BMW N55 Engine for Sale | OEM Used N55B30 3.0L Single Twin-Scroll Turbo Inline-6
$3,800.00
At a Glance
- Condition: OEM used, compression tested across all 6 cylinders
- Availability: In stock, multiple year ranges available 2009 to 2017
- Shipping: Free shipping to all 50 states via freight pallet, 5 to 10 business days
- All 6 cylinders compression tested, results available before you pay
- N55B30 variant confirmed (standard 300 hp vs 1M 335 hp spec)
- Donor application documented (335i, 535i, X3 35i, X5 35i, 640i, 1M, etc.)
- Valve cover gasket condition inspected (common N55 oil leak point)
- HPFP (High Pressure Fuel Pump) status documented
- Carbon buildup on intake valves assessed (walnut blast recommended on most N55s)
- 100% fitment verified before every order ships
- No core charge required
- Backed by a 15 day replacement warranty against internal defects
Description
About the BMW N55 Engine
The BMW N55 engine, renowned for its performance and reliability, is a standout in the world of automotive engineering. This inline-six engine, featuring a single twin-scroll turbocharger, delivers impressive power and smooth performance, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts, tuners, and BMW owners looking for an N55 crate engine for their next project. Whether you are seeking an N55 motor for sale to repower a 335i, 535i, X5 35i, or you are sourcing the legendary 1 Series M Coupe (1M) variant, this engine offers exceptional versatility and durability.
With advanced technologies such as Valvetronic variable valve lift, Double-VANOS variable cam timing, and high-pressure direct injection, the N55 engine provides optimal efficiency and responsiveness. It produces robust 300 to 320 hp and 300 to 330 lb-ft of torque, with the lower-end torque coming on at just 1,300 RPM and holding steady through 5,000 RPM, ensuring a thrilling driving experience from launch through cruising. Perfect for performance builds or as a replacement for your existing BMW N55 engine, this powerplant promises reliability and longevity when properly maintained.
Key Features of the BMW N55 Engine
The BMW N55 engine is a pinnacle of modern engineering, known for its power, efficiency, and advanced technology. Key features include:
- Single Twin-Scroll Turbocharger: Enhances performance and reduces turbo lag, delivering smooth and immediate power. The single-turbo design replaces the more complex twin-turbo configuration of the predecessor N54.
- Valvetronic Technology: BMW continuously variable intake valve lift system optimizes efficiency and power output without a traditional throttle plate, providing a responsive driving experience and improved fuel economy.
- Double-VANOS: Variable camshaft timing on both intake and exhaust adjusts for improved torque, fuel efficiency, and emissions across the entire RPM range.
- Lightweight Aluminum Construction: Aluminum block and head reduces weight, enhancing vehicle performance, handling, and chassis weight balance.
- High-Pressure Direct Fuel Injection: Ensures precise fuel delivery at up to 200 bar of pressure for maximum power and efficiency.
- Closed-Deck Aluminum Block: Stronger than open-deck designs, supporting higher boost pressures in tuned applications.
Ideal for enthusiasts seeking an N55 crate engine for custom builds or as a reliable replacement, the BMW N55 engine for sale is perfect for elevating your driving experience. Its combination of innovative features and proven reliability makes it a top choice in the competitive BMW used engine market.
N55 Variants by Application
| Vehicle | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| N55B30 Standard | 300 hp at 5,800 rpm, 300 lb-ft at 1,200 to 5,000 rpm. Used in 335i, 435i, 535i, 640i, X3 35i, X4 35i, X5 35i, X6 35i. The most common variant. |
| N55B30 Sport (1M Coupe) | 335 hp at 5,900 rpm, 332 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm (with overboost to 369 lb-ft). The high-output N55 variant used exclusively in the 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe (1M). Limited production. |
| N55B30 Long-Stroke (M2 Original) | 365 hp variant used in the M2 (F87) before being replaced by the S55 in M2 Competition. |
| N55B30 Stroked (740i) | Lower-stress N55 tune for the F01/F02 740i. |
Signs You Need a Replacement N55
- Knock or rattle on cold start (rod or main bearing wear)
- Loss of compression on one or more cylinders
- HPFP (high-pressure fuel pump) failure causing hesitation or no-start condition
- Wastegate rattle (a known N55 weakness)
- Misfires under load (failed coil pack, injector, or HPFP)
- Excessive oil consumption
- Coolant in oil or oil in coolant (head gasket failure or charge pipe boost leak)
- Engine seized in donor vehicle
- Building a 335i / 535i / X3 35i swap or repower project
Known N55 Issues We Inspect Before Shipping
- HPFP (High Pressure Fuel Pump) wear: A known N55 weakness inherited from the N54 platform, though improved over time. We document HPFP function status.
- Wastegate rattle: A known issue on aged N55 turbos. We listen for wastegate rattle on cold start and document.
- Charge pipe (factory plastic) failure: The factory plastic charge pipe is known to crack under boost. We note this on shipped engines (the charge pipe is external and not part of the long block).
- Carbon buildup on intake valves: Direct injection engines like the N55 are prone to carbon buildup on intake valve backsides. We assess and recommend walnut blast service before installation in most cases.
- Valve cover gasket leaks: Common N55 oil leak source. We inspect and disclose.
- Oil filter housing gasket leaks: Another common N55 oil leak. Inspected before shipping.
What Ships and What Does Not
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| INCLUDED | Long block: block, crankshaft, rods, pistons, both camshafts, valve train, aluminum cylinder head, oil pan, valve covers, harmonic balancer, intake manifold (typical). |
| NOT INCLUDED | Single twin-scroll turbocharger (sold separately when condition warrants, or kept with donor), HPFP (sold separately), DME ECU (sold separately), wiring harness, charge pipe, intercooler, exhaust manifold (often integrated with turbo manifold), starter, alternator, A/C compressor, water pump (typical, electric water pump on N55 is application-specific), accessory drive components. |
| Fluids | Drained before shipping. Refill with BMW LL-01 spec 5W-30 motor oil. |
| Core Note | No core charge. You are not required to return your old engine. |
Vehicle Compatibility
The BMW N55 was a direct fit in the following vehicles:
| Vehicle | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| BMW 1 Series M Coupe (1M) | 2011 (335 hp variant, very desirable) |
| BMW 135i (E82, E88) | 2011 to 2013 |
| BMW 335i (E90, E92, E93, F30, F31, F34) | 2011 to 2015 (E-chassis), 2012 to 2015 (F-chassis) |
| BMW 435i (F32, F33, F36) | 2014 to 2016 |
| BMW 535i (F10, F11, F07 GT) | 2011 to 2016 |
| BMW 640i (F06, F12, F13) | 2011 to 2018 |
| BMW 740i (F01, F02) | 2011 to 2015 |
| BMW X3 xDrive35i (F25) | 2011 to 2017 |
| BMW X4 xDrive35i (F26) | 2014 to 2018 |
| BMW X5 xDrive35i (F15) | 2014 to 2018 |
| BMW X6 xDrive35i (F16) | 2014 to 2019 |
| BMW M2 (F87, original variant) | 2016 to 2018 (365 hp tune) |
NOT compatible without significant work with: N54 twin-turbo applications (different turbo and harness), S55 twin-turbo applications (M3 / M4 F80 / F82), B58 single-turbo (the N55 successor introduced in 2015 onward, different architecture), M3 / M4 with S55, and pre-2011 335i / 535i applications using the N54.
Common N55 swap applications: E36 / E46 swap projects (high-end engine swap), 1 Series with N52 upgrade to N55, and tuning shop custom builds where the N55 is the foundation for 500-plus hp builds.
Inspection Workflow
Every used BMW N55 we ship goes through this process:
- Compression test across all 6 cylinders, pressure per cylinder recorded
- HPFP (high-pressure fuel pump) function documented
- Wastegate rattle inspection on cold start
- Carbon buildup on intake valves visually assessed (walnut blast typically recommended)
- Valve cover and oil filter housing gasket leak inspection
- Variant confirmed (standard 300 hp vs 1M 335 hp vs M2 365 hp)
- Donor application photographed and documented
- Approximate mileage documented when verifiable
Where donor mileage is verified, it is shared. Where mileage cannot be confirmed, we disclose this openly before payment.
Why Buy From Part Nests
- All 6 cylinders compression tested, results before you pay
- Variant confirmed (standard 300 hp vs 1M 335 hp vs M2 365 hp)
- HPFP function documented (known N55 weak point)
- Wastegate rattle inspection on cold start
- Valve cover and oil filter housing gasket leaks disclosed
- Carbon buildup on intake valves assessed (walnut blast recommendation provided)
- Donor application documented
- Free freight pallet to all 50 states, no hidden fees
- No core charge, keep your old engine
- 15 day replacement warranty on internal defects
- Call (240) 306-7051 to confirm N55 variant (standard, 1M, M2, or 740i tune), donor application, and inspection results before ordering
15 Day Replacement Warranty
Every used BMW N55 engine purchased through Part Nests carries a 15 day replacement warranty starting on the delivery date.
What Is Covered
- Internal defects already present when the engine arrives
- Compression failures on any of the 6 cylinders beyond what was disclosed
- HPFP failures within 15 days from installation (where HPFP was documented as functional at shipping)
- Cam, lifter, or bearing failures within 15 days from installation
- Incorrect variant shipped (standard 300 hp vs 1M 335 hp vs M2 365 hp) due to an error on our end
What Is Not Covered
- Damage caused during installation
- Damage from running with the known factory plastic charge pipe (replace with aftermarket aluminum at install)
- Damage from incorrect ECU calibration or aggressive tuning
- Damage from operating without addressing carbon buildup (walnut blast recommended at install)
- External components (turbocharger, HPFP if separate, DME ECU, harness, charge pipe, intercooler, alternator, starter, A/C, water pump) unless itemized
- Labor expenses of any kind
To start a warranty claim, reach us within 15 days of delivery at (855) 634-4447.
- All 6 Cylinders Tested: Compression results documented before payment
- HPFP Function Documented: Known N55 weak point status disclosed
- Wastegate Rattle Inspection: Cold-start turbo condition verified
- Carbon Buildup Assessed: Walnut blast recommendation provided
- Valve Cover Gasket Inspected: Common N55 oil leak point disclosed
- 15 Day Replacement Cover: Internal defects protected from delivery onward
Additional information
| engine-code | N55B30 |
|---|---|
| type | Inline-six engine |
| turbocharger | Single twin-scroll turbocharger |
| displacement | 3.0 liters (2, 979 cc) |
| fuel-injection | Direct fuel injection |
| valve-train | DOHC with Valvetronic and Double-VANOS |
| compression-ratio | 10.2:1 |
Turbocharger configuration and refinement. The N54 (2006 to 2013, 335i / 535i first-generation single-turbo era) uses twin parallel turbochargers. The N55 (2009 to 2017) replaces the N54's twin-turbo setup with a single twin-scroll turbocharger, which reduces complexity and improves response. The N55 also adds Valvetronic variable intake valve lift (the N54 does not have Valvetronic). Both engines are 3.0L inline-six, both use Double-VANOS, both use high-pressure direct injection. The N55 is generally easier to maintain than the N54 but the N54 has more aftermarket tuning headroom in stock form.
Tune and intercooling. The standard N55B30 (used in 335i, 535i, X3 35i, etc.) produces 300 hp at 5,800 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque from 1,200 to 5,000 rpm. The 1M Coupe variant (2011 only, very limited production) uses the same N55 long block but with revised ECU tune, larger intercooler, and overboost function producing 335 hp at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque (with overboost to 369 lb-ft). The M2 variant (2016 to 2018, F87) uses a further-revised N55 with 365 hp before being replaced by the S55 in the M2 Competition.
High-Pressure Fuel Pump wear. The HPFP failure mode was inherited from the N54 platform, though BMW improved the design over the N55's production run. Symptoms include long crank times, hesitation under load, misfire codes, or no-start conditions. We document HPFP function status on every N55 before shipping. If the HPFP shows wear indicators, we disclose openly. Many N55 owners proactively replace the HPFP at major service intervals, particularly on engines past 80,000 miles.
Mechanical noise from a worn wastegate actuator. The N55's single twin-scroll turbocharger has an integrated wastegate actuator that controls boost pressure. As the actuator wears, the linkage develops play that produces a metallic rattle at idle and on cold start. The rattle itself doesn't always reduce engine performance immediately, but it indicates the wastegate is approaching service life. We listen for wastegate rattle on cold start during inspection and document. Replacement turbos with refreshed wastegates resolve the issue.
Direct injection valve deposit accumulation. Direct injection engines like the N55 spray fuel directly into the combustion chamber rather than upstream of the intake valves. This means there is no fuel washing across the intake valves to keep them clean, so carbon deposits from the PCV system accumulate on the valve backsides over time. Carbon buildup causes rough idle, misfire codes, and reduced power. The remedy is walnut blast service: removing the intake manifold and blasting the valve backs with crushed walnut shells. Most N55s benefit from walnut blast at 60,000 to 80,000 miles. We assess and recommend at shipping.
Yes, this is a strong recommendation. The factory N55 charge pipe is plastic and is known to crack under boost, particularly on tuned engines. The crack typically appears at the elbow near the throttle body. Aftermarket aluminum charge pipes from CTS Turbo, ECS Tuning, VRSF, and others address this issue at modest cost. If you install a used N55, plan to install an aluminum charge pipe at the same labor visit. The charge pipe is external and is not part of the long block we ship.
Yes with appropriate supporting hardware. The N55 swap into E46 (3-Series 1999 to 2006) or E36 (3-Series 1992 to 1999) is a popular high-end build. The swap requires motor mounts (the N55 mounts differ from the E46 / E36 originals), an N55-compatible wiring harness or harness adapter, the DME ECU, modified oil pan in some cases for E46 / E36 subframe clearance, and intake / exhaust adaptations. Specialty BMW tuners offer swap kits. Result: a lighter classic BMW chassis with significantly more power than the original M52, M54, or even S52.
No. There is no core return required.
2 reviews for BMW N55 Engine for Sale | OEM Used N55B30 3.0L Single Twin-Scroll Turbo Inline-6
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Hendrik B. –
Got an N55 for a 2013 335i F30 replacement after the original developed HPFP failure. Variant confirmed (standard 300 hp F30 spec), all 6 cylinders compression tested, HPFP function documented on the replacement unit, wastegate rattle inspection clean. Drop-in replacement after addressing the aluminum charge pipe upgrade and walnut blast service per their recommendation. Running clean.
Imani O. –
Sourced an N55 for a 2011 1M Coupe (335 hp 1M tune, very specific variant). Application correctly identified as 1M (not the standard 300 hp variant), donor mileage documented. Honest pre-purchase information about the 1M overboost function and how it differs from the standard tune. Carbon buildup assessment and HPFP status disclosed up front.