BMW S55B30T0 engine

The BMW S55B30T0 motor is one of three models in the S55 series, which replaced the 8-cylinder S65 fitted to the M3E 90, M3E92 and M3E93, as well as the 6-cylinder S54 for the M3U46. Its base was the N55 BMW AG. The development of the engine belongs to specialists from the BMW M GmbH department. The S55 series is characterized by high power and moderate appetite.

Model S55B30T0 is a high-speed six-cylinder in-line unit of the new generation, equipped with a system of turbocharged air, which is able to increase its performance and for this purpose it is not necessary to resort to mechanical tuning. The S55 engine series differs from its outdated predecessor with an improved fuel injection and ignition system, which affected the increase in power. Most of the S55B30T0 engine parts are taken from the N55 model, while the remaining 25% are completely fresh ideas. The new 6-cylinder engine is based on BMW EfficientDynamics and M TwinPower Turbo technology, which increases torque by 36 percent and reduces fuel consumption by 27 percent. M TwinPower Turbo technology includes two turbochargers, a high-precision fuel injection system, third-generation Valvetronic variable valve timing and Double Vanos for continuously variable intake and exhaust phasing.

Unlike the N55 model, the S55B30T0 engine has a modified cylinder head, and the cylinder block itself is made of cast aluminum alloy. The crankshaft is made of steel alloy, which prepared it for high revs and high power. Lightweight camshafts and bearings were used in the production of the motor, and new, improved materials were used to make the intake and exhaust valves. An aluminum alloy was used to make the piston. The cooling system in the S55 series motors consists of a main radiator and an auxiliary radiator.

BMW M GmbH specialists have made several modifications and technical reworkings of the motor, thanks to which it can be used on sports racing cars.

Engine specifications S55B30T0

Advantages

The introduction of electronic equipment in the production of BMW S55B30T0 motors has led to improved performance of this model, lower fuel consumption and increased torque. The advantages of the BMW S55 series engines include such as:

• uniform airflow, regardless of how many revolutions are made per minute. All this is made possible by the M TwinPower Turbo system;
• uniform fuel injection into each engine cylinder, which helps to stabilize rpm levels and increase performance. This process is enabled by BMW EfficientDynamics technology;
• valve lift control and stabilization of crater gas distribution through the use of VALVETRONIC and Double-VANOS systems;
• availability of lightweight assemblies and camshafts;
• the crankshaft with balanced base is made of forged steel.

Due to the fact that the engine housing is made of aluminum alloy, the total weight of the unit has been reduced, and this has resulted in an even distribution of weight in the car. The factory production motor comes at the center of the inside of the hood. This ensures even cornering and stable driving in skids, drifting and other extreme situations.

Disadvantages

To the minuses of the engine, and they are very much to the delight of car owners and owners of S55B30T0 motors include the following:

• after 300 thousand kilometers of mileage, starting the engine leads to tapping of Double Vanos system elements;
• problems with crater gas vent valves, resulting in increased oil consumption;
• Frequent malfunctions of the intake manifold length change assembly, which breaks the axle.

Attendance of high-quality and reliable maintenance is the key to the engine’s “longevity”. Some car owners ignore this rule, so they turn to the moment when the head has knocked or the valves have broken. It is even better to inspect pistons once every 100 thousand kilometers of mileage.

Technical specifications

The S55B30T0 engine belongs to the gasoline units. It has a displacement of 3.0 liters or 2979 in cubic centimeters with a power output of 410 horsepower. The performance of the S55B30T0 motor produces a maximum torque of 550Nm at 5,200 rpm. Indicators of carbon dioxide emissions when operating the car in different conditions amounted to a figure that ranges from 210-228 l/100km.

The cylinder bore size is 84 mm, and the number of valves per cylinder is 4. The compression ratio is 10.1 and the piston stroke is 84.0 mm.

The motor cylinders work in the following order: 1/5/3/6/2/4. The power per liter of the unit is 144.72 horsepower per 1 liter. The weight of the engine is 205 kg.

The air supply system for the S55 series units has been completely redesigned. New piping, an indirect charge air cooling system, and new purified air supply technology have been used. There is no charge air EGR valve.

The motor control system is linked to the intake system. The air mass that is sucked in is also the cooling air for the machine control system. In motors, fuel injection takes place under high pressure.

Only A98 gasoline is used for the operation of the BMW S55 series. If other fuel is used, vapor gas mixture explosions and unstable piston movement may occur, resulting in unit failure or significantly reduced service life. Refueling the car based on BMW S55 it is important to monitor the concentration of gasoline. The fact is that even insignificant dilutions of fuel at filling stations will lead to negative consequences and violations in the engine operation.

Testing the unit in various conditions allowed to calculate the average fuel consumption on urban roads, which amounted to 12.9 liters and on the highway with an indicator of 11.2 liters. Of course, that the mixed coefficient is approximately 12.0 liters per hundred kilometers of mileage, which is considerably much today.

The average oil consumption of 1 thousand kilometers equals one thousand g. The engine identification number can be found on the front surface of the crankcase. It must never be cut out or altered in the process, if the power unit is suddenly moved to another – similar make of machine.

What kind of oil should I put in the engine?

The S55B30T0 requires a different viscosity oil compared to its predecessors. The most suitable option is oil from Pennzoil brand, which is characterized by viscosity SAE 5W-30. Interestingly, this manufacturer is recommended for almost all BMW engines.

Alternatives can be used – oils that are compatible with the S55 series motor. Oil change is one of the most important preventive measures to prolong the life of the engine and its smooth operation. When using oil of the correct viscosity and under the condition of moderate explication, the oil can be changed at intervals of 15 thousand kilometers.

Modern oil types with new additives and additives increase the resistance of engines to overload. Many drivers whose vehicles are equipped with the S55B30T0 motor mistakenly believe that the unit will benefit from frequent oil changes. High quality raw materials provide a reliable protective cover and lubrication for the unit, so there is no need to change the oil more often, strictly prescribed indicators.

The exception is when the engine is used under aggressive conditions or when the unit is in sport mode for long periods of time. In these cases, oil change intervals should be shortened. In such modes, lubrication will not be as strong as in normal driving, and product depletion will be much more intensive. It is recommended to change oil every 5-7 thousand kilometers during such driving.

If we talk about the factory replacement, manufacturers usually recommend to change the oil fluid to a new one at least once per 7500, and the maximum can be 15 thousand km. Moreover, it should be remembered that all filters should be replaced along with this, so that the car and the engine “breathe” in a new way.

What cars did they put the engine on?

The S55 is the smallest engine among all models made specifically for the M3, unless you consider the first generation of 1991 with two- and three-liter four-cylinder units. Even despite the significant reduction in displacement and the elimination of a pair of cylinders, the S55B30T0 model’s power increased by 10 horsepower over its predecessor, the S65. The improvement in performance is due to the induction process, which has been patented by BMW.

All these features also determine the models of cars on which it is advisable to install the S55B30T0 motor. These include the M3 Sedan F80, the M4 Coupe F82 and the M4 Cabriolet F-Series.

To verify the unit’s power figures, different models were tested under different conditions, after which the power potential was established. This figure amounted to 450 horsepower, but since BMW always underestimate the technical specifications before selling, most sources show the power as 410 hp.

Back in the recent 2015 at the Toykiske presented the powertrain Shaw in the coupe body solution. Thus, its torque is 600 Nm. Thanks to water injection, it is possible to increase the output of the engine and increase its service life, regardless of which car the engine was installed on.

Typical malfunctions

The operating potential of the S55B30T0 engine is equal to 750 thousand kilometers of mileage, provided regular and timely replacement of consumables, equipment diagnostics and troubleshooting. Although this is the maximum resource, thanks to timely repair, life can be extended and prolonged.

One of the most common engine failures in this series is loss of pressure. There is a rupture of gaskets and a breach of integrity in the cylinder block. As a result of the malfunction, the unit overheats and continues to run on high sides. The problem can be eliminated by replacing obsolete parts with new original spare parts. Repairs are performed in specialized service centers for cars equipped with a BMW motor.

Another problem common to the S55 series engine is wear of the connecting rod liners. The newer engine models are designed with lighter weight, which makes them more susceptible to high loads. This leads to the failure of the unit. To prevent failure, it is recommended to change the liners every 80 thousand kilometers of mileage.

Significant reduction of resources threatens the integrity of the motor in case of neglecting maintenance inspections and frequent diagnostics of the unit in the first 40-50 thousand kilometers of mileage. Like any other motor, S55 series models can fail due to spoiled oil or the end of its service life. You can change the raw materials in the showroom or by yourself.

To change the oil, remove the oil filter cover using a special tool. It is important to do this procedure using grease and moisture absorbing equipment to avoid oil getting into the alternator. Next, the drain plug is unscrewed and the oil is drained while still hot. To prepare for draining, a container of 7 liters or more should be placed nearby.

While draining the oil, it is necessary to watch the thickness of the oil stream and when it becomes quite thin, a new plug is installed and then the oil filter itself is changed. During this process, do not forget about the parallel change of oil gaskets, which are lubricated with oil just before installation to avoid squeaking. New oil is then poured in using a funnel. The oil must never be allowed to get on the engine, as this could damage the machine.

The final step is to screw on the filler cap and start the car engine. To check the correctness of the procedure, let the engine run for some time at normal temperature. To change the oil, you will need a drain plug, a wrench, a set of filters, an 8 mm drain plug, an oil filter and, accordingly, BMW SAE 5W-30 oil.

Chip Tuning

Any BMW car is a certain ideal for car enthusiasts of the German car industry. Reprogramming gives the opportunity to improve the parameters of the motor, remove those restrictions that were set by factory specialists. Thanks to the connection to the electronics and brains, it is possible to control special programs and make changes to the ECU block.

Chip tuning can save fuel when driving, especially if a person likes to drive. Chip tuning is a solution to problems related to speed. If you increase the power of the power unit, the changes can not be implemented more than 10 percent of the power that is already implemented in the motor.

The procedure of chip tuning will make it possible to change the parameters that are stored in the engine control unit. Reprogramming makes it possible to refortify the work of the motor, accelerate the fuel supply, which functions at high revolutions. Additionally, the firmware increases the power to the maximum, and this in turn will accelerate the car when driving.

The advantages of chip tuning are that thanks to the re-flashing, the powertrain will not be damaged, broken or deformed in any way. When the computer is connected to the electronic brains of the car, the original program reads everything in the car. Basically, this is done with the controller. Also, there is an immediate correction of all the read information and the already corrected material is recorded on the computer using the program. In the end, this is memorized by the car controller, after which the torque is increased.

Programming and changing anything in the control unit of the vehicle must be done by a specialist, because this may have a negative effect on the driving process. Apart from electronic intervention, mechanical intervention is not required, as this is no longer the task of an electronics technician.

Bottom line

The vehicle equipped with the S55B30T0 motor is suitable for the novice driver, experienced car enthusiast and professional racer. Robust construction, quality parts and high power potential are the main indicators of a reliable, wear-resistant and durable engine. The power unit is characterized by contract type, introduction of twinturbo system, longitudinal location.

With proper handling of the unit, timely diagnostics of the vehicle, prompt elimination of detected breakdowns and implementation of preventive measures within the specified timeframe, you can forget about engine breakdowns and significantly extend its service life. Besides, fulfillment of all norms on repair, diagnostics and preventive maintenance is also safety of the driver and passengers. This should be taken into account directly by the owner of the machine, so maintenance for operation will depend on timely inspections by its specialists at professional machine service stations.

This engine is installed on the following models:

BMW M2 (F87)