BMW 535i (F10) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW 535i in the sixth 5 Series generation (F10, built 2010–2017) was built with 2 different engines over its life: the N55B30 (306 hp, 2009–2017) and the N55B30T0 (306 hp, 2009–2016).

Below you will find how to identify the engine in your 535i, the faults to look for, current prices for a replacement and the swap options that make sense.

• Generation: sixth 5 Series, 2010–2017
• Body styles: F10 (saloon)
• Engines: N55B30, N55B30T0
• Output: 306 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 397 from 2.207,00 €

Which engine is in your 535i?

N55B30 in the 535i

The N55B30 was used in the F10 535i, built 2009–2017. It is a 3.0 L turbocharged petrol inline-6 with 306 hp and 400 Nm. It has the same output as the N55B30T0, so the build date decides which one your car has.

Reading the code: N marks an N-series code, the generation of BMW engines introduced from 2001; 55 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 30 is the capacity in decilitres, so 3.0 litres.

N55B30T0 in the 535i

The N55B30T0 was used in the F10 535i, built 2009–2016. It is a 3.0 L turbocharged petrol inline-6 with 306 hp and 400 Nm. It has the same output as the N55B30, so the build date decides which one your car has.

Reading the code: N marks an N-series code, the generation of BMW engines introduced from 2001; 55 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 30 is the capacity in decilitres, so 3.0 litres; T0 identifies the version or output stage.

535i engines by model year

The engine changed once during the F10 run, in 2017. Changes usually come with BMW's mid-life update (LCI) or a new emissions standard, so a car registered early in a year can still have the older engine. The VIN settles it.

Other cars with the same engine as the 535i

A replacement engine does not have to come from another 535i. 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.

N55B30: BMW F30 335i, BMW F20 M135i, BMW F22 M235i, BMW E70 X5 35i, BMW F25 X3 35i.

N55B30T0: BMW F30 335i, BMW F32 435i.

How to confirm your engine code

Because the 535i used more than one engine, the badge alone does not tell you which one your car has. The build date is the first clue; the VIN is the proof. 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 535i engine problems

The N55B30 and N55B30T0 in the 535i share the known weak points of the N55 family. Full N55 guide.

Oil filter housing gasket. Leaks oil down the engine and onto belts.

Valve cover gasket. The plastic cover leaks and its built-in PCV can fail.

Electric water pump and thermostat. Fails around 100,000 km.

Charge pipe. The plastic charge pipe cracks under boost.

Wastegate rattle. The wastegate wears on high-mileage engines.

Oil pan gasket. Leaks on higher-mileage engines.

Symptoms to watch for on the 535i

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.

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 535i engine

• Oil: 5W-30 or 0W-30 BMW Longlife-01, about 6.5 litres.
• Service interval: Oil every 10,000 to 15,000 km.
• Timing drive: Timing chain at the front.
• Workshop notes: Replace the oil filter housing gasket and valve cover gasket before installing a used N55.

Buying a used engine for the 535i: checklist

1. Photographs from every side. Good suppliers photograph the actual engine you will receive. Look for the block stamp, the sump, the timing cover and any broken brackets or connectors in the pictures.
2. 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.
3. Why your old engine failed. Before fitting a replacement, find out why the original failed. An overheating radiator, a blocked intercooler or a failed turbo can destroy a second engine if they are not fixed.
4. Gearbox and flywheel match. Manual and automatic engines differ at the flywheel or flexplate, and sometimes at the crankshaft spigot. Make sure the engine you buy matches your gearbox or that you transfer the right parts.
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. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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 535i replacement engine cost

We currently hold 397 535i engine engines. The cheapest is 2.207,00 €, the most expensive 5.826,00 €, and half of them cost less than 4.030,00 €.

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.

535i engine prices by model year

Engines from 2005–2009 have a median of 4.563,00 €, while units from 2015–2019 sit at 4.043,00 €. Newer engines usually cost more because they come from younger donor cars with lower mileage and later updates.

535i 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.

2 of these come from F10 donor cars, priced from 2.227,00 € to 5.257,00 €. 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 535i

Here is a selection of 535i engines currently on our shelves, photographed in the yard. Click any of them for the full photographs, mileage and specification.

BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55B30 Engine 2011, 125,500 km4.058,00 €BMW F30 335i N55B30 Engine 2012, 136,100 km3.924,00 €BMW F32 435i N55B30 Engine 2015, 52,500 km3.339,00 €BMW F32 435i N55B30 Engine 2016, 179,700 km3.777,00 €BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55B30 Engine 2012, 142,300 km3.233,00 €BMW F20 M135i N55B30 Engine 2015, 187,100 km3.686,00 €BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55B30 Engine 2014, 174,700 km4.184,00 €BMW F32 435i N55B30 Engine 2013, 101,600 km3.703,00 €BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55B30 Engine 2012, 46,000 km4.222,00 €BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55B30 Engine 2013, 96,400 km3.694,00 €BMW F30 335i N55B30 Engine 2014, 199,200 km4.185,00 €BMW F20 M135i N55B30 Engine 2011, 52,200 km3.751,00 €

BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55B30 Engine 2011, 125,500 km — 4.058,00 €, reduced from 4.900,00 €. It comes from a 2011 donor car with 125,500 km, and 10 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F30 335i N55B30 Engine 2012, 136,100 km — 3.924,00 €, reduced from 4.650,00 €. It comes from a 2012 donor car with 136,100 km, and 19 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F32 435i N55B30 Engine 2015, 52,500 km — 3.339,00 €, reduced from 4.250,00 €. It comes from a 2015 donor car with 52,500 km, and 7 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F32 435i N55B30 Engine 2016, 179,700 km — 3.777,00 €, reduced from 5.150,00 €. It comes from a 2016 donor car with 179,700 km, and 5 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55B30 Engine 2012, 142,300 km — 3.233,00 €, reduced from 3.900,00 €. It comes from a 2012 donor car with 142,300 km, and 6 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F20 M135i N55B30 Engine 2015, 187,100 km — 3.686,00 €, reduced from 4.950,00 €. It comes from a 2015 donor car with 187,100 km, and 13 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55B30 Engine 2014, 174,700 km — 4.184,00 €, reduced from 5.000,00 €. It comes from a 2014 donor car with 174,700 km, and 22 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F32 435i N55B30 Engine 2013, 101,600 km — 3.703,00 €, reduced from 5.000,00 €. It comes from a 2013 donor car with 101,600 km, and 16 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55B30 Engine 2012, 46,000 km — 4.222,00 €, reduced from 5.300,00 €. It comes from a 2012 donor car with 46,000 km, and 27 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i N55B30 Engine 2013, 96,400 km — 3.694,00 €, reduced from 4.350,00 €. It comes from a 2013 donor car with 96,400 km, and 19 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F30 335i N55B30 Engine 2014, 199,200 km — 4.185,00 €, reduced from 5.200,00 €. It comes from a 2014 donor car with 199,200 km, and 21 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F20 M135i N55B30 Engine 2011, 52,200 km — 3.751,00 €, reduced from 4.550,00 €. It comes from a 2011 donor car with 52,200 km, and 5 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

Will it fit my 535i?

Will the N55B30 fit my BMW F10 535i?

For the BMW F10 535i, the N55B30 is the factory engine and the one to order. The sixth 5 Series was built 2010–2017, and the N55B30 was produced 2009–2017, so check that your car's build date falls inside that window. Confirm the drive type (rear-drive or xDrive), the gearbox (manual or automatic) and the emissions standard, because these can change the sump, the flywheel and the software. Send us the VIN and we check all of it for you.

How much is a replacement engine for a BMW F10 535i?

We have 2 N55B30 engines from F10 donor cars, priced from 2.227,00 € to 5.257,00 €. Delivery to your door is included, and the engine carries a 12-month warranty when fitted by a qualified workshop. Add fitting labour and the parts you replace at the same time — seals, cooling parts and mounts — to estimate the total.

Will the N55B30T0 fit my BMW F10 535i?

Yes, the BMW F10 535i left the factory with the N55B30T0, so an N55B30T0 from another car is the direct replacement. The sixth 5 Series was built 2010–2017, and the N55B30T0 was produced 2009–2016, so check that your car's build date falls inside that window. Confirm the drive type (rear-drive or xDrive), the gearbox (manual or automatic) and the emissions standard, because these can change the sump, the flywheel and the software. Send us the VIN and we check all of it for you.

How much is a replacement engine for a BMW F10 535i?

We have 1 N55B30T0 engine from F10 donor cars, priced from 2.227,00 €. Delivery to your door is included, and the engine carries a 12-month warranty when fitted by a qualified workshop. Add fitting labour and the parts you replace at the same time — seals, cooling parts and mounts — to estimate the total.

Engine swaps and upgrades for the 535i

These engines were fitted to other versions of the F10 at the factory, which makes them the most practical upgrades: the body was designed around them and many parts are shared.

Can I fit the N57D30T in my 535i?

It is a full conversion: the N57D30T runs on diesel and the N55B30T0 on petrol, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 7 hp and 230 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Can I fit the N57D30C in my 535i?

It is a full conversion: the N57D30C runs on diesel and the N55B30T0 on petrol, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 7 hp and 230 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Can I fit the N57D30S in my 535i?

It is a full conversion: the N57D30S runs on diesel and the N55B30T0 on petrol, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 75 hp and 340 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Fitting a replacement engine in the 535i

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. Teach the Valvetronic limit stops. Run the Valvetronic learning routine so the ECU knows the eccentric shaft limits.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.

535i engine questions

How much is a replacement N55B30 engine for a BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i?

A used N55B30 for the BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i costs from about 3.100 € to 4.850 € 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 N55B30 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 N55 Engines · Search N55B30 in the shop

How do I know a used N55B30 engine is in good shape?

The photos on each listing show the actual engine, not a stock picture. The yard checks the code, records what is bolted on, and seals the openings before the engine is offered. 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 N55B30, 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 N55 Engines · Search N55B30 in the shop

Can I put an N55B30 engine in my BMW E46?

Yes. We sell conversion kits that fit the N55B30 into the BMW E46. The kit replaces the M52, M54 and M50, and works with the ZF GS6 and Getrag 420G.

You can buy the full package with an engine, or only the parts you need: complete conversion with engine, complete conversion, adapter plate, engine mount, wiring and ecu and cooling and exhaust.

A swap like this needs a skilled workshop. Mounts, the adapter, the wiring and the engine computer, the cooling and the exhaust all have to work together. Check your local road rules for engine swaps before you start.

Tell us your BMW E46's year and current set-up, and we suggest the right parts. 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.

See all N55 BMW Conversion Kits · Conversion guide

What should I replace when I fit a used N55B30 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 N55 Engines · Search N55B30 in the shop

Will the N55B30 engine fit my BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i?

Yes, if your BMW F15 X5 xDrive35i was built with the N55B30. BMW used this 3.0 liter (2,979 cc) petrol engine with 225 kW (306 HP) in the F15 X5 xDrive35i from about 2010 to 2017.

In our records the N55B30 is the engine for the F15 X5 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 N55 Engines · Search N55B30 in the shop

Will the N55B30 engine fit my BMW F25 X3 xDrive35i?

Yes, if your BMW F25 X3 xDrive35i was built with the N55B30. BMW used this 3.0 liter (2,979 cc) petrol engine with 225 kW (306 HP) in the F25 X3 xDrive35i from about 2010 to 2017.

In our records the N55B30 is the engine for the F25 X3 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 N55 Engines · Search N55B30 in the shop

How much is a replacement N55B30 engine for a BMW F20 M135i?

A used N55B30 for the BMW F20 M135i costs from about 3.100 € to 4.850 € 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 N55B30 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 N55 Engines · Search N55B30 in the shop

Delivery, warranty and payment

Before a 535i 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 F10 engines · N55 engine guide · BMW 535i engines for sale · Send us your VIN