BMW N63


The BMW N63 is a twin-turbocharged petrol V8 engine which has been in production from 2008 to present. The N63 is the world's first production car engine to use a "hot-vee" layout, with the turbochargers located inside the "V" of the engine. It is also BMW's first turbocharged petrol V8 engine. The engine has been widely noted for its mechanical issues, undergoing several recalls.
The N63 replaced the BMW N62 and was first used in the 2008 X6 xDrive50i.
The [|S63] engine is the BMW M high-performance version of the N63.
Alpina versions of the N63 are used in various F01 7 Series, F10 5 Series, G11 7 Series, G15 8 Series and G30 5 Series models.

Design

The airflow path through the engine uses a "hot-vee" layout, where the exhaust manifolds and turbochargers are located between the cylinder banks and the intake manifolds are located on the outside of the engine. This is opposite to the traditional layout for a V8, where the intake is inside the "V" and the exhaust manifold is on the outside. The hot-vee layout reduces the width of the engine and decreases the exhaust runner length from the exhaust valves to the turbochargers. The engine uses air-to-water intercoolers, therefore improving throttle response.
Similar to the N54B30, the initial N63 did not use Valvetronic because its benefit of reducing of intake vacuum is not as important in turbocharged engines. Due to the presence of turbocharging, the N63 does not use a variable-length intake manifold.
The N63 is BMW's first V8 engine to use direct injection.
The N63/S63 uses a bore of and a stroke of .

2012 technical update

In 2012, a "Technical Update" was applied to the N63, resulting in the N63TÜ variants. The main upgrade was the addition of Valvetronic. Other changes include revised turbochargers, removal of the blowoff valve, lighter pistons, forged connecting rods and crankshaft, addition of a valve cover labyrinth oil catch/return system, new valve stem seals, revised fuel system and addition of a second coolant pump.

2016 technical update

A second Technical Update occurred in 2016, resulting in the N63TÜ2 variants. The major changes are the use of twin-scroll turbochargers, a wider powerband and the oil/coolant heat exchanger being moved to within the "V" of the engine.

2018 technical update

A third Technical Update was introduced in 2018. Two variants are offered: N63B44M3 and N63B44T3. N63B44M3 features improved thermal shielding for the crankcase and the cylinder head, and a new ignition system. The N63B44T3 gains higher pressure injectors, larger twin-scroll turbochargers, a redesigned intake manifold, and an upstream cooling radiator.

Models

N63B40A

This smaller variant was sold in the Chinese market. Due to a shorter stroke length of, the capacity is reduced to.
Applications:
The initial version of the N63 produces and.
Applications:
The first technical update resulted in an increase of and.
Applications:
  • 2013-2015 F01/F02 750i/750Li
  • 2013-2017 F07 550i GT
  • 2014-2016 F10/F11 550i
  • 2014-2018 F15 X5
  • 2014-2019 F16 X6
  • 2013-2018 F12/F13 650i
  • 2013-2019 F06 650i

    N63B44O2 (N63TÜ2)

The second technical update resulted in peak torque being produced over a 200 rpm wider band.
Applications:
Applications:
Applications:
The S63 is the BMW M version of the N63, which debuted in the BMW X6 M and was used in the BMW M5 models from 2011 to 2023. The S63 uses two twin-scroll turbochargers plus a pulse tuned, cross-engine exhaust manifold to keep constant exhaust pulses flowing to the turbos at every 180 degree rotation.

S63B44O0

Applications:
A technical update to the S63, known as the S63B44T0, debuted on the F10 M5 sedan. This version uses Valvetronic, a 10:1 compression ratio and 1.5 bar of boost. It is the first BMW M engine to use Valvetronic. The rev limit was increased from 6800 rpm to 7200 rpm.
Applications:
The S63B44T2 debuted on the 2015 X5 M and X6 M models.
Applications:
The S63B44T4 debuted on the 2018 M5.
Applications:
The P63 is the BMW Motorsport version of the N63, which debuted in the BMW M8 GTE.

Alpina

uses a variant of the N63 engine, which was hand-assembled at the Alpina plant in Buchloe before being transported to the BMW production line.
For the 2013 model year, the Alpina engine received Valvetronic like all other N63 engines.
EnginePowerTorqueCompression ratioYears
M1
at 5,500 rpm
at 3,000-4,750 rpm		9.2:12009–2012
M1/1
at 5,200-6,250 rpm
at 2,800-5,000 rpm		9.2:12012–2014
M2, M2/1
at 5,200-6,250 rpm
at 2,800-5,000 rpm		10.0:12012–2015
M2/2
at 6,000 rpm
at 3,500-4,500 rpm		10.0:12015-
M5
at 5,750-6,250 rpm
at 3,000-5,000 rpm		10.0:12016-
M5/1
at 5,500-6,500 rpm
at 2,000-5,000 rpm		10.5:12020-

M1

Applications:
  • 2009-2012 Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW F01 7 Series
  • 2010-2011 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Sedan/Touring: based on the BMW F10/F11 5 Series.

    M1/1

Applications:
  • 2012-2014 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Sedan/Touring: based on the BMW F10/F11 5 Series

    M1/2

Applications:
  • 2011-2015 Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo Coupé/Cabrio: based on the BMW F12/F13 6 Series

    M2, M2/1

Applications:
  • 2014-2015 Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo Gran Coupé: based on the BMW F06 6 Series
  • 2012-2015 Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW F01 7 Series

    M2/2

Applications:
  • 2015 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 Sedan/Touring: based on the BMW F10/F11 5 Series
  • 2015-2016 Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo Edition 50 Coupé/Cabrio: based on the BMW F12/F13 6 Series
  • 2016 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW F10/F11 5 Series
  • 2016-present Alpina B6 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW F06/F12/F13 6 Series

    M5

The Alpina engine code is N63M30A.
Applications:
  • 2016-2019 Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW G12 7 Series
  • 2017-present Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo: based on the BMW G30/G31 5 Series
An evolution of this engine, with better power delivery, is of the N63B44T3 type.
Applications:
  • 2019-present Alpina B7: based on the BMW G12 7 Series
  • 2020-present BMW F93 M8 Competition
  • 2021-present Alpina B8: based on the BMW G16 8 Series

    North American recall

In December 2014, BMW North America released a voluntary recall relating to issues with timing chain stretch, fuel injectors, mass air flow sensors, crankcase vent lines, battery, engine vacuum pump, low pressure fuel sensor and revising the oil service interval.
In 2019 NHTSA addressed the multitude of issues with BMW N63 engines, various class action lawsuits in tow, and never officially declared a mass recall in regard to valve seal issues inherent in the N63 line.