Looking for a new daily, anyone have experience with N53 engine?

[hopz121]

Hi all,

Looking for a new daily and i am interested in an E90 3.0 Auto, it is the later n53 engine though which i don't know much about.

Does anyone know anything about them?

I hear they have similar issues to the N54 with coils, injectors and HPFP any experience would be great.

Thanks

 

[Mr Tidy]

I have no experience of them, but I've read about the issues you mention as well as the inlet manifold getting coked up - the solution seems to be getting it blasted with walnut shells!

That's largely why when I went looking for an E90 I only looked at ones with the N52 engine as I was on my 2nd E86 by then and other than the inevitable electric water pump I had no issues with them.

Hopefully someone on here may have had one.

 

[hopz121]

Thanks for the message Mr Tidy, I have heard about the coke too but it’s not a huge issue to sort to be fair.

I assume the electric water pump is still an issue for the N53 engine too.

The positive thing with the N53 is the improved fuel economy I do around 52 miles a day currently so slightly better fuel wouldn’t be a bad thing.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, I'm pretty sure the N53 does have an electric water pump.

But I can see the appeal of better economy for what you will be doing, although to be honest if I was doing that sort of mileage I might even consider the fuel of the devil!

 

[hopz121]

Yes, I'm pretty sure the N53 does have an electric water pump.

But I can see the appeal of better economy for what you will be doing, although to be honest if I was doing that sort of mileage I might even consider the fuel of the devil!

I currently have a golf 1.9tdi with 170k on the clock which does like 60 Mpg all day long but it’s tedious on long journeys now being a manual and i fancy a change I have had it for nearly 3 years and 50,000 miles. I think the Mpg difference will be a shock mind you.

I am looking at 325/330/525/530d cars too but haven’t found anything decent in budget and this 330i auto popped up which got me interested.

 

[Mr Tidy]

I currently have a golf 1.9tdi with 170k on the clock which does like 60 Mpg all day long but it’s tedious on long journeys now being a manual and i fancy a change I have had it for nearly 3 years and 50,000 miles. I think the Mpg difference will be a shock mind you.

I am looking at 325/330/525/530d cars too but haven’t found anything decent in budget and this 330i auto popped up which got me interested.

My 1st two BMWs were a 320Td and a 123d because I was getting a car allowance from work and doing business miles, and they both did high 40s on economy.

After nearly 10 years that no longer applied so I bought my 1st E86 and re-discovered what a proper engine was like, so a 325ti soon joined it as a daily!

And because I no longer commute or travel in rush hours all my 6s have easily returned over 30 mpg - apart from my M obviously. :lol:

I suppose it's just a question of luck with the N53 - you may get a good one, but possibly not. It's like the N47 cam-chain issue - mine got past 80K miles with no problem.

Anyway, good luck with your search - I'm sure you will find something suitable. After all as the owner of a Silver Grey M car you must have impeccable taste.

 

[ph001]

I would avoid the N53 if I were you. Speaking from experience.

 

[hopz121]

I would avoid the N53 if I were you. Speaking from experience.

What issues did you have OP?

 

[ph001]

Lots of little stuff, inc waterpump pump but N52 suffers that too. Then it started having big problems starting from cold which was probably injectors but just lived with that. Final straw was high pressure fuel pump. That was on an E90 330i. Was thousands of pounds in repairs by the end.