The BMW 328i SULEV in the sixth 3 Series generation (F30, built 2011–2019) was built with one engine, the N26B20: a 2.0 L petrol inline-4 with 245 hp.
This guide tells you which engine your 328i SULEV has, what goes wrong with it, what a replacement costs from our stock and what else to plan for when you fit one.
- Generation: sixth 3 Series, 2011–2019
- Body styles: F30 (saloon)
- Engines: N26B20
- Output: 245 hp
- Replacement engines in stock: 5 from 1.375,00 €
Which engine is in your 328i SULEV?
| Engine code | Built | Power | Torque | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N26B20 | 2012–2016 | 245 hp | 350 Nm | 2.0 L petrol inline-4, turbocharged |
N26B20 in the 328i SULEV
The N26B20 was used in the F30 328i SULEV, built 2012–2016. It is a 2.0 L turbocharged petrol inline-4 with 245 hp and 350 Nm.
Reading the code: N marks an N-series code, the generation of BMW engines introduced from 2001; 26 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 20 is the capacity in decilitres, so 2.0 litres.
328i SULEV engines by model year
| Model year | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2012 | N26B20 (245 hp) |
| 2013 | N26B20 (245 hp) |
| 2014 | N26B20 (245 hp) |
| 2015 | N26B20 (245 hp) |
| 2016 | N26B20 (245 hp) |
The 328i SULEV kept the same engine for the whole F30 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 328i SULEV
A replacement engine does not have to come from another 328i SULEV. 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.
N26B20: BMW F10 528i SULEV.
How to confirm your engine code
The 328i SULEV only used the N26B20, 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 328i SULEV engine problems
The N26B20 in the 328i SULEV shares the known weak points of the N20 and N26 family. Full N20 and N26 guide.
| Known fault | What to check |
|---|---|
| Timing chain guide | Listen for a whine or rattle; ask if the updated guides and chain are fitted. |
| Oil pump drive chain | Check oil pressure warnings. |
| Electric water pump | Check for cooling fault codes. |
| Oil filter housing and valve cover gaskets | Look at the exhaust side for oil. |
| Carbon build-up | Borescope inspection. |
Timing chain guide. Plastic guides in early N20 engines can break, leading to chain slap and engine damage. Updated parts fixed the issue.
Oil pump drive chain. The oil pump drive also uses a chain and guide that wear.
Electric water pump. The electric pump fails without warning.
Oil filter housing and valve cover gaskets. Both leak with age.
Carbon build-up. Direct injection causes carbon on intake valves.
Symptoms to watch for on the 328i SULEV
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.
Rattle or whine from the gearbox end. On engines with the timing chain at the rear, a rattle or whine from the back of the engine is the warning sign of chain stretch or guide wear.
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.
Limp mode with a Valvetronic fault. The Valvetronic motor, its eccentric shaft sensor or the wiring. The engine runs on a reduced throttle until it is repaired.
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 328i SULEV engine
- Oil: 0W-30 or 5W-30 BMW Longlife-01, about 5.25 litres.
- Service interval: Oil every 10,000 to 15,000 km.
- Timing drive: Timing chain at the rear (gearbox end).
- Workshop notes: Replacing the chain on an N20 normally needs the engine out, so a used unit is the time to do it.
Buying a used engine for the 328i SULEV: checklist
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ask how the donor car was damaged. Most good used engines come from cars with body damage. A front-end impact can crack sensors, the timing cover or the sump; a rear or side impact usually leaves the engine untouched. The yard records the damage on each unit.
- 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.
- 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.
- Gearbox-end timing chain. On this engine the timing chain sits at the gearbox end, so replacing it normally means removing the engine. If the chain has not been replaced, the time to do it is before the engine goes into your car.
- 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.
- 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.
- Valvetronic motor and eccentric shaft sensor. The Valvetronic motor and its sensor cause limp-mode faults when they fail. Inspect the connector and the seal around the motor for oil.
- 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.
- 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 328i SULEV replacement engine cost
Across 5 328i SULEV engine units in our stock today, prices start at 1.375,00 € and reach 3.221,00 €. The median — the price in the middle of the range — is 1.995,00 €.
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.
1 of these come from F30 donor cars, priced from 3.221,00 €. 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 328i SULEV
These 328i SULEV 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 F32 428i N26B20 Engine 20151.375,00 €
BMW N26B20 Engine1.529,00 €BMW F10 528i SULEV N26B20 Complete Engine1.995,00 €BMW F32 428i N26B20 Engine 2015 — 1.375,00 €, reduced from 2.000,00 €. It comes from a 2015 donor car, and 23 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.
BMW N26B20 Engine — 1.529,00 €, reduced from 2.000,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 6 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.
BMW F10 528i SULEV N26B20 Complete Engine — 1.995,00 €, reduced from 2.500,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 25 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.
Will it fit my 328i SULEV?
Engine swaps and upgrades for the 328i SULEV
These engines were fitted to other versions of the F30 at the factory, which makes them the most practical upgrades: the body was designed around them and many parts are shared.
| Engine | Factory model | Power | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| B46B20 | F30 330i SULEV | 258 hp | +13 hp |
| B48B20 | F30 330i | 258 hp | +13 hp |
| N57D30 | F30 330d | 258 hp | +13 hp |
| N55B30 | F30 335i | 306 hp | +61 hp |
| N55B30T0 | F30 335i | 306 hp | +61 hp |
Can I fit the B46B20 in my 328i SULEV?
Yes, it is one of the more common upgrades. Both are petrol inline-4 engines, so the mounting points are similar, but the B46B20 needs its own wiring and engine control unit, the matching gearbox or clutch, and often a different sump, cooling and exhaust. The gain is 13 hp and 50 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.
Can I fit the B48B20 in my 328i SULEV?
Yes, it is one of the more common upgrades. Both are petrol inline-4 engines, so the mounting points are similar, but the B48B20 needs its own wiring and engine control unit, the matching gearbox or clutch, and often a different sump, cooling and exhaust. The gain is 13 hp and 50 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.
Can I fit the N57D30 in my 328i SULEV?
It is a full conversion: the N57D30 runs on diesel and the N26B20 on petrol, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 13 hp and 210 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.
Fitting a replacement engine in the 328i SULEV
- 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.
- Replace the rear timing chain if in doubt. On engines with the chain at the gearbox end, chain work needs the engine out. If the history is unknown, replace the chain, guides and tensioner before fitting.
- 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.
- Reset VANOS adaptations. Clear the VANOS adaptations so the ECU learns the camshaft positions of the new engine.
- Teach the Valvetronic limit stops. Run the Valvetronic learning routine so the ECU knows the eccentric shaft limits.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
328i SULEV engine questions
How much power and torque does the BMW N26B20 have?
From the factory the BMW N26B20 makes 180 kW (245 HP) and 350 Nm of torque. It is a 2.0 liter (1,997 cc) inline 4, DOHC, 16 valve petrol engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger.
Because it is turbocharged, the torque comes in low in the rev range, which makes the car feel strong in everyday driving. A healthy turbo, a clean intercooler and tight boost pipes are key to getting the full figure.
A used engine reaches its factory numbers when it is fitted with the matching engine computer and software, and serviced with the right oil and filters. If the engine computer from your car is a different version, a specialist may need to code it.
Every N26B20 on our site lists its year and mileage. Ask the desk for more pictures of any listing. We are happy to show the stamp, the ports and the ancillaries before you decide.
See all N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop
How do I know a used N26B20 engine is in good shape?
Each engine in the yard is inspected in Hamburg. The code is matched to the listing, the parts on the engine are recorded, the openings are sealed and the real unit is photographed. An inspection certificate for the unit can travel with the order when you ask for it.
When you look at a listing, check the recorded mileage, the year and the photos of the ports and the stamp. Ask for photos of anything you want to see closer. Ask the desk for more pictures of any listing. We are happy to show the stamp, the ports and the ancillaries before you decide.
On a petrol engine like the N26B20, a careful fitter will also look at the spark plugs, the coils and the timing side before the engine goes in.
If the engine fails inside under normal use, the warranty covers you. 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.
See all N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop
What should I replace when I fit a used N26B20 engine?
A used engine lasts longest when it starts life in your car with fresh fluids and new seals. 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. Change the drive belt, the thermostat and the water pump seals if they look tired, because they are cheap while the engine is out. 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 N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop
Can you check if an N26B20 fits my car with my VIN?
Yes, and it is free. Send the 17-character VIN of your car and, if you have it, the gearbox code. We check the engine family, the build year window and the parts your car needs.
For the N26B20, we confirm that your car was built with this code or with a version that can take it. BMW used it in the BMW F30 328i SULEV, BMW F10 528i SULEV and BMW F22 228i.
We only reserve an engine once the match is confirmed, so you never pay for the wrong unit. You can reach the Hamburg desk by email at autowerkeengines@gmail.com, or by phone and WhatsApp on +49 15510 030835, Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 16:00 CET.
You can also use the VIN check on our site. It reads the year, the make, the model and the engine from the public vehicle register.
See all N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop
Is the BMW N26B20 a diesel or petrol engine?
The N26B20 is a petrol engine. It is a 2.0 liter (1,997 cc) inline 4, DOHC, 16 valve unit with a twin-scroll turbocharger, and it was built to the Euro 6 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 N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop
What comes with a used N26B20 engine?
Each N26B20 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 N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop
Are there other versions of the BMW N26B20?
In our yard the N26B20 is the only listed version of the N26 family. It makes 180 kW (245 HP) and 350 Nm, and was built from 2012 to 2016.
Engines in one family share a basic block, but the turbo, the injection, the sensors and the engine computer can differ. A higher power version often has different pistons, a bigger turbo or a different fuel system.
This is why we ask for the exact code. Fitting a different version can work, but the wiring, the software and sometimes the gearbox must be changed to match.
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 N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop
Which cars use the BMW N26B20 engine?
BMW fitted the N26B20 to the BMW F30 328i SULEV, BMW F10 528i SULEV and BMW F22 228i. These cars were built with this engine from about 2012 to 2016.
The badge on the boot is not enough to be sure. The same model name can hide two different engines, for example after a facelift or a change in emission rules. Always read the engine code stamped on the block, or look it up with your VIN.
The N26B20 is the only N26 version we list, which makes it easy to pick, but the wiring and the engine computer still need to match your car.
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 N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop
How long does delivery of an N26B20 engine take?
Orders confirmed before 14:00 CET on a working day leave Hamburg the same day. Later and weekend orders leave the next working day. Delivery to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and Denmark takes 1 to 3 working days.
Spain, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Ireland, the Nordics and the Baltics take 2 to 5 working days. Greek and Spanish islands, Malta, Cyprus and remote areas take 4 to 8 working days. The UK and other countries outside the EU are quoted one by one.
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. Every engine is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped, then photographed before it leaves the yard.
You get a tracking number when the pallet is collected. Check the wrapping before you sign, and note any damage on the paperwork.
See all N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop
Does a used N26B20 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 N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop
Delivery, warranty and payment
Every 328i SULEV engine we sell is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped before it leaves Hamburg. You receive photographs of the packed engine and a tracking number.
Delivery is door to door and included in the price. Most European addresses receive the engine within five to ten working days; Germany and its neighbours are usually faster.
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 F30 engines · N20 and N26 engine guide · Send us your VIN
