How much does a BMW 7 Series E38 engine replacement cost in the UK?

A reconditioned E38 engine typically costs £2,000–£7,000 supply only, depending on engine -the M52 728i sits at £2,000–£3,500, while the M73 V12 runs £4,000–£7,000. Fitting adds £650–£1,170. Use our calculator for a personalised figure.

Which E38 7 Series engine is the most reliable?

The M52B28 (728i) is the most economical and reliable six-cylinder choice -193 PS, smooth and well-supported, though cooling system attention is required. The M62TÜB44 (post-1998 740i) is the pick of the V8s -286 PS with VANOS and improved over the earlier Nikasil-prone M60. The M73 V12 is also considered one of the most reliable engines in the range, but it's expensive to maintain.

What are the common problems with the E38 7 Series?

Timing chain guide wear on the M62 V8, Nikasil bore wear on early M60 V8s and M52 six-cylinders, cooling system failures across all engines, oil leaks on the M73 V12, and injector/turbo issues on the diesel variants. All are well-understood by BMW specialists.

Is the BMW E38 7 Series reliable overall?

Yes -the E38 is considered one of BMW's most solid luxury saloons. The six-cylinder M52 and V12 M73 are genuinely robust; the M62 V8 is refined but requires timing chain guide attention; the diesels are economical but require specialist care. The E38 is a classic car; maintenance costs reflect its age and complexity.

Which E38 7 Series engine should I avoid?

No outright avoidance -but early M60 V8s (1994–1996) and early M52 six-cylinders with Nikasil cylinder linings deserve a compression test before purchase; high-sulphur fuel could cause bore wear. A 725tds without documented injector or turbo history also merits a thorough inspection.

How do I know if my E38 7 Series engine needs replacing?

Timing chain slap on cold start (M62 V8), loss of compression or rough running (M60/M52 Nikasil), coolant loss or overheating (all engines), oil leaks (M73), or rough running and smoke (M51/M57 diesels) are key warnings. Use our diagnostic calculator for a personalised assessment.

Is it worth replacing an E38 7 Series engine, or should I scrap the car?

Depends on the car's value. Against a well-kept £4,000+ E38, a £2,800 M62 recon is 70% of the car's value -approaching our 70% BMW threshold, assess carefully. Against a tired £2,000 example, the same recon is 140% -walk away. For V12s and rare V8 diesels, the calculus is different: these are future classics where engine replacement can be justified if the car is otherwise excellent.

How long do E38 7 Series engines last?

The M52 six-cylinder can exceed 150,000+ miles with regular maintenance. The M62 V8 is capable of 150,000+ miles with timing chain guide attention. The M73 V12 can exceed 200,000 miles with proper care. The M57 diesel can reach 150,000+ miles with injector and turbo attention. The M67 V8 diesel is rare but capable of high mileage with specialist care.

What is the difference between the E38 and the E65?

The E38 (1994–2001) is the third-generation 7 Series -a classic BMW design with traditional engines, analogue controls and a more classic driving experience. The E65 (2001–2008) is the fourth-generation successor -more modern, with iDrive, more advanced electronics and the introduction of the N62 V8. The E38 is considered one of the finest 7 Series generations; the E65 is more divisive. See each generation's own page for specifics.

How do I find my E38 7 Series engine code?

Check the VIN plate, vehicle documentation, or the engine block -2.8-litre six-cylinder is M52B28 or M52TÜB28, 3.0-litre V8 is M60B30, 3.5-litre V8 is M62B35 or M62TÜB35, 4.0-litre V8 is M60B40, 4.4-litre V8 is M62B44 or M62TÜB44, 5.4-litre V12 is M73B54 or M73TÜB54, 2.5-litre diesel is M51D25, 2.9-litre diesel is M57D30, and 3.9-litre V8 diesel is M67D40. Tell us your variant and registration year and we'll identify it -20+ vetted BMW specialists will confirm it for free.

BMW 7 Series E38Saloon1994–2001

BMW 7 Series E38 Engines — The Complete UK Guide

Every engine fitted to the E38 7 Series — from the 2.8-litre M52 six-cylinder to the 5.4-litre M73 V12, including the M60 and M62 V8s and the M57 diesel.

Real UK costs, honest failure data, and BMW's first V8-powered luxury saloon.

Backed by genuine UK specialist data for 2025.

Explore E38 Engines

E38 Enquiries (2025) -pattern data
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12+Engine Codes
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E38 Enquiries (2025) -pattern data
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Engine Database

BMW 7 Series E38 Engine Codes — The Complete Database

Every engine fitted to the E38 7 Series specifically — from the entry-level 728i to the flagship 750i, including BMW's first V8 diesel in the 740d.

Engine CodeFamilyFuelDisplacementPowerYears (E38)Variants (badges)Reliability2025 EnquiriesAvg. Recon Cost

M52B28M52Petrol2.8L (2793 cc)193 PS(142 kW)1995–1998728i, 728iL★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,000–£3,500[BMW-QUOTE]

M52TÜB28M52TUPetrol2.8L (2793 cc)193 PS(142 kW)1998–2001728i, 728iL★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,000–£3,500[BMW-QUOTE]

M60B30M60Petrol V83.0L (2997 cc)218 PS(160 kW)1994–1996730i, 730iL★★★☆☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,500–£4,500[BMW-QUOTE]

M62B35M62Petrol V83.5L (3498 cc)235 PS(173 kW)1996–1998735i, 735iL★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,800–£5,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M62TÜB35M62TUPetrol V83.5L (3498 cc)238 PS(175 kW)1998–2001735i, 735iL★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,800–£5,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M60B40M60Petrol V84.0L (3982 cc)286 PS(210 kW)1994–1996740i, 740iL★★★☆☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£3,000–£5,500[BMW-QUOTE]

M62B44M62Petrol V84.4L (4398 cc)286 PS(210 kW)1996–1998740i, 740iL★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£3,200–£6,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M62TÜB44M62TUPetrol V84.4L (4398 cc)286 PS(210 kW)1998–2001740i, 740iL★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£3,200–£6,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M73B54M73Petrol V125.4L (5379 cc)326 PS(240 kW)1995–1998750i, 750iL★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£4,000–£7,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M73TÜB54M73TUPetrol V125.4L (5379 cc)326 PS(240 kW)1998–2001750i, 750iL★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£4,000–£7,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M51D25M51Diesel2.5L (2497 cc)143 PS(105 kW)1996–2001725tds★★★☆☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,200–£4,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M57D30M57Diesel2.9L (2926 cc)193 PS(142 kW)1998–2001730d★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,800–£5,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M67D40M67Diesel V83.9L (3901 cc)245 PS(180 kW)1999–2001740d★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£3,500–£6,500[BMW-QUOTE]

Engine CodeFuelPowerYearsReliabilityEnquiries (2025)Avg. Recon Cost

M52B28M52Petrol193 PS(142 kW)1995–1998★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,000–£3,500[BMW-QUOTE]

M52TÜB28M52TUPetrol193 PS(142 kW)1998–2001★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,000–£3,500[BMW-QUOTE]

M60B30M60Petrol V8218 PS(160 kW)1994–1996★★★☆☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,500–£4,500[BMW-QUOTE]

M62B35M62Petrol V8235 PS(173 kW)1996–1998★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,800–£5,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M62TÜB35M62TUPetrol V8238 PS(175 kW)1998–2001★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,800–£5,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M60B40M60Petrol V8286 PS(210 kW)1994–1996★★★☆☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£3,000–£5,500[BMW-QUOTE]

M62B44M62Petrol V8286 PS(210 kW)1996–1998★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£3,200–£6,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M62TÜB44M62TUPetrol V8286 PS(210 kW)1998–2001★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£3,200–£6,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M73B54M73Petrol V12326 PS(240 kW)1995–1998★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£4,000–£7,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M73TÜB54M73TUPetrol V12326 PS(240 kW)1998–2001★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£4,000–£7,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M51D25M51Diesel143 PS(105 kW)1996–2001★★★☆☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,200–£4,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M57D30M57Diesel193 PS(142 kW)1998–2001★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£2,800–£5,000[BMW-QUOTE]

M67D40M67Diesel V8245 PS(180 kW)1999–2001★★★★☆PROVISIONALpending dedicated Engine Page—(pattern data)£3,500–£6,500[BMW-QUOTE]

Overview

BMW 7 Series E38 — Overview

The third-generation BMW 7 Series (E38) was produced from April 1994 to July 2001, replacing the E32 and later succeeded by the E65. Designed by Boyke Boyer, it was the first 7 Series to offer a diesel engine and the last to offer a manual transmission. Three wheelbase lengths were available — short (i), long (iL) and the exclusive Limousine (L7).

The E38 was the first car available with curtain airbags and the first European car to offer satellite navigation. The engine range included straight-six petrols, V8s, a V12 flagship, and turbo-diesel six-cylinder and V8 engines.

Key Facts

PlatformBMW E38
PredecessorBMW 7 Series E32
SuccessorBMW 7 Series E65
Sibling Body Styles in this GenerationN/A — E38 is the sole body code (i, iL and L7 wheelbases)

Market Intelligence

The E38 7 Series generates steady UK specialist enquiries, concentrated on the 728i, 740i and 750i as these classic luxury saloons enter collector-car territory.

04Best & Worst Engines

Best & Worst Engines

Thin-Data Summary

Thin-Data Fallback mode — one paragraph: The E38 7 Series offers a wide range of engines, but the M52B28 (728i) is the most economical and reliable six-cylinder choice — 193 PS, smooth and well-supported, though the M52's plastic water pump impeller and VANOS system require attention. For V8 buyers, the M62TÜB44 (post-1998 740i) is the pick — 286 PS with VANOS, improved over the earlier M60 which suffered Nikasil bore wear issues on high-sulphur fuel. The M73B54 V12 (750i) delivers 326 PS of effortless power and is considered one of the most reliable engines in the range, though it's expensive to maintain and thirsty. The M67D40 (740d) is BMW's first V8 diesel — 245 PS and rare, but complex. The M51D25 (725tds) is the entry-level diesel with 143 PS, but is underpowered for the E38's weight. For most buyers, the 728i (M52) or post-1998 740i (M62TU) represent the best balance of reliability, performance and running costs.

Thin-Data Summary

BMW 7 Series E38
Ownership Economics

Engine

Typical Mileage

Common Major Failure

Repair Cost (Specialist)

Replacement Cost (Recon)

Ownership Verdict

M52B28/TU (2.8 728i)100k–150k+Cooling system, VANOS, oil leaks£400–£900£2,000–£3,500

Solid Choice -most economical E38

M60B30/B40 (3.0/4.0 V8)80k–120kNikasil bore wear, cooling system£600–£1,500£2,500–£5,500

Watch Closely -Nikasil risk on early cars

M62B35/B44 (3.5/4.4 V8)80k–150kTiming chain guides, cooling system£800–£2,000£2,800–£6,000

Best V8 -post-1996 M62 improved

M62TÜB35/B44 (TU V8)80k–150kTiming chain guides, VANOS£800–£2,000£2,800–£6,000

Best V8 -TU version with VANOS

M73B54/TU (5.4 V12)80k–150k+Oil leaks, cooling system, DME issues£1,000–£2,500£4,000–£7,000

Flagship -smooth but expensive

M51D25 (2.5 diesel)100k–150k+Injectors, turbo, glow plugs£500–£1,200£2,200–£4,000

Underpowered -reliable but slow

M57D30 (2.9 diesel)100k–150k+Injectors, EGR, DPF£500–£1,200£2,800–£5,000

Solid Choice -improved diesel

M67D40 (3.9 V8 diesel)80k–120kInjectors, turbo, cooling system£800–£1,800£3,500–£6,500

Rare Choice -BMW's first V8 diesel

Engine

Typical Mileage

Common Major Failure

Repair Cost (Specialist)

Replacement Cost (Recon)

Ownership Verdict

M52B28/TU (2.8 728i)100k–150k+Cooling system, VANOS, oil leaks£400–£900£2,000–£3,500

Solid Choice -most economical E38

M60B30/B40 (3.0/4.0 V8)80k–120kNikasil bore wear, cooling system£600–£1,500£2,500–£5,500

Watch Closely -Nikasil risk on early cars

M62B35/B44 (3.5/4.4 V8)80k–150kTiming chain guides, cooling system£800–£2,000£2,800–£6,000

Best V8 -post-1996 M62 improved

M62TÜB35/B44 (TU V8)80k–150kTiming chain guides, VANOS£800–£2,000£2,800–£6,000

Best V8 -TU version with VANOS

M73B54/TU (5.4 V12)80k–150k+Oil leaks, cooling system, DME issues£1,000–£2,500£4,000–£7,000

Flagship -smooth but expensive

M51D25 (2.5 diesel)100k–150k+Injectors, turbo, glow plugs£500–£1,200£2,200–£4,000

Underpowered -reliable but slow

M57D30 (2.9 diesel)100k–150k+Injectors, EGR, DPF£500–£1,200£2,800–£5,000

Solid Choice -improved diesel

M67D40 (3.9 V8 diesel)80k–120kInjectors, turbo, cooling system£800–£1,800£3,500–£6,500

Rare Choice -BMW's first V8 diesel

The E38 rule

A £2,000–£3,500 M52 recon against a £1,500–£5,000 E38 sits at 40–233% of the car's value. On a sub-£2,500 high-mileage example, that brushes our 70% BMW threshold -we'll honestly tell you to walk away. Against a well-kept £4,000+ example, the same recon drops to 50–88% -assess carefully. For V12s and rare V8 diesels, the calculus is different: these are future classics where maintenance costs are part of the ownership experience. Value the car first.

Common Problems

M62

Timing Chain Guide Wear

Affected models:

735i, 740i (M62/M62TU V8, 1996–2001).

Typical failure mileage:

80,000–120,000 miles.

Root cause:

The M62 V8's timing chain guides are made of plastic and can become brittle with age and heat cycling. Failure allows the chain to slap against the guides, sending plastic particles into the oil system. Symptoms include excessive vibration or "slap" from the timing chain. This is a well-documented and common failure point on the otherwise bulletproof M62.

Tiered Cost Table

Preventative (Repair)

Dealer

Specialist

£2,000–£3,500

£800–£2,000

Catastrophic (Replacement)

Dealer

Specialist

£4,500–£7,500

£3,200–£6,000

Our Recommendation

On any M62-powered E38 approaching 80,000 miles, have the timing chain guides inspected -an £800–£2,000 preventative repair is cheaper than the £3,200+ replacement that follows a failure. Listen for chain slap on cold start and check the oil for plastic particles.

Compare M62 engine prices for your E38

M60/M52

Nikasil Bore Wear

Affected models:

730i, 740i (M60 V8), 728i (M52 six-cylinder), 1994–1996.

Typical failure mileage:

60,000–100,000 miles.

Root cause:

Early M60 V8s and M52 six-cylinders used Nikasil cylinder linings which could be damaged by high-sulphur fuel. The hard Nikasil layer would wear, leading to loss of compression, rough running and eventually engine failure. This issue is largely historical as fuel sulphur levels have been reduced, but affected engines may still be on the road.

Tiered Cost Table

Preventative (Repair)

Dealer

Specialist

£1,000–£2,000

£600–£1,500

Catastrophic (Replacement)

Dealer

Specialist

£4,000–£6,500

£2,500–£5,500

Our Recommendation

If you're buying a pre-1996 E38 V8 or early M52 six-cylinder, have a compression test and leak-down test performed before purchase. A £600–£1,500 test is cheaper than the £2,500+ replacement that follows a Nikasil failure. Walk away from any engine with poor compression on multiple cylinders.

Compare M60 engine prices for your E38

M73

V12 Oil & Coolant Leaks

Affected models:

750i, 750iL (M73 V12, 1995–2001).

Typical failure mileage:

80,000–150,000 miles.

Root cause:

The M73 V12 is a smooth and reliable engine, but oil leaks from valve cover gaskets and crankcase seals are common with age. Cooling system components -water pump, thermostat housing, expansion tank -also require attention. The twin DME (engine control unit) systems can also develop faults.

Tiered Cost Table

Preventative (Repair)

Dealer

Specialist

£1,200–£2,500

£800–£1,800

Catastrophic (Replacement)

Dealer

Specialist

£5,000–£8,500

£4,000–£7,000

Our Recommendation

The M73 is a future classic but demands attention. Budget for cooling system preventative maintenance at 80,000 miles and address oil leaks promptly -an £800–£1,800 repair is cheaper than the £4,000+ replacement that follows a failure. Have a full DME scan done before purchase.

Compare M73 engine prices for your E38

M51/M57

Diesel Injector & Turbo Issues

Affected models:

725tds (M51), 730d (M57), 1996–2001.

Typical failure mileage:

100,000–150,000 miles.

Root cause:

The M51 diesel is a robust but underpowered unit -injector wear and turbocharger issues are common at high mileage. The M57 is an improvement with common-rail injection, but EGR and injector problems can still occur.

Tiered Cost Table

Preventative (Repair)

Dealer

Specialist

£800–£1,500

£500–£1,200

Catastrophic (Replacement)

Dealer

Specialist

£3,500–£5,500

£2,800–£5,000

Our Recommendation

If you're considering an E38 diesel, have a full inspection by a diesel specialist before purchase. The 730d (M57) is the better choice -more power and improved reliability over the 725tds.

Compare M57 engine prices for your E38

E38
Engine Replacement Costs -By Engine and Condition

Variant

Engine Code

Used (Supply)

Reconditioned (Supply)

Rebuilt (Supply)

Labour Hours

728i/728iLM52B28/M52TÜB28£800–£1,800£2,000–£3,500£3,000–£5,00010–14 hrs

730i/730iLM60B30£1,200–£2,500£2,500–£4,500£3,500–£6,00012–16 hrs

735i/735iLM62B35/M62TÜB35£1,500–£3,000£2,800–£5,000£4,000–£6,50012–16 hrs

740i/740iL (pre-1996)M60B40£1,500–£3,200£3,000–£5,500£4,500–£7,00012–16 hrs

740i/740iL (post-1996)M62B44/M62TÜB44£1,800–£3,500£3,200–£6,000£5,000–£8,00012–16 hrs

750i/750iLM73B54/M73TÜB54£2,500–£4,500£4,000–£7,000£6,000–£9,50014–18 hrs

725tdsM51D25£800–£1,800£2,200–£4,000£3,200–£5,50010–14 hrs

730dM57D30£1,200–£2,500£2,800–£5,000£4,000–£6,50010–14 hrs

740dM67D40£2,000–£3,500£3,500–£6,500£5,000–£8,50014–18 hrs

No Generation variance from the Engine Page baseline -no dedicated Engine Pages exist for these families yet, so baseline figures are drawn from the EM_Proprietary_Data Table A. Labour hours estimated at 10–14 hours for six-cylinder engines, 12–16 hours for V8s, and 14–18 hours for the V12 and V8 diesel due to additional complexity.

Diesel & Petrol Lineup

Diesel Variants

Petrol Variants

Scope note: All variants listed are E38 7 Series only. The 730i was produced 1994–1996 and replaced by the 735i. The 740i received a 4.4-litre M62 in 1996, replacing the 4.0-litre M60. The 750i V12 was produced throughout. The 740d (M67 V8 diesel) was introduced in 1999 and is the rarest E38 variant. Long-wheelbase (iL) and Limousine (L7) variants share the same engine range.

Market Intelligence

Most Requested Engines (2025)

Most Requested Variants

Average Replacement Cost

Most Common Failures

Most Requested Engines (2025)

Most Requested Variants

Average Replacement Cost

Most Common Failures

Most Requested Engines (2025)

Most Requested Variants

Average Replacement Cost

Most Common Failures

Diesel & Petrol Lineup

Diesel Variants

Petrol Variants

Market Intelligence

Most Requested Engines (2025)

Most Requested Variants

Average Replacement Cost

Most Common Failures

Most Requested Engines (2025)

Most Requested Variants

Average Replacement Cost

Most Common Failures

Most Requested Engines (2025)

Most Requested Variants

Average Replacement Cost

Most Common Failures

FAQ

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BMW 7 Series E38 Engines — The Complete UK Guide

BMW 7 Series E38 Engine Codes — The Complete Database

BMW 7 Series E38 — Overview

Best & Worst Engines

BMW 7 Series E38 Ownership Economics

Common Problems

E38Engine Replacement Costs -By Engine and Condition

Diesel & Petrol Lineup

Market Intelligence

Diesel & Petrol Lineup

Market Intelligence

FAQ

Why UK BMW 7 Series E38 OwnersTrust BMWEngines.uk

BMW 7 Series E38
Ownership Economics

E38
Engine Replacement Costs -By Engine and Condition

Why UK BMW 7 Series E38 Owners
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