01
BMW S63B44 Engine - Replacement Cost, Problems & CompatibilityProblems & Compatibility
The BMW S63B44 is the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 M engine that launched the F10 M5, F06/F12/F13 M6 and first-generation X5M/X6M between 2010 and 2013 - reconditioned units from £9,000, with 410 UK replacement requests in 2025 [EM-VERIFIED].
Supply & Fit Available
12-Month Warranty
Nationwide Delivery
100+ Suppliers
Used from
£5,000
Reconditioned from
£9,000
Rebuilt from
£12,000
GB
Secure enquiry - no spam.
Quotes only from vetted UK engine specialists.
Key Specs
BMW S63B44 - Specifications at a Glance
Engine Code
S63B44
Fuel
Petrol
Configuration
4.4L V8, twin-twin-scroll turbochargers, DOHC 32-valve, Double VANOS, Valvetronic
Power Output
555-560 hp (413-418 kW); 502-553 lb-ft torque
Years Produced
2010-2013
UK Models Fitted
4 BMW M models - full list in Compatibility below
2025 UK Replacement Requests
410 [EM-VERIFIED]
Replaced
[S85 V10 - LINK PENDING - page not in current inventory]
Replaced By
S63B44A - later variant with increased output
Most Common Failure
Timing chain tensioner wear
Reconditioned Price Range
£9,000-£14,000 supply-only [EM-QUOTE]
Vetted UK specialists for S63B44 replacements
Minimum 12-month warranty on reconditioned and rebuilt options
Fitted To
Which BMW Models Use the S63B44-
**TAG:** Fitted To
02
BMW M6
Generation/Chassis
F06/F12/F13
Badge(s)
M6 Coupé, Cabriolet, Gran Coupé (560 hp)
Years
2012-2013
Link
03
BMW X5M
04
BMW X6M
CROSS-BRAND
S63B44 is documented across 4 BMW applications spanning BMW M5, BMW M6, BMW X5M, BMW X6M. Registration lookup confirms the exact suffix before quotes are sent.
Not sure which engine your car has?
Not sure which engine your car has- Enter your registration above - we'll confirm your exact S63B44 fitment before any quotes are sent.
Prices
BMW S63B44 Engine Replacement Cost (UK)
Condition | Supply Only | Fitted (Independent Specialist) | Typical Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
Used | £5,000-£9,000 | £5,000-£10,440 | 3-6 months |
Reconditioned | £9,000-£14,000 | £9,000-£15,440 | 12-24 months |
Rebuilt | £12,000-£18,000 | £12,000-£19,440 | 12-24 months |
All from Table A [EM-QUOTE]. Fitted = supply price + labour band below.
Labour Guide
Fitting an S63B44 typically takes 18-24 hours at £65-£91/hr (independent M specialist) - confirm exact labour when comparing quotes.
Price Factors
Ready to compare S63B44 quotes?
Get competitive quotes from trusted UK specialists today.
Common Problems
BMW S63B44 Engine Problems - What Actually Fails
Every engine has its weak points. Here are the known issues with the S63B44, based on real-world data and verified failure patterns.
Verified issue focus: Timing chain tensioner wear.
1. Timing Chain Tensioner Wear - The S63's Primary Weakness
1. Timing Chain Tensioner Wear - The S63's Primary Weakness
Typical onset:
60,000-100,000 miles
What happens:
Like its N63 sibling, the S63B44 uses a timing chain tensioner that can weaken over time, allowing chain slack. This can lead to rattling on cold start, timing drift, and eventually catastrophic valve-to-piston interference if the chain jumps. The S63 is more robust than the N63, but the tensioner remains a known wear item - especially on early 2010-2012 production engines.
Repair vs replace:
If caught early (rattle only, before timing codes appear), tensioner and guide replacement is a manageable repair (£1,500-£2,500). However, if the chain has jumped and valves have contacted pistons, the engine is typically beyond economical repair - a full replacement is the only safe option. Read our full timing chain failure guide
Read more about this issue
2. Hot-Vee Related Failures - Valve Stem Seals & Turbo Coolant Lines
2. Hot-Vee Related Failures - Valve Stem Seals & Turbo Coolant Lines
Typical onset:
50,000-90,000 miles
What happens:
The S63's hot-vee design places the turbos inside the V of the engine, creating extreme heat. This accelerates wear on valve stem seals (leading to oil consumption and blue smoke on start-up) and causes plastic coolant lines around the turbos to become brittle and crack. While the S63 uses improved materials over the early N63, these are still common failure points.
Repair vs replace:
Valve stem seal replacement is a labour-intensive job (£3,000-£5,000) and requires specialist tooling. Coolant line replacement is cheaper but often done at the same time. If oil consumption is excessive or the engine has overheated due to coolant loss, a reconditioned unit may be more cost-effective than a full repair. Read our full oil consumption guide
Read more about this issue
3. Turbocharger Wear - Wastegate Rattle & Bearing Play
3. Turbocharger Wear - Wastegate Rattle & Bearing Play
Typical onset:
70,000-120,000 miles
What happens:
The S63's twin-twin-scroll turbos are under constant high-temperature stress. Wastegate bushings wear, causing rattle on deceleration, and turbo bearings can develop play, leading to reduced boost and oil consumption. This is more common on high-mileage examples or cars that have been aggressively tuned.
Repair vs replace:
Turbo refurbishment or replacement is a specialist job (£1,500-£3,000 per turbo). If both turbos are failing and the engine is out for other work, many owners opt for a full reconditioned unit with refreshed turbos already included.
Read more about this issue
Compare rebuilt S63B44 prices with the failures already addressed
Engine Variants
How to Confirm You Have the S63B44
The S63B44 is the M-division twin-turbo V8, closely related to the N63 but featuring forged internals, higher boost, and M-specific calibration. It is distinguished from later variants by its 555-560 hp output and specific engine management hardware. Where the code appears: - Stamped on a metal plate on the engine block (left-hand side, near the timing cover) - On the V5C logbook under "Engine number" (the first 7 characters will read S63B44) - Via BMW VIN decoder - the 7th character of the VIN indicates engine type Commonly confused with: - N63B44A - the non-M 4.4L twin-turbo V8; shares the block but lacks forged internals, has different turbos and lower output (400-450 hp) - S63B44A - later M V8 variant with 575 hp (found in F10 M5 LCI, F06 M6 LCI) - S63B44T0 - another variant used in F10 M5 Competition Package - S63B44T2 / S63TU - the Technical Update family found in F90 M5, G-series M5/M8, F95 X5M, F96 X6M
Not sure which S63 variant you have- Enter your registration above and we'll confirm your exact engine code before sending any quotes.
Easily Confused
S85 V10
LINK PENDING - page not in current inventory] - the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V10 that powered the E60 M5 and E63/E64 M6. It revved to 8,250 rpm and produced 507 hp without forced induction - a completely different character from the S63's twin-turbo torque-rich delivery.
Alternative / Next-Gen Code
S63B44A
- the later 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 variant used in the F10 M5 LCI and F06/F12/F13 M6 LCI, producing 575 hp. It features revised engine mapping, improved cooling, and a more durable timing chain tensioner design.
Confirm the exact S63B44 fitment
Not sure which S63 variant you have- Enter your registration above and we'll confirm your exact engine code before sending any quotes.
Buying Guide
Buying a Replacement S63B44 - What to Choose
Choosing the right replacement route depends on your budget, risk tolerance, and ownership goals. Here's a breakdown of your options.
Used:
A used S63B44 can be a viable option if it comes from a low-mileage, well-maintained car with full service history. However, this engine is often subjected to hard use - without proof that the timing chain tensioner has been addressed and the turbos are in good health, a used unit is a gamble. Many used S63 engines are sold with known issues. Factor in £2,000-£4,000 for preventative work (tensioner, valve stem seals) if the history is unclear. Link once: /services/used-engines
Reconditioned:
A proper S63B44 recon is the gold standard for M5/M6/X5M/X6M owners. A quality recon should include: full strip and inspection, new timing chain tensioner and guides, refreshed valve stem seals, replacement of all plastic coolant lines, turbo refurbishment, new gaskets and seals, and a full test. With a 12-24 month warranty, this gives you a fresh engine with all known weaknesses engineered out - well worth the £9,000-£14,000 supply cost for a high-value M-car. Link once: /services/reconditioned-engines
Rebuilt:
A full rebuild is justified when the original engine has suffered catastrophic failure (chain jump, seized turbos, overheating) and the car is a low-mileage collector or cherished daily driver. An upgraded rebuild should include forged pistons, upgraded rod bearings, a reinforced timing chain guide, and a full cylinder head overhaul. This is specialist work and typically only makes sense for cars with strong residual value (£25,000+). Link once: /services/rebuilt-engines
Supply & Fit Line:
All engines can be supplied and fitted through our network of vetted BMW M specialists nationwide, with 12-month warranty on reconditioned and rebuilt units. Link once: /services/supply-and-fit
Vehicle Value Note:
The S63B44 typically sits in F10 M5, F06/F12/F13 M6, E70 X5M and E71 X6M, which are worth £12,000-£40,000 depending on condition and mileage. With a reconditioned supply cost of £9,000-£14,000, replacement is financially viable on most examples. However, if you're looking at a high-mileage E70 X5M worth under £10,000, a used unit (£5,000-£9,000) may be the only sensible option. For cars with significant body or suspension wear and values under £8,000, consider breaking the car before committing to a replacement engine.
Compare S63B44 Engine Prices Now
Related Engines
Engines Related to the BMW S63B44
Explore engines that are closely related to the BMW S63B44, including its predecessor, successor, and key family variants.
Predecessor
S85 V10
LINK PENDING - page not in current inventory] - the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V10 that powered the E60 M5 and E63/E64 M6. It revved to 8,250 rpm and produced 507 hp without forced induction - a completely different character from the S63's twin-turbo torque-rich delivery.
Successor
S63B44A
- the later 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 variant used in the F10 M5 LCI and F06/F12/F13 M6 LCI, producing 575 hp. It features revised engine mapping, improved cooling, and a more durable timing chain tensioner design.
FAQ
BMW S63B44Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1How much does a BMW S63B44 engine replacement cost-
A reconditioned S63B44 supply-only costs £9,000-£14,000, with fitted prices ranging from £9,000 to £15,440 depending on labour rates. Used units start at £5,000-£9,000, and full rebuilds run from £12,000-£18,000. Prices are supply-only; fitting adds 18-24 hours at independent M specialist rates. Warranty varies: 3-6 months on used, 12-24 months on reconditioned and rebuilt.
- Prices are supply-only; fitting adds 18-24 hours at independent M specialist rates.
- Warranty varies: 3-6 months on used, 12-24 months on reconditioned and rebuilt.
Question 2What are the most common failures on the S63B44-
The most documented issues are timing chain tensioner wear (causing cold-start rattle and potential chain jump), hot-vee heat-related failures (valve stem seals leading to oil consumption, and cracked plastic coolant lines), and turbocharger wear (wastegate rattle, bearing play). Tensioner replacement is strongly advised at 60k-100k miles as preventative. Valve stem seal replacement can cost £3k-£5k - often done alongside other work. Turbo refurbishment is common on high-mileage examples.
- Tensioner replacement is strongly advised at 60k-100k miles as preventative.
- Valve stem seal replacement can cost £3k-£5k - often done alongside other work.
- Turbo refurbishment is common on high-mileage examples.
Question 3Which BMW models use the S63B44 engine-
The S63B44 was fitted to four BMW M models between 2010-2013: F10 M5 (560 hp), F06/F12/F13 M6 (560 hp), E70 X5M (555 hp), and E71 X6M (555 hp). Not to be confused with the non-M N63 engine or the later S63B44A variant. The S63TU family (F90 M5 etc.) is a different generation.
- Not to be confused with the non-M N63 engine or the later S63B44A variant.
- The S63TU family (F90 M5 etc.) is a different generation.
Question 4Should I buy a used or reconditioned S63B44 engine-
A used S63B44 can be viable if it has full documented history and proof of tensioner and turbo condition. However, these engines are often driven hard; without evidence of preventative work, a used unit carries significant risk. A reconditioned engine is the safer choice - it typically includes new tensioner, refreshed valve stem seals, replaced coolant lines, and turbo refurbishment, with a 12-24 month warranty. Used is cheaper (£5k-£9k) but factor in £2k-£4k for preventative work. Reconditioned addresses all known weak points and gives peace of mind.
- Used: cheaper (£5k-£9k) but factor in £2k-£4k for preventative work.
- Reconditioned: addresses all known weak points and gives peace of mind.
Question 5How do I confirm my car has the S63B44 and not another BMW V8-
Check the engine code stamped on the block (left-hand side near the timing cover) - it will read S63B44. The V5C logbook also lists the full engine number, with the first 7 characters identifying the code. Common confusions: N63B44 (non-M, lower output), S63B44A (later 575 hp variant), and S63TU (F90-generation). Fitting a later TU engine into an early chassis is not a straight swap - ECU, wiring and cooling differ.
- Common confusions: N63B44 (non-M, lower output), S63B44A (later 575 hp variant), and S63TU (F90-generation).
- Fitting a later TU engine into an early chassis is not a straight swap - ECU, wiring and cooling differ.
Question 6How long does an S63B44 engine typically last-
With meticulous maintenance and early preventative work, these engines can exceed 120,000 miles. The forged internals are robust, but the limiting factors are the timing chain tensioner and hot-vee heat stress. Tensioner and guide replacement recommended at 60k-80k miles. Strict adherence to 5,000-mile oil changes with BMW M-spec oil is critical. Regular inspection of coolant lines and valve stem seals extends lifespan.
- Tensioner and guide replacement recommended at 60k-80k miles.
- Strict adherence to 5,000-mile oil changes with BMW M-spec oil is critical.
- Regular inspection of coolant lines and valve stem seals extends lifespan.
Compare BMW S63B44 Engine Prices Today
Compare free, no-obligation quotes from our network of pre-vetted BMW M engine specialists. Every quote is specific to your exact S63B44 code and variant, and our reg-lookup tool confirms correct fitment before any quote is sent. With reconditioned S63B44 units from £9,000, comparing takes two minutes and could save you thousands on your M-car engine replacement.
Vetted UK Specialists
Vetted UK specialists for S63B44 replacements
Minimum 12-Month Warranty
Minimum 12-month warranty on reconditioned and rebuilt options
Nationwide Delivery
Nationwide delivery plus supply and fit availability
Expert Support
Secure enquiry - no spam. Quotes only from vetted UK engine specialists.
Secure enquiry - no spam. Quotes only from vetted UK engine specialists.
Get Free S63B44 Engine Quotes