11-08-2020, 10:24 AM | #1 |
Captain
681
Rep 855
Posts |
Buying advice 3.0si vs 50i
Let me start by saying I have read the terrible stories on the N63 engine. I am looking for an X5 at about $12k or less with under 100k miles to be a winter car and run errands in addition to my M2C.
One option is a 2008 3.0si with 71k miles which will run me close to $12k all in. Not much in options but sees to be in good condition. This is at a dealer. Other option is a 2011 50i with 78k miles for same price, maybe $500 less. This is for sale by owner and he has had it for 4 years. He said oil consumption has bee about a quart between oil changes and injectors and HPFP already replaced as well as battery just last month. 2 batteries replaced over 4 years. Thoughts? Seems this N63 is not as bad as others but it does have 78k miles now. I expect to drive about 7-8k miles per year. |
11-08-2020, 10:48 AM | #2 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
1416
Rep 1,564
Posts |
Quote:
The other weak points on the 50i are it's plastic CCV hoses and plastic connections on the Turbo coolant lines and cylinder head to cylinder head coolant line and seal on the turbo oil return cover. I'm sure you noticed a pattern, all the plastic and rubber bits are what wear out on this engine. It was the first production reverse flow twin turbo stuffed between the cylinder heads engine ever made and BMW made some mistakes on the thermal management of the engine. With this being said, a 50i can be a great truck if you get it with an excellent warranty or can do the work yourself and you can expect to get another 100,000+ miles out of it once the plastic/rubber seals are addressed (I have over 160k on mine). BTW, if you buy, immediately change oil to liqui-Moly 5-40 with cetatech additive and THROW AWAY your engine cover. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-08-2020, 11:00 AM | #3 | |
Captain
681
Rep 855
Posts |
Quote:
Did BMWs CCP address most of this? I think it is still eligible since it is still within 10 years of first use and under 120k miles. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-08-2020, 11:12 AM | #4 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
1416
Rep 1,564
Posts |
Quote:
It is possible they addressed it on the CCP, if they didnt, you should still be eligible under the class action lawsuit, I would be frank and ask the dealers SA/BMW about it directly as a "what happens if this truck starts burning a quart of oil ever 700miles in two years?" scenario). Everything else you can do yourself as while complicated, it's actually pretty easy to work on since most issues are with the turbos and they are right there front and center. (Replacing the lower Intake CCV lines will make you explore your profanity vocabulary though!) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-08-2020, 11:34 AM | #5 | |
Lieutenant
78
Rep 491
Posts |
Quote:
N63 is a great fun to drive. It is one of the most powerful engine available in a stock road vehicle , short of the S63. Like anything German, It is high performance but high maintenance. Think of the German Panzer Tanks in World War 2. I have N63 X5 and have got the valve stem seals done for free under the Bang settlement. The X5 drives like a super car. Nothing comes closer to it , even the Porsche Cayenne. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-08-2020, 11:38 AM | #6 | |
Lieutenant
78
Rep 491
Posts |
Quote:
Lot of good life still in the N63. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-08-2020, 02:15 PM | #7 |
Captain
681
Rep 855
Posts |
I'm going to call the local dealer where this was serviced and try to get info on what has been done. All I know per the owner is fuel injectors (not sure how many), HPFP, battery twice in 4 years, and some suspension (not sure which parts).
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-09-2020, 01:08 PM | #8 |
Captain
1359
Rep 755
Posts
Drives: 2019 BMW X6M
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: WA state
|
I hope the seller is telling you the truth as far as only needing a quart between oil changes. Is he talking every 5K? I can tell you my CPO 650i burned oil more than that, like half a quart every 1K miles. Much more than my S63 that I have verified only burns 1/2 quart in 5K miles.
Unless you "need" the extra power, I would go for the 3.0, for the reasons sophisticated redneck already stated.
__________________
2019 BMW X6M
2013 Lexus RX450H 2010 Nissan GTR AMS Omega 14 |
Appreciate
0
|
11-09-2020, 02:30 PM | #9 |
Lieutenant Colonel
725
Rep 1,716
Posts |
Is this an official thing stated by BMW (10year 120k miles)? Or a goodwill service?
__________________
2016 F31 328iX | Alpine White | Black | ///MSport | iND | Eventuri | AC Schnitzer | MPerformance | 513M | Michelin PS4 |
2005 | 330CiC | Sparkling Graphite | Black | 6MT | ZHP Purchase your W///AGON Stickers Here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1930190 |
Appreciate
0
|
11-09-2020, 09:29 PM | #10 | |
Lieutenant
78
Rep 491
Posts |
Quote:
https://bimmerlife.com/2018/10/20/bm...ption-lawsuit/ https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/n...seals.1306155/ Last edited by X5 MAN; 11-09-2020 at 09:50 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-10-2020, 10:50 AM | #11 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
725
Rep 1,716
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2016 F31 328iX | Alpine White | Black | ///MSport | iND | Eventuri | AC Schnitzer | MPerformance | 513M | Michelin PS4 |
2005 | 330CiC | Sparkling Graphite | Black | 6MT | ZHP Purchase your W///AGON Stickers Here: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1930190 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-10-2020, 02:11 PM | #12 |
Lieutenant
78
Rep 491
Posts |
If you can find one with a very low mileage you can even get a new engine for a couple of grand or less.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-11-2020, 04:25 PM | #13 |
New Member
0
Rep 23
Posts |
50i
I brought my 2012 50i with 70k miles on it to the dealer because of leaky turbo lines. They said they could fix those for 3700ish or drop a new engine in it for 4700 (including the turbo lines being fixed) from BMW.
The class action settlement on these is pretty amazing. They base how much BMW will pay for the new engine on how many miles it currently has. They paid roughly 70% percent of mine. Should be back from the dealer tomorrow or Friday, fingers crossed. Honestly, I regret buying the 50i every time it needs work beyond normal maintenance but then picking it up and driving it away, that feeling goes away quick. Amazing car to drive. Have to pay to play! |
Appreciate
0
|
11-11-2020, 06:20 PM | #14 |
Second Lieutenant
97
Rep 281
Posts |
The 3.0si is going to be a lot cheaper to maintain but its a heavy car with a fairly low torque and a lackluster transmission. If you could find a 35i in your price range I think that could be a good middle ground. Much more torque and power under the curve than the 3.0si, plus the 8 speed transmission is amazing. The n55 has its problems with the electric water pump, OFHG, valve cover gasket, just nowhere near the levels the n63.
With that said, since you have an m2 you dont need your errand car/winter beater to be anything special. Driving the 3.0si will make your m2 that much more fun to drive. |
Appreciate
0
|
01-17-2021, 12:24 AM | #15 | |
New Member
0
Rep 13
Posts
Drives: 2009 E70 3.0i, 2016 F30 328i
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Northern California
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|