The BMW N62 is a non-supercharged V8 gasoline engine that was produced in Munich from 2001 to 2010. Unlike its predecessor M62 and successor N63, there was no M version for the N62.
The engine block is made of a then-new aluminum alloy and was produced in Munich from 2001 to 2010. Each cylinder has 4 valves and indirect Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI). The valves are controlled by Valvetronic, and the engine also features a dual VANOS variable valve timing system.
In 2002, at the International Engine of the Year Awards, the N62 was awarded the International Engine of the Year, Best New Engine and Engine Over 4 Liters.
Design features and applications of the N62
The N62 atmospheric engine was a new design, rather than a direct evolution of the M60 engine line, which evolved into the M62 engine. The N62 has a cylinder bore of 92 mm and a piston stroke of 82.7 mm for a total displacement of 4398 cc. Like the M62, the N62 has dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) with four valves per cylinder, an aluminum cylinder block, aluminum cylinder head and forged connecting rods. It was also the first V8 and only the second BMW engine with Valvetronic technology, which on the N62 changes the engine valve lift from 0.03 mm to 9.85 mm. The red line is 6500 rpm. Valvetronic technology allows you to change the timing, lift and duration, and the N62 adjusts lift instead of using the throttle body during normal operation. The engine does have a throttle body, but it is only used in emergencies in the event of Valvetronic failure and under certain cold start conditions.
The N62B44 is the only production engine in the world equipped with a continuously variable length intake manifold known as a DIVA intake (not to be confused with the DISA intake used in many other BMW production engines). The intake length path starts shortening at 3500 and gradually shortens until it reaches its shortest length in the red zone. From 2001 to 2006, the N62B44 was used in BMW’s 45i (ci, Li) – E60 5-series, E63 6-series, E65 7-series and E53 X5 4.4i.
The N62B48 engine used in the E53 X5 4.8is was a 4.8-liter variant of the N62B44, which still used many of the N62B44’s features, such as the DIVA intake manifold.
The N62B44 was converted to the N62B48TU starting with the 2005 model year. The displacement is up to 4,798.52cc. Several changes were made to the engine, including exhaust manifolds, replacement of the DIVA intake manifold with a continuously variable length DIVA intake manifold with a two-stage DISA manifold, removal of the secondary air injection ports, and a few minor changes to accommodate the longer crankshaft stroke, such as a deeper oil pan. It also featured different spark plugs, oxygen sensors, engine control unit, and intake and exhaust valves with the stem diameter reduced from 6 to 5 mm.
From 2005 to 2010, the N62B48 was used in BMW’s 50i models – E60 5-series, E63 6-series, E65 7-series and E70 X5 4.8i.
All versions of the N62 engine and its applications:
N62B36
The N62B36 is the junior version with a displacement of 3,600cc. The cylinder diameter is 84 mm and the piston stroke is 81.2 mm. It develops 272 hp at 6200 rpm and 360 Nm at 4250 rpm. Application:
2001-2005 E65/E66 735i/735Li
N62B40
The N62B40 is the 4000cc version. It has a cylinder diameter of 87 mm and a piston stroke of 84.1 mm. It develops 306 hp at 6,300 rpm and 390 Nm at 3,500 rpm. Application:
- 2005-2010 E60/E61 540i sedan and station wagon
- 2005-2008 E65/E66 740i/740Li sedan
N62B44
The N62B44 is the 4398cc version. The cylinder diameter is 92 mm and the piston stroke is 82.7 mm. It develops 333 hp at 6100 rpm and 450 Nm at 3600 rpm. (except X5 model). Application:
- 2001-2005 E65/E66 745i/745Li
- 2004-2006 E53 X5 4.4i- 320 hp and 440 Nm
- 2003-2005 E60/E61 545i
- 2003-2007 E63/E64 645Ci
N62B48
The N62B48 has a displacement of 4799cc, a cylinder bore of 93mm and a piston stroke of 88.3mm.
N62B48 (360 hp).
2004-2006 in E53 as X5 4.8is
N62B48TU (367 hp)
- 2005-2010 E60/E61 550i sedan and station wagon
- 2005-2010 E63/E64 650i coupe and convertible
- 2005-2008 E65/E66 750i/750Li
- 2007-2010 E70 X5 4.8i
The N62B44 and N62B48TU was also used in the production of the following car brands:
- 2003-2011 Wiesmann GT MF4 / Roadster MF4
- 2008-2015 Morgan Plus 8 (Morgan Aero 8 Series 4, Series 5, Aeromax, Aero SuperSports and Aero Coupe)
Alpina H1
The H1 is Alpina’s version of the N62B44. The H1 engine block is based on the N62B44 motor with a forged crankshaft from Alpina, high strength Mahle pistons and the addition of an ASA centrifugal supercharger. The motor had 2 versions with 500 and 530 hp.
Alpina H1 (based on N62B44, 500 hp and 700 Nm).
2005-2007 Alpina B5 (E60/E61)
2006-2007 Alpina B6 (E63)
2003-2008 Alpina B7 (E65)
Alpina 1/2 (based on N62B44, 530 hp and 725 Nm)
2007-2010 Alpina B5 S (E60/E61)
2007-2010 Alpina B6 S (E63)
N62 disadvantages and recommendations
All motors in the N62 family are of similar design and have similar problems.
1. Oil consumption
Problems with increased oil consumption in N62 are observed at mileage after 100 thousand kilometers. The cause of oil consumption is oil sealing caps and oil rings. Symptoms of oil burn are blue-blue smoke in the exhaust, increased oil consumption and excessive smoke from the exhaust system at startup. The solution is to replace the ICs.
2. Floating revolutions
Uneven engine operation is caused by faulty ignition coils, Valvetronic system, Vanos, faulty flow meter. Diagnostics is necessary to accurately identify the faulty unit and its subsequent replacement.
3. Oil and working fluid leaks
Oil leaks often occur from under the crankshaft oil seal and the gasket of the generator housing, valve cover and timing cover. Also on high mileage appears leakage of the coolant supply pipe. The solution is to diagnose and repair leaks by replacing worn gaskets/seals.
4- Worn catalytic converters
At high mileage in N62 catalytic converters are destroyed – remains of honeycomb get into cylinders and lead to scoring. solution – removal of catalytic converters with installation of flame arrester.
5. What oil should I pour into N62?
Synthetic motor oil with viscosity 5W-30, 5W-40 is recommended for the N62 gasoline engine.
In conclusion – is the BMW N62 reliable?
Atmospheric BMW N62 is a reliable engine with a high resource, as evidenced by numerous reviews of car owners. This voluminous motor has a strong cylinder block and a good cooling system. If the above problems are eliminated in time, this engine will serve long and trouble-free. N62 is demanding to high-quality engine oil and timely maintenance, as well as fuel.
With timely maintenance every 10 thousand kilometers, the N62 engine resource is more than 300 thousand kilometers of mileage without major overhaul.