One dependable BMW engine, the N52 inline-6 featured in the E90 325i, 328i, and 330i, has already been covered in detail. We recommend changing the oil soon after this occurs. other than that it runs good and I still like it. However, it wasnt as drastic of an improvement as some say. 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. Proceed with the oil change as normal. 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.. Maximum PSI seems to make a good one. Certain G series models began receiving the updated B58TU1 in 2019. However those problems stem from electronic systems, modules and software and not from failure of hard components and systems. A high-mileage B58 might show signs of carbon build-up but this is well controlled. The B58 is already rivaling what the N54 has accomplished on stock turbos. It is also known as a straight-six naturally aspirated engine. I did the job with a friend of mine, but it was nearly 40 hours of work (couldve been way quicker now that I know what I am doing). Yes Im in the UK John. Thanks! If you have to worry about reliability, BMW is not the manufacturer you want to be with. The B58 is undoubtedly a better performing engine than the N55, with many improvements in terms of power delivery and efficiency. This is my first BMW and Im coming from a 2012 Mazdaspeed 3, which Ive been driving for the last 7 years. Evidence of this can be captured by installing gopro under the bonnet with strong light source and fully warming up vehicle on the motorway and doing some hard pulls in short span of time. Original BMW coolant (the one in 1.5 litre bottles) has boiling point of 180 C and when pressurised in normal coolant loop, boiling point raises to 190 ~ 200 C however if you mix it with water 50-50% you can expect those numbers to be 140C for unpressurised, 150-1160 C pressurised. f34 130k miles (tuned about 30% up only intercooler upgraded) BMW learned many lessons from the N54 and N55 and used this knowledge to engineer the B58; an engine with stronger internals, a more robust cooling system, and an improved fueling system for increased reliability. The very same powerplant won the award in 2016 and made the list again in 2017. Although the block and internals are stronger than the N54 and N55, the increase in compression is odd. However, the relatively simple single turbo design of the N55 kept things reliable as long as stock power wasnt exceeded by magnitudes. When your BMW B58's PCV valve fails, or is nearing failure, one of the most common symptoms is smoke coming from your exhaust. Most repairs at the dealer will easily run over $1,000. Has anyone managed to get this problem sorted out yet?And if so could you let me know I just bought a 2017 April F20 M140i x drive and I am Just a question of how the other internals fare. Therefore, I will not purchase a BMW unless it is a certified BMW. Many issues with their turbo engines. In fact, it may not have an equal among all engines on the. This isn't absolutely necessary but will help get any possible filter debris out of the oil. Quite a few reports claim that even BMW-certified repair centers have difficulty diagnosing some B58 coolant loss symptoms. BMW tech found low coolant on the low pressure side. Ever since the twin turbo N54 hit the markets in the 2007 BMW 335i, BMW has been building on the design of the turbocharged, direct injected inline 6 engine. First, let me say this is awesome info and Im grateful for it. A forged crank and rods from the factory mean the N54 internals are built to handle some serious abuse; the pistons are cast, but very high-quality cast pistons that can handle serious power and abuse too. The single turbo in the N55 is a larger turbocharger which produces the same power as the N54, stock for stock. There are a few notorious issues in the N55. The B58 timing chain was moved to the rear of the engine. Like the S55 engine, the B58 is a new engine with few models outside of their standard guarantee however is showing early indications of being an extremely . Im not convinced there isnt a secondary issue. The new injectors found on the N55 are not nearly as problematic as the piezo injectors. Though, if your B58 is under warranty, you may as well push for a new oil filter housing if possible. should i stay away? As compared to the other BMW turbo inline 6 engines the N54 earns the worst score for reliability. 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. Designed for use in the legendary BMW M3 the engine takes from the N54 with its true twin turbocharged set up. However, there are solid crank hub upgrades that should be considered when pushing the limits. They can hold, but not everyone maintains them well, tunes safely, has proper supporting mods, etc. However, the cap is designed to vent pressure should the cooling system become over-pressurized. For that reason, the B58 scores the worst value rating. 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. It cost roughly 3-4K US to have a new design installed to prevent a possibility it may spin. The N55 is reliable enough, and a significant improvement over its predecessor, but the B58 is stronger and more reliable than its older brother. Which of these BMW turbo inline-6 engines is your favorite? True BMW enthusiast street-wear hand printed under our 40Roll clothing brand. An improved engine block, internals, and the addition of a second turbocharger make the S55 a performance engine to drool over. Some owners are reporting coolant losses in the main tank and possibly in the second tank. Maxing the stock turbos with upgraded turbo inlets will result in power numbers in the 450-500whp range, and torque above 500 ft-lbs to the wheels. Ill try to describe what I suspect as a secondary issue. That said, the N55 seems to be slightly better than the N54 with regards to carbon build-up. Replace the accessory belt every 80,000 miles. 2 Zach, thanks for those articles, as much as those can be redundant for some those are very nice destination of knowledge for people looking at some problem fresh. Agree with you both there Tazzieman/Spjnr. Dont hesitate to pack those with even more detail ! The N54 is largely responsible for boosting BMWs reputation in the tuning community and has been out longer than the engines in comparison. perhaps look for a used Audi 4 wheel drive convertible. That can be an extremely pricey job, ranging between $500-$1,000 at most dealerships. Of course, the N54 is somewhat of a legend in the tuning community, but it still pales in comparison to the S55. Should I continue looking for a used BMW or Of course, this may vary a lot from shop to shop. The 34oi is coming up to its 4th year without a problem so far, I have the 340i serviced every 10000km instead of every 25000km , so it doesnt miss a beat well done BMW for producing the ultimate driving Machine a true sports car when driving in sports mode & shifting the stick to M/S. Im new to all of this. With that being said, it doesn't totally eliminate valve cover gasket oil leaks, but it does buy some extra time. Guess where the VANOS components reside? 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). 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). We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Reliability + performance. BMW B58 Reliability. 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. You can indeed tune an M340i without voiding warranty. Cast pistons.Block Design: Closed DeckRedline: 7000. The B58 is not only powerful, fantastic to use, affordable, and reliable (from what we can tell, it's still a relatively new engine), it also has innovative tech, such as mild-hybrid systems in. Yeah I agree with Tazzieman completely. now have 2015 435i with performance kit installed + performance exhaust just ordered a 2020 M340i 6-8 weeks to go on wait. Automotive Performance, Tuning, & Modification. N55 is my preferred engine in the E92 lineup. However, you may make it well past without issues. From my understanding it is a fine engine.Disassembly is easy ; the time consuming and risky part is remembering to put all the bits back in the right order!Main costs of maintenance will be consumables such as tyres and brakes. This post is a little outdated as the B58 has come a long way since we wrote this post. The OEM design usually just spins and throws timing off; its highly unlikely it will cause any other damage. This was a great article. the vanos solenoids were a 20min job with a cold engine. We appreciate the positive feedback! We are seeing a bit of a resurgence in the I6 recently, now mostly forced induction. This can result in oil-rich gasses being pumped into the intake manifold. In reality, it was worse than the factory part. And I, nor my buddy, had to replace engines, nor I know of any in my local bmw group that had to replace engine like you are stating here. *Picture is from an N54 that had a leaking VCG for nearly 20,000 miles. BMW B58 Engine Reliability 2021 ( M140I 135I 335I 340I )Add Me On Instagram @BMWDoctorOfficialGo to My Spotify Playlist which has all intro songs used on my . We post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc. And if they are, can the transmission ratio be changed? it now has 125,000km on the clock and is stock 300HP. Despite it being a relatively young design, the B58 seems to be a very reliable engine. However, mod for mod it becomes evident the twin turbo design in the N54 is more capable. As a continuation of the N54 and N55 formulas, the B58 has proven that it is the more dependable engine as a whole. With that being said, I would not buy a BMW B58 at this moment. I track it and the engine has been holding up very well. The BMW B58 engine can handle around 600-650whp and 550-600wtq on the stock block and internals. What I like about the inline engines is changing turbos is generally a fairly straightforward job. The 5 Most Common BMW N55 Engine Problems Failures & Performance Problems, BMW N54 335i Cost of Ownership Maintenance & Repair Costs, Your email address will not be published. what a great site you have! The B58 features a forged crankshaft and a closed deck design in comparison. Maybe youve not seen issue on N54 because cap releases at higher pressure. Change places of where your camera is so you can better locate it etc. Be on the look-out for more of these issues to pop up in the coming years. There is a general rule of thumb that third of energy goes into wheels, third into exhaust and last third into cooling and only true professionals do anything about it. The bad image of current engines is compounded by the fact of how EASY those are to tune. Thank you. What kind of HP increase could I expect with the JB4 piggyback tune? It . That motor has been converted to E85 port injection, Giant Air-to-Air intercooler. Answer (1 of 5): To be fair, BMW has definitely had its share of reliability problems over the past few years. Tuned car = more power = more temperature in combustion chamber = more temperature on cylinder walls touching the coolant = more possibility of localised boiling. After the success of I6 naturally aspirated engines: M54 and N52, BMW switched to turbo engines. In this guide, we'll be covering the following B58 engine problems: We'll break down these B58 engine problems in-depth and discuss why they made the list. Now, we left out some potentially promising information. Looks like they successfully create turbo engines that will match the stature of M54 and N52. All rights reserved. We did not include that as we do not consider carbon build-up an issue. Do you want to get more excitement out of your B58-powered BMW? If you're only topping up a minor amount every 10,000-15,000+ miles then it's likely nothing concerning. And thats the N54 which is regarded as one of the less reliable BMW engines. F11 151k miles (now only tuned by 30%, in the past was tuned onev 40%) This is a misconception. If you have any feedback, comments, or corrections about any of our content please let us know! Turns out coolant was getting into the engine. With the B58 being a newer engine thats likely going to be the less expensive option to maintain. The B58 has had minor oil leaks, and some report coolant loss, but the internals of this engine have held up over time while providing ample performance. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzgzSnYDvz4&w=660&h=372]. Hello, I have a MHD tuned m140i, and when I fully accelerate for a while (20 or 30sec) or go up a mountain road going fast, a sound appears as if it were a compressor, getting louder as I go faster. 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. Ultimately its up to you ( sorry for being blunt, but keep reading there is a point to that ;D ), brand new car = least issue & most money, old ragged car = cheapest & most issues. Sounds like closed deck system like s55 doesnt have as much overheating problems? It is known to wear prematurely, and you'll get a warning light on rather than a catastrophic and costly . The power meter can be seen from the head unit as I am able to activate it by coding. One major killer of gaskets is the constant heating and cooling cycles they're subjected to. Improvement of Valvetronic - VVT4 with reduced height. Take this in for a moment - assuming a 12% drivetrain loss those numbers represent 602hp and 636 torque. A code scan revealed code P0012. in. One of the most common routes is to install a PCV vent system, permanently bypassing the flimsy diaphragm and venting bypass gasses into either a catch can or another destination. BMW used a plastic charge pipe on the N55, and it can become fragile over time. However, it's worth monitoring as the B58 ages. Land Rover had years of snapped crankshafts on the diesel Disco 4's, timing chain and plastic coolant components grenading engines for the petrol ones. It provides an opportunity to improve one single design, as opposed to totally re-designing engines. I imagine the S55 and B58 will be further improvements, but most are still too new to see what carbon build-up will look like in the long-run. Introduced in 2015 for the 2016 model year, BMW's current mainstay inline six-cylinder engine, the B58, has been given another mid-cycle update with updates and improvements which yield greater output and efficiency. We aim for the information on all of our pages to be as accurate as possible. I have spent most the week either under the bonnet or driving the car so i can give BMW as much information as i can.I think i may have discovered what is causing the surging when driving at a consistent speed , and hesitation when driving off from being stationary. Sometimes, B58 coolant loss can be dependent on other things as well. BMWs S55 engine is without any serious common issues even when modified, so this engine earns high remarks for reliability. Just remove all the plastic covers and you can get your hand back there. Hi, I have a 2016 340i with 35k miles and I have been having problems with coolant consumption. Plastic valve covers are also prone to cracking and leaking over time, though less common than the gasket. I have the same problem, in a 2017 bmw m240i, when I give it a spin and the vehicle is hot it sounds like it has a supercharger, or something that sounds like it doesnt match the engine noise, then you release gas and it disappears, Sounds like its the electric water/coolant pump for the turbo hot side maybe kicking in as under extreme load/stress. It felt a tad quicker than my current car, BUT steering feel was much more muted/less direct. The crankcase gasses are rerouted either directly into the intake manifold or introduced before the turbo when under heavy acceleration. . Although, Im not sure if they have anything for the M340i. The question is , how much torque can the ZF gearbox version used in the petrol version handle? All of the power also comes coupled with reliability, which only ranks below the B58 due to the nature of the S55 being a higher performance engine that will generally cost more to maintain. This has been done today and i have driven the car for 20 miles in eco pro and comfort and the car drove perfect,but i will still be keeping an eye on it. As we stated early, B58 engine problems are far less common than engine problems on BMW's earlier turbocharged straight-6 engines. Over time, the housing and the electronics inside degrade and fail. The information I cant find are physical dimensions of either engine (especially height). That could be said for many modern engines. Although, the single turbo will likely limit its capabilities without upgraded turbo(s). ansolutely thrilled. Although the B58 uses similar rubber VCG's, the engine has one advantage. Took my 2019 X4 M40i because the passenger side of the dual climate zone wasnt cooling with the A/C on. About heat capacity of water / glycol. The B58 has more horsepower and torque then the N55. So much too learn, so little time. 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. Woodcliff Lake, NJ - Jan. 17, 2020Today, BMW is proud to be named one of WardsAuto's 2020 10 Best Engines and Powertrains Award winners for the 382 hp B58 TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter Inline six-cylinder tuned by BMW M powering the 2020 BMW M340i Sedan, Z4 M40i Roadster and the X3 M40i and X4 M40i Sports Activity Vehicles. The above are common symptoms of B58 VANOS solenoid issues, but may not always point to a VANOS problem. You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. Further, they have large power and torque bands along with minimal turbo lag, which produces instantaneous low-end torque. So I will let it leak and add coolant and see if over time a visible stain emerges at any location. Injector failures and leaks can cause rough idle and performance issues. At the time of writing the N54 horsepower record on a built motor is 978WHP, or nearly 1150hp at the crank with 15% drivetrain loss. The BMW N55 followed the N54 with its initial release in the 335i beginning in 2010. Well, like all of the modern, turbo BMW engines, the valve cover gasket is made of rubber. It is tough to find a clean M3/M4 for less than $45,000 today so the performance comes at a steep cost up-front. The latest iteration of BMW's iconic six-cylinder inline engine . "Natural" is in quotations for a reason. Copyright 2021 - 2023 BMW Tuning LLC. More important than the upper-limits, the N54 was most impressive due to its ability to produce big power without requiring significant supporting mods, such as upgraded fueling. Ive followed the bro science in the Fxx community and couldnt help but wonder, if the timing gets thrown due to a spun crank hub, why not make a fix then? Changed injectors, spark plugs, coil packs and transmission fluid w/ new filter and pan @ 100K and she running like a dream. Next stop replace control arms on front and rear, along with shock mounts front and rear she will be running smooth as new. Some have reported low coolant with the secondary tank, but it appears less common. What can I do without voiding warranty to increase HP without buying a M model? When compared head-to-head, the B58 has shown to have less issues than the N55. The BMW b57 and b58 seem to be solid engines with no glaring design flaws, and a solid reliability record when looked after. 2015 335i 4 series coupe has been a great auto. Is B58 Engine Reliable? Forums will be full of "issues"! 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. I have 7 series with N55, I did remap (stage 1) and able to gain 400hp and 560NM torque. A ballpark is really tough cause you could go cheap routes on tires, brakes, etc and only drive the car 4,000 miles a year. My history with bmw is: Cooling system components are located on the intake side of the engine where there is less heat. Replace valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket at 160K. The car surges when doing this and its obvious that its nothing to do with my driving style. Your email address will not be published. Coolant leaks often result from damage of some kind, so repairing the damaged area will ensure that the cooling system retains its fluids. I've got a 1986 merc 300sl that runs like a sowing machine. Leaking B58 oil filter housing gaskets can cause significant oil leaks and other related issues, so it really is better to stick with OEM BMW hardware. But sometimes, my engine just doesnt want to start. Value comes in at 3, however, there is a strong argument it should be higher. Injectors are getting loud again at 200k so its time to replace them. There are countless videos of B58 BMW owners with this exact symptom resulting from a damaged PCV. TwinPower Turbo which is a twin scroll single turbo. Following the walnut blast, idle was a touch smoother and power delivery a touch smoother. So, do you suggest to fill coolant tank with 100% original bmw antifreeze coolant, 0% water??? Happy I stumbled on this website and will definitely be reading more. Crank and block should be plenty strong to handle 800+whp. You are using an out of date browser. Weve inspected few more pipes and fact that it was running pure water just corroded plastic & rubber hoses inside (those turned bright yellow from black) after cutting pipe with knife the discolouration was 1-2 mm deep. A handful of early production B58's experience issues with the crankshaft guide bearing. my buddy still has: Count the 2020 M340i as the tenth official long-term test subject of the 3-series kind. Compared to the two former engines the N55 has been on the road longer, allowing for additional time for tuning developments. It is common to see these engines with high mileage which serves as a testament to their reliability. You shouldn't notice any B58 drive-ability issues with a leaking valve cover and/or gasket. Bimmerly is a hub for BMW enthusiasts. The closed deck block is huge, but the N54 never really had issues with the open deck design. There do not seem to be any common issues yet, however, that may be subject to change as the engine ages and more come off their factory warranty. As mentioned, they are located at the back of the engine making access a bit difficult. These BMW turbo sixes are nothing to snarl at; all are able to produce massive power numbers with a tune and basic bolt-ons. Your email address will not be published. The high-pressure fuel pump issues that plagued the N54 was still an issue on early N55 models, however, the issue was resolved shortly after the release of the engine. As such, it can't hurt to replace the valve cover while you're in there. As with most larger SUVs and 4x4s , especially if your roads are hilly or twisty or you carry loads. Flush out and refill coolant every 5 years. Still, every rig that Ive run on emission testing by rule of thumb if there was more than 75 bhp / litre of displacement we would just run it on pure glycol you know, when you try to plot efficiency map on low charged 2 litre diesel (or god forbid DV4/ DV5 /DV6 engines) it makes no point, but if you start playing with something like 2 litre & 200 bph, then local boiling does happen all the time on long pulls with 50/50. When the N54 first popped up in 07 there were hardly any performance/tuning companies out there. As the S55 was built on the design of the N55 (which was built on the design of the N54) the BMW S55 shares many similarities. I hope to get a 2015 M3 in a few years time as i would love to drive the S55! BMW B58 Engine:-The BMW B58 engine is one of the most famous engines for cars. Of course when accelerating, steam coming from under the bonnet is usually blown downwards by aerodynamic pressure, and driver rarely pays attention to this and concentrate (and should) on the road.