I have had the 325i N53B30U for 3 years now. 2007 plate. The car itself is reliable and the engine really is a joy to drive, a piece of history as it is the last ever naturally aspirated engine made. I intend to make my one a case study in terms of durability. I have had my original pump fail last year, at 115k miles, 8 hours of DIY later, and 1000GBP for the part (BMW only part) it runs fine. I had the luck of my injectors being replaced under recall in 2012, so that is fine for now. The engine it self seems bullet proof - the auxiliary components are what give issues, I am preventatively changing the Water pump, thermostat, and coolant tank/lines this month. The NOX can be solved with an Emulator, but I had mine coded out and that has bypassed the 3x types of fuelling modes, also had it mapped to 330i spec, probably around 265BHP now, absolute joy to drive. Another one to look out for the the valve cover, the CCV diaphram is integrated and is good to change this before it goes bad. Regular oil changes every 6k miles and this beauty will keep on running. my overhaul list 3 years later is coming to an end and hope I dont have to change anything else until 200k+ miles. Also, be sure to replace the Oil filter housing gasket, this will go bad on ALL N53, lots of heat on this gasket and it will risk damaging other components once bad as it leaks onto the serpentine belt which can come loose. N52 more reliable, but more thirsty. This engine is the perfect cross between N54 and N52 - has goods and bads from each.

@8020Media

2 ай бұрын

M - Thanks for taking the time to type your experience and insight out! This will certainly help future viewers.

@TinyT1792

2 ай бұрын

Hey I have a e60 530i 09 plate car. Got a feeling my oil filter housing is having a slow leak. Are there 2 different gaskets in there? One for oil filter and oil cooler? I just changed the valve cover at 86k miles. I have the slowest coolant leak (once a month top up) but can't find the leak anywhere. In my last service (every 6k miles too) I was told the oil is clean and there is no mixture of oil and coolant. If you have anything to add to the above would be grateful. Thankyou

@liamtree1250

2 ай бұрын

I had an n53 last car they are not reliable cars there always something that needs doing. Injectors are biggest problem with these even new index 11 doesn't fully solve it long term. Injectors are trash. Fuel pump box sensor box cat I wish I bought an n52 with port injection no box cat high pressure pump injectors. N52 might use slightly more fuel but is much more reliable and sounds better but then again n52 is not really that reliable off an engine as with most bmws there always some coolant or oil leak that needs addressing

@8020Media

2 ай бұрын

L - Thanks for sharing your experience.

@8020Media

2 ай бұрын

T - Yes, the oil filter housing does contain two gaskets. Regarding the coolant leak, some natural coolant loss is normal. If you're driving 1,500 miles a month and topping up on ~8oz of fluid then there's likely no cause for concern. If the coolant loss is worse then you likely have a small leak somewhere or the coolant tank cap may need to be replaced

So true! It's been a sad experience for me. Sometimes I wished for an E39. I also have SAAB 9-5 Aero -06 that is extremely reliable. Almost to boredom. The problem with the SAAB is rust... Yeah, it's a bit awkward being a SAAB made in Sweden and driven in Sweden... But the BMW E61 gives me more silent road trip, the 6 cylinder gives me a nice vibration free drive and the comfort seats puts the cream on the top. It actually doesn't matter that the SAAB Aero had original 260HP. Maybe I'm getting old, soon to be 54. hehe But still, the SAAB doesn't give me any of these headaches. It has over 205 000 miles on it and doesn't break a sweat but feels more like a "young guy" car but still extremely reliable. For now I drive my SAAB as I have to work on my E61to take down the automatic filter pan and replace it. Also take down the Mecatronic unit to replace the seals for oil transfers. I already have replaced the 2 thermostats and my AC compressor that went bad. The parking break locked up (thank god) in released during the winter as it stood still. So that is one more thing. But on the other hand my SAAB had the same parking break issue during the winter when it froze up and got stuck in half released making it ware down the break material..... I still have a Citroën CX Prestige. These are very reliable except for rust..... RUST!!! Aaaargh....

@8020Media

7 күн бұрын

J - Thanks for taking the time to share your experience! This will certainly help future viewers.

I’ve read somewhere that bmw never really sold cars with N53 engines to the American market due to the high amount of sulphur that you guys have in your fuel? Not sure though. I’m an e60 523i lci owner with the N53 double vannoss 2.5 190hp. I recently had a problem where coolant and oil mixed in the coolant expansion tank but got nothing in the engine, turned out to be a bad oil cooler for the engine and I replaced and was advised to replace the transmission oil cooler too since it’s an automatic. Overall the engine is pretty reliable it’s just that everything around it breaks 😂. But I love it so smooth and has decent speed and the gearbox has very fast changes for a car from 2007.

@8020Media

2 ай бұрын

U - This is correct. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Im about to buy an e90 330i with an N53. I hope im not gonna regret it.

@8020Media

3 ай бұрын

Dine - They are solid so long as maintenance is kept up with.

@liamtree1250

2 ай бұрын

They are for a period of time and then as soon as they start playing up big expensive parts. They are not a cheap engine to run when injectors go all the time

@Dina-vx7um

2 ай бұрын

I picked a N52B30. And it has a lot of problem so far haha but i love this car

Merci

@8020Media

2 ай бұрын

94 - Hope it helps!

all cars is going to have common problems you just got to have the money to fix it. and especially when it's out of warranty and it's a used car that's 5-10 years older. P.S. Just Have Money🚘💳💰💳🙏

@8020Media

3 ай бұрын

2 - This is correct. Thanks for sharing this insight.

@sandro-wb2qq

2 ай бұрын

Are n53 engines later produced after 2010 better than earlier produced ones or same problems I have a e93 2013 325i No problems sofar Great video

@8020Media

2 ай бұрын

S - Thanks for sharing your experience and feedback! Typically, the later the engine year, depending on engine generations, the better. Gives manufacturers a chance to make engines better.

N53 would of been a great engine if it wasnt for all the shite parts on it (injectots, fuel pump, waterpump, nox cat and nox sensor bla blah) Worst part is injectors are now 400/500 new. And they cant be furnished/cleaned

@8020Media

2 ай бұрын

L - Very true..

@e28forever30

Ай бұрын

would HAVE

@8020Media

Ай бұрын

E - That's what he said.

To much problem, maybe diesel engine is better??

@8020Media

Ай бұрын

R - We've seen many good N53's.