I'm worried about the N52 motor - Please advise!!!
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Hi guys,
I'm on the verge of purchasing a 2005 BMW E60 530i M Sport. The car is very well presented and immaculate.
Today I took the car for a pre-purchase inspection at a BMW Service Center, and the diagnostics report shows it has the N52 motor!!! I thought these earlier 5 series cars had the M54B30 motors?
ANYWAY, on the two occasions I've had the opportunity to drive the car, it's always been driven / warmed up by the dealer beforehand, so I have never actually started, and run the car from cold.
I'm worried that this car might be a lemon, and could potentially cost me thousands of dollars in fixing this cylinder head / lifter ticking problem. I doubt very much whether the dealership would cover this repair under their warranty.
What should I do? Should BMW be able to tell me whether this vehicle had the cylinder head fixed under warranty years ago??
Advice GREATLY appreciated!
I'm on the verge of purchasing a 2005 BMW E60 530i M Sport. The car is very well presented and immaculate.
Today I took the car for a pre-purchase inspection at a BMW Service Center, and the diagnostics report shows it has the N52 motor!!! I thought these earlier 5 series cars had the M54B30 motors?
ANYWAY, on the two occasions I've had the opportunity to drive the car, it's always been driven / warmed up by the dealer beforehand, so I have never actually started, and run the car from cold.
I'm worried that this car might be a lemon, and could potentially cost me thousands of dollars in fixing this cylinder head / lifter ticking problem. I doubt very much whether the dealership would cover this repair under their warranty.
What should I do? Should BMW be able to tell me whether this vehicle had the cylinder head fixed under warranty years ago??
Advice GREATLY appreciated!
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Hi guys,
I'm on the verge of purchasing a 2005 BMW E60 530i M Sport. The car is very well presented and immaculate.
Today I took the car for a pre-purchase inspection at a BMW Service Center, and the diagnostics report shows it has the N52 motor!!! I thought these earlier 5 series cars had the M54B30 motors?
ANYWAY, on the two occasions I've had the opportunity to drive the car, it's always been driven / warmed up by the dealer beforehand, so I have never actually started, and run the car from cold.
I'm worried that this car might be a lemon, and could potentially cost me thousands of dollars in fixing this cylinder head / lifter ticking problem. I doubt very much whether the dealership would cover this repair under their warranty.
What should I do? Should BMW be able to tell me whether this vehicle had the cylinder head fixed under warranty years ago??
The VIN Decoder shows:
Advice GREATLY appreciated!
I'm on the verge of purchasing a 2005 BMW E60 530i M Sport. The car is very well presented and immaculate.
Today I took the car for a pre-purchase inspection at a BMW Service Center, and the diagnostics report shows it has the N52 motor!!! I thought these earlier 5 series cars had the M54B30 motors?
ANYWAY, on the two occasions I've had the opportunity to drive the car, it's always been driven / warmed up by the dealer beforehand, so I have never actually started, and run the car from cold.
I'm worried that this car might be a lemon, and could potentially cost me thousands of dollars in fixing this cylinder head / lifter ticking problem. I doubt very much whether the dealership would cover this repair under their warranty.
What should I do? Should BMW be able to tell me whether this vehicle had the cylinder head fixed under warranty years ago??
The VIN Decoder shows:
Advice GREATLY appreciated!
Senior Members
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 425
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From: Amsterdam
mate I would relax and enjoy the car! I have a 2006 530i and i love it! the problem on forums is that people read a few doom scenarios of a few unlucky owners and naturally you start to question what you've bought.
I don't the cylinder head lifters is that common a problem. if your car is pretty quiet at idle and whilst driving then it will be fine.
Its the same with the E46 M3. A few had Vanos problems which is expensive to replace but if you'd read that after buying you'd think that they all were time bombs waiting to go wrong, which isn't true.
I've been on loads of car forums over the years and every manufacturer has weakness's but its usually just a small group that has the major problems....(unless you own a Toyota at the moment;-)
ENJOY:-)
I don't the cylinder head lifters is that common a problem. if your car is pretty quiet at idle and whilst driving then it will be fine.
Its the same with the E46 M3. A few had Vanos problems which is expensive to replace but if you'd read that after buying you'd think that they all were time bombs waiting to go wrong, which isn't true.
I've been on loads of car forums over the years and every manufacturer has weakness's but its usually just a small group that has the major problems....(unless you own a Toyota at the moment;-)
ENJOY:-)
Contributors
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 9,986
Likes: 1
From: Zoo York
My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
If you are really super worried about this problem, I'm sure there are extended warranty policies that you can purchase to cover yourself.
However, I really don't think the N52 is unreliable at all. As a matter of fact, several mechanics have told me that the inline six design of BMW engines is super-durable and can last an incredible amount of time.
BTW I don't think it is at all out of line to request the dealer to not warm up the car before you come, so that you can hear for yourself whether there are any noises. If the dealer refuses or you feel that they warm the car up anyway, then there may be some reason to be concerned.
However, I really don't think the N52 is unreliable at all. As a matter of fact, several mechanics have told me that the inline six design of BMW engines is super-durable and can last an incredible amount of time.
BTW I don't think it is at all out of line to request the dealer to not warm up the car before you come, so that you can hear for yourself whether there are any noises. If the dealer refuses or you feel that they warm the car up anyway, then there may be some reason to be concerned.
Contributors
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts, USA
My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
The valve lifter tick can be heard even when the engine is warm, so if you hear no ticking when the engine is warm, you have nothing to worry about.
If you're all that worried, you should stop by the delaer early in the morning and tell them that you would like to stat the car from cold to see how it starts and idles when it's cold. If they have nothing to hide, it shouldn't be a problem for them.
If you're all that worried, you should stop by the delaer early in the morning and tell them that you would like to stat the car from cold to see how it starts and idles when it's cold. If they have nothing to hide, it shouldn't be a problem for them.
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 14,776
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From: So Cal, USA
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Poor Toyota there's so much negative hype about their problems right now that's uncalled for. Of the MILLIONS of cars sold they too only have a handfull of cars that actually have "stuck gas pedals" True that the design might not be the best but to actually be in a "gas pedal stuck" situation I think 99% of the cars out there will never experience it compared to the percentage of BMWs with ticking engines. Conspiracy that some organization just wants to help put a US manufacture back on top.
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Senior Members
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 53
From: Denver, USA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
There is a revised Service Bulletin on the N52 ticking. It only replaces the exhaust lifters. Pretty easy job. No major engine top end repair. Had it done on my 2006 N52 under warranty. I think it would have been about $800 US.
I'd get the dealer to fix it before you buy it.
I'd get the dealer to fix it before you buy it.
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 0
From: Newnan, Georgia
My Ride: 2004 545i
Production date: 02/04
Color: Black Sapphire Metallic
Trim: Anthracite
Options: Sport package with STEPTRONIC, Premium Sound, Rear Sunshade, Xenon
Conspiracy that some organization just wants to help put a US manufacture back on top. I couldn't agree more on this quote...was just talking about it today. ANyway 530 is a reliable car.....
Members
Senior Members
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 53
From: Denver, USA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xi 6MT
Model Year: 2006
Engine: N52
BTW, I had more than 40K miles on my 2006 530xi when I had the exhaust lifters changed out. Never really experienced any problem except the noise. The real problem is that the lifter, which is hydraulic and filled with oil, isn't always filled with oil and doing it's job. Hydraulic lifers, by design, fill and leak normally. That's how they compensate for minor wear over time and prevent you from needing to having a valve adjustment (like the days of old). The noise is due to the lifters not in contact all the time with the cam shaft. That isn't good. The real question is when does something bad happen.