[Sup3rnova]

I found a pretty nice 2018 m550 with only 12k miles that was owned by an old lady. She is selling it for 45k and I was ready to pull the trigger until I saw all of the concerns on here with the n63. Is it really not smart to purchase one of these out of warranty? I know the big issue is the seals failing over time but that seems to be closer to 60k miles.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by Sup3rnova

I found a pretty nice 2018 m550 with only 12k miles that was owned by an old lady. She is selling it for 45k and I was ready to pull the trigger until I saw all of the concerns on here with the n63. Is it really not smart to purchase one of these out of warranty? I know the big issue is the seals failing over time but that seems to be closer to 60k miles.

If you're concerned, take it to a BMW dealer and have them look it over for you.
They can also pull up the service record and look that over.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Sup3rnova

I found a pretty nice 2018 m550 with only 12k miles that was owned by an old lady. She is selling it for 45k and I was ready to pull the trigger until I saw all of the concerns on here with the n63. Is it really not smart to purchase one of these out of warranty? I know the big issue is the seals failing over time but that seems to be closer to 60k miles.

2018+ are fine. 2020 are better. The old N63 was the booger engine. The Tech Update in the 2018+ supposedly has the issues fixed for the most part. The 2020+ bulletproofed the engine.

[NGT2]

If you found a good one, lightly used, I’d go for it. Especially if the price is right. Search this forum for the threads on Route 66 extended warranty. If you’re nervous, spend the $3k or so on the warranty and sleep easy.

I’m on the hunt, as well. If the right 2018 showed up within 200 miles, I’d certainly consider it. But my focus is on a 2020. There a few I have an eye on and a couple I have a lead on but aren’t for sale yet.

[spiderman1982]

Where can you get a warranty for 3K?

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by spiderman1982

Where can you get a warranty for 3K?

There are a couple of recent threads on Route 66 warranties, purchased through credit unions, I believe in the $3-4k range.

[LuvMyE92]

Like any car, a BMW will develop issues with age as well as miles. However, assuming that you like the colors and options, that seems like a good price for an exceptionally low mileage car.

My only concern would be that it was literally driven by a little old lady, and as such, probably didn't get up into the higher RPM range and so the engine may not have been optimally broken-in. The only long-term issue with that would be (AFAIK) burning a bit more oil than usual.

[MauiSteve]

BMW is showing their commitment to the N63. The N63 was released in 2008 and remains in production as of 2023. However, the N63 is almost a completely different engine compared to 12 years ago. Really, the only thing that hasn't changed is the 4.4L twin turbo V8 design (hot-V).

To avoid any confusion, the breakdown of N63 engines is as follows:

N63B44O0 - (N63)
N63B44O1 - (N63TU)
N63B44O2 - (N63TU2)
N63B44M3 - (N63TU3)
N63B44T3 - (N63TU3)
Let's just focus on the last two characters rather than doing a full examination of BMW engine codes. The second to last characters represent output as follows:

S - Super
T - Top
O - Upper (Obere)
M - Medium (Mittel)
U - Lower (Unterste)
K - Reduced (Kleiner)
In this case, the N63 only features medium, upper, and top "power levels". Finally, the last digit represents technical updates (TU):

0 = original design
1 = technical update 1 (TU)
2 = technical update 2 (TU2)
So on

BMW N63B44O0 - Original N63 Design

N63B44O0 Horsepower: 402 hp (300kW)

N63B44O0 Torque: 443 lb-ft (600 N-m)

Years: 2009-2013

Many are probably familiar with the original N63. It's almost a horror story. Actually, it is a horror story. The original N63 may be one of, if not, the least reliable BMW engines in history. BMW went as far to offer a "customer care package" for N63 owners. The N63 customer care package had dealerships look into the following issues on ALL N63B44O0 engines:

Timing chain
Fuel injectors
Mass air flow sensors
Crankcase vent lines
Battery
Vacuum pump
Low pressure fuel sensor

The above issues were essentially recalls even though BMW gave it another name. As such, these issues were fixed on BMW's dime, regardless of warranty. BMW also shortened the service/check-up interval to every 1 year or 10,000 miles. BMW dealerships even offered extra incentives such as trade-in cash bonuses. Long story short - these N63's had some serious common problems. Fortunately, BMW did their best to mitigate and resolve issues and keep N63 owners as happy as possible. Still, we can't imagine this was fun for original N63's.

There isn't much else to say here. Many of the original N63's on the road should be 'cured' by now. Nonetheless, be cautious if you're looking to buy an N63B44O0.

BMW N63B44O1 - N63TU Technical Update

N63B44O1 Horsepower: 444 hp (331kW)

N63B44O1 Torque: 479 lb-ft (650 N-m)

Years: 2013-2019

Following the disastrous start, BMW began producing the N63TU in 2012. Though still an N63, the N63TU is almost an entirely different engine. It remains a 4.4L twin turbo V8 but sees a 42 horsepower increase. However, the power gain seems to be mostly on paper. Dyno testing has shown the N63 and N63TU put down similar numbers to the wheels. The N63TU engine does show a nice boost in torque, though. Aside from the power differences, other notable changes include:

Updated VANOS, adopted from N55
New valve cover with updated crankcase ventilation
Pistons updated
Forged rods and crank
Timing chain updated
Oil spray nozzles for piston crown cooling
Intake manifold updated
MAP and charge air temperature sensors updated, adopted from N20
Low pressure fuel sensor deleted
New fuel injectors and HPFP
Second coolant pump added
Vacuum pump updated
New turbochargers
Addition of Valvetronic

This is far from an exhaustive list of the changes on the N63TU. Nonetheless, as we stated, this is almost a completely different engine. The list is already insane as is. Nearly every part on the N63TU was re-designed compared to the N63. As you can see, all of the problematic areas on the original N63 were updated with new components and/or designs. Additionally, the N63TU receives stronger, forged rods and crank.

Despite the similar power numbers from the factory, the N63TU should be better suited to mods and increased boost. Additionally, this was a massive reliability improvement over the N63. The N63TU is not an unreliable engine with tons of common problems. Still expect the standard BMW problems such as gasket oil leaks, cooling system, etc, especially as the N63TU ages. However, the N63TU is a pretty reliable engine overall.

BMW N63B44O2 - N63TU2 Technical Update 2

N63B44O2 Horsepower: 444 hp (331kW)

N63B44O2 Torque: 479 lb-ft (650 N-m)

Years: 2016-2019

Given the N63TU was a drastic improvement, the N63TU2 did not have too much to improve upon. Peak power and torque remain the same, however the N63TU2 benefits from a wider power band. This is primarily due to the switch to efficient twin-scroll turbochargers. A few of the updates include:

Twin-scroll turbochargers
Exhaust optimized for minimal back-pressure
Oil/Coolant heat exchanged moved to "V" of the engine
Partial integration of intake and cylinder head (weight savings)
VANOS taken over from modular B series engines

Again, this is not an exhaustive list. There are some other minor updates, mostly to accommodate the above changes. Expect N63TU2 reliability to be more or less the same as the N63TU.

The N63TU2 takes another step in the right direction when it comes to modding, tuning, and increasing boost. When modded, the efficient twin-scroll turbos should add a bit of peak power with a more impressive power band. Overall, the N63TU2 is an excellent engine.

BMW N63B44M3 - N63TU3 Technical Update 3

N63B44M3 Horsepower: 456 hp (340kW)

N63B44M3 Torque: 479 lb-ft (650 N-m)

Years: 2018-present

Looking at the middle output version of the third technical update, the N63TU3 receives a few performance and emission related updates. The middle output version features the same twin-scroll turbos from the N63TU2. However, it receives an "over-boost" function. This is basically BMW's way of saying the ECU is "tuned" for an increase in boost pressure. As such, the N63TU3 sees a minor bump in power. Other notable updates include:

New higher-pressure fuel system
Improved thermal shielding
Valve stem seals updated
Forged rods carried over from S63TU2

A few other updates accommodate the above changes. The higher-pressure fuel system is intended to support just over 5,000psi (350 bar), compared to the previous 2,900 psi (200 bar). Thermal shielding is intended to provide better cooling. Additionally, valve stem seals are updated with new materials to help prevent hardening.

Although power sees a bump, expect mods to have similar effects as with the N63TU2. The higher-pressure fuel system may support a bit of additional power. However, the new fuel system is mostly geared towards emissions benefits.

BMW N63B44T3 - N63TU3 Technical Update 3

N63B44T3 Horsepower: 523 hp (390kW)

N63B44T3 Torque: 553 lb-ft (750 N-m)

Years: 2018-present

The top tier version of the N63TU3 is quite impressive. It produces a staggering 523 horsepower and 553 torque. Notice, this is the same torque output as the impressive S63 M engines. Updates are similar to the middle output version. Although, the upper output version gets some stronger, beefier components to support the power. Updates include:

**Also includes above TU3 updates, but we do not mention them here to avoid duplicates
Electric arc wire sprayed cylinder walls
Piston skirt coating
Crankshaft re-balanced with new main bearing shells
Forged rods from S63TU4
Larger turbochargers with electrical blow-off valves
Updated ignition system, taken from modular B series engines

The top power N63TU3 receives a few extra updates over the middle output version. Cylinder walls receive arc spraying for strength and durability. Pistons are coated to accommodate the cylinder walls update. The crankshaft is lightened and strengthened. N63TU3 forged rods are carried over from the 591 horsepower S63TU4. Larger turbochargers are responsible for the significant increase in power and torque. Finally, the ignition system is updated to support the new found power.

As evidenced, this update is almost all to do with power. New, larger turbos produce impressive numbers. The N63TU3 is mod happy and is a strong engine designed to handle the power and torque.


A vin decoder can be a good tool to find out which engine your car has.

Despite improved development, I still think this engine will be a monumental money pit beyond 100,000 miles as all the numerous rubber coolant hoses get brittle with age and turn into leaky twigs.

I personally would much rather like to see BMW use the S58 engine in the 550 in future model years.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by MauiSteve

BMW is showing their commitment to the N63. The N63 was released in 2008 and remains in production as of 2023. However, the N63 is almost a completely different engine compared to 12 years ago. Really, the only thing that hasn't changed is the 4.4L twin turbo V8 design (hot-V).

To avoid any confusion, the breakdown of N63 engines is as follows:

N63B44O0 - (N63)
N63B44O1 - (N63TU)
N63B44O2 - (N63TU2)
N63B44M3 - (N63TU3)
N63B44T3 - (N63TU3)
Let's just focus on the last two characters rather than doing a full examination of BMW engine codes. The second to last characters represent output as follows:

S - Super
T - Top
O - Upper (Obere)
M - Medium (Mittel)
U - Lower (Unterste)
K - Reduced (Kleiner)
In this case, the N63 only features medium, upper, and top "power levels". Finally, the last digit represents technical updates (TU):

0 = original design
1 = technical update 1 (TU)
2 = technical update 2 (TU2)
So on

BMW N63B44O0 - Original N63 Design

N63B44O0 Horsepower: 402 hp (300kW)

N63B44O0 Torque: 443 lb-ft (600 N-m)

Years: 2009-2013

Many are probably familiar with the original N63. It's almost a horror story. Actually, it is a horror story. The original N63 may be one of, if not, the least reliable BMW engines in history. BMW went as far to offer a "customer care package" for N63 owners. The N63 customer care package had dealerships look into the following issues on ALL N63B44O0 engines:

Timing chain
Fuel injectors
Mass air flow sensors
Crankcase vent lines
Battery
Vacuum pump
Low pressure fuel sensor

The above [...]

This is an awesome write up and thank you for doing it.

I sampled VINs from different M550’s on the market and all I could see is…

2018-2019: All say “N63R”

2020-2022: All say “N63B”

How does that correlate with the full engine numbers/versions?

[MauiSteve]

The N63R was in the earlier, less powerful V8 variants and the N63B is in newer more powerful ones, but there are still difference between certain N63Rs/N63B within each variant.

I tried a few vin decoders myself with similar results. My fav vin decoder link is dead.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by Sup3rnova

I found a pretty nice 2018 m550 with only 12k miles that was owned by an old lady.

Yeah...an old lady called Avis

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Yeah...an old lady called Avis

Ah ha ha ha ha!

[Joe Shmoe]

I have a 2018 M550i that I bought as a lease trade in with 30.5k miles. I now have 41k miles. I've had the following problems:
T-Stat leaked and took out 2 or 3 ECU's as coolant leaked down the harness.
Digital instrument cluster "shifted" 1" to the left.
Just recently the turbo coolant lines leaked.

I was lucky in that everything was fixed under warranty. Just a heads up if your looking for an '18 out of warranty.

[2022M550i]

Here's a thread that you can sift through. I don't think there would be any showstoppers for that 2018.

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1942405

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Sup3rnova

I found a pretty nice 2018 m550 with only 12k miles that was owned by an old lady. She is selling it for 45k and I was ready to pull the trigger until I saw all of the concerns on here with the n63. Is it really not smart to purchase one of these out of warranty? I know the big issue is the seals failing over time but that seems to be closer to 60k miles.

Not sure where you are seeing all these issues on "here", not even sure anyone is at or over 60k miles. You may be confusing it with the first generation of the N63 which was used in the F10 and other early 2010's BMW's.

I have a 2018, it's been a rock. A few nits and nats, but the same kind of stuff that non-V8's suffer.

So a nice little old lady was pimping out in an M550?? That's a funny thought.

Post more about the car or even the VIN and I can be more helpful in terms of things it has and doesn't have. 12k miles for 45k and knowing the prior owner seems like you are on a good track.

[jimk]

I also have a 2018 M550i with 45K miles and no issues. Hope it stays that way but just in case, I bought the Route 66 warranty to cover potential issues for the next 55K miles