E89 n52

[Thelog]

Hello!
I currently own a BMW 2 Series, F44, with a 2-liter B48 engine, producing 174hp. Recently, I parked next to a Z4 E89, and I have to say, it was love at first sight. I’ve been looking to buy one, and I found two beautiful M models for sale.

One has the 3-liter N54 engine with twin turbos, and the other has the 2.5-liter N52 naturally aspirated engine. After doing some research, I understand the N54 can be quite costly to maintain.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to test drive a naturally aspirated engine, and the car I'm interested in is over 1000km away.

I really want to buy it, but I’m afraid I might be disappointed by the power.

Is there a noticeable difference between the B48 (174hp) and the N52 (204hp)?

Thank You

 

[B21]

Hello!
I currently own a BMW 2 Series, F44, with a 2-liter B48 engine, producing 174hp. Recently, I parked next to a Z4 E89, and I have to say, it was love at first sight. I’ve been looking to buy one, and I found two beautiful M models for sale.

One has the 3-liter N54 engine with twin turbos, and the other has the 2.5-liter N52 naturally aspirated engine. After doing some research, I understand the N54 can be quite costly to maintain.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to test drive a naturally aspirated engine, and the car I'm interested in is over 1000km away.

I really want to buy it, but I’m afraid I might be disappointed by the power.

Is there a noticeable difference between the B48 (174hp) and the N52 (204hp)?

Thank You

Although on paper broadly similar very different to drive..B48 moves forward on an ocean of mid range torque but runs out of puff early due to being gelded…in contrast 2.5 litre N52 little torque low down but sings on to get going right at the top end..

 

[Pondrew]

B48 moves forward on an ocean of mid range torque

No it doesn't. The B48 (in 180bhp guise) is very similar to the N20 (in 180bhp guise). I have both and can assure anybody they are very 'vanilla' in terms of torque and power. They both need revs to get them going (or a remap to increase the boost).

 

[Pondrew]

Hello!
I currently own a BMW 2 Series, F44, with a 2-liter B48 engine, producing 174hp. Recently, I parked next to a Z4 E89, and I have to say, it was love at first sight. I’ve been looking to buy one, and I found two beautiful M models for sale.

One has the 3-liter N54 engine with twin turbos, and the other has the 2.5-liter N52 naturally aspirated engine. After doing some research, I understand the N54 can be quite costly to maintain.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to test drive a naturally aspirated engine, and the car I'm interested in is over 1000km away.

I really want to buy it, but I’m afraid I might be disappointed by the power.

Is there a noticeable difference between the B48 (174hp) and the N52 (204hp)?

Thank You

I don't know about the N52 engine, but would imagine it is very similar to drive, in most daily driving to the B48 you have. Bigger capacity with 6 cylinders, versus smaller capacity with 4 cylinders and a turbo.

The N52 is considered to be extremely reliable, though, unlike the B48 which has coolant leak issues (a lot).
One advantage with the N52 is it sounds a lot better than the B48, which sounds like a washing machine.

 

[Nash]

I have the n52 on the 3 litre flavour, not a bad drive and so far has been very reliable

 

[2k35is]

I have he B48(184i) in a mini coopers and although fwd expect it is broadly in line with the same engine in z4 application.
I sold my E89 35i as a result of medical problems(hopefully now sorted) but missed having a convertible. Ass a result started looking for a replacement and looked at 2 series. Test drove a 230i(about 2 bhp) and 220i -same engine as mini(184). Thought 230 was brilliant but 184 engine in 220i was woeful in comparison to mini installation. Both autos but 220i lethargic never checked but wouldn't expect 220i to be heavier Started looking for 230i but after owning a e46 33i convertinle for 13 years just wondered how a BMW 6 would feel in comparison to the turbo 230i. Only way to decide was a test drive. The 2 series 6 cylinder is 240I (300+ bhp) but insurance was a shock in comparison to Z4 35i so ruled out. To get a 6 pot looked at 1 series -135I not as expensive to insure but very very difficult to find 10 year old plus car with less tan 60k miles with service history so would qualify for BMW insured warranty. .Next model down 125i which is a detuned N52(212bhp) which has old 6 speed auto. Drove this to compare with 220i(184)turbo plus 8speed auto
Decision - the 125i(212) 6 pot 6 speed auto v 220i(184) 4pot turbo 8 speed
The 125 N52 won hands down yes very different to drive but engine is so smooth and surprisingly is a 1series m-sport (on non runflats) , 13 years old and the car is so refined just as the he 2 series convertible on runflats with better tech. But the 6 cylinder makes all the difference.
n
So go for the 3.0 n52 if you can get one an experience that you maybe only get once in your lifetime