In the last few decades, BMW has created some of the most impressive engines of any manufacturer. With engines like the B58 winning award after award, it might be a surprise that BMW engines come with their share of problems. Even on some of their most impressive engines issues can arise, so it’s important to know what these problems are.
In this article, we’ve put together a list of what we believe are the most problematic BMW engines since 2000. Some of these engines are impressive feats of engineering, particularly at the time of their release, but they can lead to major problems with some incredibly expensive repair costs.
So what engines make our list? Let’s get started and find out!
N47 (2007 – 2014)
Our first engine on the list is the N47. This turbocharged diesel engine powered a variety of BMWs model range for 7 years, including the 320d and 520d.
Stats:
- 1.6 / 2.0 Liter
- 4 Cylinder
- Turbo Diesel
Found in:
- 1 Series – 114d (F20)
- 1 Series – 116d (E81, E87, F20)
- 1 Series – 118d (E81, E82, E87, E88)
- 1 Series – 120d (E81, E82, E87, E88)
- 1 Series – 123d (E81, E82, E87, E88)
- 1 Series – 125d (F20)
- 2 Series – 218d (F22)
- 2 Series – 225d (F22)
- 2 Series – 225d (F22)
- 3 Series – 316d (E90, F30)
- 3 Series – 318d (E90, E91, F30, F31)
- 3 Series – 320d (E90, E91, E92, E93)
- 3 Series – 325d (F30)
- 4 Series – 425d (F32)
- 5 Series – 520d (E60, E61)
- 5 Series – 525d (F10)
- 5 Series – 535d (E60)
- X1 – sDrive18d and xDrive18d (E84)
- X1 – sDrive20d and xDrive20d (E84)
- X1 – xDrive23d (E84X1)
- X1- xDrive25d (E84)
- X3 – sDrive18d (E83)
- X3 – xDrive20d (E83)
Common problems:
Timing Chain Problems: timing chains have been known to expand on N47 engines, which can lead to engine timing breaking down. Once this happens, the engine will suffer from damaged pistons or rods, requiring a full engine rebuild. Unlike most engine issues, you can easily identify this problem due to a loud rattling noise and the chain starts catching.
Diesel Particulate Filter Issues: A common issue with diesel engines, the particulate filter on the N47 can clog up, causing issues with the turbo and even your EGR sensors. Shorter journeys will build up problems quickly on your filter, but it’s fairly easy to replace.
Cooling System Issues: the thermostat on N47 engines is known for failing, which can lead to cooling issues, causing overheating and coolant leaks. Most of the time, this results in you needing a new water pump and refilling the coolant, but if left alone, it can cause more significant problems.
N43 (2007 – 2011)
Next up is the N43 engine. This naturally aspirated petrol engine only featured in a handful of BMW models and, unfortunately, was plagued with issues, mainly around the timing chain.
Stats:
- 1.6 Liter
- 4 Cylinder
- Gasoline
Found In:
- 1 Series – 116i (E81, E87)
- 1 Series – 118i (E81, E87, E88)
- 1 Series – 120i (E81, E82, E87, E88)
- 3 Series – 318i (E90, E91, E92, E93)
- 3 Series – 320i (E90, E91, E92, E93)
- 5 Series – 520i (E60, E61)
Common problems:
Timing Chain Issues: Probably the most common issue for N43 engines was the timing chains beginning to stretch much earlier than expected on certain models. Along with general timing issues you’d encounter from this kind of problem, the chain guides were known to break off and damage the oil pump. This can lead to major issues, up to engine failure. Unfortunately, replacing the timing isn’t an easy task either due to the engine bay layout.
Fuel Injector Problems: Another issue on the N43 engine can be fuel injection problems. These can become clogged over time, spraying less fuel into the spark plugs, which leads to a variety of engine issues, including misfires and stalling. Replacing all the injectors can be expensive, both with replacement parts and the labor involved.
Oil Pressure: the N43 oil filter can also lead to problems after significant use. These filters can break down, allowing engine oil to be contaminated and resulting in the oil pump being blocked. This is a major cost to replace, and if ignored, will lead to engines seizing.
S85 (2005 – 2010)
The first V10 engine from BMW, the S85 was also the first V10 to feature in a production sedan car. At its release in 2005, this was a groundbreaking engine for BMW, but the complex design led to a wide range of problems with used models.
Stats:
- 5.0 Liter
- V 10
- Gasoline
Found In:
- M5 (E60, E61)
- M6 (E63, E64)
Common problems:
Throttle Actuators Failing: the S85 throttle actuators can fail in one of two ways – either mechanically or electrically. In both situations, you get an engine that won’t perform, but the fixes in each case are very different. If it’s a mechanical issue caused by the actuator gears, you can repair these without major hassle. An electrical problem can be caused by the actuator wires overheating, which will require you to replace each actuator fully.
Rod Bearings Failing: A major problem on the S85 engine is rod bearings failing. These rod bearings can wear down over time, causing bent rods and the whole engine to become damaged beyond repair. The (almost) good news is that these rods aren’t incredibly expensive, but they take a long time to replace. Plenty of S85 owners get the rod bearings replaced before noticing an issue as an extra precaution too.
N54 (2006 – 2016)
The N54 was used in BMW models for ten years and, during its time, won multiple ‘engine of the year’ awards. With impressive performance from a straight-six petrol design, the N54 also developed a reputation for issues, most notably with fuel issues.
Stats:
- 3.0 Liter
- Straight 6
- Gasoline
Found In:
- 1 Series – 135i (E82, E88)
- 1 Series – 1M Coupe (E82)
- 3 Series – 335i (E90, E91, E92, E93)
- 5 Series – 535i (E60, E61)
- 7 Series – 740i (F01)
- X6 – xDrive35i (E71)
- Z4 – sDrive35i (E89)
Common problems:
Turbocharger Issues: The turbocharger issue on N54 engines is caused by issues with the wastegates. As a result of general use, the turbocharger rods can start to fail, and running high levels of boost can speed up this problem. If the wastegates fail, your N54 will end up with a lack of power and a fairly obvious rattling noise coming from your engine.
Oil Leaks: Like the N62 engine (which we’ll cover soon), the gaskets can erode over time and leak oil into the engine. This won’t cause any major problems, but you’ll lose oil in the system and notice the smell of burning oil. Replacing the gasket is the only option here, which can be a pain due to the engine layout.
Fuel Injector Failure: On some N54 engines, you might find underperforming fuel injectors. Over time these injectors can get blocked, causing misfires and difficulty starting the engine. Often the fuel injectors will only need a ‘clean,’ but in serious cases, you’ll need to replace all the injectors to fix the issue.
N62 (2001 – 2010)
The final engine on our list, the N62 was a V8 design featured in BMWs premium models throughout the 2000s. Like many BMW engines, when the N62 was introduced, it won ‘Engine of the year,’ but over time, models with this engine suffered from a number of problems, mostly related to oil leaks.
Stats:
- 3.6 – 4.8 Liter
- V8
- Gasoline
Found In:
- 5 Series – 545i (E60)
- 5 Series – 550i (E60)
- 6 Series – 645Ci (E63)
- 6 Series – 650i (E63)
- 7 Series – 745i (E65)
- 7 Series – 745Li (E65)
- 7 Series – 750i (E65)
- 7 Series – 750Li (E65)
- X5 (E53)
Common problems:
Oil Gasket Leak: Over time, the oil gasket had a tendency to erode on N62 engines, causing oil leaks. Fortunately, this issue doesn’t cause any major problems for the N62 engine, but it’s difficult to replace the gasket, requiring a full engine strip down to reach the area.
Valve Failure: A more serious issue on the N62 engine is engine oil leaking through the valve seals. The seals designed to stop oil leaking can fail, and when you have four valves on each cylinder, there’s a high chance of at least one failing. Oil leakage will result in extra smoke and wasted oil, and replacing all 32 values can be costly.
Coolant hose leaks: the coolant transfer pipe (located above the engine) can leak on N62 models, causing your engine to lose coolant. Alongside the impact on your engine, getting this coolant hose fixed can be a few thousand dollars because you need to remove all cylinder heads to complete this.
Summary
Overall, the issues we’ve covered here can be seen in most manufacturers, particularly with higher-capacity engines. During the 2000s and 2010s, BMW pushed the boundaries for displacement in their performance cars & SUVs, and alongside creating some engines with incredible performance, they led to a handful of serious issues.
If you’re looking to buy a preowned BMW it’s vital to do your own research and check the car’s history – the issues we’ve highlighted are some of the most common but not the only problems that can occur on older engines. In addition to that, as with any used car, there may be issues outside the engine bay, so check all components.
If you want to find out more about all things BMW, check out our other articles below:
