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N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke): what owners actually paid
N63 / N63TU (4.4L twin-turbo V8)
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Fair-price range (from sourced prices)
How this is derived: the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) of the USD prices in the table below for that shop type, using full-job totals only. Labor-only, customer-supplied-parts, warranty cost-share, bundled-extra-work and non-USD prices are shown but excluded. A range is only published with at least 3 usable prices. Scope differs between quotes, so read the notes.
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Graded against the dealer estimate range and independent estimate range.
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Estimates, not quotes. Tax, shop fees and diagnosis aren't included, and the price you're quoted can differ. How we estimate
N63 class-action settlement
Owners of 2009–2014 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X5 and X6 models with the N63 engine were part of a 2018 class-action settlement over excess oil consumption and battery drain (Bang v. BMW of North America, D.N.J. case 2:15-cv-06945). It offered reimbursement for some past costs, such as extra oil services and oil purchases, plus service-campaign work at BMW centers. The deadline for reimbursement claims was October 10, 2018, so that part has closed. A BMW center can tell you whether any campaign work is still open on your VIN.
Sources: BMW settlement communication on file with NHTSA (2018); settlement agreement filed with the court. This is a summary, not legal advice.
Symptoms
- Blue smoke from the exhaust after idling, then accelerating
- Oil consumption of a quart every few hundred to ~1,000 miles
- Oily spark plugs / misfires
- Failed smog (visible smoke)
Which cars are affected
2009–2018 550i/550i GT, 650i, 750i/750Li, X5 xDrive50i (E70/F15), X6 xDrive50i (E71/F16). Original N63 most affected.
F10 · 5 Series 2011–2016E70 · X5 2007–2013F15 · X5 2014–2018
Rule out cracked crankcase-vent (PCV) hoses and turbo seals first. Dealers usually drop the engine; some independents use an in-car tool kit, which is why indie quotes are much lower. BMW's N63 customer care / class-action settlement covered many cars; check eligibility before paying.
Published estimate (not a paid price): Munich Motorsport (Atlanta BMW specialist) advertises N63 valve stem seals at $4,900 (regularly $5,900) and says dealers charge upwards of $9,000. source
Published estimate (not a paid price): An Atlanta shop advertised a complete N63 valve stem seal job for $3,500 parts and labor (BimmerFest ad, ~2019). source
Sourced price points (6)
| Price | Shop | Vehicle / scope | Location | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,300 | Independent quote |
2011 X5 50i (E70) Valve stem seals, independent mechanic |
Staten Island, NY | ~2020 | Xbimmers |
| $5,000 | Shop type n/a quote |
2011 X5 50i (E70) Shops called quoted '8k 6k 5k' · not used in range: shop type unclear, range of quotes |
New Jersey | ~2020 | Xbimmers |
| $4,000 | Independent quote |
N63 Commenter: 'an Indy can do it for about $4K' · not used in range: general estimate, not a specific quote |
— | ~2018 | r/BMW |
| $9,000 | Dealer quote |
N63TU Secondhand: '$4-5k at indy shop and around $9k at BMW' (relayed from German forums) · not used in range: secondhand estimate |
— | ~2017 | Bimmerpost F15 |
| $8,000 | Dealer quote |
2010 750i (N63) Valve stem seals at a BMW service center ('about $8k') |
Northern NJ | ~2016 | BimmerFest |
| $8,000 | Dealer quote |
2013 550i xDrive Dealer's estimate for the valve job '$7k to $9k' (covered under settlement) · not used in range: range, not a quote the owner paid |
Illinois | ~2016 | 5post F10 |
Greyed rows are shown for context and excluded from the range. Years are approximate (date of the post).
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Before you pay: check your VIN for recalls
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