BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, and the infamous car brand has been around since 1916. Since their inception, they have diversified into the twelfth largest manufacturer of automobiles, as well as motorcycles and Formula One cars.
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Specializing in luxury sports cars sold worldwide, BMW has quickly become one of the most popular luxury vehicles on the road, housing brands such as Mini and Rolls-Royce.
Offering a wide range of engines, BMW features four and six-cylinder engines, as well as V8 and V12 models. BMW also offers diesel and gasoline engines to remain versatile in the automotive market.
While the brand boasts reliability, if the car and its engine are not serviced and well-maintained, human negligence can result in a damaged engine. If you are fortunate enough to have clocked in 150,000 to 200,000 miles in your car, then the motor will start to give in.
If you have an immobile BMW that you would like to get running again, then continue reading to learn more about the engine price for BMW vehicles and what you need to consider.
BMW Explained – Popular Models and Engines
Let's take a closer look at the different BMW models available and their engine types.
BMW 2 Series
Engine variants in this series include:
- Turbocharged 2 liter inline-four
- Turbocharged 3 liter inline-six
BMW 3 Series
Engine variants in this series include:
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four plug-in-hybrid
- Turbocharged 3.0 liter inline-six engines.
BMW 4 Series
Engine variants in this series include:
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and the
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six
BMW 5 Series
Engine variants in this series include:
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four hybrid
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six
- Turbocharged 4.4-liter V8
BMW 7 Series
Engine variants in this series include:
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six hybrid
- Turbocharged 4.4-liter V8
- Turbocharged 6.6-liter V12
BMW 8 Series
Engine variants in this series include:
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six
- Turbocharged 4.4-liter V8
SUV BMW Line-up
Engine variants across the “X” model range include:
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six
- Turbocharged 4.4-liter V8
The above are just some of BMW's popular models and excludes their hybrid-electric engine range.
Common BMW Engine Problems
Some of the best engines in the motoring industry come from Audi and BMW. However, that does not mean they are perfect; the two German giants are not fault-free. Below are some of the most common problems associated with BMW engines:
The Coolant System
This is one of the most essential parts of any car. The coolant system helps keep the engine at an optimum temperature to prevent it from overheating.
Unfortunately, the coolant systems in BMW models have a tendency to fail, which may leave you stranded on the side of the road with an overheated engine.
Regular servicing can prevent this problem, especially since several parts make up the core of BMW's coolant system. Many of these parts are likely to fail when you reach between 80,000 and 120,000 miles.
The Heater Core
Closely related to the vehicle's coolant system is the heater core. It is often the case that when there are issues with a BMW's internal heating system, that the engine's coolant system is about to fail.
If you smell a sweet smell from your heating system, it could be the car's coolant you smell once it starts to leak. The coolant leak can then make its way into the heater core to aggravate engine problems.
Leaky Oil Filter Gasket
A common weak spot in a BMW is where the gasket connects the oil filter to the engine. The gasket connects the oil filter to the moveable components in the engine which need oil. Often the oil filter gasket starts leaking; with less oil in the engine, increased wear and tear leads to other mechanical issues, and could ultimately result in engine failure if left unattended.
Over time, the gasket becomes brittle, and if the damage is not caught early, it can crack and cause severe engine problems.
Fuel Pump Issues
All engines have two fuel pumps. A low-pressure fuel pump is responsible for taking gas out of the tank, and a high-pressure pump pushes gas into the combustion chamber.
Several popular BMW models have been reported to experience issues with the high-pressure fuel pump. Problems with this fuel pump can cause poor acceleration, an engine stutter at high speed, or failure of the engine to turn at all.
Rebuild Engine Price for BMW
A rebuilt engine is one that has been used for most of its lifespan and has been overhauled completely to extend its life. This type of engine is normally completely disassembled and has its internal components repaired or refurbished, or completely replaced in some instances.
Like most things associated with cars, there is no exact cost for engine parts or the overall price of a BMW engine rebuild.
It is likely that an engine rebuild could be cheaper than an entire replacement, but it depends on the engine problem you are faced with and the size of the engine you are rebuilding.
If you decide to rebuild your engine, the amount of money it will cost you to reconstruct the engine will depend on the following factors:
- The parts you need and if you want to fit original BMW parts or generic alternatives.
- The model you have
- How in-depth the repair will be
- The vehicle year
- The engine size
- Availability of parts
In general, the cost to rebuild a BMW engine could range between $2,500 and $4,500 depending on the parts needed and the man-hours it will take to rebuild the motor. Of course, if you are fortunate enough to have the right skills and knowledge, you could accept the risk of rebuilding the engine yourself to reduce the labor costs.
Considerations
The cheapest engine repair is a ring and valve job; however, if you are rebuilding an entire engine, you are going to want to enlist a professional.
It is important to note that after-market replacement parts for a rebuilt engine do not always carry the same quality tolerances as the original BMW spares. They tend to break down faster and have a shorter lifespan.
Another important consideration is that some rebuilt engines purchased as assemblies are only covered by a warranty of 90 days. However, it is common for some shop warranties to offer coverage of up to 36,000 miles on a service rebuilt engine.
Replacement Engine Price for BMW
To rebuild a damaged BMW engine or replace it with a used or new one is the main decision you will be faced with when you have a damaged motor.
In some cases, an engine replacement is the most viable alternative instead of repairing a damaged engine or acquiring a new car. It can be done at a fraction of the cost, with the added benefit of avoiding taxes, license fees, and other expenses that accompany a new car purchase.
The replacement engine price for a new BMW motor is not easily determined as the manufacturer doesn't supply them readily. While a new engine will arrive in perfect condition and is covered by a warranty, the downside is that a brand new motor is not your cheapest option.
A typical engine price for BMW new engines will often cost you thousands of dollars with the more powerful engines averaging above $10,000.
However, if you were to decide to purchase a used BMW engine, you could pay between $700 to $2,500 for the engine alone.
The average labor cost to install a replacement engine is $90 an hour, and it could take roughly eight hours to fifteen hours to install, depending on the engine. A used engine will need a thorough cleaning, and there is the possibility of certain parts needing replacement. New fluids will also need to be accounted for.
Be prepared to pay between $3,000 and $5,000 for a full engine replacement when purchasing a used engine.
Some high-performance engines can cost more than $9,000. For these larger jobs, a mechanic may charge between $1,000 to $2,000 for the labor alone.
Considerations
Before jumping into a complete engine replacement, inspect the car in its entirety. If the engine is worn out, then it is possible that the steering column and other structural elements are following close behind for impending damage or failure.
Consider all of these potential costs before preserving the life of your BMW with an engine replacement. You may find it cheaper and better to get rid of your car, as it is, and to replace it with a new car. Should you decide on this option, then contact Cash Cars Buyer to purchase your damaged vehicle.
Before engaging in engine replacement, inspect your warranty. Many cars have a 100,000-mile warranty on their new vehicles since modern engines have a longer life span with the right maintenance.