BMW 2 Series Camshaft Replacement Parts

Yes, every engine fitted to the BMW 2 Series has at least one camshaft — the 2 Series uses piston engines across all its variants, and camshafts are a fundamental part of any such engine's valve train. Most 2 Series engines use a twin-cam (DOHC) layout, meaning there is a separate intake and exhaust camshaft per cylinder bank, so the number of camshafts you need depends on your specific engine. When searching, be clear whether you need the intake or exhaust camshaft, as they are not interchangeable with each other.

The engine code is the single most important detail — it is more reliable than the year, badge, or body style alone, because BMW fitted several different engines to the 2 Series and the camshaft is machined specifically to each engine's profile and dimensions. You can find the engine code on your V5C or by running a VIN check, and it typically appears as a suffix in the engine designation (for example N20, B48, N55, B58, N47, B47). Always give the engine code to the breaker rather than relying on the displacement or power output alone, as these can be shared across mechanically different units.

These two generations use fundamentally different engine families — the F-series cars used units such as the N20, N47, B47, N55, and B48, while the G-series moved to updated B-series and S-series engines with revised specifications — so a camshaft from the first generation will not simply transfer to the second. Even where engine codes look similar, internal dimensions and timing gear interfaces may differ between generations, so you should not assume compatibility across the 2021 boundary. Confirm directly with the breaker against your exact registration and engine code before purchasing.

Yes, fuel type matters significantly — a diesel engine such as the B47 or N47 operates on different combustion timing and valve lift profiles compared to a petrol unit like the B48 or N55, and the camshafts are engineered accordingly and are not interchangeable between fuel types. Even within petrol or diesel families, individual engine codes have their own camshaft specifications, so matching the engine code precisely is still essential. Always confirm both the fuel type and the full engine code with the breaker.

In the vast majority of cases, trim level does not affect the camshaft, because Sport and M Sport grades on the 2 Series are largely cosmetic and suspension upgrades fitted to the same underlying engines as lower trims. The exception worth checking is the full M2 (F87 / G87), which uses performance-specific engines — the S55 in the early F87 and S58 in later cars — that are entirely different from the engines in M Sport-badged 2 Series models, and the camshafts are not shared. As long as you match the engine code, the trim badge itself should not change what you need.

The first-generation F-series 2 Series received a facelift around 2017–2018 that brought cosmetic and technology updates, but the core engine codes largely carried over, meaning a camshaft from the same engine code should in principle be compatible across that facelift boundary. However, there can be ancillary and mounting changes introduced mid-production that are not always reflected in the engine code alone, so you should confirm against your specific registration with the breaker rather than assuming a direct swap. Giving the breaker both cars' registration numbers or engine codes is the safest approach.