Which BMW Engines are most reliable?

close-up of car engine

Which BMW engines are most reliable?

Since 1916, Bayerische Motoren Werke, or Bavarian Motor Works (BMW), has been known for putting the most classy, dependable, elegant automobile on the roads. And this reputation has carried on to this day. Even now, a BMW can’t be repaired or serviced by just any mechanic. BMW engine repair and service must be done by an authorized and trained technician.  

From the inside out, these are cars built to last for years, even lifetimes. That includes what’s under the hood. So what engines does BMW use? Even the engine from a used and depreciated BMW a BMW engine. 

With those three letters, BMW, engine maintenance and BMW engine repair bills can be costly. Fortunately, they don’t need repairs often – if they are treated with respect and the recommended maintenance routines are followed. 

Car manufacturer BMW is known for their straight-six engines, and even today, that same engine layout is still in use. But this isn’t the only engine BMW has used. The manufacturer has also used an inline-four and V8 layout, an inline-three, and V10 and V12 engines. Other engines used by the manufacturer include:

  • S62 – BMW M5 (E39): The peak output of this BMW engine reaches the rear-axle wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission.
  • B57 – BMW 750d (G11/G12): A 6-cylinder diesel engine. 
  • S65 – BMW M3 GTS (E92): Many BMW car owners will say this is the best engine ever built by BMW. 
  • N73 – Rolls-Royce Phantom VII: A massive engine that is smooth and powerful, just as a Rolls-Royce driver would expect. 
  • S55 – BMW M4 GTS (F82): This engine features water Injection, which significantly lowers the combustion chamber temperature with a fine mist during combustion. 
  • S85 – BMW M5 (E60): Considered one of BMW’s coolest and most unique engines, it tops out at 155mph.
  • S58 – BMW X3 M / X4 M (F97/F98): A 6-cylinder turbo engine.
  • N63 – BMW M850i (G15): This sports car engine for BMW is a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8. 
  • S70 – McLaren F1: Up until the next two were released, this was the most powerful BMW engine.
  • N74 – Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge: Said to be the second most powerful BMW engine.
  • S63 – BMW M5 CS:  Said to be the most powerful BMW engine ever made, with an excellent power-to-weight ratio.

How long will a BMW engine last?

Like anything, it takes a diligent maintenance routine, proper driving and handling, and using only professional technicians for your BMW engine repair needs to get the longest lifespan possible. Following the maintenance that BMW recommends, you can get 15 years or 200,000 miles from your BMW engine. 

BMW Engine vs Audi Engine – How Do They Compare?

Both Audi and BMW are highly reliable vehicle. The Audi has more better safety ratings and extra warranty coverage, making it a better choice over BMW for many individuals. However, many people around the world will still agree that a BMW gives you a far better driving experience over the Audi. 

What you may not know is the Audi and BMW share many parts, including engines, as do other Volkswagen cars. So, what makes the Audi engine better than the BMW engine? Repairs are expensive for either one, and should only be performed by an authorized BMW technician, so what makes one stand out over the other?

Both the Audi engine and BMW engine offer a reasonable mpg with most models, along including fuel-powered, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric cars. One thing to note is that the transmission in the Audi reduces fuel consumption as it ramps up in power. When it comes to which is the “greenest”, neither is better than the other when it comes to emissions. 

BMW Engine vs Mercedes Engine – How Do They Compare?

There is no question that the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is among the top performing large luxury sedans on the road today. But the BMW engine is the overall winner for luxury performance, offering performance and style in one convenient package.

Can I drive my BMW with the engine light on?

So, the engine has power, the exterior and interior have style, but the engine can still have problems. That light is glaring on the dashboard – why? When you see the BMW engine light is on, you are likely wondering what could be wrong with your German luxury car? 

One of the first things to check is whether the is light red or yellow.  A yellow light is a caution light advising you to schedule an appointment with your BMW technician sooner rather than later.  However, a red light is a serious issue telling you that BMW engine repair is needed ASAP. 

luxury car interior

In Conclusion – A Few Other BMW Engine Repair Needs

On the rare occasion your BMW engine is not starting, what could be the problem? Your authorized BMW engine repair technician will check the following common causes: 

  • The key fob battery is dead
  • The 2v battery is dead
  • There is corrosion on the battery terminals
  • The alternator has gone bad
  • The fuel filter is clogged 
  • The starter is dead
  • A fuse is blown
  • There could be an error on the immobilizer, an electrical system problem, or your BMW may simply be out of gas! 

When your BMW engine won’t turn over, some other common problems could be the spark plugs. A professional technician trained for BMW engine repair can change out those spark plugs and get you back on the road fast. However, if that doesn’t fix the issue, it is right where it needs to be so you can be certain the problem will be taken care of.

You may also wonder, what should you do if your BMW engine leaking oil? By all means, no matter what car you have, a BMW engine repair could be needed. The oil leak should be examined by your technician. By doing all this, you can get back to enjoying your beautiful, luxurious BMW – fast.