330d, 530d and 35i: what the badge does not tell you

330d is not one engine

An older 330d, such as an E46, uses the M57. An E90 and an F30 330d use the N57. A G20 330d uses the B57. Same badge, three families. The sump, the turbo and the electronics do not match across them.

Look at the year before you look at the price. Bavarian Engines Werke can only ship the engine in the listing, not the one the badge made you imagine.

530d changed as well

E39 and E60 530d cars are M57. F10 530d cars are N57. Later 5 Series 530d cars are B57. A cheap M57 will not finish an F10 job.

xDrive and rear-wheel drive can change the sump again, even inside one family. Say which one the car is.

35i is a petrol trap

A 135i, 335i or 535i can be an N54 twin-turbo or a later N55 single turbo. They look related and they are not the same installation. The inlet, the turbos and the sump differ.

M135i and M235i cars are usually N55, not the later M models with an S engine. The M in the badge is not the same as an S engine code.

A two-minute check

Read the code on your old engine, or send the VIN. Then open only the listings with that code. Compare the photos with the engine you took out, especially the sump and the turbo.

If the listing does not show a part, it is not included. Alternators and compressors often stay on the car.

Choose in this order

Code first, year second, gearbox third, price last. A workshop that quotes from the badge alone will order the wrong crate.

Ask the desk to confirm before you pay if the car is near a model change. That check is there so the engine matches.

Warranty

Many engines come with up to 12 months warranty. A proper workshop must fit the engine. The warranty is for a fault inside the engine. It does not cover the wrong engine, a dry start, the wrong oil, or damage done after you open the crate.

Shipping

Crate shipping from Hamburg costs 299 EUR. We pack the engine in a strong crate and send it to the address on your order. You need a forklift or an engine crane to unload it.