BMW N62B48 engine code explained
N62B48 is the full code for the 4.8-litre N62 V8 in the E60 550i, E65 750i, E63 650i and E53 / E70 X5 4.8i and 4.8is between 2005 and 2010. It is the final naturally aspirated BMW V8 for the mainstream range, with the same Valvetronic architecture and the same valve-stem-seal and coolant-pipe conversation as the 4.4-litre N62B44 it replaced. The twin-turbo N63B44 succeeded it from 2008.
Quick answer
The N62B48 is the 4.8-litre V8 naturally aspirated petrol of the BMW N62 family, built 2005-2010. Bimmer.AI scores the family 5 / 10: buyable with evidence of the major preventative work, otherwise a negotiation. The tables below give every output tier and sticker letter BMW used on this stem and which cars got them; the failure table is the same one that powers the N62 family guide.
How to read N62B48
| Part of the code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| N | N-series engine generation (2001 to about 2015) |
| 62 | engine family number within the N-series |
| B | petrol, longitudinal (rear-drive platform: 1 to 8 Series, X3 to X7, Z4) |
| 48 | displacement in tenths of a litre: 4.8 litres |
| K / U / M / O / T / S + digit | output tier and revision, appended in BMW's internal naming (for example N62B48O1) |
| A / B / C / D | parts-catalogue engine version printed on the engine cover sticker (for example N62B48A) |
N62B48 output tiers and which cars have them
| Code | Output | Cars | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| N62B48 | 355 to 367 bhp | 550i (E60 / E61 2005-2010), 750i / 750Li (E65 / E66 2005-2008), 650i (E63 / E64 2005-2010), X5 4.8i (E70 2007-2010), X5 4.8is (E53 2004-2006, 355 bhp) | Single tier; the 4.8is E53 was the first application |
N62B48 sticker letters: N62B48A, N62B48B
The B version is the one in almost every UK car. It does not change the buyer checks: valve stem seals (blue smoke on start-up after a hot soak), coolant transfer pipe under the intake, Alusil bore wear on cars with poor oil history, lifter tick, and timing-chain guides past 120,000 miles. The 550i is the cheapest way into a V8 5 Series and the seals are why.
| Sticker code | What it denotes |
|---|---|
| N62B48A | Early 4.8 (E53 X5 4.8is). |
| N62B48B | Main 2005 to 2010 production (550i, 650i, 750i, E70 X5). |
Known problems on every N62B48
Failure data is held once, per engine family, so this table is identical to the BMW N62 guide. Cost ranges are indicative UK figures.
| Failure mode | Severity | Frequency | Typical onset | UK repair range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valve stem seal failure | Serious | Very common | 80 to 130k mi | £2,500 to £4,000 |
| Coolant transfer pipe failure (early signal for N63) | Moderate | Common | 90 to 150k mi | £1,200 to £2,000 |
| Alusil cylinder wear with poor oil maintenance | Catastrophic | Uncommon | 120 to 250k mi | £4,000 to £8,000 |
| Lifter ticking | Mild | Common | 60 to 200k mi | Free (recall) or up to £1,400 |
| Timing chain guide wear | Serious | Uncommon | 120 to 250k mi | £3,000 to £5,000 |
Long-term verdict
Big naturally aspirated V8 with big V8 character and V8 maintenance. The famous valve stem seal failure (blue smoke on cold start, rising oil consumption) is a £2,500-£4,000 heads-off job. Alusil block carries cylinder-wear risk if oil maintenance lapses. With valve stem seals addressed and disciplined 5,000-mile oil intervals, the N62 can run to 250,000+ miles. Without them, it's a slow expensive decline. Used N62 prices reflect this.
Check a specific N62B48 listing
Paste any BMW N62 listing, VIN or registration. Bimmer.AI identifies the exact engine and returns the buyer report in 30 seconds.
Run a Bimmer.AI buyer report →Bimmer.AI is designed to help you identify BMW-specific buyer risks before you travel, negotiate, or pay for an inspection. It does not replace a physical inspection by a qualified mechanic, a legal vehicle-history check (e.g. HPI Check), or independent verification of finance, stolen, or write-off status. Repair-cost ranges are indicative UK figures that vary by region, specialist, parts supply, and labour rates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the N62B48 more reliable than the N62B44?
About the same. The 4.8 gained a slightly stronger bottom end and revised Valvetronic, but the valve stem seals, coolant transfer pipe and Alusil bore concerns are common to both. Choose on history and on whether the seals have been done, not on displacement.
Should I buy an E60 550i with the N62B48?
Only priced as a V8 with a pending £2,500 to £4,000 seal job unless the receipts already exist. With the seals and coolant pipe done, a 550i is a bargain: 367 bhp, 5.5-second 0-60, and one of the best engine notes BMW made. Without them, budget the full bill and negotiate from there.
Which BMWs have the N62B48 engine?
The N62B48 went into the following cars, by output tier. N62B48 (355 to 367 bhp): 550i (E60 / E61 2005-2010), 750i / 750Li (E65 / E66 2005-2008), 650i (E63 / E64 2005-2010), X5 4.8i (E70 2007-2010), X5 4.8is (E53 2004-2006, 355 bhp). The two-letter family badge is N62; any listing that quotes the family code is talking about one of these.
Is the BMW N62B48 reliable?
Bimmer.AI scores the N62 family 5 out of 10, which makes the N62B48 buyable with evidence of the major preventative work, otherwise a negotiation. Big naturally aspirated V8 with big V8 character and V8 maintenance. The famous valve stem seal failure (blue smoke on cold start, rising oil consumption) is a £2,500-£4,000 heads-off job. Alusil block carries cylinder-wear risk if oil maintenance lapses. With valve stem seals addressed and disciplined 5,000-mile oil intervals, the N62 can run to 250,000+ miles. Without them, it's a slow expensive decline. Used N62 prices reflect this.
What does N62B48 mean?
N is the N-series engine generation (2001 to about 2015), 62 is the family number, B means petrol, longitudinal (rear-drive platform: 1 to 8 Series, X3 to X7, Z4), and 48 is the displacement in tenths of a litre (4.8 litres). BMW appends an output tier and revision (K, U, M, O, T or S plus a digit) in its own naming, and the parts catalogue adds a version letter (A, B, C) that is what you see on the engine cover.