Help picking Z4 - N52 or M54???

[Rubicon14]

I was all set to buy a 2004 with 70k miles and now I'm worried about the vanos system...can someone ease my mind? When do tall think this may need attention? Don't wanna pay 10k for this and end up needing 1500 dollar repair cause it don't run right..

 

[Rubicon14]

I don't know if these forums or good or bad! (Kidding) they have fantastic info but damn I've been scared away from an 06 si worried about lifter problems and now this vanos stuff about the m54 cars!!! I need to feel better about this!!

 

[srhutch]

Don't buy an ///M then, Vanos, cam followers and bearings shells, all costly failures.

You will always hear the worst on here. After all there isn't anything to say when things are working fine.

You'll be fine whichever way you go.

 

[ranski]

I was all set to buy a 2004 with 70k miles and now I'm worried about the vanos system...can someone ease my mind? When do tall think this may need attention? Don't wanna pay 10k for this and end up needing 1500 dollar repair cause it don't run right..

Its all subjective, but my 2003 3.0 which is currently at 79k has had zero engine issues. It had 15k on the clock when I bought it and aside from servicing the only maintenance I have carried out was a new DISA (driven from the paranoid posts on the forum) some new O rings for the radiator and a oil change for the autobox

Both the N52 and M54 engines have their pros' and con's. But it all boils down to how the car has been maintained and how it has been driven, most of this you will never know.

PS In my 5 years on this forum I can recall many more posts about the N52 rattle than vanos failures on the M54

 

[jamie_z4]

It all boils down when the m54 cooling system shits itself too :lol:

I've had 19 m54 engined cars btw before i get accused of being against them!

 

[Rubicon14]

Thanks guys..so Srhutch....are you saying stay away from m cars?

 

[srhutch]

Thanks guys..so Srhutch....are you saying stay away from m cars?

No, not at all, but if you were researching then those three faults would show up. When buying mine 4 years ago it was just the Vanos being reported. In recent months the others have shown up more. I wouldn't let it put you off, just buy on condition and budget for repairs just in case.

 

[Smartbear]

I was all set to buy a 2004 with 70k miles and now I'm worried about the vanos system...can someone ease my mind? When do tall think this may need attention? Don't wanna pay 10k for this and end up needing 1500 dollar repair cause it don't run right..

Its all subjective, but my 2003 3.0 which is currently at 79k has had zero engine issues. It had 15k on the clock when I bought it and aside from servicing the only maintenance I have carried out was a new DISA (driven from the paranoid posts on the forum) some new O rings for the radiator and a oil change for the autobox

Both the N52 and M54 engines have their pros' and con's. But it all boils down to how the car has been maintained and how it has been driven, most of this you will never know.

PS In my 5 years on this forum I can recall many more posts about the N52 rattle than vanos failures on the M54

But none of those posts about n52 lifter tapping have ever led to an engine failure/unreliability, whereas the disa issue has wrecked a few engines beyond economic repair.
Ones a real issue & the other can be ignored with no consequence.
Regards

 

[Steve84N]

You also don't know the VANOS has a problem on the M54 if you buy it already not working very well as there's no ill effect apart from a loss in power.

 

[Rubicon14]

Ok guys thanks! I'm looking now at an 04 3.0i with perfect service history by bm dealers and 70k miles...I've driven an 06 si auto with 118k and it ran like a top and was crazy fast...i hope the 04 manual is on par quickness wize..I've yet to drove it

 

[Rubicon14]

Just drove the 04...it's quick! Think I'ma like the manual too...pick it up tomorrow they are goin to look at the tensioner noise it has at idle, clean it up and fuel..atleast that's what we think it is...top motor is brand new..perfect car fax..I'm excited!