BMW Air Intake Sensor
The BMW Air Intake Sensor Master Reference
BMW layouts are highly standardized. Instead of checking if a car is a coupe, sedan, or SUV, you just need to check the engine model. A 3-Series, an X3, and a 5-Series from the same year group will frequently pull the same sensor off the shelf.
1. The SkyActiv-Era Competitor: Modern B-Series Engines (G-Chassis Core)
This single-sensor architecture is a hot-film mass airflow probe that inserts directly into the intake tube right after the airbox.
|
Model Layout |
Common Years |
Engine Family |
Primary OEM SKU & Technology |
|
3-Series (G20) 4-Series (G22/G26) 2-Series (G42) X3 (G01) / X4 (G02) |
2016 – Present |
B48 (2.0T Inline-4) B58 (3.0T Inline-6) |
13718601677 (Bosch): Fast-response digital MAF blade. Highly sensitive to oil from cheap aftermarket filters. Clean or replace if throwing fuel trim codes. |
|
1-Series (F20/F21) X1 (F48/U11) |
2016 – 2024 |
B38 (1.5T 3-Cyl) B46 / B48 Transverse |
13718601680: Shorter blade casing built specifically for transverse, front-wheel-drive platform airbox geometries. |
2. The Legacy Turbo Fleet: N-Series Engines (F-Chassis Core)
BMW shifted strategies during this mid-2010s era. Many of these vehicles rely heavily on a highly specialised Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor/TMAP sensor combo pushed directly into the plastic charge pipe right before the throttle body, rather than a traditional airbox MAF.
|
Model Layout |
Common Years |
Engine Family |
Primary OEM SKU & Technology |
|
3-Series (F30) 5-Series (F10) X3 (F25) / X5 (F15) |
2012 – 2016 |
N20 / N26 (2.0L TwinPower) N55 (3.0L Twin-Scroll) |
13627599042: Combined T-MAP / Charge Air Temperature Sensor. Sits directly in the pressurized hot zone. Known to crack or fail when plastic factory charge pipes split under high boost pressure. |
|
5-Series (F10 V8) 6-Series (F12) X5 / X6 (35i Legacy) |
2010 – 2015 |
N63 (4.4L V8 Turbo) N55 (Early variants) |
13717582318: Legacy Oval-Plug MAF Housing. Clamps directly onto the unpressurized intake boot. |
3. V8 Twin-Turbo & Pure M-Power Heavyweights
These performance units handle immense amounts of air volume. Because they utilize a twin-scroll turbo setup, they monitor the air induction tracts using symmetrical left and right banks.
|
Model Layout |
Common Years |
Engine Family |
Primary OEM SKU & Technology |
|
X5 (G05) / X6 (G06) 7-Series (G11) 8-Series (G15) |
2018 – Present |
N63 / S63 (4.4L Twin-Turbo V8) |
Dual Multi-Sensor Arrays: Requires changing two mirrored units at the same time. These setups measure intake temperature directly at the water-cooled intercooler manifolds. |
|
M3 (F80/G80) M4 (F82/G82) M8 / M8 Performance |
2015 – Present |
S55 / S58 (High-Output Turbo) S63 (Motorsport V8) |
13628581007: High-precision digital pressure-temperature tracking probes built with heavily insulated connectors to withstand high track temperatures. |
Tip:
- The 3-Series Model Split: When seeking a “3-Series intake sensor,” your first question must always be: “Is it an F30 shape or a G20 shape?” If it’s an F30 (up to 2016), look for the charge pipe T-MAP sensor. If it’s a G20 (2019+), look for the airbox MAF blade.
- Sell in Pairs Flag: When purchasing parts for an X5 V8 or an M8, do not buy the one box. Be reminded that the engine runs a dual-bank system, and changing only one sensor will cause the ECU to throw differential air balance codes.