71 X6 xDrive35i, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Your car has all-wheel drive or is an X model, so the sump, the oil pickup and some brackets can differ from the rear-drive cars. Tell us the full model so we send the right set-up.

Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all N54 Engines · Search N54B30 in the shop

How much is a replacement N54B30 engine for a BMW E71 X6 xDrive35i?

A used N54B30 for the BMW E71 X6 xDrive35i costs from about 3.000 € to 4.700 € in our yard. The price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. Inside the EU there is no import duty. Outside the EU, the receiver pays local duty and VAT.

A replacement engine is often much cheaper than rebuilding a damaged one, and much faster. The N54B30 you buy is photographed and checked in Hamburg before it is listed.

Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop. Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all N54 Engines · Search N54B30 in the shop

What comes with a used N54B30 engine?

Each N54B30 is sold as described on its own listing. The yard writes down the parts that are fitted to that unit, such as the turbo, the injectors, the manifolds or the alternator, so you know what arrives.

Some units are long engines with few ancillaries, others are more complete. If you need a part that is not listed, ask the desk. We often have the matching items in the yard.

Every engine is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped, then photographed before it leaves the yard.

On delivery, the carrier brings the pallet to the kerb or a loading bay. Please have a forklift, a pallet truck or an engine crane ready.

See all N54 Engines · Search N54B30 in the shop

Is the BMW N54B30 a diesel or petrol engine?

The N54B30 is a petrol engine. It is a 3.0 liter (2,979 cc) inline 6, DOHC, 24 valve unit with twin turbochargers, and it was built to the Euro 4 emission standard.

The emission standard matters for registration and for low-emission zones in many cities. When you replace an engine with the same code, the car keeps the same paperwork and the same emission class.

Petrol versions need the correct catalytic converters and oxygen sensors on the car to stay legal and to keep the engine computer happy. Reuse the parts from your car if they are in good condition.

If you are not sure which version you need, send us your VIN. We tell you the right code for free.

See all N54 Engines · Search N54B30 in the shop

Delivery, warranty and payment

Before a 135i engine leaves our Hamburg yard it is drained of oil and coolant, every opening is sealed, and it is strapped to a pallet and wrapped. We send photographs of the packed unit and the tracking details.

Door-to-door delivery is included to the address you give at checkout. Typical delivery takes three to five working days within Germany and neighbouring countries and five to ten working days to the rest of Europe and the UK.

A 12-month warranty covers eligible internal failure when the engine is fitted by a qualified workshop with new fluids and filters. You can pay by card, bank transfer or crypto and receive the invoice by email straight away.

All E82 engines · N54 engine guide · BMW 135i engines for sale · Send us your VIN