The BMW M5 in the fourth 5 Series generation (E39, built 1995–2004) was built with one engine, the S62B50: a 4.9 L petrol V8 with 400 hp.
Below you will find how to identify the engine in your M5, the faults to look for, current prices for a replacement and the swap options that make sense.
- Generation: fourth 5 Series, 1995–2004
- Body styles: E39 (saloon, Touring)
- Engines: S62B50
- Output: 400 hp
- Replacement engines in stock: 3 from 8.900,00 €
Which engine is in your M5?
| Engine code | Built | Power | Torque | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S62B50 | 1998–2003 | 400 hp | 500 Nm | 4.9 L petrol V8, naturally aspirated |
S62B50 in the M5
The S62B50 was used in the E39 M5, built 1998–2003. It is a 4.9 L naturally aspirated petrol V8 with 400 hp and 500 Nm.
Reading the code: S marks an S-series code, reserved for engines developed by BMW M; 62 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 50 is the capacity in decilitres, so 5.0 litres.
M5 engines by model year
| Model year | Engine |
|---|---|
| 1998 | S62B50 (400 hp) |
| 1999 | S62B50 (400 hp) |
| 2000 | S62B50 (400 hp) |
| 2001 | S62B50 (400 hp) |
| 2002 | S62B50 (400 hp) |
| 2003 | S62B50 (400 hp) |
The M5 kept the same engine for the whole E39 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 M5
A replacement engine does not have to come from another M5. 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.
S62B50: BMW E52 Z8.
How to confirm your engine code
The M5 only used the S62B50, 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 M5 engine problems
The S62B50 in the M5 shares the known weak points of the S62 family. Full S62 guide.
| Known fault | What to check |
|---|---|
| Timing chain guides | Inspect guides with the valve covers off and listen for start-up rattle. |
| VANOS | Read VANOS fault codes and listen at idle. |
| Rod bearings | Oil analysis or inspection with the sump off. |
| Throttle actuator | Check for throttle fault codes. |
| Cooling | Pressure-test the system. |
Timing chain guides. Plastic guides and tensioners wear and can break.
VANOS. VANOS solenoids, seals and the high-pressure oil supply cause rattle and torque loss.
Rod bearings. High-mileage engines used hard show bearing wear.
Throttle actuator. The throttle actuator and its linkage cause limp mode.
Cooling. Water pump, radiator and expansion tank age.
Symptoms to watch for on the M5
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 M5 engine
- Oil: 10W-60 BMW M synthetic, about 8 litres.
- Service interval: Oil every 10,000 km; VANOS and guides inspected around 100,000 km.
- Timing drive: Timing chains, one per bank, with guides and tensioners.
- Workshop notes: Ask for service history and any timing guide work. Matching engine numbers matter to Z8 and M5 buyers.
Buying a used engine for the M5: checklist
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 M5 replacement engine cost
Our M5 engine stock runs to 3 units, priced from 8.900,00 € to 14.340,00 € with a median of 14.221,00 €.
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 E39 donor cars, priced from 14.221,00 €. 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 M5
These M5 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 S62B50 Engine — 8.900,00 €, reduced from 9.400,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 8 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.
Will it fit my M5?
Fitting a replacement engine in the M5
- 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.
- Reset VANOS adaptations. Clear the VANOS adaptations so the ECU learns the camshaft positions of the new engine.
- 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.
M5 engine questions
Will the S62B50 engine fit my BMW E39 M5?
Yes, if your BMW E39 M5 was built with the S62B50. BMW used this 4.9 liter (4,941 cc) petrol engine with 294 kW (400 HP) in the E39 M5 from about 1998 to 2003.
In our records the S62B50 is the engine for the E39 M5, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.
Also tell us if your E39 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
How much is a replacement S62B50 engine for a BMW E39 M5?
A used S62B50 for the BMW E39 M5 costs from about 6.700 € to 10.200 € 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 S62B50 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
How long does delivery of an S62B50 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
How much power and torque does the BMW S62B50 have?
From the factory the BMW S62B50 makes 294 kW (400 HP) and 500 Nm of torque. It is a 4.9 liter (4,941 cc) V8, DOHC, 32 valve petrol engine with no turbo (naturally aspirated).
Without a turbo, the power builds smoothly with the revs. A clean air intake, healthy ignition and the correct fuel 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 S62B50 on our site lists its year and mileage. If you want more photos or a short video of a unit, ask the desk and we send them before you pay.
See all S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
Does a used S62B50 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
How much is a replacement S62B50 engine for a BMW E52 Z8?
A used S62B50 for the BMW E52 Z8 costs from about 6.700 € to 10.200 € 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 S62B50 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
What comes with a used S62B50 engine?
Each S62B50 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
Will the S62B50 engine fit my BMW E52 Z8?
Yes, if your BMW E52 Z8 was built with the S62B50. BMW used this 4.9 liter (4,941 cc) petrol engine with 294 kW (400 HP) in the E52 Z8 from about 1998 to 2003.
In our records the S62B50 is the engine for the E52 Z8, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.
Also tell us if your E52 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
Can you check if an S62B50 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 S62B50, we confirm that your car was built with this code or with a version that can take it. BMW used it in the BMW E39 M5 and BMW E52 Z8.
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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
Which cars use the BMW S62B50 engine?
BMW fitted the S62B50 to the BMW E39 M5 and BMW E52 Z8. These cars were built with this engine from about 1998 to 2003.
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 S62B50 is the only S62 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
Delivery, warranty and payment
Every M5 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.
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.
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