BMW 7 Series 728i Engine ReplacementCompare Prices & Get Quotes

A BMW 7 Series 728i engine replacement typically costs £1,200-£2,000 for a used M52B28 unit, £2,200-£3,200 for a reconditioned engine, and £2,800-£3,800 for a fully rebuilt engine with 12-month warranty. Supply and fit costs add approximately £700-£1,000 depending on your location and the specialist's labour rates. The 728i's straight-six M52 is significantly cheaper to replace than the V8 and V12 engines found in other E38 models.

• Used engines: lowest cost, variable mileage and condition
• Reconditioned engines: mid-range, with replaced wearing components
• Rebuilt engines: highest cost, fully stripped and restored to OE spec
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The most common signs of M52 engine trouble in a 728i include: overheating or coolant loss (cooling system failure), rough idling or loss of low-end power (VANOS issues on M52TUB28), rattling noise from the front of the engine (timing chain tensioner), oil spots under the car (valve cover or oil filter housing gasket leaks), and white smoke from the exhaust (head gasket failure after overheating).

• Cooling issues: overheating, coolant loss, warning lights
• VANOS issues: rough idle, poor low-end power (1998+ models)
• Timing chain issues: rattling on startup, check engine light
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Yes - if your BMW 7 Series 728i is otherwise in good condition, a replacement engine can extend its life significantly and retain the car's value. With a typical E38 728i valued at £3,000-£10,000 depending on condition, a rebuilt engine at £2,800-£3,800 plus fitting represents a sound investment for well-maintained examples. The 728i's M52 engine is relatively affordable to replace compared to the V8 and V12 units in other E38 models.

• Vehicle worth £5,000+: rebuilt engine is cost-effective
• Vehicle worth £3,000-£5,000: reconditioned is viable if keeping the car 2+ years
• Vehicle worth under £3,000: used engine or scrappage may be more sensible
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Most BMW 7 Series 728i engine replacements take 1-2 days for supply and fit at a specialist garage. Collection and delivery options are available nationwide, with most engines dispatched within 24-72 hours of order confirmation. The M52's straightforward straight-six layout makes it a relatively quick engine to swap compared to the more complex V8 and V12 units.

• Supply only: 24-72 hours dispatch
• Supply and fit: 1-2 days at specialist garage
• Nationwide collection/delivery available
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Yes - all rebuilt BMW 7 Series 728i engines supplied through EnginesMarket include a minimum 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty. Used engines typically come with a 3-6 month warranty depending on the supplier, and reconditioned engines often carry a 12-24 month warranty. Always confirm the exact warranty terms with your chosen supplier before purchasing.

• Rebuilt engines: 12+ months unlimited mileage
• Reconditioned engines: 12-24 months
• Used engines: 3-6 months typically
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The M52B28 (1995-1998) is the earlier single-VANOS engine with 193hp. The M52TUB28 (1998-2001) is the technical update with dual VANOS (variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts), offering improved low-end torque and smoother power delivery. The M52TUB28 also has revised cylinder head and block castings with iron liners, addressing the Nikasil bore wear issues that affected some early M52 engines. Both produce 193hp, but the TU version feels more responsive at lower revs.

• M52B28: single VANOS, 1995-1998, some Nikasil bore wear risk
• M52TUB28: dual VANOS, 1998-2001, iron liners, improved reliability
• Both: 2.8L, 193hp, straight-six, 2,793cc displacement