E61 - N53 530i - the start of an expensive journey?
Discussion
Has anyone on here been through the injectors/coils/HPFP stuff and come out the otherside with a car they are happy with?
Mine has started to show signs that something is up and I've only had it for about a month. I had my fingers crossed that it may have been through this in the past given that it's 12 year old and sits at 116k. It drives OK at low speeds but a few times now when I've accelerated it starts to feel like the gearbox is slipping and then the EML light will come on. It will then run really roughly until I restart. There is evidence that 1 injector was replaced last year along with the valve cover being replaced (whatever that is?) Service book is stamped up with mostly main dealer stamps.
I don't really feel confident in the car as the engine doesn't feel strong (If that makes sense) and it feels like it's always on the edge of misfiring. The MPG seems really poor as well, worse than my old 330ci which is surprising as I thought these later engines were more economical.
I'm loathe to spend £1000's chasing a smooth drive if all that's going to happen is the cycle starts again.
Would love to hear about any other N53 owners experiences sorting these engines and if anyone can take a guess at what they think is up with mine, i'd really appreciate it!!
Mine has started to show signs that something is up and I've only had it for about a month. I had my fingers crossed that it may have been through this in the past given that it's 12 year old and sits at 116k. It drives OK at low speeds but a few times now when I've accelerated it starts to feel like the gearbox is slipping and then the EML light will come on. It will then run really roughly until I restart. There is evidence that 1 injector was replaced last year along with the valve cover being replaced (whatever that is?) Service book is stamped up with mostly main dealer stamps.
I don't really feel confident in the car as the engine doesn't feel strong (If that makes sense) and it feels like it's always on the edge of misfiring. The MPG seems really poor as well, worse than my old 330ci which is surprising as I thought these later engines were more economical.
I'm loathe to spend £1000's chasing a smooth drive if all that's going to happen is the cycle starts again.
Would love to hear about any other N53 owners experiences sorting these engines and if anyone can take a guess at what they think is up with mine, i'd really appreciate it!!
I bought my E90 330i in November 2017 and (long story short...) it ended up having low pressure fuel sensor, NOx sensor, and 6 x injector/coil pack/buffer/spark plug replaced, fortunately in my case at the dealer's expense. That was December 2017, and, while I remain suspicious, it's actually been fine since, so far.
Symptoms were a rough, noisy idle (becoming super-rough if left for 1-2 minutes when cold, shaking the whole car), and a misfire at 1500rpm if the engine had been left to stand for a while. Car was generally OK once warmed up and at 4000+rpm. The repairs fixed the misfire, rough idle and shakiness, and while the idle remained noisy, that does seem to have got better over time. (Maybe temperature could be a factor, though? It feels like this winter has been a lot milder than the last.)
Anyway, I've been happy with my car since it got fixed. Performance is fine, economy is OK, and (once on the move, at any rate - the idle is still a bit weird-sounding) I really like the engine noise. It is a bit limp at low revs, but I assume that's just how it's supposed to be? - turning off the OBC gear change indicator and just driving it a bit harder, even when cold, has worked for me. (No need to go nuts - changing up at 3000rpm is loads better than doing it at the ~2000rpm the OBC suggests.)
Fuel economy for me is ~23mpg for town driving and ~35mpg for motorway driving. 25-30% more litres consumed per unit of distance travelled than my E46 330d.
Oil usage (which, from reading around, appears to be inevitable) seems to be 1L/~4-5,000 miles.
(I think the HPFP was already fixed on mine when I got it - there's always been a whirr-/buzz-type noise from under the bonnet after unlocking the doors, which is apparently the sound of the fix doing its thing.)
Symptoms were a rough, noisy idle (becoming super-rough if left for 1-2 minutes when cold, shaking the whole car), and a misfire at 1500rpm if the engine had been left to stand for a while. Car was generally OK once warmed up and at 4000+rpm. The repairs fixed the misfire, rough idle and shakiness, and while the idle remained noisy, that does seem to have got better over time. (Maybe temperature could be a factor, though? It feels like this winter has been a lot milder than the last.)
Anyway, I've been happy with my car since it got fixed. Performance is fine, economy is OK, and (once on the move, at any rate - the idle is still a bit weird-sounding) I really like the engine noise. It is a bit limp at low revs, but I assume that's just how it's supposed to be? - turning off the OBC gear change indicator and just driving it a bit harder, even when cold, has worked for me. (No need to go nuts - changing up at 3000rpm is loads better than doing it at the ~2000rpm the OBC suggests.)
Fuel economy for me is ~23mpg for town driving and ~35mpg for motorway driving. 25-30% more litres consumed per unit of distance travelled than my E46 330d.
Oil usage (which, from reading around, appears to be inevitable) seems to be 1L/~4-5,000 miles.
(I think the HPFP was already fixed on mine when I got it - there's always been a whirr-/buzz-type noise from under the bonnet after unlocking the doors, which is apparently the sound of the fix doing its thing.)
2012 272ps n53 owner here albeit in an f10 so the benefit of an updated DME and probably later HPFP etc.
61k miles.
My inlets are clear (boroscope) and these engines don't coke up as much as the turbo N engines (n54 especially) but being DI it will happen eventually. It's 250 ish for a decoke so not expensive.
Had all injectors replaced from index 9 to the latest index 11 three years ago courtesy of mondial warranty (which I've since cancelled).
Apart from a duff coilpack it's been fine since. I do see the exhaust tips are starting to blacken but I'll keep an eye on that.
Hpfp is the same type as the n55 engine and n54 engine so same risk, and you don't tend to hear of later ones failing as much.
Water pump can go any time. Fill for life coolant policy by BMW doesn't help I'm sure.
NOX is still working and the aftermarket route is where I'll be going when it fails.
Engine pulls strongly all the way to red line and shifts a big barge like the f10 surprisingly well, no doubt thanks to the ZF8 gearbox. Sounds odd at idle but show me a modern DI engine that doesn't. They all sound s
t these days.
What the n53 does have in its favour and I personally prefer it to the n55 is a linear power delivery and instant throttle response, and above idle sounds very good if a little course and perhaps random at times. Sometimes it sounds like it's knocking a bit, occasionally you'll get an odd whirring noise, or humming noise. It's been like that for the near 30k I've had it and bmw previously given it an all clear as have millers oil analysis. Just normal for these engines that they sound odd occasionally.
Economy I don't care about but the OBD shows 20 odd round town and low 30s on a run but that's largely irrelevant info.
Clutch slipping feel could in fact be your gearbox ?
Misfire is the engine no doubt. Be useful to know which index your injectors are but it's likely to be index 9 or lower in which case get them all changed to index 11.
Could be coilpacks also.
Something else I've noticed is that a flat or weak battery can cause a few random hiccups because (I think) the injectors take a lot of power. Also the coilpacks need to be spot on for the lean burn, and if the spark is less than ideal (weak batt, or failing coilpack) you'll get misfires.
Luck of the draw with these engines as a lot get shifted when trouble starts then you get owners buying into a problem. I find BMW dealers still don't know how to deal with them properly. Check out bimmerprofs.com for better info.
Once they are sorted they are fine IMO but as with any BMW prepare to open your wallet occasionally, other times blank cheque time.
Would I buy another? F10 yes earlier probably not unless it's been sorted.
Final point get a decent bmw code reader. Nobody can diagnose your car remotely. I am amazed that people run complex old cars and put themselves at the mercy of garage rates for diagnosis if not spannering. Changing injectors and plugs, coilpacks is easy on these engines.
61k miles.
My inlets are clear (boroscope) and these engines don't coke up as much as the turbo N engines (n54 especially) but being DI it will happen eventually. It's 250 ish for a decoke so not expensive.
Had all injectors replaced from index 9 to the latest index 11 three years ago courtesy of mondial warranty (which I've since cancelled).
Apart from a duff coilpack it's been fine since. I do see the exhaust tips are starting to blacken but I'll keep an eye on that.
Hpfp is the same type as the n55 engine and n54 engine so same risk, and you don't tend to hear of later ones failing as much.
Water pump can go any time. Fill for life coolant policy by BMW doesn't help I'm sure.
NOX is still working and the aftermarket route is where I'll be going when it fails.
Engine pulls strongly all the way to red line and shifts a big barge like the f10 surprisingly well, no doubt thanks to the ZF8 gearbox. Sounds odd at idle but show me a modern DI engine that doesn't. They all sound s
t these days. What the n53 does have in its favour and I personally prefer it to the n55 is a linear power delivery and instant throttle response, and above idle sounds very good if a little course and perhaps random at times. Sometimes it sounds like it's knocking a bit, occasionally you'll get an odd whirring noise, or humming noise. It's been like that for the near 30k I've had it and bmw previously given it an all clear as have millers oil analysis. Just normal for these engines that they sound odd occasionally.
Economy I don't care about but the OBD shows 20 odd round town and low 30s on a run but that's largely irrelevant info.
Clutch slipping feel could in fact be your gearbox ?
Misfire is the engine no doubt. Be useful to know which index your injectors are but it's likely to be index 9 or lower in which case get them all changed to index 11.
Could be coilpacks also.
Something else I've noticed is that a flat or weak battery can cause a few random hiccups because (I think) the injectors take a lot of power. Also the coilpacks need to be spot on for the lean burn, and if the spark is less than ideal (weak batt, or failing coilpack) you'll get misfires.
Luck of the draw with these engines as a lot get shifted when trouble starts then you get owners buying into a problem. I find BMW dealers still don't know how to deal with them properly. Check out bimmerprofs.com for better info.
Once they are sorted they are fine IMO but as with any BMW prepare to open your wallet occasionally, other times blank cheque time.
Would I buy another? F10 yes earlier probably not unless it's been sorted.
Final point get a decent bmw code reader. Nobody can diagnose your car remotely. I am amazed that people run complex old cars and put themselves at the mercy of garage rates for diagnosis if not spannering. Changing injectors and plugs, coilpacks is easy on these engines.
Edited by bmwmike on Thursday 21st February 09:58
Edited by bmwmike on Thursday 21st February 10:01
iSore said:
That's the problem with these cars - they're not going to make good 'bangers'. By that I mean sub 2 grand where the first big bill will write it off. No cheap E39 style fixes on these! (£25 water pumps.............)
Quite right! But then, does any BMW after around 2005 qualify? Thinking petrol rather than diesel as I don't do diesel, never have never will. Though I understand diesel injectors and pumps can run to quite eye watering amounts too. And newer cars again, seems the complexity just goes up and up.Edit to add someone on here had success with used injectors off ebay, all index 11 and all bought for 50 odd quid each iirc. Maybe that's how to run them on the cheap.
Edited by bmwmike on Thursday 21st February 11:01
RanchoGrande said:
It drives OK at low speeds but a few times now when I've accelerated it starts to feel like the gearbox is slipping and then the EML light will come on. It will then run really roughly until I restart.
I'd suggest it's unlikely to be an injector/coil pack if it resets, you just need to have someone read the codes. Oxygen/MAF sensor would be my guess. bmwmike said:
2012 272ps n53 owner here albeit in an f10 so the benefit of an updated DME and probably later HPFP etc.
61k miles.
My inlets are clear (boroscope) and these engines don't coke up as much as the turbo N engines (n54 especially) but being DI it will happen eventually. It's 250 ish for a decoke so not expensive.
Had all injectors replaced from index 9 to the latest index 11 three years ago courtesy of mondial warranty (which I've since cancelled).
Apart from a duff coilpack it's been fine since. I do see the exhaust tips are starting to blacken but I'll keep an eye on that.
Hpfp is the same type as the n55 engine and n54 engine so same risk, and you don't tend to hear of later ones failing as much.
Water pump can go any time. Fill for life coolant policy by BMW doesn't help I'm sure.
NOX is still working and the aftermarket route is where I'll be going when it fails.
Engine pulls strongly all the way to red line and shifts a big barge like the f10 surprisingly well, no doubt thanks to the ZF8 gearbox. Sounds odd at idle but show me a modern DI engine that doesn't. They all sound st these days.
What the n53 does have in its favour and I personally prefer it to the n55 is a linear power delivery and instant throttle response, and above idle sounds very good if a little course and perhaps random at times. Sometimes it sounds like it's knocking a bit, occasionally you'll get an odd whirring noise, or humming noise. It's been like that for the near 30k I've had it and bmw previously given it an all clear as have millers oil analysis. Just normal for these engines that they sound odd occasionally.
Economy I don't care about but the OBD shows 20 odd round town and low 30s on a run but that's largely irrelevant info.
Clutch slipping feel could in fact be your gearbox ?
Misfire is the engine no doubt. Be useful to know which index your injectors are but it's likely to be index 9 or lower in which case get them all changed to index 11.
Could be coilpacks also.
Something else I've noticed is that a flat or weak battery can cause a few random hiccups because (I think) the injectors take a lot of power. Also the coilpacks need to be spot on for the lean burn, and if the spark is less than ideal (weak batt, or failing coilpack) you'll get misfires.
Luck of the draw with these engines as a lot get shifted when trouble starts then you get owners buying into a problem. I find BMW dealers still don't know how to deal with them properly. Check out bimmerprofs.com for better info.
Once they are sorted they are fine IMO but as with any BMW prepare to open your wallet occasionally, other times blank cheque time.
Would I buy another? F10 yes earlier probably not unless it's been sorted.
Final point get a decent bmw code reader. Nobody can diagnose your car remotely. I am amazed that people run complex old cars and put themselves at the mercy of garage rates for diagnosis if not spannering. Changing injectors and plugs, coilpacks is easy on these engines.
Good insight, cheers. My exhaust tips are blackened! I have noted that the engine does sound odd now and again, I guess I was used to the 330ci always sounding the same, a nice low down engine note.61k miles.
My inlets are clear (boroscope) and these engines don't coke up as much as the turbo N engines (n54 especially) but being DI it will happen eventually. It's 250 ish for a decoke so not expensive.
Had all injectors replaced from index 9 to the latest index 11 three years ago courtesy of mondial warranty (which I've since cancelled).
Apart from a duff coilpack it's been fine since. I do see the exhaust tips are starting to blacken but I'll keep an eye on that.
Hpfp is the same type as the n55 engine and n54 engine so same risk, and you don't tend to hear of later ones failing as much.
Water pump can go any time. Fill for life coolant policy by BMW doesn't help I'm sure.
NOX is still working and the aftermarket route is where I'll be going when it fails.
Engine pulls strongly all the way to red line and shifts a big barge like the f10 surprisingly well, no doubt thanks to the ZF8 gearbox. Sounds odd at idle but show me a modern DI engine that doesn't. They all sound s
t these days. What the n53 does have in its favour and I personally prefer it to the n55 is a linear power delivery and instant throttle response, and above idle sounds very good if a little course and perhaps random at times. Sometimes it sounds like it's knocking a bit, occasionally you'll get an odd whirring noise, or humming noise. It's been like that for the near 30k I've had it and bmw previously given it an all clear as have millers oil analysis. Just normal for these engines that they sound odd occasionally.
Economy I don't care about but the OBD shows 20 odd round town and low 30s on a run but that's largely irrelevant info.
Clutch slipping feel could in fact be your gearbox ?
Misfire is the engine no doubt. Be useful to know which index your injectors are but it's likely to be index 9 or lower in which case get them all changed to index 11.
Could be coilpacks also.
Something else I've noticed is that a flat or weak battery can cause a few random hiccups because (I think) the injectors take a lot of power. Also the coilpacks need to be spot on for the lean burn, and if the spark is less than ideal (weak batt, or failing coilpack) you'll get misfires.
Luck of the draw with these engines as a lot get shifted when trouble starts then you get owners buying into a problem. I find BMW dealers still don't know how to deal with them properly. Check out bimmerprofs.com for better info.
Once they are sorted they are fine IMO but as with any BMW prepare to open your wallet occasionally, other times blank cheque time.
Would I buy another? F10 yes earlier probably not unless it's been sorted.
Final point get a decent bmw code reader. Nobody can diagnose your car remotely. I am amazed that people run complex old cars and put themselves at the mercy of garage rates for diagnosis if not spannering. Changing injectors and plugs, coilpacks is easy on these engines.
Edited by bmwmike on Thursday 21st February 09:58
Edited by bmwmike on Thursday 21st February 10:01
bmwmike said:
Quite right! But then, does any BMW after around 2005 qualify? Thinking petrol rather than diesel as I don't do diesel, never have never will. Though I understand diesel injectors and pumps can run to quite eye watering amounts too. And newer cars again, seems the complexity just goes up and up.
Edit to add someone on here had success with used injectors off ebay, all index 11 and all bought for 50 odd quid each iirc. Maybe that's how to run them on the cheap.
Yes, running the 330 wasn't always cheap, but it felt a lot more 'simple' to deal with. I feel like the 530i is a ticking time bomb. Engine troubles aside, I still need to sort out the wiring to the tailgate and deal with some knocks from the front suspension. I appreciate that it's not a banger and will no doubt need some cash chucking at it, I just don't want to get into a never ending money pit scenario. Good to know that injectors and other bits can be picked up on the cheap, as the garage is saying £250 + per injector....oh, and the central London garage I spoke with wanted £144 an hour labour! Edit to add someone on here had success with used injectors off ebay, all index 11 and all bought for 50 odd quid each iirc. Maybe that's how to run them on the cheap.
Edited by bmwmike on Thursday 21st February 11:01
bigdom said:
RanchoGrande said:
It drives OK at low speeds but a few times now when I've accelerated it starts to feel like the gearbox is slipping and then the EML light will come on. It will then run really roughly until I restart.
I'd suggest it's unlikely to be an injector/coil pack if it resets, you just need to have someone read the codes. Oxygen/MAF sensor would be my guess. Badgerboy said:
Carly for BMW is very good let's you code and will pull all the BMW codes that a standard ODB2 might not.
Let's me do everything I need to from my phone!
(They have moved to a subscription model now, so it's something you should check first)
Thanks, will carly pull all the technical codes then? As I thought some codes could only be read by garages with specialist bmw equipment. Let's me do everything I need to from my phone!
(They have moved to a subscription model now, so it's something you should check first)
RanchoGrande said:
Thanks, will carly pull all the technical codes then? As I thought some codes could only be read by garages with specialist bmw equipment.
My experience it's pulled everything that's ever flagged, including the items that don't throw an EML and random ones like the current 'Exhaust Nox catalyst aging'. (Ordered a Noxem to sort that!)Level of detail will drill down to door locks, ventilation flaps etc.
There is a free version I believe so you can try it out, just lacks a few features. Compatible with mist ODB2 readers, but you need their branded one for the full feature set. (Non-Branded will be fine for codes though)
Badgerboy said:
My experience it's pulled everything that's ever flagged, including the items that don't throw an EML and random ones like the current 'Exhaust Nox catalyst aging'. (Ordered a Noxem to sort that!)
Level of detail will drill down to door locks, ventilation flaps etc.
There is a free version I believe so you can try it out, just lacks a few features. Compatible with mist ODB2 readers, but you need their branded one for the full feature set. (Non-Branded will be fine for codes though)
Any other options apart from the carly setup?Level of detail will drill down to door locks, ventilation flaps etc.
There is a free version I believe so you can try it out, just lacks a few features. Compatible with mist ODB2 readers, but you need their branded one for the full feature set. (Non-Branded will be fine for codes though)
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