E91 Straight Six Bearding
Discussion
helix402 said:
Injectors are approx £170 each+a decoupling element for each one. Though as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Contrary to some advice the world will not cease to spin if you change a change a single injector and not the whole lot together. In a money no object scenario it would be better to change six together but it’s not necessary.
Wow. £1200+ for the lot. Bugger that. Contrary to some advice the world will not cease to spin if you change a change a single injector and not the whole lot together. In a money no object scenario it would be better to change six together but it’s not necessary.
The N53 I had also needed a NOX Sensor (£400 part at the time) and a high pressure fuel pump. The injectors were replaced as part of a recall in 2012 so not sure if this made them version 11? They still failed.
I often suffered injector related rough running when cold on my car. The big problem I found was that it would throw up a fault code on a particular cylinder, but this would mean that you had a good injector on that cylinder that was compensating for a duff one on another cylinder. It took a while and numerous mechanics, most of whom would would say replace all 6 injectors, to work this out. Usual quote was over a grand to replace all 6 as they need coding to the car.
If you get an error code for a failure, the likelihood is it's one in the same bank of 3 that's failed, rather than the one reporting an error
Mine also had the coils replaced under recall as well in 2013 so check if that's been done if it hasn't got FBMWSH.
I often suffered injector related rough running when cold on my car. The big problem I found was that it would throw up a fault code on a particular cylinder, but this would mean that you had a good injector on that cylinder that was compensating for a duff one on another cylinder. It took a while and numerous mechanics, most of whom would would say replace all 6 injectors, to work this out. Usual quote was over a grand to replace all 6 as they need coding to the car.
If you get an error code for a failure, the likelihood is it's one in the same bank of 3 that's failed, rather than the one reporting an error
Mine also had the coils replaced under recall as well in 2013 so check if that's been done if it hasn't got FBMWSH.
bmwmike said:
bract1939 said:
Wish me luck!
Good luck.
I had multiple injector faults in my N53 E90 330i shortly after I bought it. It was fine on the drive home, and for a day or two after, but a sudden cold snap revealed an idle like an unevenly loaded washing machine (unevenly loaded with bricks) and a marked reluctance to get past 1500rpm. After getting a diagnosis, and some arguing, the selling dealer ended up paying for the whole lot: 6 injectors, 6 piston rings, 6 coil packs, 6 spark plugs, 1 NOx sensor, and 1 fuel pressure sensor. Total cost, including labour: £2,200 + VAT... well, rather them than me. That was a noticeable percentage of what I paid for the car.
With this fixed, I'm a bit happier, and I'm quite enjoying the car, but it's a bit of a mixed bag overall. I think that's partly due to the N53 specifically, and partly due to the model in general.
The engine does have some very good points: it feels about the same at any RPM, it sounds cheeky if you rev it more than necessary (and naughtier yet if you go past 4000rpm), and its distinctly non-turbocharged torque curve is very satisfying. It also gives decent fuel economy, and so VED for the car is reasonable. But there are still some issues with it: the engine does seem rather unrefined, and it's definitely more reluctant below 2000rpm than I was expecting for a 3L! I think the power-to-weight ratio might be a bit unfavourable by modern standards, too, as I tend to get overtaken by approximately anything when I'm not properly going for it...
My other problems with the car seem to be generic E9x things: clutch is not much fun, gear ratios aren't great, electric power steering is too numb, interior/door weight/boot feel/etc. all a bit cheap compared to earlier models. (Also interesting: aircon noise is highly variable! Apparently the LCI models use regenerative braking to run the alternator when possible, and I'm assuming the transition betwen ordinary and regenerative is s the cause - which is not a problem per se, I suppose, but it does make the car feel a bit less premium. Bu then again, if I wanted premium, maybe I should have bought a 5 series?)
Anyway, whatever, there you go. Probably a bit late now if you've already bought it
Mr Tidy said:
That's why I bought an N52 E91!
Clutch is OK, gearing does seem a bit high on my 325i but you just need to rev it!
It has hydraulic PAS so no issues with EPAS - looking good so far!
Yep. I actually sold my N53 330i and bought an N52 325i. Had it nearly 3 yrs and zero faults so far.Clutch is OK, gearing does seem a bit high on my 325i but you just need to rev it!
It has hydraulic PAS so no issues with EPAS - looking good so far!
Cheers - and thanks for the tips. Been looking in to local Indy's! Going to try dwmotorworks in Newcastle. Would love to tinker more myself but with it being our only transport can't get carried away.
Had a e28 323i and e30 325i when I was a young fella, it was the engine that made them, although the lsd in the 323i raised few extra laughs.
Just read the horror story posts.... still got to chase up the missing history, so far I know it had coil packs changed in 2012, which I believe is one of the cheapest problems to rectify! Have come from a honda jazz 1.2 though so potential bills aside I'm pretty sure it won't be a disappointment.
Had a e28 323i and e30 325i when I was a young fella, it was the engine that made them, although the lsd in the 323i raised few extra laughs.
Just read the horror story posts.... still got to chase up the missing history, so far I know it had coil packs changed in 2012, which I believe is one of the cheapest problems to rectify! Have come from a honda jazz 1.2 though so potential bills aside I'm pretty sure it won't be a disappointment.
Edited by bract1939 on Sunday 29th April 09:09
to3m said:
6 injectors, 6 piston rings, 6 coil packs, 6 spark plugs, 1 NOx sensor, and 1 fuel pressure sensor. Total cost, including labour: £2,200 + VAT... well, rather them than me. That was a noticeable percentage of what I paid for the car.
Fair to say some of those things weren't actually needed but it's a belt and braces approach to resolving the issue.Intrigued by "piston rings": Seriously? They cracked it open and changed the rings?
tomic said:
The N53 I had also needed a NOX Sensor (£400 part at the time) and a high pressure fuel pump. The injectors were replaced as part of a recall in 2012 so not sure if this made them version 11? They still failed.
Recall in 1012 was for coilpacks not injectors. My 03/2012 had index 9 injectors and those were replaced in 2015 with index 11. I don't know the time line of each index but would be interested to know.
lord trumpton said:
I've got to dismiss the comments made about the N52 lacking sound.
Ive opened the taps a few times today and it bloody amazing - a real shriek as the rev pile on. It's a great engine to me.
Its a lovely engine without question, but with Bmw's you get loads of sound deadening that makes it sound very muted to me. I feel that Bmw's are set up to be cruisers and they want the driving experience to be as quiet as possible. Ive opened the taps a few times today and it bloody amazing - a real shriek as the rev pile on. It's a great engine to me.
I think its a shame that they're so muted, but on the other hand punters wouldn't be happy with a noisy BMW in fairness. Even my Z4M with the roof down was quiet, so its the norm for BMW to whisper the engines potential IMO.
Nothing muted about the n53 in my f10, it's quiet when cruising and nicely vocal when pressing on. No flap in the exhaust which I think helps.
Maybe the n52/3 in e90 are muted because of the flap.
BTW the n53 doesn't have an inline fuel filter which seems bizarre omission by BMW. Can't imagine it helps with injector longevity. Imagine a diesel (similar pressures) without a filter.
Maybe the n52/3 in e90 are muted because of the flap.
BTW the n53 doesn't have an inline fuel filter which seems bizarre omission by BMW. Can't imagine it helps with injector longevity. Imagine a diesel (similar pressures) without a filter.
cerb4.5lee said:
lord trumpton said:
I've got to dismiss the comments made about the N52 lacking sound.
Ive opened the taps a few times today and it bloody amazing - a real shriek as the rev pile on. It's a great engine to me.
Its a lovely engine without question, but with Bmw's you get loads of sound deadening that makes it sound very muted to me. I feel that Bmw's are set up to be cruisers and they want the driving experience to be as quiet as possible. Ive opened the taps a few times today and it bloody amazing - a real shriek as the rev pile on. It's a great engine to me.
I think its a shame that they're so muted, but on the other hand punters wouldn't be happy with a noisy BMW in fairness. Even my Z4M with the roof down was quiet, so its the norm for BMW to whisper the engines potential IMO.
cerb4.5lee said:
ferrisbueller said:
What are you comparing to?
Nothing, as a personal preference I'd like them to be a little louder because they're lovely engines. bmwmike said:
tomic said:
The N53 I had also needed a NOX Sensor (£400 part at the time) and a high pressure fuel pump. The injectors were replaced as part of a recall in 2012 so not sure if this made them version 11? They still failed.
Recall in 1012 was for coilpacks not injectors. My 03/2012 had index 9 injectors and those were replaced in 2015 with index 11. I don't know the time line of each index but would be interested to know.tomic said:
Just double checked the invoices I have. My old 2008 had it's injectors replaced FOC at Cooper Croydon in June 2012 as part of a Quality Enhancement, and it's coilpacks replaced at Stephen James Blackheath in October 2013 when I took it in to have the Security Update. Sounds like your talking about a later car.
Gotcha. And those 2012 injectors failed and you had them all replaced again under warranty presumably?Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff