Home / Guides / MINI and BMW engines

Fitment

BMW engines in MINI: N47, B38, B48 and the rest

MINI and BMW engines in the Hamburg workshop

Which MINI engines are BMW families, how the codes relate, and why a BMW listing does not automatically fit a MINI.

  • MINI engine BMW
  • F56 B38 engine
  • MINI Cooper S B48
  • N47 MINI diesel

Also searched as mini cooper engine code, bmw engine in mini, r56 n47.

MINI uses BMW families

MINI and BMW engines workshop photograph 1

Modern MINIs are built from BMW engine families. A petrol Cooper of the F56 era is often a B38 three-cylinder. A Cooper S is often a B48 four-cylinder. Earlier diesels used the N47. The code is still a BMW code, which is why it appears in a BMW engine shop.

Shared family does not mean every bracket matches. BMW Engine lists the donor the photos show. A 1 Series B38 and a MINI B38 can differ in sump, mounts and auxiliaries.

Match the MINI, not the BMW badge

MINI and BMW engines workshop photograph 2

Read the code on the MINI's block or send the VIN. F56, R56 and the newer cars do not share one engine. A Cooper and a Cooper S are different sizes and different turbos.

Diesel MINIs and petrol MINIs are not a swap. Treat them as separate orders.

What to compare in the photos

Look at the turbo, the alternator position, the air-conditioning compressor and the sump. Those are the parts that make a 'same code' engine a long job or an easy one.

Gearboxes on MINIs are a separate listing. The engine price does not include the clutch or the flywheel unless you can see them.

Fitting

A MINI bay is tight. The workshop needs the correct mounts for that year. Transfer sensors from the old engine when the replacements on the new unit are the BMW-shaped ones and the plug is different.

Prime the oil before the first start, as with any replacement. A dry start is not covered.

How to order

Send the MINI VIN and a photo of the old engine's stamp. Ask for a unit whose photos match the mounts you need. If we do not have that dress, we will say so rather than ship a BMW saloon engine and hope.

Warranty is up to 12 months on eligible internal failure after a correct fit. It does not cover brackets that were never going to match.

Warranty

Eligible engines carry a warranty of up to 12 months after a correct installation by a workshop. The warranty covers eligible internal failure. It does not cover a mismatched fitment, a dry start, the wrong oil, or damage caused after the crate is opened.

Shipping

Crane crates from Hamburg is a flat 299,00 €. The engine is packed for freight and delivered to the address on the order. A forklift or an engine crane is required at delivery. The shipment is arranged to the destination the buyer provides.

FAQ

Is a MINI engine a BMW engine?

The modern ones use BMW families, with their own sump and mounts.

Will a 1 Series B38 fit my Cooper?

Only if the code and the dress match. Compare photos and send the VIN.

Is the gearbox included?

No, unless the listing shows it.

Does mini and bmw engines include door-to-door delivery?

Yes. Shipping is a flat 299,00 € to the address on the order, from the workshop in Hamburg.

How long is the warranty?

Up to 12 months on eligible internal failure after a correct installation. The warranty page has the full terms.

Are the photographs of the engine being sold?

Yes. Covers and pictures in these guides are workshop photographs of listed engines, not generated pictures.

Browse enginesFree VIN check

Further reading