Bulletin
Engine code

IA Technical Bulletin

BMW N62 Engine Guide

Engine: N62

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N62 · 3.6, 4.4, 4.0 and 4.8 liter 90-degree V8 with Valvetronic · BMW US-market cars built 11/2001 to 07/2010 · 745i, 745Li, 545i, 645Ci, 650i, 550i, 750i, 750Li, X5 4.4i, X5 4.8is and X5 4.8i

The N62 is a BMW V8 with Valvetronic that debuted in the E65 7 Series.

BMW's training describes the first version, the N62B44 4.4 liter, as a completely new development from the NG (New Generation) series.

Its listed features are a 90 degree V layout, two four-valve cylinder heads, a light-alloy design, a variable intake manifold and Valvetronic.

BMW's training compares the N62B44 with the M62 and lists a 14 percent fuel consumption saving.

BMW's training gives the start of N62B44 production as 11/2001 in the E65 and 01/2002 in the E66.

The name covers two generations, and they are not the same engine.

N62: the N62B36 (3.6 liter) and N62B44 (4.4 liter), first built in 2001.
N62TU: BMW's training calls it an advanced development of the N62, in 4.0 liter and 4.8 liter versions (N62B40TU and N62B48TU).
BMW's training gives the N62TU installation schedule as the E65 and E66 first, then the E60, E61, E63 and E64 from 09/2005; an upgraded version follows from 09/2006 on the E70 X5, from 03/2007 on the E60 and E61, and from 09/2007 on the E63, E64, E65 and E66.

BMW's parts data labels the later engine N62N. BMW's service information lists the same US models (550i, 650i, 750i and the E70 X5 4.8i) with the N62B48TU.

BMW's own tables label the engine of the E53 X5 4.8is inconsistently: the parts data says N62 and one training table says N62B48TU.

Quick read

Ownership position: Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
Reliability: No engine-wide verdict is established. Three NHTSA recalls name the engine or its controls in specific models and model years; they are listed under Known Failure Points. IAIK, from our own shop: we rarely see N62s come in with problems.
Cost to own: Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
Power potential: Not established yet. We are still researching this engine. BMW's repair data lists factory outputs of 245 kW (4.4 liter) and 270 kW (4.8 liter) for the main US-market versions.
Main watch item: Not established yet. We are still researching this engine. Only the three recall items below are backed by a BMW or NHTSA document.

N62 At a Glance

Question	Practical answer
Where it started	E65 745i built from 11/2001 and E66 745Li built from 01/2002, per BMW's engine training.
Sold in US-market BMWs	Yes. BMW's parts data lists US-market cars with the N62 and N62N engine codes, built 11/2001 to 07/2010.
Variants	N62B36 and N62B44 (N62); N62B40TU and N62B48TU (N62TU). US-market cars carry the 4.4 liter and 4.8 liter versions.
Factory output, 4.4 liter	245 kW / 333 PS and 450 Nm in BMW's repair data (745i, 545i, 645Ci); BMW's US training lists 325 hp and 330 lb-ft for the 545i, and the two documents differ on the peak-power speed (6,100 and 5,900 rpm).
Factory output, 4.8 liter	270 kW / 367 PS and 490 Nm on the 550i, 650i and 750i; 261 kW / 355 PS and 475 Nm on the E70 X5 4.8i; 265 kW / 360 PS and 490 Nm on the E53 X5 4.8is, per BMW's repair data.
Engine oil capacity	8.00 liters (about 8.5 US quarts) with a filter element change, per BMW's repair data for the N62.
Engine oil	5W-30 LL01 or 0W-30 LL01FE, per BMW's February 2017 oil chart for model year 2011 and older gasoline engines.
Valve gear	Valvetronic variable intake valve lift, double VANOS camshaft timing and four valves per cylinder.
Firing order	1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Reliability profile	Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
Best ownership indicator	Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
Typical annual planning budget	Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
Possible first-year catch-up	Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
Largest documented exposure	NHTSA recalls 03V-240 (Valvetronic software), 03V-324 (oil filter drain plug) and 07V-479 (fuel rail static discharge). No repair costs are established.
Common tuned street range	Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
Before buying	Identify whether the car has the N62 or the N62TU, and ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for open recalls.

Where you find it

BMW's parts data lists the N62 in the US-market cars below. The parts data ends in December 2019, so any later information is outside it. The M cars use different engines and are not listed.

Generation	Chassis, model and build months (BMW parts data)
N62 (first generation)	E65 745i 11/2001-02/2005; E66 745Li 01/2002-02/2005
	E60 545i 09/2003-08/2005
	E63 645Ci 09/2003-08/2005; E64 645Ci 12/2003-08/2005
	E53 X5 4.4i 10/2003-09/2006; X5 4.8is 04/2004-08/2006
	E65 ALPINA B7 12/2006-01/2008, listed under the N62 code; its engine output is not established here
N62TU (listed as N62N)	E65 750i and E66 750Li 03/2005-07/2008
	E60 550i 09/2005-02/2007, and the 2007 facelift 03/2007-12/2009
	E63 and E64 650i 09/2005-07/2007, and the facelift 09/2007-07/2010
	E70 X5 4.8i 10/2006-03/2010

The 735i, 735Li, 540i, 740i and 740Li also carry N62 engines. They were not sold in US-market BMWs, per BMW's own vehicle lists (data to December 2019).

Technical Specifications

Values come from BMW's repair data and training. Where an engine version is named, the value applies to that version only.

Specification	Detail
Configuration	90 degree V8, two aluminum cylinder heads, four valves per cylinder
N62B36 (not US)	3,600 cc, 84.0 x 81.2 mm bore and stroke, 10.2:1 compression
N62B44	4,398 cc, 92.0 x 82.7 mm bore and stroke, 10.0:1 compression
N62B40TU (not US)	About 4,000 cc, 10.5:1 compression
N62B48TU	4,799 cc, 93.0 x 88.3 mm bore and stroke, 10.5:1 compression
Maximum engine speed	6,500 rpm
N62B44 valves	Intake 35 mm and exhaust 29 mm valve diameter; intake lift 0.3-9.85 mm, exhaust lift 9.7 mm
Valvetrain	Valvetronic, double VANOS and a toothed timing chain for each cylinder bank
Intake	Variable intake manifold on the N62B44; two-stage DISA intake with two servomotors on the N62TU
Engine management	DME 9.2 or 9.2.1 on the N62, 9.2.2 on the N62TU, and 9.2.3 on the upgraded N62TU (E70 from 09/2006, E60 and E61 from 03/2007)
Engine block	One-piece open-deck crankcase in AluSil aluminum-silicon alloy
Crankshaft	Cast iron, inductively hardened, five main bearings on the N62B44; a steel crankshaft on the N62B48TU
Engine weight	213 kg for the N62B44
Oil capacity	8.00 liters with a filter element change
Oil recommendation	BMW's February 2017 oil chart lists 5W-30 LL01 or 0W-30 LL01FE for all BMW gasoline engines of model year 2011 and older, and calls the 0W-30 LL01FE oil compatible with those older engines; the last US-market N62 cars were built in 07/2010. BMW's 2001 engine training recommended BMW High Performance 5W-30 synthetic oil.
Coolant capacity	14 liters in the E65 with the N62B44
Firing order	1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2

Output by version (BMW repair data)

Version and application	Output
N62B36, 735i (not US)	200 kW / 272 PS and 360 Nm
N62B44, 745i, 745Li, 545i, 645Ci	245 kW / 333 PS and 450 Nm
N62B44, E53 X5 4.4i	235 kW / 320 PS and 440 Nm
N62B40TU, 540i and 740i (not US)	225 kW / 306 PS and 390 Nm
N62B48, E53 X5 4.8is	265 kW / 360 PS and 490 Nm
N62B48TU, 550i, 650i, 750i	270 kW / 367 PS and 490 Nm
N62B48TU, E70 X5 4.8i	261 kW / 355 PS and 475 Nm

The Insider Read

IAIK means IA-insiders knowledge. Our collected BMW technical and ownership notes.

IAIK rarely sees N62s come into our shop with problems.

In IAIK's view the N62's reputation is worse than what we see in the shop, and much of that reputation comes from buyers' wariness of older BMW V8s in general.

Factory Deep Dive

Block, crankshaft and bottom end

BMW's training describes the N62B44 crankcase as a one-piece open-deck casting made entirely of AluSil, with the cylinder walls treated so that hard silicon particles are left exposed on the bore surface.

The N62B44 crankshaft is cast iron, inductively hardened, with five main bearings and hollowed journals for weight reduction. The connecting rods are forged steel with a cracked cap.

For the 4.8 liter N62TU, BMW's 2006 model-update training lists a steel crankshaft with the crankpin width reduced from 42 mm to 36 mm, and valve stems reduced from 6 mm to 5 mm.

Cylinder heads, Valvetronic and VANOS

The two cylinder heads are aluminum gravity castings with cross-flow cooling and secondary air ducts cast in.

Valvetronic varies the intake valve lift, and BMW's training says throttle valve use is limited so that intake manifold vacuum stays constant.

The N62TU also carries double VANOS, which adjusts both the intake and exhaust camshafts.

Each cylinder bank has its own toothed timing chain, and a separate roller chain drives the oil pump.

Intake and engine management

BMW's training lists a two-stage differentiated intake manifold (DISA) with two servomotors as new on the N62TU.

The same document lists a hot-film air mass sensor with a digital signal and electronic oil level control as new on the N62TU.

It also lists EURO 4 emissions without a secondary air system for the N62TU; whether US-market N62TU cars also dropped the secondary air system is not established.

Cooling

BMW's training says the N62B44 water pump and the map-controlled thermostat share one housing bolted to the lower timing case.

The pump impeller is reinforced plastic, and the pump has a leakage chamber that collects and evaporates small amounts of coolant from the shaft seal; BMW's training says the chamber only fills completely if the seal is faulty.

Crankcase ventilation

On the N62B44, each cylinder head cover contains a labyrinth oil separator with a pressure control valve, and the remaining vapors go to the intake manifold for combustion.

Service Parts at a Glance

BMW part numbers below were looked up in BMW's parts data and are the current numbers after supersession. Confirm fitment by VIN before ordering; a matching number locates a part but does not confirm fitment.

Part	BMW part number	Note
Oil filter element set	11427511161	N62 (745i, 745Li, 545i, 645Ci, ALPINA B7, X5 4.4i, X5 4.8is)
Oil filter element set	11427542021	N62TU (550i, 650i, 750i, 750Li, X5 4.8i)
Spark plug	12120037607	N62 (745i, 745Li, 545i, 645Ci, X5 4.4i); replaces 12129071003 and 12120141871 in BMW's chain
Spark plug	12122158252	N62TU cars and the E53 X5 4.8is
Ignition coil (Delphi)	12138616153	N62TU cars
Ignition coil (Eldor)	12135A06753	N62 cars; replaces 12138657273 in BMW's chain
Thermostat	11537586885	All US-market N62 and N62TU cars
Coolant pump, mechanical	11517586780	745i built 11/2001-09/2003 and 745Li built 01/2002-09/2003
Coolant pump, mechanical	11517524551	N62 cars from 09/2003, ALPINA B7, E53 X5
Coolant pump, mechanical	11517586779	N62TU cars
Cylinder head cover gasket set, cylinders 1-4	11127513194	BMW's parts data says to check whether the cover has a pressure control valve
Cylinder head cover gasket set, cylinders 5-8	11127513195	Same note as above
Timing chain	11317504468	All US-market N62 and N62TU cars

Known Failure Points and Service Items

Only items backed by an NHTSA recall record are listed. Everything else about N62 weak points is not established yet; see the research notes behind this guide.

01 Valvetronic motor synchronization software (2002-2003 745i and 745Li)

NHTSA recall 03V-240 covers the 2002 and 2003 745i and 745Li, 5,470 vehicles.

NHTSA's record says a software error could desynchronize the Valvetronic motors for the two cylinder banks, and the engine could stall. The remedy is reprogramming the engine control unit, with owner notification beginning July 8, 2003.

Watch for engine roughness or stalling. NHTSA's consequence statement says the driver might not be able to restart the engine. Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for the recall status.

02 Oil filter drain plug torque (2003 745i, 745Li and 760Li)

NHTSA recall 03V-324 covers the 2003 745i, 745Li and 760Li, 2,400 vehicles.

NHTSA's record says the engine oil filter drain plug may be insufficiently tightened, which could loosen it and cause an oil spray and then an oil leak. The remedy is for dealers to check the plug torque and retighten it to the specified value if necessary.

Watch for oil spray or an oil leak. NHTSA's consequence statement says a large oil loss could damage the engine.

03 Fuel rail static discharge and stalling (V8 550i, 650i and X5, 2006-2008)

NHTSA recall 07V-479 covers the 2006-2008 550i, the 2006-2007 650i and the 2007 X5, 29,250 vehicles.

NHTSA's record says that below freezing and with low humidity, static discharge could occur at the fuel rails and affect the engine control unit so that the engine stalls. The remedy is two added ground cables in the engine compartment, and the recall began October 29, 2007.

Watch for stalling in cold, dry weather. NHTSA's consequence statement says that after a stall the driver may be unable to keep speed or accelerate and the power steering could fail.

Recalls on the same models for fuel pumps, transmissions, air bags and door latches are outside this guide. The NHTSA search was by model and model year, so it may not be complete.

Reliability Verdict

Not established from BMW documents yet. IAIK, from our own shop, rarely sees N62s come in with problems and thinks the engine's reputation is worse than its shop record; that is IAIK shop experience, not a failure rate.

Power Potential

Not established yet. We are still researching this engine. Factory output by version is in Technical Specifications.

Cost of Ownership

Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.

Common Questions

What BMW models have the N62 engine?

In US-market cars, BMW's parts data lists the N62 in the 745i, 745Li, 545i, 645Ci, X5 4.4i and X5 4.8is, and the N62TU in the 750i, 750Li, 550i, 650i and X5 4.8i, built from 11/2001 to 07/2010.

How much oil does an N62 take?

BMW's repair data lists 8.00 liters, about 8.5 US quarts, for an oil change with a filter element on the N62; a separate N62TU figure was not found. BMW's February 2017 oil chart lists 5W-30 LL01 or 0W-30 LL01FE for these model years.

Does the N62 have Valvetronic?

Yes, BMW's training lists Valvetronic variable intake valve lift as a feature of the N62B44 and the N62TU.

What is the N62 firing order?

BMW's training lists the N62 firing order as 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2.

What is the difference between the N62 and the N62TU?

BMW's training calls the N62TU an advanced development of the N62 with more output and torque, in 4.0 liter and 4.8 liter versions, and lists a two-stage DISA intake and electronic oil level control as new.