BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 Engine ReplacementCompare Prices & Get Quotes
Get quotes today from trusted UK BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 engine specialists. Compare prices on reconditioned, rebuilt and used engines for the F30 ActiveHybrid 3 - powered by the N55B30A 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbo six-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 40 kW electric motor for 340 hp system output.
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From £4,500 to £6,500
Used from £2,200 · Reconditioned from £3,800 · Common codes: N55B30A
From £2,200
Tested, bare/short engine
From £3,800
Rod bearings addressed, tested
From quote
Upgraded bearings, full teardown, revised valvetrain

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3 Simple Steps3 Simple Stepsto Finding the Best BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 Replacement Engineto Finding the Best BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 Replacement Engine
Most replacements completed within 3-5 days.
BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 - Engine History & Specs at a Glance
The BMW ActiveHybrid 3 arrived in 2012 as the first hybrid version of the 3 Series, combining the award-winning N55 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbo six-cylinder petrol engine from the 335i with a 40 kW electric motor. The result was 340 hp system output with 18% better fuel economy than the 335i - a genuine performance hybrid that could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds while delivering 47 mpg.

BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 - Engine History & Specs at a Glance
The BMW ActiveHybrid 3 arrived in 2012 as the first hybrid version of the 3 Series, combining the award-winning N55 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbo six-cylinder petrol engine from the 335i with a 40 kW electric motor. The result was 340 hp system output with 18% better fuel economy than the 335i - a genuine performance hybrid that could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds while delivering 47 mpg.
BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3
Engine History Timeline
N55B30A (306 hp petrol engine + 40 kW / 54 hp electric motor 340 hp system output). Launched in the F30 ActiveHybrid 3 saloon.
Available in SE Modern, Luxury and M Sport specification.
Production ends. The ActiveHybrid 3 was a short-lived model replaced by the 330e plug-in hybrid in 2016. Only 108 M Sport examples and 23 Luxury examples were registered in the UK.
Key Specs Snapshot
Every engine fitted to the BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 is covered below, with UK rebuilt pricing and known failure points.
BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 Engine Codes - Specifications & Replacement CostBMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 Engine Codes - Specifications & Replacement Cost
3.0-litre Petrol Full Hybrid (2012-2013)
Compatible Trim Levels
- ActiveHybrid 3
- ActiveHybrid 3 SE
- ActiveHybrid 3 Modern
- ActiveHybrid 3 Luxury
- ActiveHybrid 3 M Sport

Find your exact engine code, specs and UK replacement cost guide.
Used
Tested, ready-to-fit engine
£2,200-£3,800
Reconditioned
Addressed known issues, tested
£3,800-£5,500
Rebuilt
Full teardown, upgraded internals
£4,500-£6,500
Common Failure
Turbocharger wastegate rattle is a well-documented issue on the N55. Valve cover and oil filter housing gasket leaks are common, along with electric water pump failures. The hybrid system adds complexity - battery degradation and hybrid system faults are additional concerns specific to the ActiveHybrid 3.


The BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 is powered by the N55B30A 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine - the same unit found in the 335i - paired with a 40 kW electric motor and a high-voltage lithium-ion battery. While the N55 is a robust and rewarding engine, it has well-documented weaknesses including wastegate rattle and oil leaks. The hybrid system adds further complexity: battery degradation and hybrid system faults are common concerns. Rebuilt engines supplied through EnginesMarket include upgraded components addressing the original failure points, plus a minimum 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty.

Why the BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 N55 Needs Attention
Affected Vehicles
BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 (N55B30A, 2012-2013)
Typical Failure Mileage
60,000-100,000 miles
Root Cause
The turbocharger wastegate can develop rattle due to wear in the wastegate arm bushing. Valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket leaks are common, leading to oil consumption and potential fire risk.
Why It Happens
The turbocharger wastegate can develop rattle due to wear in the wastegate arm bushing. Valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket leaks are common, leading to oil consumption and potential fire risk.
Dealer (parts + labour)
£2,000-£3,500
Specialist (parts + labour)
£1,200-£2,000
What it involves
Replace turbocharger or repair wastegate assembly
Suitability
Essential if rattle is severe or boost is affected
Dealer (parts + labour)
£800-£1,200
Specialist (parts + labour)
£400-£700
What it involves
Replace gasket, inspect PCV system
Suitability
Preventative - address oil leaks early
Dealer (parts + labour)
£7,000-£10,000
Specialist (parts + labour)
£4,500-£6,500 (matches Section 4's rebuilt figure for N55B30A)
What it involves
Supply & fit, upgraded components, 12-month warranty
Suitability
When engine is already damaged or high-mileage rebuild needed
| Repair Tier | Dealer (Parts + Labour) | Specialist (Parts + Labour) | What It Involves | Suitability | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wastegate repair / turbo replacement Minor | £2,000-£3,500 | £1,200-£2,000 | Replace turbocharger or repair wastegate assembly | Essential if rattle is severe or boost is affected | |
Valve cover gasket replacement Best Value | £800-£1,200 | £400-£700 | Replace gasket, inspect PCV system | Preventative - address oil leaks early | |
Full Replacement - rebuilt/reconditioned engine Best Value | £7,000-£10,000 | £4,500-£6,500 (matches Section 4's rebuilt figure for N55B30A) | Supply & fit, upgraded components, 12-month warranty | When engine is already damaged or high-mileage rebuild needed |
Our Recommendation
Our Recommendation
If you own a BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3, prioritise preventative maintenance - address oil leaks promptly and listen for wastegate rattle. The hybrid battery is the biggest long-term cost risk; if the car is worth under £5,000, battery reconditioning or a used engine is often more cost-effective than a full rebuild. For low-mileage, well-maintained examples, a rebuilt engine with warranty is a sound investment.

Don't Let Engine Failure Write Off Your BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3
Whether you're dealing with N55 wastegate rattle, oil leaks, hybrid battery degradation, or simply want to compare prices for a used or reconditioned BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 engine, EnginesMarket connects you with vetted UK specialists. Every rebuilt engine carries a minimum 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty with upgraded components addressing the original failure points. Compare quotes today and avoid main dealer premiums.
Important Information
Important Information
"All prices are indicative UK market ranges based on historical quote data and repair requests from our network of engine specialists. Dealer pricing is estimated based on published main dealer labour rates and genuine OEM parts pricing. Specialist pricing reflects actual quote data from EnginesMarket's UK network. Actual costs vary depending on damage severity, vehicle condition, variant, and workshop location within the UK. Use our free comparison tool to get tailored quotes for your specific BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3. Every engine supplied through EnginesMarket carries a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty - always confirm exact terms with your chosen supplier."
BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 Engine ReplacementFrequently Asked Questions
Question 1How much does a BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 engine replacement cost-
A BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 engine replacement typically costs between £4,500 and £6,500 for a rebuilt N55B30A unit. The hybrid system adds complexity, so ensure your quote includes the engine only or the full hybrid system as required.
- Used BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 engines: £2,200-£3,800
- Reconditioned BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 engines: £3,800-£5,500
- Rebuilt BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 engines: £4,500-£6,500
Question 2Does the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 have timing chain issues-
The N55 engine in the BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 does not suffer from the catastrophic timing chain failures of older BMW engines like the N47 or N20. The N55's timing chain is front-mounted and generally reliable. The main N55 weaknesses are wastegate rattle, valve cover gasket leaks, and electric water pump failure.
Question 3Is it worth replacing the engine in a BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3-
It depends on the age, mileage and condition of your car. The ActiveHybrid 3 is a rare model - only 108 M Sport and 23 Luxury examples were registered in the UK. With typical values between £4,000-£9,000, a full engine replacement may not be cost-effective on higher-mileage examples. For low-mileage, well-maintained cars, a rebuilt engine with warranty is a sound investment.
-> Compare BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 engine pricesQuestion 4How long does a BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 engine replacement take-
A BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 engine replacement typically takes 12-16 labour hours for the N55B30A unit. The hybrid system integration means the high-voltage components must be handled with care - allow 3-5 working days for the complete job with a specialist.
- Supply only: engine can be delivered next working day
- Supply & fit: allow 3-5 days for the complete job
Question 5What's the difference between the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and 330e-
The BMW ActiveHybrid 3 (2012-2013) is a full hybrid - it cannot be plugged in and has a small battery that is charged by the petrol engine and regenerative braking. The BMW 330e (2016 onwards) is a plug-in hybrid with a larger battery that can be charged from an external power source, offering a longer electric-only range.
- ActiveHybrid 3: 340 hp, 0-60 in 5.1 seconds, 47 mpg
- 330e: up to 292 hp, 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, 134 mpg (plug-in capability)
Question 6What are the common problems with the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 hybrid system-
The hybrid system in the BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 has several known issues:
- Battery pack degradation - reduced electric range and performance
- Hybrid system faults - warning lights, reduced performance
- Regenerative braking issues - inconsistent brake feel
- Electric motor and power electronics failures
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Comparing quotes for your BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 engine replacement is free, quick and carries no obligation. Whether you need a used N55B30A, a reconditioned unit with upgraded components, or a rebuilt engine with full warranty, EnginesMarket connects you with vetted UK specialists who know BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 hybrid systems inside out. Enter your registration above and get tailored quotes in minutes.

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