N63TU engine - Serial Numbers

dick101 · 12-01-2015, 02:16 PM

Dear Forum
Does anyone know the approximate serial number of the first N63TU engine fitted to a 6 series car?
And is there an easy way to distinguish a N63TU engine from the earlier N63 by just looking under the hood (without using telescoping dental mirrors and lights to see the plate on the side of the crankcase)?
Officially, BMW began selling 6 series cars fitted with the new N63TU engine in July 2012 in Europe and in the USA. But of course there was a big overlap with cars with the earlier N63 engine unsold at dealers. I recently looked at car, first sold in October 2013 (in the UK) and low mileage, that turned out to be fitted with the older engine. So it is important to check carefully if you are buying a car from 2012 or 2013.

r33_RGSport · 12-02-2015, 12:06 AM

@dick101 it is very easy.
The N63tu have 2 ECU, each located right behind the headlamp.
While the N63 only have single ECU that is located behind the US pasenger side headlamp inside a black plastic box.
As you see in attached picture, both side have the silver aluminum ECU box. Second picture is the close up.

dick101 · 12-02-2015, 01:42 AM

Dear r33,
That's a great answer - really useful. Thanks a lot for the clear photos. I will print them off for my next dealer visit.
In proportion there are far fewer 650 engined cars in the UK than in the USA. The 640d is the big seller here. My local BMW dealer who is generally helpful, seemed unaware that there had been a big upgrade to the 4.4L engine.

12-01-2015, 02:16 PM	#1
dick101 Registered 1 Rep 3 Posts Drives: Porsche 996 Targa S Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: London UK iTrader: (0)	N63TU engine - Serial Numbers - Identification? Dear Forum Does anyone know the approximate serial number of the first N63TU engine fitted to a 6 series car? And is there an easy way to distinguish a N63TU engine from the earlier N63 by just looking under the hood (without using telescoping dental mirrors and lights to see the plate on the side of the crankcase)? Officially, BMW began selling 6 series cars fitted with the new N63TU engine in July 2012 in Europe and in the USA. But of course there was a big overlap with cars with the earlier N63 engine unsold at dealers. I recently looked at car, first sold in October 2013 (in the UK) and low mileage, that turned out to be fitted with the older engine. So it is important to check carefully if you are buying a car from 2012 or 2013.
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12-02-2015, 12:06 AM	#2
r33_RGSport General 12953 Rep 18,703 Posts Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (6)	@dick101 it is very easy. The N63tu have 2 ECU, each located right behind the headlamp. While the N63 only have single ECU that is located behind the US pasenger side headlamp inside a black plastic box. As you see in attached picture, both side have the silver aluminum ECU box. Second picture is the close up. Attached Images __________________ Email:sales@rgsport.com \| IG:RGSport_USA \| Web:RGSportShop.com PM for Everyday DEALS!! MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
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12-02-2015, 01:42 AM	#3
dick101 Registered 1 Rep 3 Posts Drives: Porsche 996 Targa S Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: London UK iTrader: (0)	Dear r33, That's a great answer - really useful. Thanks a lot for the clear photos. I will print them off for my next dealer visit. In proportion there are far fewer 650 engined cars in the UK than in the USA. The 640d is the big seller here. My local BMW dealer who is generally helpful, seemed unaware that there had been a big upgrade to the 4.4L engine.
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