Only 1 left! Also, like many other BMW engines, BMW Tuning reports the N52 could suffer water pump failure. AEM Mild Steel Wideband Uego Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor Bung (30-4005) $5.66 $6.29. This is always a touchy subject when it comes to discussions about the N54 and N55. Although BMW makes some extremely desirable vehicles, they haven’t always lived up to the German automaker’s reputation. Although not a common as the straight-six cylinder BMW engines such as the M54, have proven performance and a dedicated following. The 328i is not a slow car by any means. Sometimes the n52 can develop Valve lifter tick from the hydraulic lash adjusters, but that's more of a nuisance than a real problem. reliable BMWs, they’re not fault-proof. And because so many were made, it’s not terribly difficult to find one. Okay, that was seriously funny. So in 1989, when my wife was driving our 1989 E30, I owned an Acura Integra (1st gen). It?s what you want in a car. If you want a great performance car for the money i would get the 335i, but test drive both. And Autotrader reports the sedan still feels solid and well built. The N52 engine block is cast with magnesium and aluminum for the crankcase. The new B-Series platform is designed to work in 3-, 4- and 6-cylinder variants. Care and feeding of the N52 is comparatively simple, too. well statistically the N55> N54 on any mechanical related topic for reliability, period. well statistically the N55> N54 on any mechanical related topic for reliability, period. Therefore, as I was waiting for my car to get ready, I started talking to the mechanic about a variety of things and amongst them was the reliability of new engines compared to old ones b) min and max Lambda values of wide-band probes. The N52 3.0L or the N54 3.0L turbo? R&T also reports the succeeding F30 3-Series actually had lower-quality interior materials and is less satisfying to drive. i know that the n54 has a hpfp issues which were basically fixed in n55. The N52 was the first water-cooled engine to use magnesium/aluminium composite construction in the engine block. The pump itself is electric, not belt-operated, and over time the plastic components can crack. if you want crazy power and don’t mind spending money on it/breaking components get the n54 and have a field day, if you want good power but less problems look n55. six-cylinder (twin-turbocharged pre-2008). The 325i and 328i used BMW’s N52 engine, which Instamotor, Bimmer Life, and r/BMW sub-Reddit users claim is one of the most reliable engines BMW ever made. As such, high-mileage automatics have been known to fail. The N52 was the first water-cooled engine to use magnesium/aluminium composite construction in the engine block. Essentially the exact same part as N54 and N55 engines. BMW V8-Eight Cylinder Engines. Keep telling yourself that. if you want a reliable car buy a lexus, acura or infiniti. Earlier E90 3-Series were able to receive the redesigned part. Plus, the E90 3-Series is rather modern in many ways, Automobile Magazine reports. Considering German automotive set most of the marks for reliability around the world. n55 is a good step in the right direction from n54. Not all BMW 6-potters are the same. After over a year of real-world testing, Ghassan Automotive is officially offering the AEM infinity standalone ecu swap kit for the public; this kit helped our shop 135i break many world records, setting the world's fastest 1/4 mile N54 pass with a 9.34 @ 148 MPH pass, this was achieved with the factory manual transmis Follow more updates from MotorBiscuit on our Facebook page. N54 > N55 We will see where we get with the B58. But in terms of reliability, more One recommended option is the non-turbocharged 2006-2011 BMW E90 3-Series. Traction control was standard, the UK’s RAC reports, as were power-adjusted leather seats. The thermostat can also fail at about the same time as the pump. It was also listed as one of Ward's 10 Best Engines in 2006 and 2007. It came with a 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine, which made 215 hp and 184 lb-ft. Then, in 2008, the E90 lineup was redesigned, and the 325i replaced with the 328i. ... 2020 at 12:26 pm . Options included a heating steering wheel and rear parking sensors. The BMW N55 is a turbocharged straight-six petrol engine that began production in 2009. The F30 also let more noise into the cabin, and even though it had a smaller 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, it was only slightly more fuel-efficient. Finally, there was also the 268-hp 330i, which BimmerLife reports is one of the most powerful naturally six-cylinder BMW ever made. You have to be in higher RPMs. Essentially, this was BMW’s V-TEC equivalent, which modulated the engine’s valves for better fuel efficiency or more power. It is a shame, though, that the N52’s merits have been largely forgotten in the turbocharged wake of the N54. Like the N54, expect to run into a few issues, especially on N55’s nearing or beyond … That's not the case with the N51 and N52. The B58 engine will replace the N55 engine throughout their vehicle lineup. It is the first engine in the new N52 … N52 2005 – 2.5-3.0 L. N54 2006 – 3.0 L. N53 2007 – 2.5-3.0 L. N55 2009 – 3.0 L . BMW Blog also notes that because many were told their automatic transmission fluid was a ‘lifetime’ fluid, said fluid was never changed. The 335i, in contrast, used the N54 engine, which BMW Tuning reports was notably less reliable. If you want an E9x with a solid balance of power, performance, and reliability then the N55 is a solid bet. if you want a reliable car buy a lexus, acura or infiniti. This weekend, my car needed some maintenance, to get ready for the winter that is rapidly approaching. Although not a common as the straight-six cylinder BMW engines such as the M54, have proven performance and a dedicated following. The N55 replaced the BMW N54 engine and was introduced in the F07 5 Series Gran Turismo.. Neither the n52 or n54 will be as reliable as a lexus or honda. Bmw n52 engine problems. Pre-2009 MY E90s were also known to suffer from another valve-related fault. N54 > N55 We will see where we get with the B58. The N52 replaced the BMW M54 and debuted on the E90 3 Series and E63 6 Series.. However, for 2009, BMW installed a redesigned engine head that eliminated the issue. Although the BMW E90 325i and 328i are some of the most Unfortunately, the solenoids which do the modulation can fail after about 70,000 miles, BMW Tuning reports. Relative non issues so far and i am close to 90k miles. The benefit to enthusiasts like us is that N52 cars — even range-toppers like the E90 330i — are relative bargains. When it comes to N52 bolt-on mods, many will simply say, “buy a turbo BMW”. The B58 engine will replace the N55 engine throughout their vehicle lineup. The electric water pump goes out fairly often i've heard. The electric water pump goes out fairly often i've heard. © Copyright 2021 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. BMW’s N54 was the first mass production turbocharged gasoline engine produced by BMW in decades. Traction and stability control are standard, and satellite navigation was available. The N52 replaced the BMW M54 and debuted on the E90 3 Series and E63 6 Series.. Injectors are a new design, the hpfp is the same but is at least a later revision part number, the oil pickup was redesigned to reduce starvation issues and frothing, blowby ports were added to the head to prevent carbon accumulation on the valves, and coolant passages were revised to have greater control over cylinder head temperature … It is worth noting, though, that VANOS issues are not specific to just the N52. Most cars will have had injectors and hpfp replaced by now, but the N53 being direct injection can also get clogged up intakes. They still work fine they can just get ticky after a while. The specific things on the engine are the high pressure fuel pump - tends to go at 60k miles or earlier. BMW never sold the N53 engine in North American, Australian and Malaysian vehicles, due to the high sulphur content of the fuel available in these markets.These regions continued to use the N52 port-injected naturally-aspirated and N54 direct-injection twin-turbo inline-6 … For extra luxury, The Smoking Tire’s Matt Farah (video, with spicy language, below) recommends the 1994-2001 BMW E38 7-Series. Though, if you’re OK with going older, there are other used BMWs worthy of consideration. most powerful, they’re actually the most reliable. If you want a great performance car for the money i would get the 335i, but test drive both. Though if it fails, it does so in such a way that it prevents overheating. Although the M3 is known for high maintenance costs, even the non-M versions handle extremely well, Autotrader reports. Overall since you asked with reliability in mind, i suggest n52 (128i). Specifically, the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket can develop leaks. Sometimes the n52 can develop Valve lifter tick from the hydraulic lash adjusters, but that's more of a nuisance than a real problem. I never heard anyone say there buying a german car for great reliability.