BMW M3 (E90, E92 and E93) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW M3 in the fifth 3 Series saloon generation (E90, E92 and E93, built 2005–2012) was built with one engine, the S65B40: a 4.0 L petrol V8 with 420 hp.

Below you will find how to identify the engine in your M3, the faults to look for, current prices for a replacement and the swap options that make sense.

• Generation: fifth 3 Series saloon, 2005–2012
• Body styles: E90 (saloon), E92 (coupé) and E93 (convertible)
• Engines: S65B40
• Output: 420 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 82 from 8.050,00 €

Which engine is in your M3?

S65B40 in the M3

The S65B40 was used in the E90 M3, E92 M3 and E93 M3, built 2007–2013. It is a 4.0 L naturally aspirated petrol V8 with 420 hp and 400 Nm.

Reading the code: S marks an S-series code, reserved for engines developed by BMW M; 65 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 40 is the capacity in decilitres, so 4.0 litres.

M3 engines by model year

The M3 kept the same engine for the whole E90, E92 and E93 run, which makes ordering simple: any unit with the same code fits, subject to the gearbox, drive type and sump.

How to confirm your engine code

The M3 only used the S65B40, 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 M3 engine problems

The S65B40 in the M3 shares the known weak points of the S65 family. Full S65 guide.

Rod bearings. Rod bearing wear is the best-known S65 issue. Many owners replace them preventively at 100,000 km.

Throttle actuators. The two throttle actuators fail and cause limp mode.

Idle control valve. The idle control valve fails and causes unstable idle.

Oil leaks. Oil pan and valve cover gaskets leak at higher mileage.

Symptoms to watch for on the M3

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.

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.

Oil pressure warning or bearing noise at high revs. On M engines, a warning at high revs can be the first sign of bearing wear. Check the oil level and stop driving hard until it is diagnosed.

Looking after the M3 engine

• Oil: 10W-60 BMW M synthetic, about 8.8 litres.
• Service interval: Oil every 10,000 km; bearings around 100,000 km.
• Timing drive: Timing chains, one per bank.
• Workshop notes: Fit new rod bearings when fitting a used S65 unless they were recently replaced.

Buying a used engine for the M3: checklist

1. 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.
2. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Bearing and valve clearance history. M engines are built to tighter tolerances. Ask for the last rod bearing replacement and valve clearance check, and consider an oil analysis if the engine can be run.
10. Both cylinder banks. On a V engine, check compression, plugs and coils on both banks. Faults on one bank alone are common and easy to miss on a quick test.

BMW M3 replacement engine cost

Our M3 engine stock runs to 82 units, priced from 8.050,00 € to 14.608,00 € with a median of 9.951,00 €.

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.

M3 engine prices by model year

Engines from 2005–2009 have a median of 10.200,00 €, while units from 2010–2014 sit at 9.867,00 €. Newer engines usually cost more because they come from younger donor cars with lower mileage and later updates.

M3 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.

81 of these come from E90, E92 and E93 donor cars, priced from 8.050,00 € to 14.608,00 €. 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 M3

Here is a selection of M3 engines currently on our shelves, photographed in the yard. Click any of them for the full photographs, mileage and specification.

BMW E93 M3 S65B40 Engine 2008, 91,800 km9.730,00 €BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2007, 114,100 km12.074,00 €BMW E92 M3 S65B40 Engine 2013, 129,100 km9.141,00 €BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2010, 127,000 km11.361,00 €BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2011, 188,100 km10.622,00 €BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2008, 138,200 km9.391,00 €BMW E92 M3 S65B40 Engine 2012, 196,400 km8.932,00 €BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2012, 91,000 km11.467,00 €BMW E92 M3 S65B40 Engine 2007, 161,700 km11.320,00 €BMW E92 M3 S65B40 Engine 2011, 29,200 km10.746,00 €BMW E93 M3 S65B40 Engine 2012, 107,500 km8.250,00 €BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2008, 20,900 km11.882,00 €

BMW E93 M3 S65B40 Engine 2008, 91,800 km — 9.730,00 €, reduced from 10.600,00 €. It comes from a 2008 donor car with 91,800 km, and 25 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2007, 114,100 km — 12.074,00 €, reduced from 13.050,00 €. It comes from a 2007 donor car with 114,100 km, and 20 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E92 M3 S65B40 Engine 2013, 129,100 km — 9.141,00 €, reduced from 10.300,00 €. It comes from a 2013 donor car with 129,100 km, and 5 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2010, 127,000 km — 11.361,00 €, reduced from 12.000,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car with 127,000 km, and 10 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2011, 188,100 km — 10.622,00 €, reduced from 11.600,00 €. It comes from a 2011 donor car with 188,100 km, and 17 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2008, 138,200 km — 9.391,00 €, reduced from 10.450,00 €. It comes from a 2008 donor car with 138,200 km, and 7 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E92 M3 S65B40 Engine 2012, 196,400 km — 8.932,00 €, reduced from 9.600,00 €. It comes from a 2012 donor car with 196,400 km, and 20 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2012, 91,000 km — 11.467,00 €, reduced from 12.850,00 €. It comes from a 2012 donor car with 91,000 km, and 12 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E92 M3 S65B40 Engine 2007, 161,700 km — 11.320,00 €, reduced from 11.950,00 €. It comes from a 2007 donor car with 161,700 km, and 9 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E92 M3 S65B40 Engine 2011, 29,200 km — 10.746,00 €, reduced from 12.200,00 €. It comes from a 2011 donor car with 29,200 km, and 6 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E93 M3 S65B40 Engine 2012, 107,500 km — 8.250,00 €, reduced from 9.200,00 €. It comes from a 2012 donor car with 107,500 km, and 25 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E90 M3 S65B40 Engine 2008, 20,900 km — 11.882,00 €, reduced from 12.850,00 €. It comes from a 2008 donor car with 20,900 km, and 9 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

Will it fit my M3?

Fitting a replacement engine in the M3

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. Reset VANOS adaptations. Clear the VANOS adaptations so the ECU learns the camshaft positions of the new engine.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

M3 engine questions

Will the S65B40 engine fit my BMW E92 M3?

Yes, if your BMW E92 M3 was built with the S65B40. BMW used this 4.0 liter (3,999 cc) petrol engine with 309 kW (420 HP) in the E92 M3 from about 2007 to 2013.

In our records the S65B40 is the engine for the E92 M3, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your E92 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 S65 Engines · Search S65B40 in the shop

Will the S65B40 engine fit my BMW E90 M3?

Yes, if your BMW E90 M3 was built with the S65B40. BMW used this 4.0 liter (3,999 cc) petrol engine with 309 kW (420 HP) in the E90 M3 from about 2007 to 2013.

In our records the S65B40 is the engine for the E90 M3, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your E90 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 S65 Engines · Search S65B40 in the shop

How much is a replacement S65B40 engine for a BMW E90 M3?

A used S65B40 for the BMW E90 M3 costs from about 8.050 € to 12.200 € 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 S65B40 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 S65 Engines · Search S65B40 in the shop

How much is a replacement S65B40 engine for a BMW E92 M3?

A used S65B40 for the BMW E92 M3 costs from about 8.050 € to 12.200 € 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 S65B40 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 S65 Engines · Search S65B40 in the shop

Will the S65B40 engine fit my BMW E93 M3?

Yes, if your BMW E93 M3 was built with the S65B40. BMW used this 4.0 liter (3,999 cc) petrol engine with 309 kW (420 HP) in the E93 M3 from about 2007 to 2013.

In our records the S65B40 is the engine for the E93 M3, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your E93 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 S65 Engines · Search S65B40 in the shop

How much is a replacement S65B40 engine for a BMW E93 M3?

A used S65B40 for the BMW E93 M3 costs from about 8.050 € to 12.200 € 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 S65B40 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 S65 Engines · Search S65B40 in the shop

What is the BMW S65B40 engine?

The BMW S65B40 is a 4.0 liter (3,999 cc) petrol engine from the S65 family. It has a V8, DOHC, 32 valve layout with no turbo (naturally aspirated), and makes 309 kW (420 HP) with 400 Nm of torque. BMW built it from 2007 to 2013 and it meets the Euro 4 emission standard.

You find the S65B40 in the BMW E90 M3, BMW E92 M3 and BMW E93 M3. What we list: BMW S65 4.0 V8 engines from the E90 and E92 M3.

At Autowerke Engines every S65B40 is a real used engine from our yard in Hamburg. Before a unit is listed, the yard checks the engine code against the listing, writes down the parts fitted to it, seals every opening and photographs the real engine you will receive. Each listing shows the year, the mileage and the price, so you can compare units side by side.

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 S65 Engines · Search S65B40 in the shop

What should I replace when I fit a used S65B40 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 S65 Engines · Search S65B40 in the shop

Are there other versions of the BMW S65B40?

In our yard the S65B40 is the only listed version of the S65 family. It makes 309 kW (420 HP) and 400 Nm, and was built from 2007 to 2013.

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 S65 Engines · Search S65B40 in the shop

Which cars use the BMW S65B40 engine?

BMW fitted the S65B40 to the BMW E90 M3, BMW E92 M3 and BMW E93 M3. These cars were built with this engine from about 2007 to 2013.

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 S65B40 is the only S65 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 S65 Engines · Search S65B40 in the shop

Delivery, warranty and payment

Before an M3 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.

Every engine carries a 12-month warranty on eligible internal failure when a qualified workshop fits it with new fluids and filters. Payment is by card, bank transfer or crypto; your invoice is emailed as soon as you order.

All E90, E92 and E93 engines · S65 engine guide · BMW M3 engines for sale · Send us your VIN