Buying advice 3.0si vs 50i

[Got f1?]

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.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by Got f1?

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.

I would recommend you stay away from any 50i unless it has had the valve stem seals replaced or it has an excellent warranty (or you have the tools and time to replace yourself). These go bad like clockwork on all 50i X5's. The seals themselves are cheap, around 150 dollars but the labor (40+ hours) to install is the killer.

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.

[Got f1?]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

I would recommend you stay away from any 50i unless it has had the valve stem seals replaced or it has an excellent warranty (or you have the tools and time to replace yourself). These go bad like clockwork on all 50i X5's. The seals themselves are cheap, around 150 dollars but the labor (40+ hours) to install is the killer.

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.

Ugh. I know this but really like the 50i. Thank you for the detailed response. I can do much of my own work but valve stem seals would be way beyond my skill level.

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.

[Sophisticated Redneck]

Originally Posted by Got f1?

Ugh. I know this but really like the 50i. Thank you for the detailed response. I can do much of my own work but valve stem seals would be way beyond my skill level.

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.

I know exactly how you feel, I was in the same position when I bought mine years ago, I knew the history of the engine but couldn't resist a 5300lb truck that with just a tune would be faster then any of the sports cars I had growing up.

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!)

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by Got f1?

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.

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.

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by Sophisticated Redneck

I know exactly how you feel, I was in the same position when I bought mine years ago, I knew the history of the engine but couldn't resist a 5300lb truck that with just a tune would be faster then any of the sports cars I had growing up.

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!)

Any mileage under 120k will be eligible for free VSS replacement by the dealer after they do the testing to see if it is eligible. I got it done free at 112k mileage, this vehicle is ONLY 78k.

Lot of good life still in the N63.

[Got f1?]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

Any mileage under 120k will be eligible for free VSS replacement by the dealer after they do the testing to see if it is eligible. I got it done free at 112k mileage, this vehicle is ONLY 78k.

Lot of good life still in the N63.

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).

[Autobacs]

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.

[JDAURIA]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

Any mileage under 120k will be eligible for free VSS replacement by the dealer after they do the testing to see if it is eligible. I got it done free at 112k mileage, this vehicle is ONLY 78k.

Lot of good life still in the N63.

Is this an official thing stated by BMW (10year 120k miles)? Or a goodwill service?

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by JDNY516

Is this an official thing stated by BMW (10year 120k miles)? Or a goodwill service?

It is officially documented in the Bang settlement brochure. You may find it if you Google.

https://bimmerlife.com/2018/10/20/bm...ption-lawsuit/

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/n...seals.1306155/

[JDAURIA]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

It is officially documented in the Bang settlement brochure. You may find it if you Google.

https://bimmerlife.com/2018/10/20/bm...ption-lawsuit/

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/n...seals.1306155/

Nice! A 5.0i would be sweet to own but I always stayed away because of the VSS. Didn't know you could buy one and if it was showing symptoms to have it replaced for free. Not bad!

[X5 MAN]

Originally Posted by JDNY516

Nice! A 5.0i would be sweet to own but I always stayed away because of the VSS. Didn't know you could buy one and if it was showing symptoms to have it replaced for free. Not bad!

If you can find one with a very low mileage you can even get a new engine for a couple of grand or less.

[digitys]

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!

[wcs531]

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.

[dominator]

Originally Posted by wcs531

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.

I agree, E70 with N55 is your best bet (middle ground reliability/power wise) or maybe N57. N55 probably won’t be as reliable as N52, but very very close. I have E70 with N52 and that car is underpowered. I take up the mountains in the winter and transmission keeps changing gears - it struggles. I towed a boat with it couple of times and I had a feeling like either transmission was going to die.