[BimmerNugget]

After searching the forums (and google) on every possible water pump thread, I realized that most people with water pump failures have the pre LCI E90s. I have heard very little from LCI owners (2009-2011).

Is it possible the LCI water pumps are more reliable?

I have a 2011 328i with 58,4XX miles on it, it's about time to start thinking about the water pump lol

Anyone with a high mileage LCI car please chime in with your thoughts in regards to water pump, valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket. The top 3 most common E90 issues.

[robthewrench]

The waterpump failed on my 2011 N55 e90 at ~55K miles.

Your question is more engine model (n52, N54, N55) related than body version (pre LCI vs LCI)

[Banana Clipper]

mine failed at 82k miles, 2009 LCI but mfg date of Oct 2008

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

After searching the forums (and google) on every possible water pump thread, I realized that most people with water pump failures have the pre LCI E90s. I have heard very little from LCI owners (2009-2011).

Is it possible the LCI water pumps are more reliable?

Well, all LCI cars were built after the upgraded a couple parts of the water pump control electronics, where were thought to be the major cause of failures.
There's a thread or two somewhere talking about that...

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

The water pump wasn't redesigned until 2012. Mine failed at 80k miles.

[tlow98]

N52 pumps seem to last about twice as long as N54/55 water pumps. At 60k on an N52 I wouldn't worry.

But if you are just buy one of the $3xx kits and keep it in your trunk... right next to your tinfoil hat ;-)

[lab_rat]

In my opinion, with the high percentage in usage of plastics in the water pump (and overall coolant system) the number of engine heat cycles in a car's lifecycle should be highly considered in the overall length of lifecycle (or "reliability").

A car that is driven with nearly all highway miles with only one on/off cycle per day will have a much longer mileage return/higher rate of reliability than a city driven, multiple on/off-cycled car of the same vintage, regardless of routine maintenance/service as dictated by manufacturer.

TLDR; it all depends on how the car has been driven/serviced.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by lab_rat

In my opinion, with the high percentage in usage of plastics in the water pump (and overall coolant system) the number of engine heat cycles in a car's lifecycle should be highly considered in the overall length of lifecycle (or "reliability").

A car that is driven with nearly all highway miles with only one on/off cycle per day will have a much longer mileage return/higher rate of reliability than a city driven, multiple on/off-cycled car of the same vintage, regardless of routine maintenance/service as dictated by manufacturer.

TLDR; it all depends on how the car has been driven/serviced.

Possibly, but the n52 uses an aluminum water pump housing unlike the Turbo cars.

[BimmerNugget]

Somebody needs to design an aftermarket pump that lasts longer than the damn BMW/Pierburg one.

[9krpmrx8]

2011 335i 82k, I just replaced it as preventative but it was working just fine.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Somebody needs to design an aftermarket pump that lasts longer than the damn BMW/Pierburg one.

Someone will take on the task eventually. I hope Mishimoto studies it. The primary failure appears to be related to internal seals.

[Boston335iGuy]

2011 n55 and mine failed at 67k miles ......on the way to bimmerfest east last year

[Smoked 82]

2010 N54, 84k I just did mine last week thank god I have a extended warranty, had the thermostat done while it was off also

[chatch10]

I have a late 2011 E90 N55 and mine went out at about 57k. Luckily I was able to get it to the dealership, but I would expect you should replace it soon as a preventative measure.

[opjose]

2011 n55 E90 pump went at 48k miles.
No codes prior to failure although fan raced about a week before.

[AZEgg3]

2010 N54 and mine just failed at 70k...

[BimmerNugget]

hmm...I thought LCI pumps were more reliable since they changed part numbers quite a few times. Thought they would've revised the design/material by now but i guess not.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

hmm...I thought LCI pumps were more reliable since they changed part numbers quite a few times. Thought they would've revised the design/material by now but i guess not.

The model has been abandoned by BMW, so don't expect any development on their end.

Also, since it's a not as simple as a radiator I wouldn't expect an aftermarket alternative too soon. I could be wrong and there might be a profitable business case for it, however.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

hmm...I thought LCI pumps were more reliable since they changed part numbers quite a few times. Thought they would've revised the design/material by now but i guess not.

The model has been abandoned by BMW, so don't expect any development on their end.

Also, since it's a not as simple as a radiator I wouldn't expect an aftermarket alternative too soon. I could be wrong and there might be a profitable business case for it, however.

Watch the shadow codes every couple months and have one on the shelf would be my suggestion for the easiest/lowest cost option.

[lab_rat]

Originally Posted by tlow98

The model has been abandoned by BMW, so don't expect any development on their end.

Also, since it's a not as simple as a radiator I wouldn't expect an aftermarket alternative too soon. I could be wrong and there might be a profitable business case for it, however.

Watch the shadow codes every couple months and have one on the shelf would be my suggestion for the easiest/lowest cost option.

+1

[Greyfox]

2007 328xi E91 N52..... think it was somewhere around 195k..... shop owner and mechanics jaws hit the floor when I told him.

And it was just acting up. It went bonkers on me once. Let it cool down and drove it home and then another 20 miles to the shop.

[PhaseP]

N52 uses Pierburg pump with aluminum propeller housing. I had replaced mine around 100K miles as preventive since thermostat had failed and I was there. I took apart the original pump, it was very high quality build and high quality materials. I don't think an aftermarket can do better.

N54/55 uses Continental build pump that is more powerful. I have seen pictures of it disassembled. It uses plastic propeller housing which is secured with three bolts in a strange pattern and this is making it very prone to cracking causing coolant leak. Never happens at N52 Pierburg pump since aluminum doesn't crack like that. Also the N54/55 Continental pump's propeller rotor which has magnets inside are covered/veneered with plastic, which also crack probably due to eventually allowing some coolant into the magnets and causing them corrode and swell. The Pierburg rotor is venered with stainless steel sheet laser welded shut. By design the rotor is immersed in coolant as it is operating in these electrical pumps, and rotor has permanent magnets. Magnets, especially if they are neodymium easily corrode, so need to be sealed off.

So N54/55 pump could be improved by at least making aluminum propeller housing, or adding at least add one more bolt to hold the propeller housing down better not to allow cracking by differential expansion from heat.
The rotor can also be improved by making it produced as the N52 version.