2012 Used BMW Engines For Sale

120
verified 2012 BMW engines
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2012 Used BMW Engines For Sale

120 verified 2012 BMW engines in stock — the model year BMW ran two 3 Series generations side by side, so a 328i can be a 3.0L naturally aspirated six or a 2.0L turbo four. Text your VIN and we confirm the engine code in writing before you pay.

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Warranty On Every Unit
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Photos Before Shipment
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ASE-Tested & Verified
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Free Nationwide Shipping
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2012 BMW Engine Families

Which engine sits under which 2012 BMW, and how many of each we hold today.

Engine family Fits (2012) In stock
N55 3.0L TwinPower Turbo Inline-6 335i single-turbo, 535i and 535i GT, 640i, 740i / 740Li, 135i, X3 35iX, X5 35i, X6 35i, ActiveHybrid 5 — split either side of the 2/12 build change 46
N63 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 550i and 550i GT, 650i, 750i / 750Li, X5 50i, X6 xDrive50i, ActiveHybrid 7 petrol side 23
N52N 3.0L Naturally Aspirated Inline-6 128i and 328i rows printed N52N (E82 / E90), plus the X3 28iX 11
N51 3.0L NA SULEV Inline-6 128i and 328i rows printed N51 — emissions-state cars, not interchangeable with N52N 10
N20 / N26 2.0L TwinPower Turbo-4 528i and 528i xDrive, X1 28iX, Z4 sDrive28i, F30 328i — 8 rows printed N20, 2 printed N26 (the SULEV variant, not interchangeable) 10
N54 3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-6 335is, Z4 sDrive35i and sDrive35is, 1 Series M 6
N63 4.4L V8, Alpina tune Alpina B7 and B7L, RWD and xDrive — Alpina ECU, turbos and cooling, not a stock N63 5
S63 4.4L Twin-Turbo M V8 M5, M6, X5 M, X6 M — hot-vee M engine, shares nothing serviceable with the N63 4
N14 / N18 1.6L Turbo-4, John Cooper Works Mini Cooper and Cooper Clubman JCW units catalogued under the BMW vendor 2
N57 3.0L Twin-Turbo Diesel Inline-6 X5 xDrive35d — the one 2012 diesel in stock 1
S65 4.0L Naturally Aspirated M V8 M3 (E90 / E92 / E93) — high-revving 4.0L, unrelated to any 4.4L V8 1
ActiveHybrid 7 electric assist motor ActiveHybrid 7 hybrid motor assembly — an electric unit, not a petrol engine 1
Total 120

Other BMW Model Years

Every model year we hold BMW engines for. Years without a link are in stock but have no year page yet — text us your VIN.

2024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
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2002
200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990

Why Buy a 2012 BMW Engine from Auto Power Source

2012 is the hardest BMW year to order an engine for by badge alone. The F30 3 Series arrived partway through the model year while the E90 was still being built, so a 2012 328i is either an N51 or N52N 3.0L naturally aspirated six or an N20 or N26 2.0L turbo four — four engines behind one badge, with different mounts, wiring, cooling and exhaust. We hold all four, and your VIN tells us which one your car left the factory with.

The second 2012 trap is the February-to-March build change on the N55 cars. BMW revised the 3.0L single-turbo six partway through the year and the catalogue carries that break literally: rows marked "thru 2/12" and "from 3/12" are not the same part. The split runs through the 335i, 535i, 535i GT and 640i listings. We read the build date off your VIN rather than asking you to guess.

At 3.0L forced induction, 2012 holds two unrelated sixes. The N55 is a single twin-scroll turbo; the N54 in the 335is, Z4 sDrive35i and sDrive35is and the 1 Series M is a genuine twin-turbo with its own exhaust manifolds, fuel system and intercooling. Badging will not separate them reliably — the engine code will.

Every unit here is a used OEM engine pulled from a low-mileage donor vehicle, catalogued by engine code and chassis code, compression-tested cylinder by cylinder and leak-down evaluated by ASE-certified technicians before listing. You see multi-angle photographs of the actual engine before it ships, and nothing leaves until you approve them.

Free freight to all fifty states, a 30-day money-back window and warranty coverage on every unit. If the photographs are not what you expected you get every dollar back — no restocking fee, no return freight.

📱 Fastest way to match: text us your VIN, get options in minutes.Text Your VIN →

Your 2012 BMW Engine Options: Compared

Most 2012 BMW owners face four real choices when the engine fails:

← Swipe sideways to see all columns →
Option Cost Reliability Warranty Fitment Match
Used OEM (this collection) $$$ Best Value High — tested Included VIN-matched
New OEM (dealer) $$$$$ 2-4× more High Manufacturer Exact
Aftermarket / Reman $$$$ Varies 6-12 mo May adapt
Junkyard $ Cheapest Unknown None DIY

Tested used OEM hits the sweet spot — same engineering as new, fraction of the cost.

2012 BMW Engine Buying Guide

5 things to verify before buying a used 2012 BMW engine:

  1. Settle the 328i question first. A 2012 328i is an E90 with a 3.0L naturally aspirated six (N51 or N52N) or an F30 with a 2.0L turbo four (N20 or N26). The two are not alternatives to each other — different block, head, mounts, loom and exhaust. Decide which chassis you have before you compare prices.
  2. Check which side of the 2/12 build change your car is on. The N55 3.0L listings split at the February 2012 build break — "thru 2/12" and "from 3/12" are separate parts. The 535i, 535i GT, 335i and 640i all carry the split. A build date, not a model year, decides it.
  3. Do not treat N51 and N52N as the same engine. N51 is the SULEV emissions-state version of the 3.0L naturally aspirated six, with its own head, catalysts and engine management. Swapping one for the other causes emissions and running faults even though both read "3.0L six" on paper. The same N20-versus-N26 distinction applies at 2.0L.
  4. At 4.4L, separate N63, Alpina and S63. The 550i, 650i, 750i, X5 50i and X6 50i run the N63 twin-turbo V8. The Alpina B7 runs an Alpina-specific tune with its own turbos, cooling and software. The M5, M6, X5 M and X6 M run the S63, a different M engine entirely. The M3's 4.0L S65 is unrelated to all three.
  5. Confirm the match with your own VIN before you order. Your VIN settles the engine code, drivetrain and build split in one step. Text it to +1-307-441-5554 and we will confirm in writing exactly which unit fits your vehicle before you pay.

Our ASE-certified technicians verify every one of these points against your VIN before any unit ships.

📞 Need help choosing the right 2012 BMW engine? Talk to our team live.Call 1-877-313-8995

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there four different engines listed for a 2012 BMW 328i?
Because 2012 spans two generations of the 3 Series. The outgoing E90 328i used the 3.0L naturally aspirated six — N52N, or N51 in emissions states. The incoming F30 328i used the 2.0L TwinPower Turbo four — N20, or N26 in emissions states. All four were sold as 2012 328i cars and we stock all four. Your VIN says which you need.
What does "thru 2/12" or "from 3/12" mean on a listing?
It is a production build break. BMW revised the N55 3.0L single-turbo six in February and March 2012, and the two versions are different parts. Listings carry the date so the halves are not confused. We read the build date from your VIN and pick the correct side.
Is the 335i engine the same as the 335is engine?
No. The 2012 335i uses the N55 — one twin-scroll turbocharger. The 335is uses the N54 — two turbochargers, with a different exhaust manifold, fuel system and charge cooling. They are not interchangeable. Some of our 335is-badged rows carry a "single turbo" supplier label; we verify the code against your VIN before anything ships rather than trusting the label.
What is the difference between the N51 and the N52N?
Both are 3.0L naturally aspirated sixes, but the N51 is the SULEV version for stricter emissions states, with its own head, catalysts and engine management. Fitting one where the other belongs causes emissions and running faults. The listings name the code for this reason.
Can I fit a 550i engine in an M5?
No. The 2012 550i uses the N63 4.4L twin-turbo V8; the M5 uses the S63, a different M 4.4L with its own internals, turbochargers, oiling and electronics. The Alpina B7 is a third variant — three 4.4L V8s in one year, none a substitute.
Why is the M3 a 4.0L when everything else fast is 4.4L?
The 2012 M3 runs the S65, a 4.0L naturally aspirated high-revving V8 unique to the E9x M3. It has no turbochargers and shares no major serviceable parts with the N63 or S63. It is the last model year of that engine.
Why are Mini Cooper engines listed under BMW?
Mini is a BMW brand and our catalogue files those units under the BMW vendor. The two 2012 units here are 1.6L John Cooper Works turbocharged fours. If you are shopping for a Mini rather than a BMW-badged car, text us the VIN and we will confirm it directly.
What do the ActiveHybrid listings include?
The 2012 ActiveHybrid 5 is the petrol side of a hybrid driveline — an N55 3.0L turbo six. The ActiveHybrid 7 listings cover the N63 4.4L petrol side and, separately, the electric assist motor. These are distinct parts, so tell us which half you are replacing and we will confirm it against your VIN.
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100K+
Engines+Transmissions In Stock
0%
fitment-related returns
All 50
states covered, free freight
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brands covered

Our 6-Step Inspection & Shipping Process

Every 2012 BMW engine we ship has been through these six steps:

1. VIN-Matching
We match the donor VIN to your VIN to confirm engine code, chassis code, LCI status, and drivetrain fit.
2. Tested & Verified
ASE-certified technicians compression-test every cylinder and run leak-down evaluation on engines. Transmissions are Shift-Tested through all gears.
3. Noise & Smoke Verification
Units are run to verify normal mechanical sound and clean operation — catches internal wear static tests miss.
4. Visual Inspection
Every accessible component is inspected: turbos, manifolds, VANOS solenoids, oil-feed plumbing, accessories, sensor harnesses.
5. Photograph & Catalog
Multi-angle photos sent to you BEFORE we ship for your approval.
6. Palletize & Ship
Strapped on a heavy-duty wooden pallet, shipped via freight at no charge.

Our Photos-Before-Shipment Guarantee

Before any engine leaves our warehouse, we send you multi-angle photographs. You approve. If you do not approve, you get every dollar back — no questions, no restocking fees, no return freight charges. On top of 30-day money-back and the warranty included with every unit. Browse all 120 2012 BMW engines below.

✉ Email Us at info@autopowersource.com
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