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
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.
Verdict and scores are editorial opinions based on aggregated data. Learn about our methodology. Not a substitute for professional inspection.