When did the N52 engine switch to the N53 in the E90?

[sparks_E39]

Potentially buying a 330i M Sport, would prefer the N52 due to too many N53 horror stories. Thanks!

[MattOz]

My 55 plate 330i was an N52. I think it was from late 2007 onwards that they went N53.

[Ultuous]

Mine (E92 325i) is a Sept 2007 Build with the N52 - pretty sure from memory that's right on the cut-off point!

[Fox-]

Ultuous said:

Mine (E92 325i) is a Sept 2007 Build with the N52 - pretty sure from memory that's right on the cut-off point!

It is - September 2007 production is the changeover point.

Easy to spot as the N53's have lower quoted CO2 emissions.

[cerb4.5lee]

I think the engine cover is a different colour on the N53, it's silver on the N52.

[PaulGT3]

cerb4.5lee said:

I think the engine cover is a different colour on the N53, it's silver on the N52.

I think the later N52's had the black valve cover too.

[cerb4.5lee]

PaulGT3 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I think the engine cover is a different colour on the N53, it's silver on the N52.

I think the later N52's had the black valve cover too.

I wasn't entirely sure to be fair but noticed most of the N53's were black.

[Allanv]

My May 2008 330i is an N53

[sparks_E39]

Thank you, looking at a 2007 56' example hopefully!

[Fox-]

sparks_E39 said:

Thank you, looking at a 2007 56' example hopefully!

There are no 56 plate M Sport's - M Sport was not introduced until 07 - I suppose it's possible that it's a pre-sale press car or something but it's more likely that it just isn't an M Sport.

[cerb4.5lee]

Fox- said:

sparks_E39 said:

Thank you, looking at a 2007 56' example hopefully!

There are no 56 plate M Sport's - M Sport was not introduced until 07 - I suppose it's possible that it's a pre-sale press car or something but it's more likely that it just isn't an M Sport.

My March 2006 330i is the M Sport, also used to have a March 2006 330d M Sport.

[sparks_E39]

Fox- said:

There are no 56 plate M Sport's - M Sport was not introduced until 07 - I suppose it's possible that it's a pre-sale press car or something but it's more likely that it just isn't an M Sport.

Possibly just a Sport?

[Fox-]

I'm an idiot and thought you were talking about the E92, even though the thread title clearly says E90.

It's only the E92/93 that didn't get an M Sport until 07 plate.

[Mr Tidy]

sparks_E39 said:

Thank you, looking at a 2007 56' example hopefully!

Good news then!

I am on my 2nd Z4Coupe with the N52 engine and it is just fantastic!

Hope it fits the bill.

[sparks_E39]

Mr Tidy said:

sparks_E39 said:

Thank you, looking at a 2007 56' example hopefully!

Good news then!

I am on my 2nd Z4Coupe with the N52 engine and it is just fantastic!

Hope it fits the bill.

No worries Fox!

Sadly it sold. I like the look of the Touring. I heard clutch judder on the manual gearbox is common? Also I've never seen an E90 with rust.. have any of you guys?

[cerb4.5lee]

sparks_E39 said:

Also I've never seen an E90 with rust.. have any of you guys?

I believe the E90 is pretty well rust proof overall, and my E90 330i is almost 11 years old and rust free up to yet!

They don't suffer in the same way that the E46 did from what I read.

[Mr Tidy]

cerb4.5lee said:

I think the engine cover is a different colour on the N53, it's silver on the N52.

I wouldn't rely on that!

My current Z4Coupe was built in August 2006 and registered on 29/12/06 and has the silver cam-cover, but it's predecessor had the black cam-cover and was built in September 2006 yet registered on 22/12/2006?!

Both have the N52 engine (because thankfully Z4's never got the N53!) Phew!

I'd tend to rely on the emissions quoted on the V5 to differentiate, then avoid the N53!! (Although the N52 has its issues too - as in electric water pump costing £500+ as OEM, plus fitting)!

Makes some sense for a 8/9K Z4, but is almost terminal for a 3/4K E9*!

Probably why my daily is an E46 325ti with the "analogue" M54 engine!

[dcb]

cerb4.5lee said:

I believe the E90 is pretty well rust proof overall, and my E90 330i is almost 11 years old and rust free up to yet!

They don't suffer in the same way that the E46 did from what I read.

My E91 is rusting nicely on the struts to open the back door. Eight years old.
When they fail, I can't see it being an expensive job to get them replaced.

No rust elsewhere that I can see, however.

[PTF]

My 2010 E92 is an N53. No problems so far. Had coils under warranty in 2012. Nothing since.

However, i can see the desire to go for an N52. I've had older BMWs before and their IL6 engines always sounded glorious. I'm afraid the N53 just doesn't have the same character. And it's all "tick tick tick" at idle thanks to the piezo injectors.

I't still a lovely car though and i'm getting 37 mpg pretty consistently.

[bodhi]

sparks_E39 said:

No worries Fox!

Sadly it sold. I like the look of the Touring. I heard clutch judder on the manual gearbox is common? Also I've never seen an E90 with rust.. have any of you guys?

Mine is a 125i, so I assume the same gearbox and clutch - and yes, it does judder from time to time. However it only seems to do it when it is cold and damp, rest of the time it's generally fine.

Been told it's nothing to worry about - it's been doing it for 40K miles now, hasn't got any worse over that time.