The BMW Z8 in the Z8 generation (E52, built 2000–2003) 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 Z8, the faults to look for, current prices for a replacement and the swap options that make sense.
- Generation: Z8, 2000–2003
- Body styles: E52 (roadster)
- Engines: S62B50
- Output: 400 hp
- Replacement engines in stock: 3 from 8.900,00 €
Which engine is in your Z8?
| Engine code | Built | Power | Torque | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S62B50 | 1998–2003 | 400 hp | 500 Nm | 4.9 L petrol V8, naturally aspirated |
S62B50 in the Z8
The S62B50 was used in the E52 Z8, 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.
Z8 engines by model year
| Model year | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2000 | S62B50 (400 hp) |
| 2001 | S62B50 (400 hp) |
| 2002 | S62B50 (400 hp) |
| 2003 | S62B50 (400 hp) |
The Z8 kept the same engine for the whole E52 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 Z8
A replacement engine does not have to come from another Z8. 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 E39 M5.
How to confirm your engine code
The Z8 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 Z8 engine problems
The S62B50 in the Z8 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 Z8
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 Z8 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 Z8: checklist
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Z8 replacement engine cost
Across 3 Z8 engine units in our stock today, prices start at 8.900,00 € and reach 14.340,00 €. The median — the price in the middle of the range — is 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 E52 donor cars, priced from 14.340,00 €. 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 Z8
These Z8 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 Z8?
Fitting a replacement engine in the Z8
- 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.
Z8 engine questions
How do I know a used S62B50 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. 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 S62B50, 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
Are there other versions of the BMW S62B50?
In our yard the S62B50 is the only listed version of the S62 family. It makes 294 kW (400 HP) and 500 Nm, and was built from 1998 to 2003.
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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
What should I replace when I fit a used S62B50 engine?
A used engine lasts longest when it starts life in your car with fresh fluids and new seals. 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. Check the spark plugs and the ignition coils, and make sure the fuel lines are clean and tight before you crank the engine. Change the drive belt, the thermostat and the water pump seals if they look tired, because they are cheap while the engine is out.
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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
How much does a used BMW S62B50 engine cost?
A used BMW S62B50 engine in our yard usually costs between 6.700 € and 10.200 €. 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
What is the BMW S62B50 engine?
The BMW S62B50 is a 4.9 liter (4,941 cc) petrol engine from the S62 family. It has a V8, DOHC, 32 valve layout with no turbo (naturally aspirated), and makes 294 kW (400 HP) with 500 Nm of torque. BMW built it from 1998 to 2003 and it meets the Euro 3 emission standard.
You find the S62B50 in the BMW E39 M5 and BMW E52 Z8. What we list: BMW S62 4.9 V8 engines from the E39 M5 and E52 Z8.
At Autowerke Engines every S62B50 is a real used engine from our yard in Hamburg. 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. 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
Is the BMW S62B50 a diesel or petrol engine?
The S62B50 is a petrol engine. It is a 4.9 liter (4,941 cc) V8, DOHC, 32 valve unit with no turbo (naturally aspirated), and it was built to the Euro 3 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 S62 Engines · Search S62B50 in the shop
Delivery, warranty and payment
Every Z8 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.
