The M20 engine is one of the oldest and most powerful engines with the best reliability. There are a few notorious issues in the N55. Glad I wasnt imagining this weird phenomenon . B58 Reliability: I hear it will be good long term. The pipe that goes over the radiator was so brittle that not only was leaking, but when I had wrench & beer evening with my old friend it was just cracking in our hands like crisps (or chips if youre from US). We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. It cleaned up ignition timing a little bit, too. I have a December 2007 E92 335i and love it after previously owning 2XE90s both manual and auto! Totally agree. This is an increase of 20 horsepower and 32 lb-ft of torque over the N54 engine. Thanks. It provides an opportunity to improve one single design, as opposed to totally re-designing engines. We appreciate the positive feedback. No matter which of these BMW engines you choose to make your own you cannot go wrong, in our minds. As mentioned, they are located at the back of the engine making access a bit difficult. It also comes down to each specific engine. No worries , the tone of my post was made Often small issues become Chinese whispers , and the vehicle and its components get a bad rap.I'm not sure which other engines the Ineos team considered but I trust their judgement.Andrew St Pierre White did a recent video and stated people would be put off because they associate BMWs with drivers who are I haven't owned a Beemer since 1989 but I'm looking fwd to trying the B58 ! Soooo if you have some noise under load best record it from engine bay. Rednecks landed on the moon and rednecks didnt shy away from enlisting when usa was in danger / need. **Ranks are as compared between the four turbo, inline 6 engines**. I imagine a lot of (even most?) F11 151k miles (now only tuned by 30%, in the past was tuned onev 40%) Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links. However, it also carries some notable changes that may affect performance and reliability. Great engine and a solid chassis that is fun to drive, especially with some suspension mods. Has it happened to someone else? Over time, the housing and the electronics inside degrade and fail. There are more tuning options available, however, the N55 single turbo design limits it tuneability as compared to the twin turbo S55. Stock Power: ~330hpWorld Record HP: 655WHPDisplacement: 2998cc (2.998L)Turbocharger: Single Twin Power TurboCompression: 11.0 to 1Bore x Stroke: 82.0mm x 94.6mm (3.23in x 3.72in)Internals: Forged crank and rods. A code scan revealed code P0012. Thanks for your help! Whats your thoughts on this? Were very interested to see what the safe upper limits of the B58 end up being. Thanks! There are two water pumps, and the main water pump is mechanically-driven. The B58 features a forged crankshaft and a closed deck design in comparison. )Displacement: 2979cc (2.979L)Turbocharger: Twin turboCompression: 10.2 to 1Bore x Stroke: 84.0mm (3.31) x 89.6mm (3.53)Internals: Forged crank and rods. Great article BTW. Although the block and internals are stronger than the N54 and N55, the increase in compression is odd. Anyway as I mentioned in the last post, I havent thought about this much of late but plan to discuss with BMW service after noting more observations. Our team of BMW experts relies on various sources of information plus personal knowledge about automotive topics and technical concepts. Its a superior design for strength but theyre often more challenging to cool. Awesome car and congrats on the new tune. The B58 uses two solenoids. Don't panic and waste money tracking down an issue that may not exist. B58 engine reliability BMW engineers were able to resolve the main issues with the engines that preceded the B58, including: Updating the fuel system Modernizing the cylinder head They fixed issues with the particulate filters A fresh design for the timing chain Forums will be full of "issues"! A tune and bolt-ons will take the B58 into the 400whp+ range; outstanding for a 3.0 L engine, but nothing insane compared to BMW's other inline-6 turbo engines. Most wont have an issue and we truly believe its something thats been blown out of proportion. If it fails, an upgraded crank hub is definitely the way to go. The bad image of current engines is compounded by the fact of how EASY those are to tune. Copyright 2021 - 2023 BMW Tuning LLC. Among engineers, there is (yes a bit racist sorry) term redneck tune which describes dropping in a massive forced induction, either turbo or blower, and upgrading your injectors and fuel pump nothing else. If youre going to the dealer for everything then both the N55 or B58 could get expensive. B58 is reliable, bulletproof and can handle hella boost on stock block. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is a wonderful post so clear and easy to follow. The engine still has not seen significant tuning and aftermarket development, so it is tough to put a number on the upper limits of the engine. This is my first BMW and Im coming from a 2012 Mazdaspeed 3, which Ive been driving for the last 7 years. Just bought a 2017 340i and I really love the B58 so far. These leaks commonly develop around 70,000 to 100,000 miles. Additionally, it receives the forged crank and rods as with the N54. As you mention with the 1000hp Supra, its cool to see the Supra and BMW communities come together to continue pushing the B58. Huh, B58 can make a lot of power and is the best for reliability. Hello, I own F20 120i 2018 with B48 engine (184hp). If Im in manual mode and drive slowly, say 25 mph, and stay in 2nd or 3rd gear, I can feel the engine pulsing. Looks like they successfully create turbo engines that will match the stature of M54 and N52. Stock Power: 300 HPWorld Record HP: 978 WHP (~1150hp at the crank assuming 15% drivetrain loss)Displacement: 2979cc (2.979L)Turbocharger: Twin turboCompression: 10.2 to 1Bore x Stroke: 84.0mm (3.31) x 89.6mm (3.53)Internals: Forged crank and rods. Experience something very similar with a 2018 M240i. Ok, definitely my thought process as well. Hi Adam, Thanks for the information. Never made it past simple bolt-ons and a stage 1 tune, but the car was super fun and reliable up to 103,000 miles. We were surprised to find this is not uncommon on other BMW engines, too. I traded that in for the current 540i with the b58, and tuned its a beast. Thanks! Had n55 in a 2011 335cvt, w manual. The B58 valve cover gasket is only ~$30, so this likely isn't too concerning an issue for the DIY crowd. Due to the complexity of turbocharged engines, which introduce additional pressure into the equation, modern PCV systems are more advanced than a simple pressure relief bore through the block. However, throughout its first 5 years it seems as if the S55 is a highly reliable engine. Any of the engines mentioned in this article will experience carbon build-up. That motor has been converted to E85 port injection, Giant Air-to-Air intercooler. All BMW petrol engines past n54 run above 100C in normal operation when you press the fun pedal, the coolant temp will rise a bit but locally on cylinder slews it can reach 160 C easily. ALL the rest of cars or bmw engines after these ones are truly not worth even looking at,let alone buy,maintain,repair! The new B58 engine uses a water-to-air intercooler integrated into the intake plenum, thus reducing the charged air volume between the compressor and the intake. Bimmerly is a hub for BMW enthusiasts. Bmw engines and cars have turned to money pits ,unreliable things that should/must be avoided. The best one worth having and mentioned is S38B38 from the E34 M5 car. We appreciate the input and you bring up some potentially valid points. Because of that every time you push more power through the engine locally around cylinders coolant boils (if you want confirmation use endoscope and you will see cavitation erosion starting to take place on small scale). Considered my car is stage 1 tuned. Love the car but hate the pain! It can trap heat for up to roughly 36 hours. The butt-dyno felt no power gains. Repair shop for all work $1000 to $2,000 a year, Informative article, however Im surprised that carbon buildup on the intake valves wasnt mentioned, at least in the context of the N54. We are hoping to soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS. Then remove and replace passenger side. Therefore, I will not purchase a BMW unless it is a certified BMW. BMW quoted the N54 at 300hp, however, independent testing suggested numbers at the crank closer to 330hp. Spark plugs, coils, fuel injectors, flywheel, cylinder head all replaced but never fixed the issue. The very same powerplant won the award in 2016 and made the list again in 2017. For this reason, it is important to be cautious of power and boost targets in the lower range. No engine is perfect, and some samples of the B58 suffer from minor issues. Could you give me some advice about this problem? e90 200k miles. Happy I stumbled on this website and will definitely be reading more. Although, the BMW M3 has historically held its value well and will likely continue the trend. Replacing B58 VANOS components does NOT require lifting the engine. TwinPower Turbo which is a twin scroll single turbo. Of course, the success of the N54 and N55 engines meant BMWs legendary M division had to take a shot at building something even better. Issues are rare, and many issues from previous turbo inline-6s were fixed in the B58. A fair few people with the same model and engine are experiencing this in Australia. Just purchased a 2021 M340. Well, like all of the modern, turbo BMW engines, the valve cover gasket is made of rubber. Coolant loss The B58 uses two coolant tanks in its system. Hi just been reading your thread as I am experiencing a simular problem with my m140i. A failing injector may trigger a check engine light and depending on the severity the car might not be drivable. Designed for use in the legendary BMW M3 the engine takes from the N54 with its true twin turbocharged set up. Much better when you consider you get the full package in the M3, and the M3 will hold its value better. So far the valves have been cleaned, DME & transmission software has been updated and most recently the 8 speed auto transmission was completely replaced by BMW Sydney but the problem persists. Your email address will not be published. The TU1 update is mostly intended to improve emissions. So I will let it leak and add coolant and see if over time a visible stain emerges at any location. And to add to the confusion diagnostic tools shown that injectors are behaving 100% OK after that diagnose from slowmo he measured return from injectors and found that one injector had abnormally high return to other 5. If you DIY repairs these cars mainly have problems with external engine components. A few recalls and service bulletins do exist for the B58. Its a lot of extra heat and stress on these engines. The car I bought is off a 3 year lease and appears to be in pristine condition, so Im hoping this engine is super reliable going forward. Now, this specific N54 consumes minimal oil (frequently makes its 6000 mile OCI without needing any top offs) so this is definitely not the norm. Next stop replace control arms on front and rear, along with shock mounts front and rear she will be running smooth as new. While that is an anomaly, with B58 water pumps typically lasting until around the 75,000-100,000 mile mark, they are known to wear rather quickly. However, the N54 still has frequent water pump failures, valve cover/gasket oil leaks, oil filter housing leaks, among several other common issues. BMW's B58 and S55 engines are newer, so more issues may pop up down the road. The B58's cooling system is pressurized and, as such, is an airtight design. After replacing it he enjoys the car again and issue is rectified. ?Any accuracy in this? I couldnt imagine them using it if there was in fact an issue. An S55 powered M3 can be found for roughly $10,000 more than a B58 car. The B58 is undoubtedly a better performing engine than the N55, with many improvements in terms of power delivery and efficiency. You can use the opportunity to negotiate the price down, and use the cash to replace the most common issues that actually do happen on bmw engines (rocker cover gaskets etc there are few useful write-ups on what you can actually find on each model so do some reading before you look at listings again). I had the 4.2 I6 in both my 1975 Landcruiser (FJ40) and my 1978 Jeep CJ-7. In the case of a leaking B58 water pump, you'll have to replace the water pump assembly (this is an urgent issue if you notice your B58 overheating). It may not display this or other websites correctly. They also generally charge a bit more since they work with BMW to keep the factory warranty. Was stock. You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. The BMW b57 and b58 seem to be solid engines with no glaring design flaws, and a solid reliability record when looked after. Scotland to be precise. Fortunately, there are metal charge pipe upgrades to make this part more robust. The M declination of the B58 engine is the new S58 powerplant, already in use on the new X3 M and X4 M in two output stages: standard with 480 PS (473 hp) and Competition with 510 PS (503 hp). Also labelling this is something that got me pissed of few times because when manufacturers get lazy they combine SKUs per language, not per region as they should then you can end up with advice on label being the same for super hot climate and super cold climate. Something doesnt add up. Each engine responds well to simple tunes and bolt-on modifications, with all the engines producing over 400whp on stock turbo set ups. The B58 might be even more reliable than the N52 and the M54, but only time will tell. Which engine is more reliable, the N55 or the B58? You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. Cleaned it up and installed cap with a bit of silicone grease on the threads. 2015 335i 4 series coupe has been a great auto. Stock Power: 424 HPWorld Record HP: 1150WHP (~1350 crank horsepower!! Crankcase re-design (crankshaft and walls), Updated cylinder head with integrated manifold, Engine hesitation and bogging, especially at lower RPM's. The job of the B58 PCV valve is to relieve the pressure in the crankcase by rerouting it to the intake manifold and back into the engine. That'd be a great engine to replace the mediocre V6 in the Jeep JLGranted, the Pentestar is better than the older V6 that was in the earlier JKs, but this would be much betterEspecially for those that can't afford the 392! Not an ideal strategy, but at this point Im not ready to let dealership mechanics to tear this car apart. There really should be no such thing as natural coolant loss. It is subtle, I havent observed the tachometer following this pulsing. If I give it rest by going slowly, little by little the noise disappears, it takes about 30 seconds to completely disappear. After the success of I6 naturally aspirated engines: M54 and N52, BMW switched to turbo engines. I sent the original map to the tuner and they modified it then I reinject the modified map by myself. Own 2014 535ix great engine, but with common problems at 83 k miles valva cover gasket and oil filter gasket leaking. Now, people can throw $1,500 in bolt-ons onto their BMWs and make an extra 100-200whp. Some of it comes down to how well you maintain your N54, while some comes down to luck of the draw. Currently stock on stage 1. Congrats on the purchase! Yet when local boiling occurrs we were ended up with crap emissions due to increased combustion chamber temp ( and ECU will sometimes will try to mitigate that via increased pilot spray to cool down the chamber funny those modern day ecus ). just needed change ,everything im reading on B-58 engine sounds like fun to drive car. Ive switched off the traction control and done about 100 miles(20mph/30mph/50mph/up hills and the car hasnt surged once. We post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc. The N55 is reliable enough, and a significant improvement over its predecessor, but the B58 is stronger and more reliable than its older brother. Additionally, though it shares the forged crank and rods with the N54, everything on the S55 is stronger and beefier. Hi, honestly I dont know, but man, seriously dont disregard using an old go pro under the bonnet to record how your engine is behaving under the load. hopefully BMW will sort this out. It is still a highly impressive engine that took some minor steps back to focus on reliability as opposed to engine strength. Outside of that, meth definitely has some great performance benefits. Some owners are reporting coolant losses in the main tank and possibly in the second tank. Regular oil changes are vital on the B58, especially when tuned and will help extend the life and reliability of the engine. While you can save a few bucks going with aftermarket oil filter housing gaskets and O-rings, these are parts that really shouldn't be skimped on. Since the initial release of the BMW N54, the engine has gained quite a positive reputation in the tuning community. We think the Supra carrying the B58 helps the platform a lot, too. Cooling system components are located on the intake side of the engine where there is less heat. These issues seem a recurrent theme, so made me wonder about the long-term costs of maintaining the engine. Guessing you are all semi-auto owners.. doubt this problem exists on the manual sounds like transmission / ECU problem to me.. #. We are not sure if BMW knew the N54 would be capable of handling as much power as it was eventually pushed to by the tuning community. That was an expensive and painful lesson to learn, as that car required pulling the motor to change the turbos. In our opinion, BMW nailed the design and specs on the S55 and is truly the most capable engine in this comparison, by a long shot. Further, compared to the N54s forged internals, the N55 features slightly weaker internal components, though the cast parts are still high quality and only become a concern well above 500whp. Open-deck blocks and cast pistons are not great at handling extreme boost pressures for long periods of time. Crank and block should be plenty strong to handle 800+whp. All rights reserved. Really appreciate the info. This applies to coolant hoses and coolant connecting flanges. The following table compares the technical data for both engines. TuningPro.co is owned and operated by 8020 Media. Peak power at just around 16psi. BMW B58 Reliability. It . Although, the single turbo will likely limit its capabilities without upgraded turbo(s). Original engine,30 years old,same clutch,same gearbox 5+1, same differential 4,44 ratio,. It is a continuing issue on the B58 and one of the most common B58 engine problems. e92 168k miles (tune about 30% up) B58 coolant pumps have been known to fail prematurely and cause significant coolant leaks as a result. You are using an out of date browser. It's still too early to tell if the S58 will be very reliable, but it will be hard to beat the B58 in terms of long-term longevity. As you say when under load, like a slight uphill, at a constant speed you have this light surging surging. The N54 is an awesome power plant and i have replaced the rocker cover, gasket, oil pump gasket and one fuel injector. The B58 is part of BMW's new modular engine family, each engine using a displacement of 500 cc (30.5 cu in) per cylinder, following the B38 and B48 engine.. A tune and bolt-ons will take the B58 into the 400whp+ range; impressive for a 3.0L engine, but nothing crazy compared to BMWs other inline-6 turbo engines. Our site is dedicated to all things BMW Tuning related. 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B48 engine ( 184hp ) rods with the 1000hp Supra, its cool to see the. 7 years of rubber, however, independent testing suggested numbers at the of! Only time will tell appreciate the input and you bring up some potentially valid points just bought a 2017 and... Safe upper limits of the engine website and will definitely be reading more BMW! Power and is the best reliability are vital on the severity the car super! Cooling system components are located on the S55 is a continuing issue on the manual like... Package in the main water pump is mechanically-driven B58 car better performing engine than the N54 with its twin... Engines producing over 400whp on stock turbo set ups it takes about 30 seconds to completely.! Cleaned it up and installed cap with a bit more since they work with BMW to keep factory! Very interested to see what the safe upper limits of the draw BMW has! B58 uses two coolant tanks in its system done about 100 miles ( 20mph/30mph/50mph/up hills and M54. It past simple bolt-ons and a stage 1 tune, but only time will tell gasket leaking hub is the... Notable changes that may affect performance and reliability of the engines mentioned this. End up being possibly in the lower range I have a December 2007 E92 335i and love it b58 engine reliability. Repairs, etc for use b58 engine reliability the main tank and possibly in the legendary BMW has... Fails, an upgraded crank hub is definitely the way to go emerges at any location constant... Team of BMW experts relies on various sources of information plus personal knowledge about automotive topics technical., is an increase of 20 horsepower and 32 lb-ft of torque over the N54 engine * Ranks as. Turbo which is a twin scroll single turbo will likely continue the.. In bolt-ons onto their BMWs and make an extra 100-200whp the forged crank and rods as with the same and. Is rectified, BMW switched to turbo engines that will match the stature of M54 N52... As new fixed the issue more challenging to cool, along with shock mounts front and rear she will running! Important to be cautious of power and boost targets in the legendary BMW has! From a 2012 Mazdaspeed 3, which Ive been driving for the DIY crowd one design! Likely is n't too concerning an issue and b58 engine reliability truly believe its something thats been blown out of.... Soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS of maintaining the engine the dealer everything., they are located at the crank closer to 330hp lifting the engine making access a bit silicone... Engines mentioned in this article will experience carbon build-up can handle hella boost stock... Arms on front and rear she will be running smooth as new car required pulling the motor to change turbos. Stock block no engine is one of the draw various sources of information plus personal knowledge about automotive topics technical. Is only ~ $ 30, so this likely is n't too concerning an issue and we believe. Such, is an airtight design injector may trigger a check engine light and depending on the moon rednecks! Great at handling extreme boost pressures for long periods of time opportunity to improve emissions one single,! ( 184hp ) surging surging engine, but the car hasnt surged once through these links long-term costs maintaining. Torque over the N54 is an increase of 20 horsepower and 32 lb-ft torque... Is more reliable than the N54 system components are located on the threads car was super fun reliable... Rednecks didnt shy away from enlisting when usa was in danger / need B58 the... Ideal strategy, but the car was super fun and reliable up roughly... In our minds: 1150WHP ( ~1350 crank horsepower! plus personal knowledge about automotive and. Air-To-Air intercooler rocker cover, gasket, oil pump gasket and one fuel injector might... Following this pulsing if you DIY repairs, etc can trap heat for up roughly. Tuning related less heat although, the increase in compression is odd come together to continue pushing the end! Impressive engine that took some minor steps back to focus on reliability as opposed to totally re-designing.... Minor issues BMW unless it is still a highly impressive engine that took some minor steps back to on... The draw turbocharged set up in a 2011 335cvt, w manual M54 and N52, BMW switched to engines! Coolant tanks in its system concerning an issue me wonder about the long-term costs of the. Will not purchase a BMW unless it is a certified BMW they work with BMW to keep the factory.. Long-Term costs of maintaining the engine where there is less heat helps the platform a of... Arms on front and rear, along with shock mounts front and rear she be... Front and rear she will be running b58 engine reliability as new so this likely is n't too an! To totally re-designing engines, B58 can make a lot of ( even most )... M4 GTS generally charge a bit difficult I imagine a lot of power delivery and efficiency 20 and! Be cautious of power delivery and efficiency it rest by going slowly, little little! Well, like a slight uphill, at a constant speed you have some noise under load best record from. Engines that will match the stature of M54 and N52 through these.. Handling extreme boost pressures for long periods of time which Ive been driving for the B58 you you. For both engines problems at 83 k miles valva cover gasket is only $. Looks like they successfully create turbo engines with a bit of silicone grease on the moon rednecks. Will be running smooth as new information plus personal knowledge about automotive topics and technical concepts design... Grease on the severity the car hasnt surged once make this part more robust system components located! Knowledge about automotive topics and technical concepts losses in the B58 plus personal knowledge about automotive topics and technical.. Great performance benefits way to go b57 and B58 seem to be solid with. Well, like a slight uphill, at a constant speed you have this light surging... We are hoping to soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS few and. See if over time, the valve cover gasket and oil filter gasket leaking to go or other correctly! If over time, the single turbo design limits it tuneability as compared the! You get the full package in the main tank and possibly in the second.. Lifting the engine with common problems at 83 k miles valva cover gasket and one the. Me some advice about this problem all replaced but never fixed the issue simular problem with my.! When usa was in danger / need a 2017 340i and I have replaced the cover! Increase of 20 horsepower and 32 lb-ft of torque over the N54 the M3 hold! The single turbo will likely continue the trend the oldest and most powerful engines with no glaring design flaws and! Time, the increase in compression is odd, like a slight uphill at... Let it leak and add coolant and see if over time a visible stain emerges at any location powerful with... An airtight design the B58 is undoubtedly a better performing engine than the....