Electric water pump / thermostat
usually 80,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Overheating warning without early signs
Fix: Replace pump and thermostat
€700–1,200
Engine: common problems, timing drive and oil
3.0 turbo petrol (BMW N55)
Petrol · 2,979 cm³ · 225–270 kW
15
model generations
4
known faults
57,000
new cars in the EU (2010–2025)
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
Fuel: Petrol. Timing drive: chain.
In our database this engine is fitted to 15 model generations, among them: BMW 4 Series (F32), BMW 1 Series (F20), BMW 5 Series (F10), BMW 6 Series (F12), BMW 3 Series (F30), BMW X4 (F26) and 9 more.
The most expensive known risk is electric water pump / thermostat: it usually appears at 80,000–150,000 km and costs €700–1,200 to fix.
Key facts
| Fuel | Petrol |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,979 cm³ |
| Power | 225–270 kW |
| Years | 2009–2018 |
| Timing drive | Chain |
| Oil | 5W-30 / 0W-40 · BMW LL-01 · ~6.5 L · every 10,000 km |
| Engine codes | N55B30 |
Known engine faults
Faults that belong to the engine itself. They apply to every model with this engine, and each model has its own extra faults on its model page.
Oil filter housing & valve cover gaskets
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil smell, drips on the belt
Fix: Replace gaskets
€300–700
VANOS solenoids
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle, cam timing codes
Fix: Clean or replace
€150–400
Charge pipe crack
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Sudden power loss, whoosh
Fix: Replace with an aluminium pipe
€150–350
Engine-related service
Intervals and typical prices, using the BMW 3 Series (F30) as an example. The app gives the exact plan for your car.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 10,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
Models with this engine
Model generations this engine is fitted to.
BMW 1 Series (F20) 2011–2019BMW 2 Series Coupé (F22) 2014–2021BMW 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012BMW 3 Series (E91/E92/E93) 2005–2013BMW 3 Series (F30) 2012–2019BMW 4 Series (F32) 2013–2020BMW 5 Series (F10) 2010–2017BMW 6 Series (F12) 2011–2018BMW 7 Series (F01) 2008–2015BMW X3 (F25) 2010–2017BMW X4 (F26) 2014–2018BMW X5 (E70) 2006–2013BMW X5 (F15) 2013–2018BMW X6 (E71) 2008–2014BMW X6 (F16) 2014–2019
Common questions
Does the 3.0 turbo petrol (BMW N55) engine have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Chain.
What oil does the 3.0 turbo petrol (BMW N55) engine take?
5W-30 / 0W-40 · BMW LL-01 · ~6.5 L · every 10,000 km.
What are the known problems with the 3.0 turbo petrol (BMW N55) engine?
The faults with the highest risk: electric water pump / thermostat (80,000–150,000 km, €700–1,200); oil filter housing & valve cover gaskets (80,000–160,000 km, €300–700).
Which cars have the 3.0 turbo petrol (BMW N55) engine?
BMW 4 Series (F32), BMW 1 Series (F20), BMW 5 Series (F10), BMW 6 Series (F12), BMW 3 Series (F30), BMW X4 (F26) and 9 more.
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026