This is a BMW N55 engine for sale in fairly used condition: a complete 3.0 litre turbocharged straight six, pulled from a running car, checked over, tested and ready to ship anywhere in the world. It suits the long list of BMW “35i” models built from 2009 onward, from the 135i and 335i to the 535i, X3, X5 and X6.
Before you pay, we match the engine code on the block to your car and send you photos of the actual engine you will receive. No stock pictures, no guessing.
What Comes With This BMW N55 Engine for Sale
Unless your quote says otherwise, a complete engine includes:
- Block with crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods
- Cylinder head with camshafts, Valvetronic hardware and VANOS units
- Twin-scroll turbocharger and exhaust manifold
- High pressure fuel pump, rail and injectors
- Intake manifold and throttle body where fitted
- Oil pan, oil filter housing and timing cover
- Photos, test notes and secure packing on a pallet or in a crate
Ancillaries such as the starter, alternator, AC compressor, wiring harness and DME (engine computer) vary from engine to engine. We list exactly what is on the BMW N55 engine for sale you are buying, in writing, before you pay. If you only need a long block, ask and we will quote that instead.
BMW N55 Engine Specifications
| Engine code | N55B30 (M0, O0, T0 depending on car) |
| Type | Inline 6 cylinder petrol, DOHC, 24 valves |
| Displacement | 2,979 cc (3.0 litres) |
| Bore x stroke | 84.0 x 89.6 mm |
| Compression | 10.2:1 |
| Turbo | Single twin-scroll turbocharger, intercooled |
| Fuel | Direct injection with solenoid injectors |
| Valve control | Valvetronic plus double VANOS |
| Power | About 300 to 326 hp (365 hp in the M2) |
| Torque | About 400 to 450 Nm (295 to 330 lb-ft) |
| Oil capacity | About 6.5 litres |
| Condition | Fairly used, tested |
For a longer look at the engine’s history and design, see the BMW N55 article, or read our full BMW N55 buying guide.
Cars This BMW N55 Engine for Sale Fits
- BMW 135i (E82, E88) from 2011, M135i (F20, F21)
- BMW M235i (F22, F23), M2 (F87, with the T0 engine)
- BMW 335i (E90, E91, E92, E93) from 2010, 335i (F30, F31), 335i GT (F34)
- BMW 435i (F32, F33, F36)
- BMW 535i (F10, F11), 535i Gran Turismo (F07)
- BMW 640i (F06, F12, F13)
- BMW 740i (F01, F02)
- BMW X1 xDrive35i (E84), X3 xDrive35i (F25), X4 xDrive35i (F26)
- BMW X5 xDrive35i (E70 from 2011, F15)
- BMW X6 xDrive35i (E71 from 2011, F16)
Rear wheel drive and xDrive cars use different oil pans and some different front parts. Send us your VIN and we confirm which BMW N55 engine for sale matches your car before we quote. If your car came with the twin turbo N54, see our BMW N54 engine instead. Newer cars with the B58 can use our BMW B58 engine.
Condition: What Fairly Used Means Here
Fairly used means the engine came out of a car that was running and driving, not out of a fire or a flood. It has normal wear for its mileage. It is not rebuilt or remanufactured, and it is priced that way.
Every BMW N55 engine for sale we list has been checked so you know what you are getting. If we see something worth mentioning, such as a weeping gasket or a scuffed cover, it goes in your notes. We would much rather tell you up front than have you find it on the workshop floor.
How We Check Each BMW N55 Engine for Sale
- Record the engine code, mileage and donor car where known
- Compression or leak-down test on all six cylinders
- Drain and inspect the oil for metal, sludge or coolant
- Check the turbo for shaft play and the wastegate for rattle
- Look over the oil filter housing, valve cover and oil pan gaskets
- Inspect the block and head for cracks, repairs and damage
- Photograph the engine from every side
- Drain fluids, cap every opening and pack for shipping
You get the photos and notes before you pay. Want a close-up of a particular spot? Ask, and we will take it.
Price and What Affects It
The price shown is for a complete, fairly used engine of the common version. The final price of a BMW N55 engine for sale can move a little depending on:
- Engine version (M0, O0 or T0)
- Mileage
- Complete engine or long block
- Which ancillaries are included
- Shipping method and destination
Your written quote shows the engine, the parts included and the shipping cost as separate lines, so nothing is hidden. Our guide to replacement engine cost also helps you budget for fitting.
Why the N55 Is Worth Replacing Like for Like
The N55 was a big step forward from the N54. One twin-scroll turbo replaced two small ones, the troublesome piezo injectors were dropped for simpler solenoid ones, and Valvetronic was added for better response and economy. Most owners find it a smooth, strong and mostly dependable engine.
It also bolts straight back into the car it came from. The wiring, software, mounts, cooling and exhaust all expect an N55. Swapping in something else turns a simple job into a project. That is why, for any car built with this engine, a BMW N55 engine for sale is the quickest and cheapest route back on the road.
Common N55 Faults We Look For
These are the known weak spots on the N55. We look at each one before we sell an engine, and we suggest you deal with the ones on the outside of the engine during your swap.
- Oil filter housing gasket. Hardens and leaks oil down the block. Cheap to replace during fitting.
- Valve cover and gasket. Can crack or leak with age.
- Electric water pump and thermostat. A failed pump is the most common reason these engines overheat. Replace it if your old engine died hot.
- Plastic charge pipe. Can crack under boost. An aluminium pipe is a good upgrade.
- Wastegate rattle. Annoying more than harmful, but we note it if we hear it.
- Intake valve carbon. Normal on direct injection engines. Walnut blasting cleans it.
- Coils and plugs. Fit new plugs with any engine swap.
None of these stop us selling an engine. They are simply what a careful buyer of a BMW N55 engine for sale should know.
Fitting Advice
- Find out why the old engine failed and fix that first. Overheating usually means the water pump, thermostat, radiator or hoses.
- Replace the oil filter housing gasket and valve cover gasket while everything is open.
- If the old turbo failed, clean or replace the intercooler and charge pipes.
- Fit new spark plugs and check the coils.
- Check the DME and software suit the engine version.
- Fill with the BMW approved oil grade and change it early, at around 1,000 to 2,000 km.
- Check for leaks and fault codes after the first drive.
A good independent BMW workshop will have your car running again in a day or two once the engine arrives.
N55 Versions Explained
N55B30M0. The most common version, rated about 300 to 306 hp. Found in the 335i, 535i, X3, X5, X6 and many others. This is the BMW N55 engine for sale most buyers need.
N55B30O0. The higher output version, about 320 to 326 hp, used in the M135i, M235i, 640i and 740i. It has different software and some different parts.
N55B30T0. The M2 engine, about 365 hp, with some parts shared with the S55 used in the M3 and M4.
The long blocks are close relatives, but turbos, intakes, sumps and software can differ. We always tell you which version you are buying.
Complete Engine or Long Block?
A complete engine comes with the turbo, injectors, fuel pump, intake and most of the bolt-on parts. It is the quickest to fit and the choice most workshops make.
A long block is the core of the engine: block, crank, pistons, rods, head and camshafts. It suits you if your own turbo, injectors and sensors are healthy and you want to move them across. A long block BMW N55 engine for sale costs less, but the fitting takes longer.
Used, Rebuilt or Remanufactured?
This listing is for a fairly used engine. It is the cheapest and fastest option and gives very good value when the engine is tested and the mileage is known.
A rebuilt engine has new bearings, rings and gaskets and costs more. A remanufactured engine is built to a fixed factory style standard and costs the most. Our guide to remanufactured vs rebuilt engines explains the difference. For most owners, a clean used BMW N55 engine for sale is the sensible middle ground between price and peace of mind.
Looking After Your New Engine
A few simple habits help any BMW N55 engine for sale from us last a long time after it is fitted:
- Change the oil more often than the long interval shown in the car, around every 8,000 to 10,000 km.
- Keep an eye on coolant level, because the electric water pump gives little warning before it fails.
- Let the engine warm up before using full boost.
- Give the turbo a short idle after hard driving.
- Replace plugs on schedule and fix small oil leaks early.
Notes for Hot and Dusty Countries
Many of our buyers drive in heat, dust and heavy traffic. That is tough on cooling systems and oil. If that sounds like your roads, shorten oil changes further, clean the radiator and intercooler fins regularly, and change the air filter often. Use good quality fuel, because direct injection engines do not like poor petrol. With that care, a BMW N55 engine for sale copes well with hot climates.
Matching the Engine to Your Car
The quickest way to get the right engine is to send us your VIN. From it we can see the model, build date, drive type and the engine version your car left the factory with. If you also have the engine code from your old block, send a photo of that too. We then check it against the BMW N55 engine for sale we have ready and confirm the match in writing before you pay. If we do not have a true match in stock, we tell you and keep looking rather than selling you something close enough.
Warranty
Every BMW N55 engine for sale from us ships with a written warranty. The terms are on your quote before you pay, so you know exactly what is covered and for how long. Read the details on our used engine warranty page and our refund and returns policy.
Worldwide Shipping
We ship to buyers in North, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and the Pacific. Choose sea freight to save money or air freight when you need the car back fast.
Your BMW N55 engine for sale is drained, capped, strapped down and packed on a pallet or in a wooden crate, then shipped with tracking and export paperwork. We can send it to your door, a port or your freight forwarder. Our shipping policy has the details.
How to Order
- Send your VIN and engine code through the contact page, or call +1 (209) 733-0882.
- We confirm the match and send photos of the actual engine.
- You get a written quote with the engine, parts list and shipping.
- Pay by bank transfer. It is the only payment method we accept. See our billing terms.
- We ship with tracking and send you the documents.
New to buying engines online? Our guide on how to buy a used engine online walks through it.
When Your Engine Arrives
- Photograph the crate or pallet before opening it.
- Match the engine number to your quote.
- Check every listed part is there.
- Turn the crank by hand to check it moves freely.
- Contact us within the time on your quote if anything is wrong.
Because we photograph every BMW N55 engine for sale before it leaves, any question about condition is quick to settle.
Who Buys This Engine
Owners who love their 335i, 535i or X5 and would rather fix it than replace it. Independent BMW workshops that need dependable engines on a regular basis. Tuners building a project on a budget. Importers and dealers who resell engines in their own markets. Whoever you are, you get the same thing: the right BMW N55 engine for sale for your car, honest notes and real photos.
Trade buyers can order several engines in one shipment to save on freight. Ask about combining an N55 with other BMW engines such as the 3.0 M57 diesel or the N63 V8.
More BMW Engines
Browse all our BMW engines, the full used engines range, or read our guide to the BMW N57 diesel. You can also learn more about us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a warranty on this BMW N55 engine for sale?
Yes. Every BMW N55 engine for sale ships with a written warranty, and the terms are on your quote.
Can I buy more than one BMW N55 engine for sale for my workshop?
Yes. Trade buyers can order several units and ship them together. Ask for a combined quote on each BMW N55 engine for sale you need.
Is this a new engine?
No. It is a fairly used engine from a running car, tested and priced as used.
Does this BMW N55 engine for sale include the turbo?
Yes, the complete engine includes the turbo. A long block does not. Your quote will say which one you are getting.
Will it fit my 335i?
If your 335i was built with the N55 (most from 2010 on), yes. Early E90 335i cars used the N54. Send your VIN and we will check.
Does it come with the DME?
Sometimes. Your quote lists it if it is included.
Can I see photos first?
Yes. You get photos of the actual BMW N55 engine for sale before you pay.
How do I pay?
Bank transfer only. The details come with your quote.
Do you ship to my country?
We ship worldwide by sea or air with tracking.
Get Your Quote Today
If your BMW is off the road with a failed N55, this engine is the straightforward fix. Send us your VIN and we will confirm the match, send photos and give you a clear price on a tested BMW N55 engine for sale, delivered wherever you are.
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