Well let’s see, I would classify a lemon as a car that’s constantly going wrong. For yours to have so many costly faults and not all attributable to the N54 engine, in a short space of time and relatively few miles and low mileage I would say is a lemon! I have heard of others members on this forum with the N54 who have not experienced so many problems.mcbutler wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 5:43 pmSilverstar wrote: ↑Wed Mar 15, 2023 2:50 amOf course £500 isn’t going to get you far if something big breaks on the N54 but still the same logic put £1000 a year away or so or better yet make sure you already have cash in the bank lined up just in case. Even with all of the N54 issues I wouldn’t expect to have big bills every year if you do you’ve bought a lemon!
Define 'a lemon'.
Problems can come around from outside sources not just mechanical failure bud, speed bumps and bricks ripping up the cars underneath for example.
I have had my 35i for just under 4 years. I bought it pristine, fully loaded with 24k miles I have done 17k miles in her, fully inspected with an annual BMW safety check, always in a heated garage.
I bought a 3 yr full warranty with zero excess from warranty direct for £1100. At the end of that three year warranty period WD had increased the premium for this model car by about 300% plus based entirely on my vehicle, the only one on their books at the time. I checked that with them after a forum comment.
My car had;
1. A full DCT bottom end rebuild, gaskeets, filters, oil, sump pan.
2. New Idrive screen (£2500 plus labour!!!! WTF)
3. New Radiator
4. New heater Blower Motor
5. Propshaft Bearing
6. 6 x New Injectors
7. New cam cover and gaskets
8. New HPFP
9. Literally dozens of diagnostic sessions
And a few more I cant remember.
Most amazingly the HPFP was the SECOND one fitted, first one failed at 11k miles (receipts from purchase)
So in my experience you need cash in the bank to run an N54 car - end of
Mine is a N52 granted but in the same space of time almost 4 years bought at 33k miles now on around 50k I have had to spend zero on repairs other than routine services and consumables. Only real issue that’s propped up recently is the current drain but that’s suspected to be the aftermarket MMI box.
Funnily enough, the hardest part of it all was detaching the pad wear sensor plug from its housing above the nearside wheel arch. The parts cost me £207 from autodoc. Oh and for those who stumble upon this in the future: to reset the brake pad service in the onboard computer, you have to release the e-handbrake. 
So haven't had a chance to throw it around any fun corners quite yet. Perhaps it will help with the tyre wear or perhaps this was a £159 alignment conjob, I may or may not find out.
