F10 530d / F30 330d (N57D301) - 100K miles - Reliable?
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a 530d or 330d, F10 or F30 respectively. The cars I'm consiering are around the 100K mile mark.
Are there any inherent or well documented problems with the engines or transmissions on these?
A part from the usual used are checks are there any "must" check items?
Thanks guys.
Are there any inherent or well documented problems with the engines or transmissions on these?
A part from the usual used are checks are there any "must" check items?
Thanks guys.
Overall reliable (albeit less than M57), but have their own set of issues like any other engine. Buying on condition, alongside well documented, frequent servicing should mitigate most of them.
Timing chain is the main one, but other things can include
- EGR cooler splitting. This was recalled a few times by BMW and the last one was with an updated part number.
- Usual DPF stuff if doing more shorter trips without getting up to temperature
- General carbon build up on valves, may require a clean out - may also affect injectors.
Some people recommend using a cleaner or just running on V-Power diesel - not sure about either of these personally.
I've done 30k so far in my N57 (2014 330d), now on 55k. Aside from the recall EGR stuff, no issues.
ZF8's are great - ZF recommend oil change around 80k..
Timing chain is the main one, but other things can include
- EGR cooler splitting. This was recalled a few times by BMW and the last one was with an updated part number.
- Usual DPF stuff if doing more shorter trips without getting up to temperature
- General carbon build up on valves, may require a clean out - may also affect injectors.
Some people recommend using a cleaner or just running on V-Power diesel - not sure about either of these personally.
I've done 30k so far in my N57 (2014 330d), now on 55k. Aside from the recall EGR stuff, no issues.
ZF8's are great - ZF recommend oil change around 80k..
The timing chain you can hear, if it rattles at startup from cold, or if you hold the revs at 2k rpm and it is slapping against the guides trust me you know it does not sound quite correct. Have a youtube hunt as there is a few videos. I have only heard of one N57 engine actually snapping a chain, slack a few.
In relation to mileage it all depends on how it has been looked in my view. BMW cbs servicing is useless and really you should change the oil every 10k or 12months. Most people quite 120k - 150k before they have issues, that being said I have seen and heard some fail around 85k. From what I have seen the x5 crowed seem to suffer more with it than any other.
Main bearing failure is something I am aware of (in fact I have seen three in the past two weeks). But it seems to be the twin turbo version more. Again I think oil changes and how the car is driven will be the ultimate decider!
Egr coolers are another ongoing saga, have look around as they can make the car a fireball if it is leaking into the inlet manifold.
In relation to mileage it all depends on how it has been looked in my view. BMW cbs servicing is useless and really you should change the oil every 10k or 12months. Most people quite 120k - 150k before they have issues, that being said I have seen and heard some fail around 85k. From what I have seen the x5 crowed seem to suffer more with it than any other.
Main bearing failure is something I am aware of (in fact I have seen three in the past two weeks). But it seems to be the twin turbo version more. Again I think oil changes and how the car is driven will be the ultimate decider!
Egr coolers are another ongoing saga, have look around as they can make the car a fireball if it is leaking into the inlet manifold.
Edited by Ninja59 on Sunday 7th June 04:45
Thank you guys for the advice. I’ll take a look at the YouTube videos.
As someone said here it’s all about the servicing over the years and how sensible/sympathetic the previous owners have been.
ERG and DPF I was aware of chain issues not. Is it an engine out job expensive ball ache to replace the chain, guides and tensioner?
As someone said here it’s all about the servicing over the years and how sensible/sympathetic the previous owners have been.
ERG and DPF I was aware of chain issues not. Is it an engine out job expensive ball ache to replace the chain, guides and tensioner?
Depends it is a rear mounted single row chain - one upper and one lower, the very lowest chain is for the oil pump.
If by the book yes it is an engine out job. That being said more and more are being done gearbox off and engine in situ.
Later cars got the revised similar guide updates to my knowledge whereby the ribs of the guides were filled in. The major issue of chain snapping like the N47 was more down to the camshaft sprocket sharpening and making the chain fail is rare on the N57.
People go on that the B series engines are better. Reality is that most of the setup is the same as the N47 and 57 engines. Sadly, without the snapping issue I dont think it would have been maligned like it is the N47 versus the number of them.
People might not like this, but if a chain goes past 120k from my view it has not done "bad". In that time I would have expected 2, if not 3 belt changes on some cars.
I know the M series engines can go on and on, but people have short memories about swirl flaps, and honestly I know some cars with huge mileage on with those engines, but equally know some where the timing chain has caused issues at 150k.
It really boils down to servicing, and BMW are far from alone in a rear engine tc now - jaguar and mercedes have gone that way due to pedestrian regs which was the reason it was put there.
If by the book yes it is an engine out job. That being said more and more are being done gearbox off and engine in situ.
Later cars got the revised similar guide updates to my knowledge whereby the ribs of the guides were filled in. The major issue of chain snapping like the N47 was more down to the camshaft sprocket sharpening and making the chain fail is rare on the N57.
People go on that the B series engines are better. Reality is that most of the setup is the same as the N47 and 57 engines. Sadly, without the snapping issue I dont think it would have been maligned like it is the N47 versus the number of them.
People might not like this, but if a chain goes past 120k from my view it has not done "bad". In that time I would have expected 2, if not 3 belt changes on some cars.
I know the M series engines can go on and on, but people have short memories about swirl flaps, and honestly I know some cars with huge mileage on with those engines, but equally know some where the timing chain has caused issues at 150k.
It really boils down to servicing, and BMW are far from alone in a rear engine tc now - jaguar and mercedes have gone that way due to pedestrian regs which was the reason it was put there.
The N57 is a 'just about good enough' engine. It's very marginal with respects to strength and not cut from the same cloth as the old M57 which is like something that powered a U Boat. Like most modern engines, it's built with an eye on cost, weight and emissions. Chains can give trouble from 60k upwards. A really well maintained one should do 150-200k but that's half what a Merc diesel was capable of not long ago.
Touring442 said:
Christ - he's got that thing AND an L322 Strange Rover.
Bravery.
His videos have been a great source of entertainment, and well wishes for him. Fitting a timing chain and refreshed head only to have the botton end to fail is very sad indeed.Bravery.
Everyone has said it above. Be wary when buying, and over service.
Touring442 said:
The N57 is a 'just about good enough' engine. It's very marginal with respects to strength and not cut from the same cloth as the old M57 which is like something that powered a U Boat. Like most modern engines, it's built with an eye on cost, weight and emissions. Chains can give trouble from 60k upwards. A really well maintained one should do 150-200k but that's half what a Merc diesel was capable of not long ago.
You missed the main reason the tc moved to the back which is kind of forced on then by the EU!Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff