S55
BMW · 3.0L Twin-Turbo M I6
2014–2018
"Track weapon. M-car level care mandatory. Fragile if abused."
Mileage Risk Timeline
When problems typically appear — enter your mileage to see your risk zone
Known Issues 3
Crankshaft hub failure — pre-2016 production
▸Catastrophic engine failure under high load; vibration, timing issues
Pre-2016 S55 crank hubs can spin/slip under high load. Under 10% of stock engines but risk rises sharply with any mod. BMW revised late 2016.
Always check production date. Pre-2016: inspect or replace crank hub. Budget €800-2000.
Rod bearing wear — M-car maintenance required
▸Knocking under load, oil pressure light, metal particles in oil analysis
Wear faster than B58 equivalent. Oil analysis every 10k km recommended. ACL/King race bearings as upgrade. MAX 5,000-6,000 km oil intervals.
If buying used S55: ask for oil analysis history. Cost €30 per analysis. Rod bearing replacement €1,200-3,000.
Turbo oil seal wear
▸Blue smoke at startup or deceleration, oil consumption increase
High-output turbos wear seals faster without warm-up and cool-down discipline.
M-car discipline: 2 min warm up, 3 min cool down after spirited driving. Neglect = faster seal failure.
Models with S55 5
Related Guides
Other BMW Engines
Tuning Potential
600hp+ with supporting mods
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BMW S55 reliable?
The BMW S55 scores 65/100 with a verdict of CAUTION. It has 3 documented issues with total repair costs between €2,800 and €7,000.
What are the common problems with the S55?
The most common issues are:
- Crankshaft hub failure — pre-2016 production — critical, repair cost €800–€2,000, 0 km–80,000 km
- Rod bearing wear — M-car maintenance required — critical, repair cost €1,200–€3,000, 60,000 km–120,000 km
- Turbo oil seal wear — moderate, repair cost €800–€2,000, 80,000 km–150,000 km
What cars use the BMW S55?
How much does it cost to repair the S55?
Total potential repair costs for all 3 known issues range from €2,800 to €7,000. The most expensive issue is typically .
What years was the S55 produced?
The BMW S55 was produced from 2014 to 2018. It is a 2979cc I6 petrol turbo engine.
Scores are calculated from documented issues, repair costs, and failure patterns across thousands of owner reports and technical sources. Learn about our methodology. Always inspect before you buy.