[a11y]

Originally Posted by NoelWatson

I'm not sure that the economy is worse

Surely not? Official mpg is something like 33mpg for the N52 (258ps) and I thought it was a few mpg better (37?) for the N53 (272ps). I'm getting approx 28mpg average - manual calculation. Expected slightly better tbh as I achieved official figures with my previous car (M54-engined Z4 3.0i) for similar driving.

[NoelWatson]

Originally Posted by a11y

Surely not? Official mpg is something like 33mpg for the N52 (258ps) and I thought it was a few mpg better (37?) for the N53 (272ps). I'm getting approx 28mpg average - manual calculation. Expected slightly better tbh as I achieved official figures with my previous car (M54-engined Z4 3.0i) for similar driving.

The official figures doesn't take into account the N53 intake valves getting clogged with carbon and losing power/efficiency.

[Not a Diesel!!!]

just out of interest my 330i is an N53 and it was registered in june 07

They definately seem to have introduced the N53 earlier than anticipated.

[The.Lows]

Originally Posted by NoelWatson

The official figures doesn't take into account the N53 intake valves getting clogged with carbon and losing power/efficiency.

Hi there,
Owning a 330i E91 LCI (N53 engine), I am curious about the issue you are mentionning.
Do you have any sources regarding that issue or is it just your personnal experience ?
Do you have any idea how this pb can be avoided/fixed ?

[ALF_E90]

I am curious as well, especially given the comment that it affects "the vast majority of N53 and N54"!!!

Rolling roads give highly variable results, only taking the engines out of the "vast majority" of N53 and N54 cars and dyno testing them then stripping them down to check for carbon build up would adequately support this comment.

I think it is a fair guess this has not happened.

Yes, the N53 had coil issues, and yes various people like me had some replaced then had them fail again (only once in my case). When all the coils were done at the same time rather than piecemeal, I had no more failures - even though the first time this was done it was with the original parts. BMW then offered to change them all FOC to the newer part and again none have failed since.

I can't see this being a reason not to buy an N53 car, there are no turbos, diesel fuel pumps, intercoolers, or anything like that to fail - a lot of the current diesel engines have similar coil issues and also a lot more to go wrong - do we needlessly villify all of them? My N53 has just passed 70k miles and gives me a 34mpg average, it feels pretty fit to me! And I run it on 95RON...

[RichJ]

I would agree with the above.

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by ALF_E90

a lot of the current diesel engines have similar coil issues

Sorry to correct you, but diesel engines do not have coils (petrol only). However I do agree that modern diesel engines have plenty of reliability issues, most notably the DPFs...

[Not a Diesel!!!]

I have found a couple of cars that I may try to look at within the BMW network. Trust me 330i Manual tourings are very, very rare.

There is a N52 57 Plate with 30k

&

There is a N53 10 Plate with 40k

There is quite a significant price difference but as I prefer the LCI I may look at the 10 plate N53 Car across Xmas if I get the chance.

I asked about warranty work & it has had ignition coils, spark plugs and Nitrous Oxide sensor replaced under warranty in March of this year.

So I am guessing this has the best chance of being Ok backed by a years BMW warranty.

p.s. If anyone has any feel for flexibility in price on used BMW's let me know? what could I get off realistically £100, £500? more... or a tank of fuel?

[A_P]

the 330i regardles of manual or auto. Is now a discontinued engine. Sadly only really enthusiats are interested in the engine, and this alone is not enough to keep the prices stable. On the used market the the 330i is taking a heavy depreciation hit. Its a lovely engine, actually had ( at the time) one a best power to weight ratios of a NA engine.

In my opinion it is probably the best NA straight 6 non M engine BMW ever made. It will be sadly missed.

oh and my economy was 25.9 average all the time.

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by A_P

In my opinion it is probably the best NA straight 6 non M engine BMW ever made. It will be sadly missed.

+1. The N53 has been re-introduced on the F10 530i which is great news.

[ALF_E90]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Sorry to correct you, but diesel engines do not have coils (petrol only). However I do agree that modern diesel engines have plenty of reliability issues, most notably the DPFs...

Oops! What I mean is there are a lot more bits to go wrong on a diesel. I'd rather have a coil fail than a turbo implode and send bits of metal through my engine

Personally I love NA 6+cylinder engines and have bought them for the last 14 years (for my road cars anyway). Modern car weights mean they can feel a tad flat at low revs but I love instant throttle response and clean revving and the noise...

Given the marginal mpg/co2 benefits of the new 328 over the N53 330 I fail to see where BMW are going with the 328 - they are known for their 6 cylinder engines in their cars except at the bottom end and those of us who bought our cars as much for the engine as anything (I am in this group) will not accept a 4 pot turbo. BMW were/are streets ahead of the competition on mpg and co2 for decent sized 6+ cylinder petrol engines, it is a shame to throw that away.

[NoelWatson]

Originally Posted by The.Lows

Hi there,
Owning a 330i E91 LCI (N53 engine), I am curious about the issue you are mentionning.
Do you have any sources regarding that issue or is it just your personnal experience ?
Do you have any idea how this pb can be avoided/fixed ?

There are numerous articles regarding carbon build up on BMW DI engines

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520035

many more regarding the N54 as it was a more popular engine, but I can't see that the N53 would be any different

[NoelWatson]

Originally Posted by ALF_E90

I am curious as well, especially given the comment that it affects "the vast majority of N53 and N54"!!!

Rolling roads give highly variable results, only taking the engines out of the "vast majority" of N53 and N54 cars and dyno testing them then stripping them down to check for carbon build up would adequately support this comment.

I think it is a fair guess this has not happened.

Yes, the N53 had coil issues, and yes various people like me had some replaced then had them fail again (only once in my case). When all the coils were done at the same time rather than piecemeal, I had no more failures - even though the first time this was done it was with the original parts. BMW then offered to change them all FOC to the newer part and again none have failed since.

I can't see this being a reason not to buy an N53 car, there are no turbos, diesel fuel pumps, intercoolers, or anything like that to fail - a lot of the current diesel engines have similar coil issues and also a lot more to go wrong - do we needlessly villify all of them? My N53 has just passed 70k miles and gives me a 34mpg average, it feels pretty fit to me! And I run it on 95RON...

By vast majority, I mean that I can't see how it can be avoided with the current crop of BMW DI engines (also Audi) - Porsche seem to be better in this respect.

I tested mine at SRR on a couple of occasions - it gives pretty consistent results both with the BMW and my NSX - I have also dynoed the latter on a Rototest dyno, so have something to benchmark against.

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by NoelWatson

There are numerous articles regarding carbon build up on BMW DI engines

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520035

many more regarding the N54 as it was a more popular engine, but I can't see that the N53 would be any different

The big difference is that the N54 is turbocharged and the N53 is normally aspirated and for that reason there will be less crap forced onto the backs of the valves.

[NoelWatson]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

The big difference is that the N54 is turbocharged and the N53 is normally aspirated and for that reason there will be less crap forced onto the backs of the valves.

I'm not sure I follow - what would turbocharging have to do with the air passing past the inlet valves, can you elaborate please?

This is an interesting article

http://www.edmunds.com/autoobserver-...-adopters.html

"Excessive carbon deposits “have extremely negative effects,” the patent application concludes, citing......

significant performance losses - check
sporadic ignition failures - check
holes burned in the structure of the catalytic converter (should bits of carbon break from the valves and pass though the combustion chamber) - check (my cats were replaced under warranty).

If you look at Audi, they have problems with both NA and FI - I'm not convinced there is that much difference.

[The.Lows]

Originally Posted by NoelWatson

I'm not sure I follow - what would turbocharging have to do with the air passing past the inlet valves, can you elaborate please?

This is an interesting article

http://www.edmunds.com/autoobserver-...-adopters.html

"Excessive carbon deposits “have extremely negative effects,” the patent application concludes, citing......

significant performance losses - check
sporadic ignition failures - check
holes burned in the structure of the catalytic converter (should bits of carbon break from the valves and pass though the combustion chamber) - check (my cats were replaced under warranty).

If you look at Audi, they have problems with both NA and FI - I'm not convinced there is that much difference.

Time has passed and I wonder if any N53 owner has ever had carbon build-up issues ??? How many miles did you drive ?

My e91 N53 330i is from 2008/10 and has never had any issues so far (40k miles).

Is it mainly happening to N54/N55 engines then ?

[Not a Diesel!!!]

Well looks here my old post makes an appearance.

I did buy the N53 E91over Xmas 2012. Awesome piece of kit. I think they only built 10 touring's with manual gearbox.

Glad I never let the internet chatter put me off. Now the wife has a N52 130i to keep it company. Both great engines in there own way.

I am upto 60k not sure what carbon build up would do. Mine revs great & pulls like a train with fantastic economy.

[Not a Diesel!!!]

So to answer the post (i.e. my own question)


NO

[The.Lows]

Originally Posted by Not a Diesel!!!

Well looks here my old post makes an appearance.

I did buy the N53 E91over Xmas 2012. Awesome piece of kit. I think they only built 10 touring's with manual gearbox.

Glad I never let the internet chatter put me off. Now the wife has a N52 130i to keep it company. Both great engines in there own way.

I am upto 60k not sure what carbon build up would do. Mine revs great & pulls like a train with fantastic economy.

Good to hear!

I am in the same club as you ;-) I drive a space grey manual touring 330i in sport design package. This setup is very rare here in France also. Economy is very good (28 mpg) and it pulls hard, especially on the highway!

I believe carbon build up must affect the N53 in some way (direct injection design, no escape) but might be not as bad as in the N54 or 55...at least I never saw any trace of pb on forums for the N53...

[kittyg]

Well, this thread is really old now but I just wondered if anyone did ever have issues with carbon build-up?

I'm looking to buy an E93 330i (2010)

[OliSharp]

Originally Posted by kittyg

Well, this thread is really old now but I just wondered if anyone did ever have issues with carbon build-up?

I'm looking to buy an E93 330i (2010)

more of a problem on the n54 (335i) - you should be fine with the n53

[DriverLDN]

I was put off by these same issues with the N53 when I was buying my 330i back in 2013. I went for a N52 and its been pretty solid apart from a failed waterpump. My uncle bought a 330i with an N53 after going out in mine and he did have a lot of problems with the engine and all sorts, however this is just one case. I'm guessing with the age that a lot of these cars are, a lot of parts would have been replaced by now.