Hankering for circa 2007 2 door 3 litre...advice sought
Discussion
Not sure whats going on here; said goodbye to my imperious 535D 3 years ago and played safe buying Lexus/Toyota for the last 3 years. Reliability has been 100% and I haven't felt the need to buy any any annual warranty but.....
I'm missing fun. I'm drawn towards a 3 series but realise, after research over the last week, Im faced with potential issues with the N53 - plus alloys that crack.
I suspect alloy issues were down to the runflats (which i also hated) so would swap them out asap but remain concerned how problematic the N53 has proved for anyone in the know out there? Ultimately, if you were offered like for like cars other than one had the N52 and the other N53, what would you go for?
Ty in advance.
I'm missing fun. I'm drawn towards a 3 series but realise, after research over the last week, Im faced with potential issues with the N53 - plus alloys that crack.
I suspect alloy issues were down to the runflats (which i also hated) so would swap them out asap but remain concerned how problematic the N53 has proved for anyone in the know out there? Ultimately, if you were offered like for like cars other than one had the N52 and the other N53, what would you go for?
Ty in advance.
Well I'm on my 2nd Z4 Coupe, coming up to 5 years of them now. And the Z4 Coupe never got fitted with the N53 engine.
Last year I was looking for an E91 (Touring) and bought an 06 plate 325i - so the N52 engine.
But a couple of weeks ago I've replaced that with an E90 (Saloon) - so another N52 engine.
I actively avoided any 3 Series with the N53 after what I've read about them.
The N52 is a great engine - the only potential fly in the ointment is the electronic water pump which just stops working with no warning, and costs around £250 just for the part! But they seem to last 8 years or more, so once you've had one you won't need another for some time - and I've had mechanical pumps die sooner than that in the past.
So far I've had 2 go on me, but I still love the N52 - especially the 3 litre version.
Last year I was looking for an E91 (Touring) and bought an 06 plate 325i - so the N52 engine.
But a couple of weeks ago I've replaced that with an E90 (Saloon) - so another N52 engine.
I actively avoided any 3 Series with the N53 after what I've read about them.
The N52 is a great engine - the only potential fly in the ointment is the electronic water pump which just stops working with no warning, and costs around £250 just for the part! But they seem to last 8 years or more, so once you've had one you won't need another for some time - and I've had mechanical pumps die sooner than that in the past.
So far I've had 2 go on me, but I still love the N52 - especially the 3 litre version.
I’ve been looking after a friends 2007 730i N52 for several years now. It gets serviced as per BMW intervals, though normally slightly past. Correct oil and high quality filters are used.
Last service was at approx 180k, next will probably be at 200k.
Engine is fine, a few oil leaks now, sump gasket, oil filter housing.
It’s had 1 coil fail. Only non start was due to failed starter motor. Battery is original as is water pump. Needs a thermostat-runs cold.
Last service was at approx 180k, next will probably be at 200k.
Engine is fine, a few oil leaks now, sump gasket, oil filter housing.
It’s had 1 coil fail. Only non start was due to failed starter motor. Battery is original as is water pump. Needs a thermostat-runs cold.
ty all....
N52 its the one to go for then. That narrows the field down a bit but thats ok. I understand they were still putting the N52 into the 1 Series so I think Ill put that on the watch list too!
The N54 looks decent as well but some 335I's Ive viewed have been run pretty ragged and also low on kit so i didn't pursue them as an option
N52 its the one to go for then. That narrows the field down a bit but thats ok. I understand they were still putting the N52 into the 1 Series so I think Ill put that on the watch list too!
The N54 looks decent as well but some 335I's Ive viewed have been run pretty ragged and also low on kit so i didn't pursue them as an option
kurt535 said:
ty all....
N52 its the one to go for then. That narrows the field down a bit but thats ok. I understand they were still putting the N52 into the 1 Series so I think Ill put that on the watch list too!
The N54 looks decent as well but some 335I's Ive viewed have been run pretty ragged and also low on kit so i didn't pursue them as an option
Yes, the 130i only ever had the N52 engine - as did the 125i, but weirdly that was a 3 litre de-tuned to 325i power levels. N52 its the one to go for then. That narrows the field down a bit but thats ok. I understand they were still putting the N52 into the 1 Series so I think Ill put that on the watch list too!
The N54 looks decent as well but some 335I's Ive viewed have been run pretty ragged and also low on kit so i didn't pursue them as an option
But they can be re-mapped!Maybe I've been lucky, but in 7 years of ownership of 4 different cars with N52 engines the only DISA issue I had was when I needed a new actuator solenoid on my current Z4 Coupe - which wasn't that expensive.
kurt535 said:
im surprised on the remapping. rather like a lexus i owned, the internet effectively said dont bother - unless i swapped out the manifold?
Normally for a naturally aspirated engine that is true, but in the case of the 125i the engine was deliberately strangled so it didn't affect sales of the 135i. A company called P-Torque will re-programme the ECU and restore the performance to the same 265bhp or thereabouts you get from the 130i. The only difference is the brakes are smaller than you get on the 130i, but you can always upgrade them.chriscoates said:
kurt535 said:
im surprised on the remapping. rather like a lexus i owned, the internet effectively said dont bother - unless i swapped out the manifold?
Normally for a naturally aspirated engine that is true, but in the case of the 125i the engine was deliberately strangled so it didn't affect sales of the 135i. A company called P-Torque will re-programme the ECU and restore the performance to the same 265bhp or thereabouts you get from the 130i. The only difference is the brakes are smaller than you get on the 130i, but you can always upgrade them.Will at P-Torque has a great reputation for doing this, but there are others, Evolve in Luton can do so, and I believe, possibly Jason at BW Chiptune.
kurt535 said:
ty all....
N52 its the one to go for then. That narrows the field down a bit but thats ok. I understand they were still putting the N52 into the 1 Series so I think Ill put that on the watch list too!
The N54 looks decent as well but some 335I's Ive viewed have been run pretty ragged and also low on kit so i didn't pursue them as an option
I've got one of the 125i's with the detuned N52, had a remap done and it is great fun now, 260 bhp+ in a 1 Series is quite sprightly N52 its the one to go for then. That narrows the field down a bit but thats ok. I understand they were still putting the N52 into the 1 Series so I think Ill put that on the watch list too!
The N54 looks decent as well but some 335I's Ive viewed have been run pretty ragged and also low on kit so i didn't pursue them as an option
Had it coming up for 5 years now and all I've had to replace outside of normal servicing is a couple of brake calipers. I do have an ABS Sensor that needs attention, but other than that it's been flawless over 80k + miles.
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