2.0L engine why so bad.

[Smartbear]

Theres no way I would map past 245bhp of the 28i.
Problems with the n20 are
Mitsubishi turbo normally reliable but runs hot in the Z4 the intake seal fails allowing oil in overnight and puff of smoke on startup. Bmw advise a one way pipe install that takes 6 hours that may or may not mask problem-needs a turbo rebuild budget 1k in all which mine did

Timing chain slap with wear breaks plastic guides causing plastic to get caught in the oil pump writing off engine, if caught early needs timing chain and guide replacment. Budget 1k

Oil pump is high tech variable displacement, can fail writing off engine- 12k at a bmw dealer

Valvetronic motor fails due to heat in cylinder head can and does take out ecu which mine did - Budget 2.5k to fix

Ecu aka dme is mounted to hottest part of engine behind oil cooler. Runs crazy hot and will fail sooner or later. Ive put a heat shield behind cooler now

Fuel injectors fail early as do ignition coils due excessive heat and yes can take out ecu

Spark plugs are dear for this engine

Fuel economy whilst much better than the 6 on paper is the same in reality a fair trade for the improved response I guess but dissapointing

Most oil coolers that are plastic crack internally allowing coolant to mix with oil writing off engine bmw had a recall on this as they panicked-poor r and d

Exhaust flap for noise can and does fail

The cylinder walls are aluminium with micron iron coating sprayed on any wear and a rebore is not possible and the engine is likly weaker than it should be

Its not a terrible engine but fact is most people dont know $hit about these engines, the turbo fails at 30k miles evidenced by black internals of the exhausts and they all have them. The dmes are on borrowed time due to the heat and location and the high tech oil pump and poor plastic chain guides are also waiting to fail. I very much dobt these engines will see 150k miles , I could be wrong but I dont think so.

That’s strange, nobody on here seems to have suffered from the multitude of disasters you list? I’d better go & check mine before it disintegrates (it’s just gone over 30k)
Rob

 

[Smartbear]

Not sure why you think it’s bad?

I read some posts on e90 where it was suggesting the 2.0L engines are unreliable, timing chains and coil packs spring to mind. I was assuming it would be the same engine since lot of componentry share between 3 series and z for gen 1 Z4s. I am not interested in tuning it I've my 3.0L E85 gives all the performance I need, just want reliability and low running costs.

Hi, You do realise that the e89 n20 engine shares nothing with the 2litre e85 lump?
Rob

 

[Kugaman1]

Not sure why you think it’s bad?

I read some posts on e90 where it was suggesting the 2.0L engines are unreliable, timing chains and coil packs spring to mind. I was assuming it would be the same engine since lot of componentry share between 3 series and z for gen 1 Z4s. I am not interested in tuning it I've my 3.0L E85 gives all the performance I need, just want reliability and low running costs.

Hi, You do realise that the e89 n20 engine shares nothing with the 2litre e85 lump?
Rob

I was thinking the same myself Rob.....I did a lot of research before I swapped to the 2.0 and saw no reports of engine issues anywhere. In fact, they made the engine right up to the last day of production and it was a big seller. There are also a fair few higher mile 2.0s knocking about for sale so maybe they don't quite fall apart after 30k?
Not sure what Magicarcher is talking about.....

 

[Smartbear]

I read some posts on e90 where it was suggesting the 2.0L engines are unreliable, timing chains and coil packs spring to mind. I was assuming it would be the same engine since lot of componentry share between 3 series and z for gen 1 Z4s. I am not interested in tuning it I've my 3.0L E85 gives all the performance I need, just want reliability and low running costs.

Hi, You do realise that the e89 n20 engine shares nothing with the 2litre e85 lump?
Rob

I was thinking the same myself Rob.....I did a lot of research before I swapped to the 2.0 and saw no reports of engine issues anywhere. In fact, they made the engine right up to the last day of production and it was a big seller. There are also a fair few higher mile 2.0s knocking about for sale so maybe they don't quite fall apart after 30k?
Not sure what Magicarcher is talking about.....

I think the op has his n43 & n20 wires crossed :?
Rob

 

[roger1]

I read some posts on e90 where it was suggesting the 2.0L engines are unreliable, timing chains and coil packs spring to mind. I was assuming it would be the same engine since lot of componentry share between 3 series and z for gen 1 Z4s. I am not interested in tuning it I've my 3.0L E85 gives all the performance I need, just want reliability and low running costs.

Hi, You do realise that the e89 n20 engine shares nothing with the 2litre e85 lump?
Rob

I was thinking the same myself Rob.....I did a lot of research before I swapped to the 2.0 and saw no reports of engine issues anywhere. In fact, they made the engine right up to the last day of production and it was a big seller. There are also a fair few higher mile 2.0s knocking about for sale so maybe they don't quite fall apart after 30k?
Not sure what Magicarcher is talking about.....

Im definately dicussing the n20 im not sure about Op. Would be great to see some ads for high miles n20 or better yet forum members.
My info comes from my own experiance buying a 2013 28i with warranted miles of 33000 currently at 44k. Also lots of info from Bmw Technician Andreas on the web, do a search for n20 bmw technician. He has also had valves breaking and rod bearings fail as well as the common turbo issue and injectors as well as chain issues.

 

[roger1]

Ps his advice is not to own one of these out of warranty. To be noted is the n20 is much more common in the usa where diesel hasnt taken over.

 

[Smartbear]

Hi, You do realise that the e89 n20 engine shares nothing with the 2litre e85 lump?
Rob

I was thinking the same myself Rob.....I did a lot of research before I swapped to the 2.0 and saw no reports of engine issues anywhere. In fact, they made the engine right up to the last day of production and it was a big seller. There are also a fair few higher mile 2.0s knocking about for sale so maybe they don't quite fall apart after 30k?
Not sure what Magicarcher is talking about.....

Im definately dicussing the n20 im not sure about Op. Would be great to see some ads for high miles n20 or better yet forum members.
My info comes from my own experiance buying a 2013 28i with warranted miles of 33000 currently at 44k. Also lots of info from Bmw Technician Andreas on the web, do a search for n20 bmw technician. He has also had valves breaking and rod bearings fail as well as the common turbo issue and injectors as well as chain issues.

Strange how we’ve not had horror stories on this forum?
Rob

 

[roger1]

It is actually, and it could well be due to ambient temps in california where andreas of bmw technican.com is based or it could be due to much fewer n20s in the uk vs the usa as diesel is preferred by new car buyers for prestige cars due to co2 and BIK tax.
All n20s ive seen have dark exhausts which tells me the turbos are all shot and people dont realise or ignore it. Look for smoke first thing in the morning.
The dme does run very hot due to being behind the oil cooler and mountex on the engine would you mount the brain with all the electronics that costs 2k there? Ive resorted to cutting the insulation over the valvetronic motor away to keep it cooler and put a heat shielf behind the cooler. The location still sucks and I would prefer to move it off the engine and extend the wires.

 

[Smartbear]

It is actually, and it could well be due to ambient temps in california where andreas of bmw technican.com is based or it could be due to much fewer n20s in the uk vs the usa as diesel is preferred by new car buyers for prestige cars due to co2 and BIK tax.
All n20s ive seen have dark exhausts which tells me the turbos are all shot and people dont realise or ignore it. Look for smoke first thing in the morning.
The dme does run very hot due to being behind the oil cooler and mountex on the engine would you mount the brain with all the electronics that costs 2k there? Ive resorted to cutting the insulation over the valvetronic motor away to keep it cooler and put a heat shielf behind the cooler. The location still sucks and I would prefer to move it off the engine and extend the wires.

Dark exhausts don’t signify a shot turbo, it’s normal. Worn turbo seals would mean copious amounts of engine oil getting burnt & leaving a smoke trail like the red arrows, I’ve not seen an n20 car with those traits :?
I’ve never heard of a dme getting cooked either.
Rob

 

[roger1]

It is actually, and it could well be due to ambient temps in california where andreas of bmw technican.com is based or it could be due to much fewer n20s in the uk vs the usa as diesel is preferred by new car buyers for prestige cars due to co2 and BIK tax.
All n20s ive seen have dark exhausts which tells me the turbos are all shot and people dont realise or ignore it. Look for smoke first thing in the morning.
The dme does run very hot due to being behind the oil cooler and mountex on the engine would you mount the brain with all the electronics that costs 2k there? Ive resorted to cutting the insulation over the valvetronic motor away to keep it cooler and put a heat shielf behind the cooler. The location still sucks and I would prefer to move it off the engine and extend the wires.

Dark exhausts don’t signify a shot turbo, it’s normal. Worn turbo seals would mean copious amounts of engine oil getting burnt & leaving a smoke trail like the red arrows, I’ve not seen an n20 car with those traits :?
I’ve never heard of a dme getting cooked either.
Rob

Lots of examples on youtube , the smoke is only on startup due to a seal allowing oil overnight to enter the turbo on starting is sucked into the engine, after a few seconds this clears. You can tell also by the strangd smell outside if you start it and go around back.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7iWJ5OwG99Q
https://m.youtube.com/results?q=n20%20timing%20chain%20noise&sm=1

and here
https://bmwtechnician.com/2016/05/16/n20-turbo-update/

 

[Smartbear]

Roger, I’d stop worrying so much & just enjoy the car, after all planet earth could easily get struck by an enormous asteroid travelling at warp speed, ending all life as we know it
My n20 runs fine.
Rob

 

[Kugaman1]

Totally agree Rob....

Regardless of those across the pond, it would appear that there are very few issues noted by any UK owners.
Enjoy the car for what it is....I mean, you could own a 3.5is with its dodgy adaptive suspension, fuel pump issues, coil pack issues, heavy fuel consumption, etc,etc......but by god their owners love em!!!!!

 

[JSmithyP]

I gotta back Rob up here.

I've owned mine for nearly 2 months now with 53K miles. Not a single thing wrong with it, no smoke, no leaks, nothing...

Sounds like people just don't look after them

 

[greg1953]

I'm trading in my e85 for a e89 28i 62 plate on Saturday, it's a minter with 49.000 mls, I'm getting scared after reading this.

 

[Twin Turbo]

Lets face it there are horror stories on all engines, I am aware of a few issues - but this is a universal engine used across the whole range. There is a lot of smoke in this topic but not much of a fire. Even if you look at N54 engine, which issues of HPFP - as I had one and one did fail.

With all turbo based engines, you getting more complex than an normal asperated engine.

Statistically, they are a safe engine, but you always going to get some false news.

I had a 28i for nearly 4 years and 40K miles, and for the last 38,000 miles, its had a JB4. And never had any engine issues. Changed the oil every 8K - but that's me. And getting over 300BHP,

There is an known issue with the timing chain, butit does not go bang, you can hear the noise. But no engine BMW make are buttet proof nowadays.

I had over 500 miles out of a tank.
And to be honest, my 28i is quicker than 98% of cars on this forum Only modifed 35i or 35is will be quicker
And since its 100KG lighter engine - much better handling with a suspensionion modifications.


https://youtu.be/xERJ0KPgsgM
https://youtu.be/0n7gLJg7ACk

After my ownserhip, my car been fixed three times
1) MAF sensor failure
2) Gearbox failure
3) Roof Failure

All fixed by BMW

And considering I have currently probably the most modified N20 engine Z4 in the UK. And no engine issues!

 

[Amg01]

I'm trading in my e85 for a e89 28i 62 plate on Saturday, it's a minter with 49.000 mls, I'm getting scared after reading this.

I will have had mine for 3 years in April, its my only car and used daily and I have put approx 20k miles on it, now on 53k miles and no issues, serviced as required as dictated by the on board computer. Buy with confidence.