BMW M4 (F82) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW M4 in the M4 coupé generation (F82, built 2014–2020) was built with one engine, the S55B30: a 3.0 L petrol inline-6 with 431 hp.

Below you will find how to identify the engine in your M4, the faults to look for, current prices for a replacement and the swap options that make sense.

• Generation: M4 coupé, 2014–2020
• Body styles: F82 (coupé)
• Engines: S55B30
• Output: 431 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 167 from 3.865,00 €

Which engine is in your M4?

S55B30 in the M4

The S55B30 was used in the F82 M4, 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.

M4 engines by model year

The M4 kept the same engine for the whole F82 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 M4

A replacement engine does not have to come from another M4. 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 F80 M3, BMW F87 M2 Competition.

How to confirm your engine code

The M4 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 M4 engine problems

The S55B30 in the M4 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 M4

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 M4 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 M4: 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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
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 M4 replacement engine cost

Our M4 engine stock runs to 167 units, priced from 3.865,00 € to 11.909,00 € with a median of 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.

M4 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.

M4 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.

45 of these come from F82 donor cars, priced from 3.865,00 € to 11.867,00 €. 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 M4

These M4 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 F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2019, 73,700 km8.554,00 €BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2015, 134,500 km9.427,00 €BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2015, 194,100 km7.639,00 €BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2014, 152,900 km10.903,00 €BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2016, 119,900 km8.772,00 €BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2017, 144,300 km9.196,00 €BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2015, 134,000 km11.374,00 €BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2015, 198,800 km8.874,00 €BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2019, 161,700 km11.482,00 €BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2019, 132,700 km8.311,00 €BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2016, 101,600 km10.749,00 €BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2018, 158,500 km10.630,00 €

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2019, 73,700 km — 8.554,00 €, reduced from 9.250,00 €. It comes from a 2019 donor car with 73,700 km, and 19 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2015, 134,500 km — 9.427,00 €, reduced from 10.850,00 €. It comes from a 2015 donor car with 134,500 km, and 18 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2015, 194,100 km — 7.639,00 €, reduced from 8.800,00 €. It comes from a 2015 donor car with 194,100 km, and 24 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2014, 152,900 km — 10.903,00 €, reduced from 11.500,00 €. It comes from a 2014 donor car with 152,900 km, and 17 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2016, 119,900 km — 8.772,00 €, reduced from 10.200,00 €. It comes from a 2016 donor car with 119,900 km, and 17 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2017, 144,300 km — 9.196,00 €, reduced from 10.400,00 €. It comes from a 2017 donor car with 144,300 km, and 30 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2015, 134,000 km — 11.374,00 €, reduced from 12.250,00 €. It comes from a 2015 donor car with 134,000 km, and 19 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2015, 198,800 km — 8.874,00 €, reduced from 10.200,00 €. It comes from a 2015 donor car with 198,800 km, and 10 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2019, 161,700 km — 11.482,00 €, reduced from 12.050,00 €. It comes from a 2019 donor car with 161,700 km, and 22 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2019, 132,700 km — 8.311,00 €, reduced from 9.500,00 €. It comes from a 2019 donor car with 132,700 km, and 20 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2016, 101,600 km — 10.749,00 €, reduced from 11.500,00 €. It comes from a 2016 donor car with 101,600 km, and 18 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F82 M4 S55B30 Engine 2018, 158,500 km — 10.630,00 €, reduced from 11.800,00 €. It comes from a 2018 donor car with 158,500 km, and 28 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

Will it fit my M4?

Fitting a replacement engine in the M4

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.

M4 engine questions

Which cars use the BMW S55B30 engine?

BMW fitted the S55B30 to the BMW F80 M3, BMW F82 M4, BMW F83 M4 and BMW F87 M2 Competition. These cars were built with this engine from about 2014 to 2020.

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 S55B30 is the only S55 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

How much power and torque does the BMW S55B30 have?

From the factory the BMW S55B30 makes 317 kW (431 HP) and 550 Nm of torque. It is a 3.0 liter (2,979 cc) inline 6, DOHC, 24 valve petrol engine with twin turbochargers.

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 S55B30 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

How long does delivery of an S55B30 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

How do I know a used S55B30 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 S55B30, 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

What is the BMW S55B30 engine?

The BMW S55B30 is a 3.0 liter (2,979 cc) petrol engine from the S55 family. It has an inline 6, DOHC, 24 valve layout with twin turbochargers, and makes 317 kW (431 HP) with 550 Nm of torque. BMW built it from 2014 to 2020 and it meets the Euro 6 emission standard.

You find the S55B30 in the BMW F80 M3, BMW F82 M4, BMW F83 M4 and BMW F87 M2 Competition. What we list: BMW S55 3.0 twin-turbo engines for the F80 M3, F82 M4 and M2 Competition.

At Autowerke Engines every S55B30 is a real used engine from our yard in Hamburg. 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. 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 S55 Engines · Search S55B30 in the shop

Delivery, warranty and payment

Before an M4 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.

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.

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 M4 engines for sale · Send us your VIN