[TheBlondeFella]

Just wondering what is considered to be the most reliable engine for an e9x?

[AlanYoro35i]

why isn't the 335d even listed!! you should be writing engine codes not model since model number have different engines during its life.

[Route 16]

I think 335 should be included, engine is good. it's the hpfp, lpfp, turbo parts that ruin the maintenance idea?

[Digitalize]

You've missed a fair few btw.

[E90325iM-SPORT]

where is 318 and 325 ?????

[Mark e90]

Tough question and depends on personal experience so imagine there will be mixed opinions. Personally i would say 325i/330i but N52 or N53 ?

[essex_lad]

I must admit I have had no engine trouble with my n53 apart from the coils but bmw changed them under recall. I think the n52 is meant to be a more reliable stronger engine though.

[KM79]

N52 325/330i by a mile

[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by KM79

N52 325/330i by a mile

Exactly what I'd of said, more so the N52, which overall has been a good servant for BMW.

[K19BMW]

Well is it n54 335 or n55 335?

[KM79]

Originally Posted by old grey steve

Exactly what I'd of said, more so the N52, which overall has been a good servant for BMW.

Bomb proof engine,never ever see any serious issues .Owned one myself before my n54 335(great power but delicate) and would own one again in a heartbeat.

[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by KM79

Bomb proof engine,never ever see any serious issues .Owned one myself before my n54 335(great power but delicate) and would own one again in a heartbeat.

N52's apart from certain little things seem to of served BMW very well, the N53 overall seems OK though we've had a few tricky little cases re injectors but overall again seem a solid bet overall.

N54's as we've been talking about on PM's can be a source of much headscratching and heartache. N55's seem to be a better bet if forced induction is the way to go, not quite as tunable but seem to give less grief.

N43's /N46's seen a good few with various isues, Nix Oxide sensors timing chain/guide issues thermostats, coils and plugs and a few other things beside(thing is on these engine compare them with an N52/N53 for instance)the 4 cylinders are meant to be bought for amongst other things day to day running costs, lower maintenence costs yet we see these engine chew money. See an N52/N53 by comparision overall they can be more frugle on the pocket, which makes you think if you can stomach the slighter higher insurance, weaker fuel economy you'd be better off investing overall in one of these engines and the 325i seems to be the pick of the bunch for hassle free ownership overall from what I've seen.

As for the diesels enough info flowing on these and other pages to make a desision of all the diesels power side a 325d seems to sit comfortably as the one that gives the less hassle don't quite have the answers as to why as it's a de tuned 330d to all intense and purposes but they just seem to give less grief.

[dy63]

so 330i are the best engines?

[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by cupraraj

so 330i are the best engines?

325/330i's seem tobe in the real scheme of things Raj, in a financial sort of way wish I'd bought one as the outlay overall compared with my 335i would of been a hell of a lot less. Powerwise I just wanted some extra shove. With shove comes expense

[dy63]

Originally Posted by old grey steve

325/330i's seem tobe in the real scheme of things Raj, in a financial sort of way wish I'd bought one as the outlay overall compared with my 335i would of been a hell of a lot less. Powerwise I just wanted some extra shove. With shove comes expense

after reading essex lad's thread about his 330i from hell it put me off the 330i.

strange how a few have said 320i are the most reliable. i thought they were awful

[Sparky68]

Considering my 335i has been running a jb4 , cat back exhaust etc for 50k it has been very reliable. It now has 102k on it and still pulls like a train without issue.

Bloody jinxed it now!

[Shafz325]

One problem in 6 years with my N52 325i and it was a sensor/motor. I'd go N52 vs. other stories I've read

[Raju88]

boy am I glad I have the n52 330i

[Digitalize]

325i would be my laymans choice of most reliable. Detuned 330i, no turbo, running less power than the components are designed for.

Diesel would be the 325d, for the same reasons.

Obviously engines under less strain will last longer and be more reliable.

[Soul_Glo]

I love my N52K (218 PS) but if anything it is over-engineered. This be a blessing and a curse depending on how you look at it. It is technically advanced and was ahead of its time when it came out and then there are some known issues with it but not the worse by far compared with some of the other engines. Mine is the 'port injected' earlier variant so it does not have a high pressure fuel pump. I have been lucky with my VANOS but my ECU did die slowly from water ingress and was replaced under warranty. It is one smooth silky engine.

[TheBlondeFella]

I didn't include the 318i or 325i as I figured they were just variants of the 320i and 330i engine and as such the reliability would be about the same. As for the 335d ... well ... I didn't even know they existed.

[TheBlondeFella]

I always assumed the 330i was probably the most reliable once any injector / coil issues had been resolved. Am I right in saying that being NA they're not very tuneable?