BMW M6 (E63 and E64) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW M6 in the second 6 Series coupé generation (E63 and E64, built 2003–2010) was built with one engine, the S85B50: a 5.0 L petrol V10 with 507 hp.

Below you will find how to identify the engine in your M6, the faults to look for, current prices for a replacement and the swap options that make sense.

• Generation: second 6 Series coupé, 2003–2010
• Body styles: E63 (coupé) and E64 (convertible)
• Engines: S85B50
• Output: 507 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 57 from 9.122,00 €

Which engine is in your M6?

S85B50 in the M6

The S85B50 was used in the E63 M6 and E64 M6, built 2005–2010. It is a 5.0 L naturally aspirated petrol V10 with 507 hp and 520 Nm.

Reading the code: S marks an S-series code, reserved for engines developed by BMW M; 85 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 50 is the capacity in decilitres, so 5.0 litres.

M6 engines by model year

The M6 kept the same engine for the whole E63 and E64 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 M6

A replacement engine does not have to come from another M6. 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.

S85B50: BMW E60 M5, BMW E61 M5.

How to confirm your engine code

The M6 only used the S85B50, 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 M6 engine problems

The S85B50 in the M6 shares the known weak points of the S85 family. Full S85 guide.

Rod bearings. Rod bearing wear is the S85's best-known issue. Preventive replacement is standard practice.

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

High-pressure VANOS. The VANOS pump and solenoids fail and cause codes and loss of power.

Oil leaks. Oil pan and valve cover gaskets leak.

Symptoms to watch for on the M6

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 M6 engine

• Oil: 10W-60 BMW M synthetic, about 9.25 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 S85 unless they were recently replaced.

Buying a used engine for the M6: 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. 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.
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. 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.
5. 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.
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 the V10, check both banks separately for compression, throttle actuator faults and VANOS codes.

BMW M6 replacement engine cost

Our M6 engine stock runs to 57 units, priced from 9.122,00 € to 13.450,00 € with a median of 10.924,00 €.

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.

M6 engine prices by model year

Engines from 2005–2009 have a median of 10.809,00 €, while units from 2010–2014 sit at 11.539,00 €. Newer engines usually cost more because they come from younger donor cars with lower mileage and later updates.

M6 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.

28 of these come from E63 and E64 donor cars, priced from 9.122,00 € to 13.443,00 €. 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 M6

These M6 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 E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2006, 91,100 km10.388,00 €BMW E63 M6 S85B50 Engine 2008, 112,300 km11.618,00 €BMW E63 M6 S85B50 Engine 2007, 194,300 km11.593,00 €BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2010, 96,000 km13.252,00 €BMW E63 M6 S85B50 Engine 2007, 195,500 km9.629,00 €BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2010, 33,300 km12.852,00 €BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2009, 113,500 km12.827,00 €BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2006, 61,800 km12.283,00 €BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2010, 195,100 km12.841,00 €BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2010, 50,200 km13.298,00 €BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2008, 53,100 km11.088,00 €BMW E63 M6 S85B50 Engine 2010, 103,900 km11.347,00 €

BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2006, 91,100 km — 10.388,00 €, reduced from 11.750,00 €. It comes from a 2006 donor car with 91,100 km, and 30 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E63 M6 S85B50 Engine 2008, 112,300 km — 11.618,00 €, reduced from 12.200,00 €. It comes from a 2008 donor car with 112,300 km, and 17 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E63 M6 S85B50 Engine 2007, 194,300 km — 11.593,00 €, reduced from 12.300,00 €. It comes from a 2007 donor car with 194,300 km, and 16 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2010, 96,000 km — 13.252,00 €, reduced from 13.950,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car with 96,000 km, and 13 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E63 M6 S85B50 Engine 2007, 195,500 km — 9.629,00 €, reduced from 10.900,00 €. It comes from a 2007 donor car with 195,500 km, and 24 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2010, 33,300 km — 12.852,00 €, reduced from 13.850,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car with 33,300 km, and 8 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2009, 113,500 km — 12.827,00 €, reduced from 13.900,00 €. It comes from a 2009 donor car with 113,500 km, and 15 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2006, 61,800 km — 12.283,00 €, reduced from 13.750,00 €. It comes from a 2006 donor car with 61,800 km, and 18 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2010, 195,100 km — 12.841,00 €, reduced from 13.450,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car with 195,100 km, and 15 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2010, 50,200 km — 13.298,00 €, reduced from 14.150,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car with 50,200 km, and 16 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E64 M6 S85B50 Engine 2008, 53,100 km — 11.088,00 €, reduced from 12.150,00 €. It comes from a 2008 donor car with 53,100 km, and 5 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E63 M6 S85B50 Engine 2010, 103,900 km — 11.347,00 €, reduced from 12.300,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car with 103,900 km, and 19 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

Will it fit my M6?

Fitting a replacement engine in the M6

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.

M6 engine questions

Will the S85B50 engine fit my BMW E64 M6?

Yes, if your BMW E64 M6 was built with the S85B50. BMW used this 5.0 liter (4,999 cc) petrol engine with 373 kW (507 HP) in the E64 M6 from about 2005 to 2010.

In our records the S85B50 is the engine for the E64 M6, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your E64 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 S85 Engines · Search S85B50 in the shop

How much is a replacement S85B50 engine for a BMW E63 M6?

A used S85B50 for the BMW E63 M6 costs from about 9.050 € to 13.700 € 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 S85B50 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 S85 Engines · Search S85B50 in the shop

Does a used S85B50 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 S85 Engines · Search S85B50 in the shop

Are there other versions of the BMW S85B50?

In our yard the S85B50 is the only listed version of the S85 family. It makes 373 kW (507 HP) and 520 Nm, and was built from 2005 to 2010.

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 S85 Engines · Search S85B50 in the shop

Is the BMW S85B50 a diesel or petrol engine?

The S85B50 is a petrol engine. It is a 5.0 liter (4,999 cc) V10, DOHC, 40 valve unit with no turbo (naturally aspirated), and it was built to the Euro 4 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 S85 Engines · Search S85B50 in the shop

How much power and torque does the BMW S85B50 have?

From the factory the BMW S85B50 makes 373 kW (507 HP) and 520 Nm of torque. It is a 5.0 liter (4,999 cc) V10, DOHC, 40 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 S85B50 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 S85 Engines · Search S85B50 in the shop

Can you check if an S85B50 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 S85B50, we confirm that your car was built with this code or with a version that can take it. BMW used it in the BMW E60 M5, BMW E61 M5, BMW E63 M6 and BMW E64 M6.

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 S85 Engines · Search S85B50 in the shop

How much is a replacement S85B50 engine for a BMW E63 M6?

A used S85B50 for the BMW E63 M6 costs from about 9.050 € to 13.700 € 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 S85B50 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 S85 Engines · Search S85B50 in the shop

Will the S85B50 engine fit my BMW E64 M6?

Yes, if your BMW E64 M6 was built with the S85B50. BMW used this 5.0 liter (4,999 cc) petrol engine with 373 kW (507 HP) in the E64 M6 from about 2005 to 2010.

In our records the S85B50 is the engine for the E64 M6, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your E64 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 S85 Engines · Search S85B50 in the shop

Which cars use the BMW S85B50 engine?

BMW fitted the S85B50 to the BMW E60 M5, BMW E61 M5, BMW E63 M6 and BMW E64 M6. These cars were built with this engine from about 2005 to 2010.

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 S85B50 is the only S85 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 S85 Engines · Search S85B50 in the shop

Delivery, warranty and payment

Before an M6 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 E63 and E64 engines · S85 engine guide · BMW M6 engines for sale · Send us your VIN