The S70B56 is a 6.1 L petrol V12 from BMW's S70 family, built 1993–1998 and rated at 627 hp and 650 Nm. It powered the McLaren F1 and McLaren F1 GTR.
This guide is about the S70B56 specifically: its specification, the cars that use it, how it differs from the other S70 versions, what to check, prices from our stock and fitment answers for each model. For the history of the whole family, read our M31, M337 and S70 guide.
- Capacity and layout: 6.1 L, V12, naturally aspirated
- Output: 627 hp and 650 Nm
- Production: 1993–1998
- Fitted to: 2 models across 0 chassis generations
- In our stock: ask the desk for the next arrival
S70B56 specifications
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine code | S70B56 |
| Family | S70 |
| Capacity | 6.1 L |
| Layout | V12 |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Aspiration | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 627 hp |
| Torque | 650 Nm |
| Specific output | 103 hp per litre |
| Production | 1993–1998 |
| Models | 2 |
The S70B56 is a 6.1 L V12 petrol engine, naturally aspirated, rated at 627 hp and 650 Nm. BMW built it from 1993 to 1998. That is about 103 hp and 107 Nm per litre, a strong figure for a road engine of its era. It was fitted to the McLaren F1 and McLaren F1 GTR.
What the code S70B56 means
- S marks an S-series code, reserved for engines developed by BMW M.
- 70 is the family number.
- B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin).
- 56 is the capacity in decilitres, so 5.6 litres.
Common S70B56 problems
The S70B56 shares its weak points with the rest of the S70 family. These are the faults to check on a used unit and on your own engine. The full explanation of each is in the M31, M337 and S70 guide.
| Known fault | What to check |
|---|---|
| Age and storage | Ask for photographs of the internals and the history. |
| Originality | Check the engine number against the car's documents. |
Originality. Matching numbers and correct ancillaries add value.
S70B56 maintenance
- Period-correct oil chosen with a specialist.
- Varies by use.
- Varies by engine.
S70B56 prices
We do not have an S70B56 on the shelf at the moment. Send us your VIN or the code you need and the desk will tell you when the next unit arrives and what it will cost.
Buying a used S70B56: checklist
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Originality and numbers. For collectible cars, the engine number and correct ancillaries add value. Photograph the stamp and keep it with the car's documents.
Questions about the S70B56
How much is a replacement S70B56 engine for a BMW E31 850CSi?
A used S70B56 for the BMW E31 850CSi costs from about 11.550 € to 17.450 € 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 S70B56 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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
Will the S70B56 engine fit my BMW E31 850CSi?
Yes, if your BMW E31 850CSi was built with the S70B56. BMW used this 5.6 liter (5,576 cc) petrol engine with 280 kW (381 HP) in the E31 850CSi from about 1992 to 1996.
In our records the S70B56 is the engine for the E31 850CSi, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.
Also tell us if your E31 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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
How much does a used BMW S70B56 engine cost?
A used BMW S70B56 engine in our yard usually costs between 11.550 € and 17.450 €. 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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
Can you check if an S70B56 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 S70B56, we confirm that your car was built with this code or with a version that can take it. BMW used it in the BMW E31 850CSi.
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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
Does a used S70B56 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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
Is the BMW S70B56 a diesel or petrol engine?
The S70B56 is a petrol engine. It is a 5.6 liter (5,576 cc) V12, SOHC, 24 valve unit with no turbo (naturally aspirated), and it was built to the Euro 1 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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
What should I replace when I fit a used S70B56 engine?
A used engine lasts longest when it starts life in your car with fresh fluids and new seals. Check the spark plugs and the ignition coils, and make sure the fuel lines are clean and tight before you crank the engine. 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. 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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
What is the BMW S70B56 engine?
The BMW S70B56 is a 5.6 liter (5,576 cc) petrol engine from the S70 family. It has a V12, SOHC, 24 valve layout with no turbo (naturally aspirated), and makes 280 kW (381 HP) with 550 Nm of torque. BMW built it from 1992 to 1996 and it meets the Euro 1 emission standard.
You find the S70B56 in the BMW E31 850CSi. What we list: BMW S70 5.6 V12 engines from the E31 850CSi.
At Autowerke Engines every S70B56 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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
How much power and torque does the BMW S70B56 have?
From the factory the BMW S70B56 makes 280 kW (381 HP) and 550 Nm of torque. It is a 5.6 liter (5,576 cc) V12, SOHC, 24 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 S70B56 on our site lists its year and mileage. You can ask for extra photos, a close-up of the code stamp or a short video before you order.
See all S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
Which cars use the BMW S70B56 engine?
BMW fitted the S70B56 to the BMW E31 850CSi. These cars were built with this engine from about 1992 to 1996.
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 S70B56 is the only S70 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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
How do I know a used S70B56 engine is in good shape?
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. 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. You can ask for extra photos, a close-up of the code stamp or a short video before you order.
On a petrol engine like the S70B56, 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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
What comes with a used S70B56 engine?
Each S70B56 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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
How long does delivery of an S70B56 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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
Are there other versions of the BMW S70B56?
In our yard the S70B56 is the only listed version of the S70 family. It makes 280 kW (381 HP) and 550 Nm, and was built from 1992 to 1996.
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 S70 Engines · Search S70B56 in the shop
Delivery, warranty and payment
Every S70B56 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.
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.
M31, M337 and S70 engine guide · All M31, M337 and S70 engines · Send us your VIN
