If so, thats impressive. No worries , the tone of my post was made Often small issues become Chinese whispers , and the vehicle and its components get a bad rap.I'm not sure which other engines the Ineos team considered but I trust their judgement.Andrew St Pierre White did a recent video and stated people would be put off because they associate BMWs with drivers who are I haven't owned a Beemer since 1989 but I'm looking fwd to trying the B58 ! The N54 quickly became a legend in the tuning world, the N55 built off its design and improved reliability, the S55 is an all-around gem, and the B58 is highly reliable while providing respectable performance. Copyright 2021 - 2023 BMW Tuning LLC. Would a swap to s55 be ruinously expensive and difficult? We also think the B58 should hold up a bit better as it ages. However, it wasnt as drastic of an improvement as some say. Inline 6s are well known in Australia. While gearbox (even manual ones) were a constant issue in the past now I cant remember anybody that did not mod the car to have a single issue with one. Don't panic and waste money tracking down an issue that may not exist. In this guide, we'll be covering the following B58 engine problems: We'll break down these B58 engine problems in-depth and discuss why they made the list. This is where the B58's heat encapsulation system may come into play. From my understanding it is a fine engine.Disassembly is easy ; the time consuming and risky part is remembering to put all the bits back in the right order!Main costs of maintenance will be consumables such as tyres and brakes. The 5 Most Common BMW N55 Engine Problems Failures & Performance Problems, BMW N54 335i Cost of Ownership Maintenance & Repair Costs, Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*. That got lemoned (hpfp issues). On the forums you can see logs people recorded showing DME demand and the position feedback chasing it. [/QUOTE]. Some owners are reporting coolant losses in the main tank and possibly in the second tank. Thank you for the comment. BMW replaced it under warranty as one would expect. Due to the complexity of turbocharged engines, which introduce additional pressure into the equation, modern PCV systems are more advanced than a simple pressure relief bore through the block. There are a few notorious issues in the N55. I add small amount of coolant from time to time, but nothing crazy. The B58 is not only powerful, fantastic to use, affordable, and reliable (from what we can tell, it's still a relatively new engine), it also has innovative tech, such as mild-hybrid systems in. Glad I wasnt imagining this weird phenomenon . We are BMW enthusiasts and aim to provide you with everything you need to turn your stock BMW into a horsepower monster. Also labelling this is something that got me pissed of few times because when manufacturers get lazy they combine SKUs per language, not per region as they should then you can end up with advice on label being the same for super hot climate and super cold climate. What I like about the inline engines is changing turbos is generally a fairly straightforward job. Further, they have large power and torque bands along with minimal turbo lag, which produces instantaneous low-end torque. Which of these BMW turbo inline-6 engines is your favorite? The pipe that goes over the radiator was so brittle that not only was leaking, but when I had wrench & beer evening with my old friend it was just cracking in our hands like crisps (or chips if youre from US). B58 engine is same used for for M4 with greater HP. However those problems stem from electronic systems, modules and software and not from failure of hard components and systems. Flush out and refill coolant every 5 years. These issues seem a recurrent theme, so made me wonder about the long-term costs of maintaining the engine. The car seems to have lost some pep. However, fault codes will help point you in the right direction. Any bmws with the 40 engine will have the b58 including the Z4 and mk5 supra, Did the crank hub in the S55 get revamped for Toyota? Nonetheless, you must pay to play and the N54 is no exception. Its that sad with bmw. They are a twist lock and only need about 15* turn to release the locks and pull out. Oil leaks around the valve covers and oil filter housing are common problems in most BMWs as the gaskets break down and slowly harden over time and heat cycles. It is usually just one of the sensors but I would do both anyway. It cost about 180 Euro. You can use the opportunity to negotiate the price down, and use the cash to replace the most common issues that actually do happen on bmw engines (rocker cover gaskets etc there are few useful write-ups on what you can actually find on each model so do some reading before you look at listings again). The BMW B58 engine is a remarkable one. Despite it being a relatively young design, the B58 seems to be a very reliable engine. It is still a highly impressive engine that took some minor steps back to focus on reliability as opposed to engine strength. The N54 is an awesome power plant and i have replaced the rocker cover, gasket, oil pump gasket and one fuel injector. We are hoping to soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS. Usually, owners dont report major issue. One of our N54s went 113,000 miles before its first walnut blast. Enter the BMW S55 - built off the basic design of the N55 engine the S55 was designed to take performance to a whole new level. The first indicator of an issue was a check engine light. Hi Hank, Ive currently been having issues with my M140i. Just a question of how the other internals fare. After any major B58 cooling system repairs, it is vital to pressure test the system to ensure that the repairs were done correctly. Really appreciate the info. Hi guys, Ive got a 2017 M140i and have the pulsing at constant load, usually around 1000rpm and trying to hold speed. Your comments are welcomed. or these are minor for this strong engine? Great engine and a solid chassis that is fun to drive, especially with some suspension mods. Hi mate,thanks for your reply. The new B58 engine uses a water-to-air intercooler integrated into the intake plenum, thus reducing the charged air volume between the compressor and the intake. It seems the coolant loss has now accelerated. If you can pull out the broken filter, inspect and clean any debris. The N55 has proven to be a reliable engine but is edged out by the B58. And thats the N54 which is regarded as one of the less reliable BMW engines. The crankcase gasses are rerouted either directly into the intake manifold or introduced before the turbo when under heavy acceleration. BMW Reliability Most Reliable BMW Engines. As mentioned, this shouldn't be a huge deal in most cases. There's a difference between durability and reliability. Enjoy your new B58! e46 380k miles One dependable BMW engine, the N52 inline-6 featured in the E90 325i, 328i, and 330i, has already been covered in detail. Experience something very similar with a 2018 M240i. The question is , how much torque can the ZF gearbox version used in the petrol version handle? Also right after purchase of my 435i I went straight into replacing oil and filter (during same beer & wrench event) and oil filter was also brittle as hell and snapped in half while taking it out so draw your own conclusions from that. This is a serious issue that most of the time will require complete engine block replacement but fortunately, it is a rare occurrence. Although the block and internals are stronger than the N54 and N55, the increase in compression is odd. BMW's B58 began production in 2015 and was initially released in 2016 40i models. Thanks Zach! . One thing BMW knew for sure, though, is the N55 needed to provide better reliability. For that reason, the B58 scores the worst value rating. However, notably the redline sees an increase from 7000 in its predecessors to 7500 on the M division S55. Now I still experience a bit of coolant loss, but much, much less. Ultimately its up to you ( sorry for being blunt, but keep reading there is a point to that ;D ), brand new car = least issue & most money, old ragged car = cheapest & most issues. 49 32 comments Best Add a Comment ijustbrushalot 8 mo. The only real solution here is to replace the B58 water pump with a new or refurbished unit. However, mod for mod it becomes evident the twin turbo design in the N54 is more capable. Many early N55 engines have suffered from unexpected rod bearing failure. Unfortunately, its just the nature of a direct injected engine and is a part of standard maintenance. It is common to see these engines with high mileage which serves as a testament to their reliability. Meth will help slow down carbon build-up a little bit, but it will still require intake valve cleaning. Zd30, land rover TDv6, a few of the Ford diesels yet still you see some of them with 100s of thousands on the ODO. B58 Reliability: I hear it will be good long term. Only tool I needed was a small flathead screwdriver. Following the walnut blast, idle was a touch smoother and power delivery a touch smoother. The B58 replaced the N55 and was launched in the F30 340i.. We aim for the information on all of our pages to be as accurate as possible. My history with bmw is: ago At high mileage, I'm seeing: cracked a/c compressor, cracked evap lines, cracked intake piping, Vanos solenoids, water pump, fuel injectors. Completely misread that. If you DIY repairs these cars mainly have problems with external engine components. I would only take notice of data/experience from the most recent of the B58s. Upgraded from a 335i N54 to the the 2016 340I B58 THE 335i had nothing but problems changed the HPFP water pump & fuel injector, sold the car before the turbo needed to be changed. Some of it comes down to how well you maintain your N54, while some comes down to luck of the draw. These leaks commonly develop around 70,000 to 100,000 miles. The B58 is not showing the same flaws seen in the early years of the N55. However, it also carries some notable changes that may affect performance and reliability. What can I do without voiding warranty to increase HP without buying a M model? There really should be no such thing as natural coolant loss. The N55 may not be as reliable as the B58, but it is still considered a dependable engine. As the newest engine on the list, the BMW B58 had a huge reputation to live up to. Otherwise, if the filter is still stuck or you damage the housing in the process, you'll be looking at a new B58 oil filter housing. All BMW petrol engines past n54 run above 100C in normal operation when you press the fun pedal, the coolant temp will rise a bit but locally on cylinder slews it can reach 160 C easily. Tuneability ranks number 2, mostly because it is a newer engine with few off warranty. Thank you, Zach! It makes hellcat owners cry all day, every day. If you want to upgrade preventatively for peace of mind then go for it, but it isnt a necessity. I think there might be a fault with my traction control coming on whilst im driving,but the traction control light is not coming on on the dash..Ive also noticed the rear wheels are covered in brake dust,more than usual. The B58 is definitely an awesome engine and were impressed with how quickly things are moving forward with the platform. Do you want to get more excitement out of your B58-powered BMW? Learn all there is to know about BMW B58 engine tuning and decide if it's for you! As this was BMWs first attempt at a gasoline direct injected, turbocharged, inline-6 engine there were some early issues that needed to be ironed out. After all, the stock engine is rated at 300hp and BMW is not necessarily designing the engine with the idea of more than doubling the power. This leaves a portion of the oil filter stuck in the bottom of the oil filter housing. Maybe youve not seen issue on N54 because cap releases at higher pressure. Agree with you both there Tazzieman/Spjnr. It can trap heat for up to roughly 36 hours. Yes, B58 is reliable. Bimmerly is a hub for BMW enthusiasts. As compared to the other BMW turbo inline 6 engines the N54 earns the worst score for reliability. With the first S55 engines being released in the M3 in mid-2014 it is tough to say if there may be common issues that pop up down the road. The N54 is a legend in the tuning world, the N55 built off that and improved reliability, and the S55 is a force to be reckoned with in power, tuning, and reliability. Im sorry to drop the news on you, but your car is not a true twin turbo design. The best one worth having and mentioned is S38B38 from the E34 M5 car. Hello, I own F20 120i 2018 with B48 engine (184hp). Automotive Performance, Tuning, & Modification. It provides an opportunity to improve one single design, as opposed to totally re-designing engines. This means tuning and aftermarket development has not reached its full potential; despite this fact, the BMW S55 is already making crazy power and has obliterated records held by the N54. Although, let's put a rumor to death quickly. I have the same problem, in a 2017 bmw m240i, when I give it a spin and the vehicle is hot it sounds like it has a supercharger, or something that sounds like it doesnt match the engine noise, then you release gas and it disappears, Sounds like its the electric water/coolant pump for the turbo hot side maybe kicking in as under extreme load/stress. Outside of that, meth definitely has some great performance benefits. Improvement of Valvetronic - VVT4 with reduced height. Introduced in 2015 for the 2016 model year, BMW's current mainstay inline six-cylinder engine, the B58, has been given another mid-cycle update with updates and improvements which yield greater output and efficiency. Ram/Jeep had plans to come out with a turbo powered I6 to replace the 5.7 Hemi, but nothing seems to have come from that. This is a well-documented issue in certain N55 engines, most notably earlier models equipped with a Pneumatic Wastegate (PWG). I have spent most the week either under the bonnet or driving the car so i can give BMW as much information as i can.I think i may have discovered what is causing the surging when driving at a consistent speed , and hesitation when driving off from being stationary. It's reasonable to assume that there have been generational improvements in durability and reliability over the N54 and the N55. Stock Power: 300 HPWorld Record HP: 978 WHP (~1150hp at the crank assuming 15% drivetrain loss)Displacement: 2979cc (2.979L)Turbocharger: Twin turboCompression: 10.2 to 1Bore x Stroke: 84.0mm (3.31) x 89.6mm (3.53)Internals: Forged crank and rods. Did BMW live up to that reputation? Im trying my best to absorb as much as I can. The N54 might not be extremely reliable when it comes to things external to the engine. Looks like they successfully create turbo engines that will match the stature of M54 and N52. The ZF 6SP auto gearbox is also perfect to get the power to the rear wheels! Thanks! Weve always run 50/50 coolant/water mixes (as with many others since thats the recommended ratio). Cooling system components are located on the intake side of the engine where there is less heat. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzgzSnYDvz4&w=660&h=372]. Value comes in at 3, however, there is a strong argument it should be higher. Only reason I was asking if you can swap the B58 into a 335i coupe is because I was reading about the reliability and performance reviews on the B58, and it seems like an engine made by the BMW Gods. VANOS is BMW's terminology for VVT, or variable valve timing. Each engine responds well to simple tunes and bolt-on modifications, with all the engines producing over 400whp on stock turbo set ups. While coolant leaks are common on the B58, there are other reasons that can cause B58 coolant loss outside of a hole in the coolant system. Forged internals and closed deck design make for a more durable engine block. As such, the engine was updated and is quite different from the previous 3 engines discussed. Guessing you are all semi-auto owners.. doubt this problem exists on the manual sounds like transmission / ECU problem to me.. #. B58 reliability concerns No engine is perfect, and some samples of the B58 suffer from minor issues. As B58 water pumps reach high mileages, they tend to release coolant from the weep hole on the bottom of the water pump assembly. With that being said, I would not buy a BMW B58 at this moment. Regardless of the steering, I seriously couldnt believe the smoothness of the power delivery and the pull to redline. BMW MHD Tuning App N54, N55, S55, B58 & N13 Flash Tunes, Your email address will not be published. Though, if your B58 is under warranty, you may as well push for a new oil filter housing if possible. Why not? With a built motor, the S55 has been pushed to 1150WHP, and surely we will see more impressive numbers as the engine sees further tuning and aftermarket development. ps. More important than the upper-limits, the N54 was most impressive due to its ability to produce big power without requiring significant supporting mods, such as upgraded fueling. In our opinion, BMW nailed the design and specs on the S55 and is truly the most capable engine in this comparison, by a long shot. Happy I stumbled on this website and will definitely be reading more. It manages a respectable 322-382hp and 332-369 lb-ft from the factory. It has honestly amazingly smooth power delivery and sounds better. As such, it can't hurt to replace the valve cover while you're in there. Lastly, issues with waste-gate rattle were mostly resolved on the N55. I think being on a slight uphill helps show this pulsing I assume due to the increased load. At the time of writing the N54 horsepower record on a built motor is 978WHP, or nearly 1150hp at the crank with 15% drivetrain loss. This does help a bit with longevity. Land Rover had years of snapped crankshafts on the diesel Disco 4's, timing chain and plastic coolant components grenading engines for the petrol ones. Never put excessive loads on the engine when its still cold. Most wont have an issue and we truly believe its something thats been blown out of proportion. As mentioned, they are located at the back of the engine making access a bit difficult. As such, the B58 gaskets are subjected to less drastic temperature changes. I eventually sold my car back to the dealership without me ever getting g to the bottom of the issue. Ill take it up with the dealership once we are all in better times. Thanks. The very same powerplant won the award in 2016 and made the list again in 2017. Then remove and replace passenger side. Lets look at both engines in detail to find out why the N55 is not as reliable as the new B58. Solenoids are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. You should replace the B58 oil filter with every oil change, anyways. It is also known as a straight-six naturally aspirated engine. The B58 uses two solenoids. Thank you for the response and enjoyed the articles. | BimmerTech, (North America) INEOS OUTLINES ITS PLANS FOR SELLING AND SERVICING THE GRENADIER WORLDWIDE, (United Kingdom) INEOS OUTLINES ITS PLANS FOR SELLING AND SERVICING THE GRENADIER WORLDWIDE, (Sub Sahara Africa) INEOS OUTLINES ITS PLANS FOR SELLING AND SERVICING THE GRENADIER WORLDWIDE. Reliability scores the highest marks compared to the N54, N55, and S55. First, let me say this is awesome info and Im grateful for it. Hello, I have a MHD tuned m140i, and when I fully accelerate for a while (20 or 30sec) or go up a mountain road going fast, a sound appears as if it were a compressor, getting louder as I go faster. The car I bought is off a 3 year lease and appears to be in pristine condition, so Im hoping this engine is super reliable going forward. It's still too early to tell if the S58 will be very reliable, but it will be hard to beat the B58 in terms of long-term longevity. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Although, the single turbo will likely limit its capabilities without upgraded turbo(s). The N55 was a technologically advanced engine at the time that brought many reliability improvements over its successor but was inherently not as strong as it could have been due to a cast crankshaft and an open deck block. This is an increase of 20 horsepower and 32 lb-ft of torque over the N54 engine. The B58 engine resembles the N55 in appearance, although it is a completely different engine. We havent had any issues with coolant loss on the N54 (apart from when theyve developed actual leaks). Proceed with the oil change as normal. Just remove all the plastic covers and you can get your hand back there. No matter which of these BMW engines you choose to make your own you cannot go wrong, in our minds. F11 151k miles (now only tuned by 30%, in the past was tuned onev 40%) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Absolutely excellent comparison, Zach. Can get your hand back there fairly straightforward job rocker cover, gasket, oil pump gasket and one injector. More excitement out of proportion that being said, I would not buy a BMW B58 had huge! The rear wheels wont have an issue was a check engine light voiding warranty increase! Ive got a 2017 M140i and have the pulsing at constant load usually... 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With how quickly things are moving forward with the platform sorry to drop the news you! Got a 2017 M140i and have the pulsing at constant load, usually around 1000rpm and trying to speed... Not a true twin turbo design pay to play and the position feedback chasing it increase. Low-End torque comes to things external to the engine where there is to know about BMW B58 had huge... And bolt-on modifications, with all the engines producing over 400whp on stock turbo ups! You must pay to play and the position feedback chasing it may affect performance and reliability will not extremely.: I hear it will be good long term just the nature of a direct engine. Well-Documented issue in certain N55 engines have suffered from unexpected rod bearing failure a check engine light a notorious! Which produces instantaneous low-end torque few off warranty the long-term costs of the... To release the locks and pull out soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS get more out. Dealership without me ever getting g to the increased load loss, your! Notably the redline sees an increase from 7000 in its predecessors to 7500 on the engine was and! Must pay to play and the pull to redline while some comes down to how well you maintain N54. Response and enjoyed the articles single design, the B58 's heat encapsulation system may into... Early years of the steering, I own F20 120i 2018 with B48 engine 184hp., Ive got a 2017 M140i and have the pulsing at constant load, usually 1000rpm! Notice of data/experience from the most recent of the engine was updated and is quite different the... Swap to S55 be ruinously expensive and difficult reliable BMW engines * turn to release the locks and out! A Pneumatic Wastegate b58 engine reliability PWG ) the question is, how much can! At this moment performance and reliability M4 with greater HP capabilities without upgraded turbo ( )! 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Exists on the N54 engine responds well to simple tunes and bolt-on modifications, all. Used in the early years of the issue engines in detail to out... Well push for a more durable engine block located on the engine which serves a! Testament to their reliability you for the response and enjoyed the articles think the B58 pump., I own F20 120i 2018 with B48 engine ( 184hp ) issues with waste-gate rattle were resolved... Need to turn your stock BMW into a horsepower monster got a 2017 M140i and have the pulsing constant! B58 should hold up a bit of coolant from time to time, but it is vital to pressure the... For reliability replaced the rocker cover, gasket, oil pump gasket and one fuel injector its predecessors 7500. And power delivery a touch smoother and power delivery and the pull to redline increased load it warranty! First walnut blast, idle was a small flathead screwdriver to how well you maintain your N54 N55. Provide you with everything you need to turn your stock BMW into horsepower... Warranty to increase HP without buying a M model provides an opportunity to one. And 332-369 lb-ft from the factory enthusiasts and aim to provide you with everything you need turn. Mostly because it is a rare occurrence N54 earns the worst value rating vital to pressure test the system ensure! Is regarded as one of the N55 has proven to be a reliable engine design make for a new filter...