Home › Models › E71 › Buyer's guide
BMW E71 X6 and X6 M buyer's guide
2008–2014 · xDrive35i, xDrive35i / sDrive35i, xDrive50i, ActiveHybrid X6, X6 M (N54, N55, N63 V8, N63, S63 V8)
Last updated
Engines by year Model-year changes Known problems Other issues Warranty extensions Recalls Inspection checklist Red flags Specs Paint codes Coding Ownership costs Production Sources
Models and engines by year
| Model | US model years | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| xDrive35i | 2008–2010 | N54 |
| xDrive35i / sDrive35i | 2011–2014 | N55 |
| xDrive50i | 2008–2014 | N63 V8 |
| ActiveHybrid X6 | 2010–2011 | N63 hybrid |
| X6 M | 2010–2014 | S63 V8 |
US-market models. Chassis codes: E71, E72. Not sure which one you have? The VIN check decodes year, model and engine.
Model-year changes
| Model year | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2008 | X6 on sale April 2008 (built in Spartanburg): xDrive35i (N54) and xDrive50i (N63 V8), four seats.15 |
| 2010 | X6 M (S63, 547 hp) on sale September 2009. ActiveHybrid X6 (two-mode hybrid, N63) introduced late 2009.15 |
| 2011 | xDrive35i switches to the N55.15 |
| 2012 | Five-seat version available.15 |
| 2014 | Final year; replaced by the F16.15 |
US model years unless noted. "LCI" (Life Cycle Impulse) is BMW's name for a mid-cycle facelift.
Known problems and when they show up
Mileages are what the cited shops, specialists and owner forums report. They are typical ranges, not predictions for any one car.
N54 engine
xDrive35i (2008–2010) · N54 bulletins
| Problem | When it shows up | What to know | Repair prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric water pump and thermostat | about 60,000–100,000 miles; failures before 50,000 are reported | The electric pump usually fails without warning and the engine overheats quickly. Specialists suggest replacing the thermostat with it.1,2,3 | No price yet |
| High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) | any mileage; most common on early cars | Long cranks, stumbling and stalling. BMW extended HPFP coverage to 10 years/120,000 miles on 2007–2010 N54 cars, and later pumps are more reliable. That extension has expired on almost all cars by age.1,2 | N54 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement |
| Piezo fuel injectors | any mileage | Misfires and rough running. BMW revised the injector many times; owners treat index 11 and 12 as the reliable versions. BMW extended injector coverage to 10 years/120,000 miles on some cars.2,1,4 | No price yet |
| Turbo wastegate rattle | from about 40,000 miles, often by 80,000 | A metallic rattle off-throttle or on cold start. Rattle alone is mostly noise, but a failed wastegate means new turbos.2,1 | No price yet |
| Valve cover and oil filter housing gasket leaks | about 60,000–100,000 miles | Oil from a leaking oil filter housing can soak the drive belt. A belt that shreds can be pulled into the front main seal.2 | No price yet |
| VANOS solenoids | around 100,000 miles | Rough idle and cam timing faults.2 | VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) |
N55 engine
xDrive35i / sDrive35i (2011–2014) · N55 bulletins
| Problem | When it shows up | What to know | Repair prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valve cover and gasket leak | about 60,000–100,000 miles | Burning-oil smell and oil on the spark plug wells. The plastic cover can also crack, so it is often replaced together with the gasket.5,6,7 | N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV) Owners paid: indie shop $930–$1,625 · dealer $1,450–$2,076 |
| Oil filter housing gasket leak | about 50,000–130,000 miles | Oil drips onto the belt and tensioner. Fix it before the belt is damaged.5,6,7,8 | N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) Owners paid: indie shop $648–$763 |
| Electric water pump and thermostat | usually before 100,000 miles; reported failures range from about 30,000 to over 120,000 | Fails suddenly, often with no warning, then overheats.5,6,7 | N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat |
| Plastic charge pipe | can crack at any age, even at stock boost; about 40,000–90,000 miles (60,000–150,000 km) per EngineScope | Sudden loss of boost and a whoosh under load.5,7 | N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement |
| Oil pan gasket | usually past 100,000 miles | Expensive labor because the subframe must be lowered.5 | N55 oil pan gasket Owners paid: indie shop $1,588–$1,900 |
| VANOS solenoids | around 120,000 miles | Rough idle and cam timing faults.5 | VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) |
N63 engine
xDrive50i (2008–2014), ActiveHybrid X6 (2010–2011) · N63 bulletins
| Problem | When it shows up | What to know | Repair prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil consumption and valve stem seals | usually a higher-mileage problem; mostly the original N63 | Blue smoke on start-up or overrun, high oil use, oil-fouled plugs. BMW published a dedicated procedure and tool for N63TU/S63TU valve seals (SI B11 01 17).9 | N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke) |
| N63 Customer Care Package items | any mileage; 2009–2014 cars | BMW's Customer Care Package (SIB 11 06 14) checks and replaces, as needed: air mass sensors, piezo injectors, vacuum pump, low-pressure fuel sensor and line, turbo intake seals and crankcase vent hoses. It lists F01/F02/F04/F07 to 6/2012, F10 to 7/2013, F12/F13 to 7/2012, E70 to 6/2013, E71 to 6/2014 and E72. Ask a dealer whether the VIN has had it.10 | No price yet |
| Turbo coolant lines, valve cover gaskets and timing chain | commonly 70,000+ miles | The heat of the "hot vee" layout ages rubber and plastic parts. The N63TU (from mid-2012 to 2013, by model) revised the timing chain, VANOS, crankcase ventilation and cooling.11,10 | N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V) Owners paid: dealer $2,000–$3,202 |
S63 engine
X6 M (2010–2014) · S63 bulletins
| Problem | When it shows up | What to know | Repair prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil consumption and valve stem seals | mileage varies | Signs are smoke on start-up or hard acceleration and deceleration, plus oil-fouled plugs. BMW's bulletin requires a full oil-consumption test before replacing valve seals when high oil use is the only complaint.12 | No price yet |
| Spark plugs and ignition coils (wear items) | stock: plugs about 40,000–50,000 miles, coils about 50,000–70,000; much sooner when tuned | Misfires on a turbo V8 are often plugs or coils. Ask when they were last done.13 | No price yet |
| Version matters | — | BMWTuning says the updated S63TU (F10 M5 onward) has better reliability than the original S63 (E70 X5 M / E71 X6 M).13 | No price yet |
| Rod bearings, coils and injectors | not tied to a mileage in our sources | Rod bearing wear is discussed on early S63s; misfires from coils and injectors and turbo coolant leaks also show up.14 | No price yet |
Known E71 issues beyond the engine
Front driveshaft recall (MY2011). Recall 16V-311 replaces the front driveshaft on certain 2011 X5 and X6 models built April–November 2010, because the universal joints may fail. Noise or vibration from the front driveshaft area is the warning sign. Check the VIN.16
High-mileage oil and injector leaks, turbos. Auto Express: any high-mileage X6 can suffer from oil and injector leaks and need turbochargers.17
Suspension, brakes, tires and electrics. Big bills can loom for tired suspension, brakes and tires. Check that every electrical item works; Auto Express says they often don't.17
Engine bay partitions and water ingress. Heat can make the engine-bay partitions break up, letting water onto the engine and causing electrical faults. AustralianCar.Reviews says owners report replacing them from about 80,000 km (50,000 miles).18
Warranty extensions and service campaigns 18
Warranty extensions (17)
- SIB 01 20 16 Electrical system service information Electrical system service information on BMW E46/E70/E71/E72 and other models (2006–2014); BMW extended coverage for eligible cars. Warranty extension · May 2026
- SIB 65 02 22 Air bags warranty extension Air bags warranty extension on BMW G05/G06/G07/F16 and other models (2006–2023); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jan 2025
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 01 22 18 Battery class-action settlement Battery class-action settlement on N63 engines (2008–2018); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Jul 2020
- SIB 01 29 18 Power window class-action settlement Power window class-action settlement on N63 engines (2008–2017); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Oct 2019
- SIB 01 02 19 Fuel injectors warranty extension Fuel injectors warranty extension on N63 engines (2008–2010); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Apr 2019
- SIB 01 16 18 Airbag class-action settlement Airbag class-action settlement on BMW E46/E53/E70/E71 and other models (2006–2015); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Jan 2019
- SIB 01 23 18 Oil consumption class-action settlement Oil consumption class-action settlement on N63 engines (2008–2017); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Oct 2018
- NHTSA 10215024 Engine warranty extension Engine warranty extension on BMW E60/E70/E71/E72 and other models (2011–2013); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jun 2017
- SIB 01 02 15 Fuel injectors warranty extension Fuel injectors warranty extension on N54 engines (2010–2012); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jan 2016
- SIB 01 01 15 Fuel injectors warranty extension Fuel injectors warranty extension on N63 engines (2009–2011); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Dec 2015
- SIB 01 03 15 Fuel injectors warranty extension Fuel injectors warranty extension on S63 engines (2010–2012); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Dec 2015
- SIB 01 12 15 Crankcase ventilation warranty extension Crankcase ventilation warranty extension on N63 engines (2009–2011); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Dec 2015
- NHTSA 10058973 Equipment warranty extension Equipment warranty extension on BMW E70/E71 models (2011–2014); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Aug 2015
- NHTSA 10150226 Sunroof warranty extension Sunroof warranty extension on BMW E70/E71/E72 models (2007–2014); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Aug 2013
Showing 15 of 17.
Service campaigns (1)
- SIB 11 06 14 Engine service campaign Engine service campaign on N63 engines (2008–2015); the fix is replacing the affected part. Service campaign · Mar 2025
Filed by BMW with NHTSA. Extensions usually follow the car to later owners and can reimburse earlier repairs; a BMW dealer can confirm by VIN.
NHTSA safety recalls 17
- Recall 20V016: inflator module X5, X6, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, 2007–2012. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Recall 20V017: inflator module 1 SERIES M, 128I, 135I, 325I, 328I, 330I, 335D, 335I, 335IS, M3, X1, X3, X5, X6, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, 2006–2015. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Recall 19V017: inflator module X5, X6, 2007–2014. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- Recall 18V248: engine 550I, 550I GRAN TURISMO, 650I, 750I, 750LI, 760LI, ACTIVE HYBRID 7, ACTIVEHYBRID 7, X5, X5 M, X6, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, X6 M, 2008–2012. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
- Recall 18V030: inflator module X5, X6, 2007–2013. S.
- Recall 17V138: driveshaft X5, X6, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, 2011–2014. BMW of North America, LLC, (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2013 X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M and X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2011-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles, and 2011 x6 ActiveHybrid Vehicles.
- Recall 17V020: inflator module X5, X6, 2007–2012. S.
- Recall 16V746: fuel pump 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, 528I, 535I, 535I ACTIVEHYBRID, 550I, 640I, 650I, X5, X6, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, 2007–2012. 0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDri
- Recall 16V364: inflator module X5, X6, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, 2007–2011. S.
- Recall 16V311: driveshaft X5, X5 DIESEL SAV, X6, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, 2011. The affected vehicles have a front driveshaft universal joint that may not seal out water and debris from getting in and damaging the joint, which could lead to its failure.
- Recall 16V071: inflator module 1 SERIES M, 128I, 135I, 325, 328, 330, 335, M3, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, X5 SAV, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, X6 SAC, 2006–2015. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Recall 14V176: engine 128I, 135I, 328I, 335I, 528I, 535I, 535I GRAN TURISMO, 640I, X3 SAV, X5 SAV, X6 SAV, Z4, 2010–2012. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Showing the 12 newest of 17.
Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. A recall may cover only some cars from a year, and it may already have been done on yours. Check by VIN →
Test drive and inspection checklist
- Run the VIN for open recalls. Open safety recalls are free at any BMW dealer. Check on NHTSA's site or our recall page before you buy.19
- Scan for stored fault codes with a BMW-capable tool. A generic OBD reader misses most BMW modules. Specialist guides recommend a BMW-level scan (ISTA or similar) to catch faults that have been cleared from the dash but still stored.20,21
- Start it from cold. Ask the seller not to warm the car up first. Chain rattle, VANOS rattle, lifter tick and rough idle show most clearly in the first seconds after a cold start.20,22,23
- Ask a BMW dealer about warranty extensions and campaigns. Several BMW warranty extensions follow the car, not the owner, and some reimburse earlier repairs. A dealer can check the VIN. The list for this chassis is below.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a BMW specialist. A few hundred dollars for an independent BMW specialist is the usual advice, especially for M cars and high-mileage turbo engines.24,20
- Engine bay partitions. Check that the plastic partitions are intact.18
- Test every electrical item. Auto Express says electrical items often don't work properly on these cars.17
Engine items to listen and look for are in the known problems section.
Service-history red flags
- Oil changes only at the long computer interval. Several guides advise changing oil more often than the onboard service indicator (CBS) suggests, especially with lots of city driving.23,25
- Gaps in the records around known failure mileages. If the engine section below lists a job that usually comes due at the car's mileage, ask for the invoice. A missing record isn't proof it wasn't done, but it is a negotiating point.
- Tuned or "deleted" cars. Tunes, emissions deletes and removed parts complicate warranty claims and inspections and raise wear on turbo cars. Ask, and look for aftermarket intakes, downpipes and charge pipes.
- N54: ask for records of Electric water pump and thermostat; High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP); Piezo fuel injectors; Turbo wastegate rattle; Valve cover and oil filter housing gasket leaks; VANOS solenoids.
- N55: ask for records of Valve cover and gasket leak; Oil filter housing gasket leak; Electric water pump and thermostat; Plastic charge pipe; Oil pan gasket; VANOS solenoids.
- N63: ask for records of Oil consumption and valve stem seals; N63 Customer Care Package items; Turbo coolant lines, valve cover gaskets and timing chain.
- S63: ask for records of Oil consumption and valve stem seals; Spark plugs and ignition coils (wear items); Version matters; Rod bearings, coils and injectors.
E71 specs
BMW's US figures we have on file run from 300 hp (xDrive35i) to 400 hp (xDrive50i), with 0-60 mph as quick as 5.2 s.
No manual gearbox appears in the EPA listings for this chassis. Full E71 specs: every US engine, transmission and drive by year →
Factory paint and option codes
Paint colors BMW of North America listed for the E71 in the ordering and pricing guides we read:
| Code | Color | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | Alpine White | 2009–2010 |
| 354 | Titanium Silver Metallic | 2009 |
| 475 | Black Sapphire Metallic | 2009–2010 |
| 668 | Jet Black | 2009 |
| A14 | Mineral Silver Metallic | 2009 |
| A35 | Monaco Blue Metallic | 2009 |
| A52 | Space Gray Metallic | 2009–2010 |
| A76 | Deep Sea Blue Metallic | 2009 |
| A81 | Tasman Green Metallic | 2009 |
| A82 | Vermilion Red Metallic | 2009 |
| 416 | Carbon Black Metallic | 2010 |
| A29 | Silverstone Metallic | 2010 |
| A75 | Melbourne Red Metallic | 2010 |
| B05 | Monte Carlo Blue Metallic | 2010 |
57 option codes are listed for the E71 in the same guides. Search them.
Only model years covered by the guides we could obtain are shown.
Coding
The coding apps' own lists show 115 settings that owners can change on the E71 with a phone and an OBD adapter, in areas such as Doors/windows, Convenient opening/closing, Daytime running light, Welcome Lights, Window cleaning, Headlight cleaning. 109 come from BimmerCode's list and 6 more appear only in Carly's list.
Ownership costs
Routine maintenance: oil service prices by engine size, published BMW Value Service prices (brakes, spark plugs) from 16 US dealers, and the E71 maintenance schedule.
Repairs we price that apply to the E71
| Repair and owner-reported prices |
|---|
| N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) Owners paid: indie shop $648–$763 |
| N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV) Owners paid: indie shop $930–$1,625 · dealer $1,450–$2,076 |
| N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat |
| N55 oil pan gasket Owners paid: indie shop $1,588–$1,900 |
| VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) |
| N55 ignition coils (all six) |
| N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement |
| N54 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement |
| N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke) |
| N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V) Owners paid: dealer $2,000–$3,202 |
| N63 valve cover gaskets (both banks) |
"Owners paid" is the middle 50% of sourced owner prices across chassis with the same engine. Each job page reprices for your ZIP.
By model year
| Year | Models and engines | NHTSA recalls | Warranty extensions | Repairs we price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | xDrive35i N54 xDrive50i N63 V8 | 10 | 11 | 6 Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%) |
| 2009 | xDrive35i N54 xDrive50i N63 V8 | 10 | 13 | 6 Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%) |
| 2010 | xDrive35i N54 xDrive50i N63 V8 ActiveHybrid X6 N63 hybrid X6 M S63 V8 | 12 | 15 | 6 Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%) |
| 2011 | xDrive35i / sDrive35i N55 xDrive50i N63 V8 ActiveHybrid X6 N63 hybrid X6 M S63 V8 | 15 | 16 | 10 Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%) |
| 2012 | xDrive35i / sDrive35i N55 xDrive50i N63 V8 X6 M S63 V8 | 12 | 14 | 10 Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%) |
| 2013 | xDrive35i / sDrive35i N55 xDrive50i N63 V8 X6 M S63 V8 | 6 | 12 | 10 Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%) |
| 2014 | xDrive35i / sDrive35i N55 xDrive50i N63 V8 X6 M S63 V8 | 4 | 10 | 10 Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%) |
Recalls and warranty extensions are counted when their published model-year range includes that year. Each one may cover only some cars, so check by VIN. Repairs counted are the ones whose engine was offered that year.
Production
| What | Units | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First-generation X6 sold | almost 260,000 | BMW Group PressClub |
| X6 M, total built 6,270 European LHD, 916 RHD and 3,492 North American cars | 10,678 | BMW M Registry |
| X6 M, North American spec | 3,492 | BMW M Registry |
Figures are copied as each source publishes them (retrieved October 18, 2026). "Sold" figures are BMW's reported sales, not production counts. Where we add numbers up, they come from one source. We leave out anything that hasn't been published.
Sources
- FCP Euro: definitive guide to the N54
- BMWTuning: N54 FAQ
- BMWTuning: 8 most common N54 problems
- BMW: N54 fuel injector warranty extension to 10 yr/120k mi, via NHTSA
- BMWTuning: N55 FAQ
- BMWTuning: 5 most common N55 problems
- EngineScope: N55 reliability
- r/F30: how long has your N55 lasted?
- BMW SI B11 01 17: N63TU/S63TU valve seal replacement, via NHTSA
- BMW SIB 11 06 14: N63 Customer Care Package, via NHTSA
- BMWTuning: N63 vs N63TU vs TU2 vs TU3
- BMW SIB: N63 and S63 engine valve seal replacement (2018), via NHTSA
- BMWTuning: S63 FAQ (maintenance, problems)
- BMW Tuning: S63 M5 and M6 engine problems
- Wikipedia: BMW X6 (E71 section)
- BMW recall 16V-311 (B26 02 16): replace front driveshaft, MY2011 X5/X6, via NHTSA
- Auto Express: used BMW X6 (Mk1, 2008–2014) buyer's guide
- AustralianCar.Reviews: recalls and faults, BMW E71 X6
- NHTSA recall lookup by VIN
- The Stable: E92 M3 buyer's guide
- Euro Premium Parts: E60 M5 reliability guide
- carsales: buying a used F30 3 Series (2015–20)
- carsales: buying a used E90 3 Series
- Road & Track: E46 M3 buyer's guide
- Drive-My: E60 5 Series buying guide (six-cylinder petrol)
Retrieved 2026-10-18. Bulletins and recalls come from NHTSA filings; owner prices come from the public posts linked on each job page.