I love this guy. Just a regular guy who knows a ton about BMW *through experience* and is gracious enough to enjoy sharing all that knowledge with the world. This guy is the salt of the earth.
@@ikeirvine7850 Actually my M52 has an aluminum engine block:D We europeans got the alloy engine block much earlier than the us. An M52 with an iron block of course is even more durable.
My family had BMWs since the late 1960s. When I bought a 1997 E39 528i it was a good car until things started to break at 100k. The M52B28 was great, the manual transmission was great, the whole driveline, suspension, and brakes were great, but the electronics was horrible. So now I drive a 1991 BMW E30 318i 4 door with a manual transmission. It's great
IT'S NOT COMMONLY KNOWN or N51 smog hungry states, but because it's so much lower emissions it dose not strain the motor. Mine 2010 328i E92 m sport 3.0 L naturally aspirated and runs very well. So far no real problem after 10 years. Only change the plugs, oil, fluids. Tires& Battery one time so far. Ya great car. BUT you must do the maintenance by the book and as I said it's been very good to me. Now with 106.000 miles and still runs and drives like its still new. But also I'm an engineer, do my own stuff have 2 dedicated computer's to the BMW and well no real problems so far. Hopefully, and when, I will take care of it. Alway's have. THANKS NATHAN. LIKE YOU CAR COLLECTION !!
1st I have a 2012 128i (convertible) with a N52. I avoided the N51 for 2 specific reasons. Minor, some of the electronic bits are different and can be difficult to source. Major, (according to the internet experts?!?). To get the horsepower up on the N51 they use the DISA system from EU N52's to make up for lower horsepower from the smog detune. The plastic dampers in the manifold to improve intake velocity's can/will break and get sucked into cylinders 2, 3 and 4. Which grenades the engine. According to the internet experts! 63 year old Chen Eng been doing MINOR wrenching since 1975, Ford Torino, Chevy Camaro (convertible), Jeep CJ5 (convertible), Buick Skyhawk, Chrysler LeBaron GTS (convertible), 96 BMW 328 (convertible). Lots of other new cars during the last 40 plus years (2006 Pontiac Solstice convertible) that wife and I had dealer work only.
I had a M54-480,000km ran like new (synthetic oil change every 5k). Had N52N-395,000km ran like new. Sold both of these because I wanted something newer (I was bored of those two cars) I now still own N52-227,000km runs new, N52N-420,000km engine runs again like new. I now change oil every 7k. That’s about 5 thousand miles. That’s the key. Very Very reliable. Then again I sometimes fix something like a crank sensor and I think it’s no big deal, I don’t even remember what that sensor cost, maybe 50 bucks. Someone ELSE would go to the dealer and that would be $500 and they would say that the cars junk lol
damned I had a friend who gave his old M54 engine because it was parked for quite a while I was compelled to spend like $5K for parts labor to replace those hoses/ tubes, coollant tank, crankcase Valve cold climate, probably will change the EGR Valve as well. Hope it can survived that long it's has 195K miles already. Currently it's running right now, after a few months of just staying in the parking area... I am thinking of doing 5K change oil as well.
M62TU with 130000 miles. Still strong pulls like train no issues. Just done oil change, dropped the lower oil pan to check for any pieces of guides or shavings. All clean as new so replaced the gasket. Thinking to do the same every oil change just to be sure. When watching Nathan’s videos even thinking to do the guides with the next oil change as bit worried. So far so good happy with the car.
E46 M54 crew, represent! 🎉 Love my 325xi Touring. Has 225k+ miles, and literally had Factory Original Russian-made Bosch spark plugs in it when I purchased months back. Thing is a beast, and I'm prepared to spend a fortune making it run perfectly again. 😓
my e60 n52k is at 187000. Everything maintained my me. I never go to the stealership. recently replaced all my transmission solenoids. now car shifts even more better 🙏🏼🤙really reliable to me
I've got E60 530i with N53, with some 190k km. I'm still satisfied with it, very difficult to think what could replace it. F06 with N57, maybe, but yearly tax for cars with diesel engine in here is insane (unless you drive a lot). I'm kind of looking forward to what kind of EV's BMW comes up but not holding my breath.
E60 m54 bought from a kid 217,000 miles, before he let the coolant leak out from Jerry rigging a coolant hose. I replaced with 72,000 mile engine. Driven 10,000 miles since and love the car. Dropped down the transmission mectronics unit and replaced the rubber seals. Shifts much better, but I think a solenoid is going out, cause shifts really late after heavy acceleration
@@b.k.s8910 I’ll agree with ya. I own a M54, N52, N55 and S55. The N52 is my least finicky, easiest to wrench on, cheapest to maintain (FCP Euro prices) and least worrisome. Just sayin.
@@slawomirczajkowski9481 the engine type?it comes with different engine types though most are 6 cylinders, but the early models had an M54 engine (6 cylinder)
@@stuartbear922 the coolant pipe lasts every 150k. Doesn’t have to be every 4 years- that’s an overkill. I just overhauled mine 2 years ago and it had most of the original cooling system (since 1997) parts except the water pump.
@@Winter1256 sure, but most people running that engine don't do that kind of maintnance and end up with broken timing chains, injectors, fuel pump and so on... It's a very efficient engine though
Ask Mr. N how many E60 M5 of his choice will ever see that kind of milage and still on the road...M54 was the mist reliable somehow modern engine ever made by BMW.
my 2002 E39 with M54 and manual trans was very well cared for by original owner and is now, at 20 years old and with 180k miles, it’s still like a new car. Everything works, runs perfect. All i had to do was replace the original radiator this year. I’m so lucky to have found one so nice.
Mid 2015 n20 with 50k and no problems of any kind. Change oil every 5k, probably more often than necessary. Good daily driver. When I crave more performance, I enjoy my e93 n54. Also been a great car.
My e36 316i manufactured in 1994 312k km on it when when i bought it the speedo meter isn’t working so I don’t know the actual km on it. Very reliable with auto transmission
M54 should have topped the list. The most reliable BMW engine that makes the most sense. B58 ?? = yeah but that's a fake bmw, It is mostly designed and built by Toyota. The rest are crap, especially all N series, except N57 diesel perhpas. N series design and engineering are so unreliable that those pass all the morale and ethics norms of all times. Same for M62. M50 is top, but that's too old already. M57- icon.
E46 M54 crew, represent! 🎉 Love my 325xi Touring. Has 225k+ miles, and literally had Factory Original Russian-made Bosch spark plugs in it when I purchased months back. Thing is a beast, and I'm prepared to spend a fortune making it run perfectly again. 😓
I could agree for some reasons, also arguable, but it’s all about how it was done from factory to be maintained with preventative maintenance that only owner is responsible for after it’s sold to first owner as well. So I agree that v10 e60 has less factory problems that wasn’t solved unlike the cars that got in to mass production and to fix issues they had to do a few recalls until “facelift” model was released. Just my opinion. ✅👍🏼
Sun driving my 528i now for 3 years.. I drove it for ten before him... Now over 400.000k and still going strong but it needs some care..he does not do anything on it... I own a 2003 530i wagon and that one drives even better over 240.000 k and I maintain it myself hope to reach over 500.000... My favorite engine m54
Hello Nathan, I have a 97 528i that has been sitting since 2015. It has the 2,8l with 200k and most of the usual stuff you know about these e 39's. What do you think I can get for it.being a parts car that's complete? I just didn't want to junk it.
Wow .Does anyone ever drive these cars ? Or just spend money and time fixing? As a Honda and Toyota owner I can't believe anyone would buy one .Even if your rich who wants to spend all their time at mechanics?
The Nikasil snafu ruined the reputation of the M60 but I had great luck with it. I retired my '95 540i with a hair under 300k. The transmission too ... the 5hp30 is a massive beast that had some teething problems, but with regular maintenance mine performed well for the life of the car. The Dinan TCU chip really woke it up, too. Of course, all that hardware is pretty ancient at this point.
M54 on E39 is the's the most reliable engine to me. You won't need to fix any rod bearings like the E60. If I had those skills like Nathan then I might and also the shop lift is critical
Look, I'm saying the E34 525i is probably the most reliable car, basic, built well and the engine and drive train goes forever. I've had 3 of them, bought them with about 80k and put over 300k on each. Unfortunately, they're getting old in the tooth and hard to find in good condition. You didn't really put a limit on the model years.
E60 owner with an N54 here...I'm all in for $8000 (bought car for $2400, fixed it for $5600 and upgraded a bunch of stuff). Has upgraded turbos and all of the boltons ready to go for 600 horsepower, but after the first drive, the Mosfets failed lol
Is it the coil pack or the rubber boot? If you see the bottom of the rubber on the coil pack you will see white. That’s arcing, causing a misfire. So is it the rubber or coil???????
You never speak on the E63, maybe because its basically a 2 door E60? & I can speak directly to your last comment, i got my M6 in October, very, very well kept up, ceramic coated paint, 135k its been my daily while im working on my E30 and its been pretty problem free, few minor discoveries , with that said though I will continue to baby it as much as possible.
Great content. This has become my favorite BMW channel 👍. I just purchased a 2010 e90 N52 328i for my kid. Solid car after I fixed all the typical oil leaks, put new water pump/thermostat/radiator, new coils/spark plugs and belts. I also have a 2006 e46 M3 and I never see you addressing this car and the S54 engine. I wonder why? You went from e36 S52 to e9x S65… but never ever mention the S54?
It's ok to piss people off Nathan the N54 loves money and time but it is very rewarding and are not that bad to work on, The motor has a very strong bottom end. The problems are all the components attached to the motor that are made of plastic, I.E. water pump, thermostat, valve cover, pcv etc. The real positive aspect of the N54 is that they can be very easily tuned to make over 500 hp and gap the M3 with a v8. Fun fact the N54 with over boost makes 379 ft. lbs. of torque at 2000 rpm vs e90 M3 v8 only makes 299! ft. lbs. of torque at 6500 rpms
Not sure if you’ll spend as much on 6 cylinder car compared to e60 m5, given that many non-M BMWs are nearly practically free. E90 328i definitely will require less money than e90 m3 simply because 328i costs pretty much nothing. I do agree that e90 m3 is a good purchase, I myself should have gotten one instead of some supercharged v6 4 ring car.
Interesting take on this Would never expect the S85 to come out on top if I ever get one I’d go with a manual for sure! would like to see you talk about M52 M50 M44/42 S62 and S54 too see what you have to say about those although they are getting a bit older in age
He has it backwards! 😆 rod bearings is just the beginning on those, frequent Vanos failures are also common and a ton of other small issues, forum pages get 46 long about issues with this car and how expensive it is to fix. The N52 is by far the THE BEST! overall BMW motor, especially because of the magnesium/aluminum composite. My 06 328i has almost 200K has not seen a dealer yet and outside of the plastic parts that need to be replaced: water pump, therm, valve cover, oil pan, vanos rebuilt kit... this car is best for overall driving with plenty of power. I get 36mpg in steady hwy driving.
No Vanos rebuild kit for the n52 as far as I know, Vanos solenoids , Vanos units themselves, magnesium valve cover has cam ledge seal issues and lifter issues , all updated in 2008 , starter failures are BAD on the n52, all hoses , timing slipping etc
120k on my S52 and so far all the things that failed are the alternator, starter, SAP, coolant level sensor and charcoal canister solenoid. I put in a Stewart water pump because why not? Original water pump still works. Just got to address the leaks from the oil pan, oil filter housing and power steering. I did the valve cover gasket so there's that too.
Epileptic Rage... hahahahaha... i just KNEW.. we'd have at least one Nathanism.. needed that laugh. I agree with the whole vid. But no-surprise right haha.. Good stuff.
There isn't a bmw that doesn't eat money, If you dont neglect things and stay on top. There designed this way. Every bmw has the same thing in common. They all have problems at 80k to 100k miles and on
