BMW M3 (F80) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW M3 in the M3 saloon generation (F80, built 2014–2018) was built with one engine, the S55B30: a 3.0 L petrol inline-6 with 431 hp.

This guide tells you which engine your M3 has, what goes wrong with it, what a replacement costs from our stock and what else to plan for when you fit one.

• Generation: M3 saloon, 2014–2018
• Body styles: F80 (saloon)
• Engines: S55B30
• Output: 431 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 167 from 3.865,00 €

Which engine is in your M3?

S55B30 in the M3

The S55B30 was used in the F80 M3, built 2014–2020. It is a 3.0 L twin-turbo petrol inline-6 with 431 hp and 550 Nm.

Reading the code: S marks an S-series code, reserved for engines developed by BMW M; 55 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 30 is the capacity in decilitres, so 3.0 litres.

M3 engines by model year

The M3 kept the same engine for the whole F80 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 M3

A replacement engine does not have to come from another M3. 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.

S55B30: BMW F82 M4, BMW F87 M2 Competition.

How to confirm your engine code

The M3 only used the S55B30, 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 S55B30 in the M3 shares the known weak points of the S55 family. Full S55 guide.

Crank hub. The crank hub on heavily tuned engines can slip. Many owners fit a pinned or keyed crank hub when tuning.

Charge pipe. The plastic charge pipe can crack under high boost.

Oil leaks. Valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets leak at higher mileage.

Cooling. Auxiliary radiators and hoses need checking.

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.

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.

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: 0W-30 or 5W-30 BMW Longlife-01, about 6.5 litres.
• Service interval: Oil every 10,000 km or yearly; shorter for track use.
• Timing drive: Timing chain at the front.
• Workshop notes: Fit a crank hub upgrade if the engine will be tuned.

Buying a used engine for the M3: 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. 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. 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.
4. 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.
5. Warranty terms in writing. Read what the warranty covers, how long it runs and what fitting conditions apply. Most warranties require a qualified workshop, new fluids and filters, and replacement of the cooling parts that caused the original failure.
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. 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.

BMW M3 replacement engine cost

We currently hold 167 M3 engine engines. The cheapest is 3.865,00 €, the most expensive 11.909,00 €, and half of them cost less than 9.486,00 €.

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 2010–2014 have a median of 9.172,00 €, while units from 2020–2024 sit at 9.058,00 €. 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.

41 of these come from F80 donor cars, priced from 4.706,00 € to 11.909,00 €. 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 F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2020, 111,900 km9.607,00 €BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2014, 110,000 km9.987,00 €BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2017, 99,100 km10.566,00 €BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2018, 135,700 km8.112,00 €BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2018, 129,100 km9.713,00 €BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2014, 145,900 km11.147,00 €BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2015, 180,900 km10.314,00 €BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2018, 199,200 km10.193,00 €BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2014, 132,600 km10.488,00 €BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2019, 31,900 km9.680,00 €BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2017, 193,600 km9.080,00 €BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2020, 104,500 km7.754,00 €

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2020, 111,900 km — 9.607,00 €, reduced from 10.700,00 €. It comes from a 2020 donor car with 111,900 km, and 23 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2014, 110,000 km — 9.987,00 €, reduced from 10.850,00 €. It comes from a 2014 donor car with 110,000 km, and 19 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2017, 99,100 km — 10.566,00 €, reduced from 11.400,00 €. It comes from a 2017 donor car with 99,100 km, and 29 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2018, 135,700 km — 8.112,00 €, reduced from 8.900,00 €. It comes from a 2018 donor car with 135,700 km, and 30 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2018, 129,100 km — 9.713,00 €, reduced from 10.900,00 €. It comes from a 2018 donor car with 129,100 km, and 14 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2014, 145,900 km — 11.147,00 €, reduced from 12.000,00 €. It comes from a 2014 donor car with 145,900 km, and 13 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2015, 180,900 km — 10.314,00 €, reduced from 11.150,00 €. It comes from a 2015 donor car with 180,900 km, and 16 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2018, 199,200 km — 10.193,00 €, reduced from 11.050,00 €. It comes from a 2018 donor car with 199,200 km, and 13 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2014, 132,600 km — 10.488,00 €, reduced from 11.350,00 €. It comes from a 2014 donor car with 132,600 km, and 19 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2019, 31,900 km — 9.680,00 €, reduced from 10.650,00 €. It comes from a 2019 donor car with 31,900 km, and 6 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2017, 193,600 km — 9.080,00 €, reduced from 9.950,00 €. It comes from a 2017 donor car with 193,600 km, and 20 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F80 M3 S55B30 Engine 2020, 104,500 km — 7.754,00 €, reduced from 8.650,00 €. It comes from a 2020 donor car with 104,500 km, and 21 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. 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.

M3 engine questions

How much is a replacement S55B30 engine for a BMW F80 M3?

A used S55B30 for the BMW F80 M3 costs from about 7.550 € to 11.450 € 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 S55B30 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

Can I put an S58B30 engine in my BMW F80 M3?

Yes. We sell conversion kits that fit the S58B30 into the BMW F80 M3. The kit replaces the S55, N55 and S65, and works with the ZF 8HP and DCT.

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 F80 M3'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 S58 BMW Conversion Kits · Conversion guide

What comes with a used S55B30 engine?

Each S55B30 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

Is the BMW S55B30 a diesel or petrol engine?

The S55B30 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 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

How much does a used BMW S55B30 engine cost?

A used BMW S55B30 engine in our yard usually costs between 7.550 € and 11.450 €. 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

Can you check if an S55B30 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 S55B30, we confirm that your car was built with this code or with a version that can take it. BMW used it in the BMW F80 M3, BMW F82 M4, BMW F83 M4 and BMW F87 M2 Competition.

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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

Will the S55B30 engine fit my BMW F87 M2 Competition?

Yes, if your BMW F87 M2 Competition was built with the S55B30. BMW used this 3.0 liter (2,979 cc) petrol engine with 317 kW (431 HP) in the F87 M2 Competition from about 2014 to 2020.

In our records the S55B30 is the engine for the F87 M2 Competition, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your F87 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

How much is a replacement S55B30 engine for a BMW F82 M4?

A used S55B30 for the BMW F82 M4 costs from about 7.550 € to 11.450 € 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 S55B30 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

How much is a replacement S55B30 engine for a BMW F80 M3?

A used S55B30 for the BMW F80 M3 costs from about 7.550 € to 11.450 € 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 S55B30 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

How much is a replacement S55B30 engine for a BMW F87 M2 Competition?

A used S55B30 for the BMW F87 M2 Competition costs from about 7.550 € to 11.450 € 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 S55B30 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 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.

S55 engine guide · BMW M3 engines for sale · Send us your VIN