We did not include that as we do not consider carbon build-up an issue. Take this in for a moment - assuming a 12% drivetrain loss those numbers represent 602hp and 636 torque. (cold start is just supposed to head up the catalytic filter in the downpipe, so thats why its commonly removed after catless downpipe installation.)e. I too have had the coolant loss issue. Three times this has happened and Ive only just reached 14500 miles. Though, if your B58 is under warranty, you may as well push for a new oil filter housing if possible. You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. Thank you for the comment. However, there is one catch on the B58. 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. . For more information, check ourdisclosure. Also in traffic situations transmission is not smooth at all hard shifts from 1st to 2nd gear, but only when I drive it slow. Bam, 45min to an hour for the whole job. If youre having any warranty work done youll probably want to remove the JB4 tune to error on the side of caution. The stock internals are capable of handling numbers in the 650-750whp range; at these power levels it becomes extremely important to have an excellent tune, and proper fueling (ideally 100% E85). AND reliable! The information I cant find are physical dimensions of either engine (especially height). There's a difference between durability and reliability. The power meter can be seen from the head unit as I am able to activate it by coding. According to my best measure it is about 250ml/1000 Km. We appreciate the positive feedback! Same with the N54 and E9x chassis. Space is very limited but its doable. First, the B58TU1 is available in "ML" (middle output) or "OL" (high output). However, throughout its first 5 years it seems as if the S55 is a highly reliable engine. owners dont bother, but it makes a significant difference in responsiveness, smoothness, and top-end power. Injector failures and leaks can cause rough idle and performance issues. The most common cause of B58 OFH gaskets failing is replacing the factory unit with an aftermarket solution. Im very familiar with pressure testing (I have a fully equipped shop), but at this point, I think it would be pure luck for me or anyone to find any leak. Nonetheless, you must pay to play and the N54 is no exception. The M340i is a beautiful car and the B58TU is a great engine. Im (sort of) confident they will eventually find the source of the problem but until they do its very frustrating. Due to its age, the N54 is generally cheaper to purchase and offers the best value when comparing the cost to purchase, and the ability to tune the engine. BMW B58 vs. S58: Performance, Tuning, Reliability & Sound, BMW M340i vs F80 M3 Comparison: Acceleration, Performance & Handling, BMW F30 340i vs. G20 M340i: Performance, Handling, Drivetrain & Interior, BMW F30 LED Sequential Turn Signal for Side Mirrors, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzgzSnYDvz4&w=660&h=372]. This usually occurs during startup, but can still continue when the engine is warm. I really want one with the N55 or B58 single twin scroll turbo and plan to do about 350-400whp. Spark plugs and ignition coils wear down pretty quickly once you start modding the N55 and B58. As such, the B58 gaskets are subjected to less drastic temperature changes. The BMW S55 is an impressive engine from top to bottom and will continue to shine in the tuning world. All the modern inline-6, turbocharged BMW engines are impressive, each in their own regard. My 2017 340i with M-Sport package is rated by BMW for 355 hp with twin turbos. Certain G series models began receiving the updated B58TU1 in 2019. Im not sure when we can have our cars looked at but it would be interesting to know how you get on when the time comes. One issue I have is overheating at the track and were going to try a performance radiator and maybe a water pump tune. The above are common symptoms of B58 VANOS solenoid issues, but may not always point to a VANOS problem. My m140i has now been back to the dealers 3 times in the last 9 days.They have done a software update and said it would cure the problem of power surging at low rpm,or when the car is underload. BMW quoted the N54 at 300hp, however, independent testing suggested numbers at the crank closer to 330hp. 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. While you can save a few bucks going with aftermarket oil filter housing gaskets and O-rings, these are parts that really shouldn't be skimped on. Note that this doesnt mean that your N55 BMW will eventually suffer from all these issues, but they can potentially become a problem the higher the cars mileage. For more information, check ourdisclosure. Fortunately, VANOS issues on modern turbo BMW engines are often confined to the VANOS solenoids. Since the initial release of the BMW N54, the engine has gained quite a positive reputation in the tuning community. Copyright 2021 - 2023 BMW Tuning LLC. Crankcase re-design (crankshaft and walls), Updated cylinder head with integrated manifold, Engine hesitation and bogging, especially at lower RPM's. Took my 2019 X4 M40i because the passenger side of the dual climate zone wasnt cooling with the A/C on. 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. Outside of that, meth definitely has some great performance benefits. Acnam Infotech, BMW Tuning - BMW Performance & Tuning Guides, News, Videos. Awesome car and congrats on the new tune. Therefore, I will not purchase a BMW unless it is a certified BMW. Thanks for the clarification and reply. I've got a 1986 merc 300sl that runs like a sowing machine. Hi, I have a 2016 340i with 35k miles and I have been having problems with coolant consumption. Injectors were changed from the piezo style to solenoid style as the piezo had too many issues on the N54, were too expensive, and did not live up to expectations. hopefully BMW will sort this out. Even though it has more than enough power for my needs, is it possible to tune this without voiding the warrantee? It is also known as a straight-six naturally aspirated engine. 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. Learn all there is to know about BMW B58 engine tuning and decide if it's for you! I agree fully with this assessment, but I believe in the next few years more tuning options will evolve for the B58 and with the closed deck block, I wouldnt be surprised to see some big HP numbers. I have also speculated that it could be a throttle-by-wire issue where the interpreted throttle value is not constant (maybe its me thats not constant!!). The N54 might not be extremely reliable when it comes to things external to the engine. The latest iteration of BMW's iconic six-cylinder inline engine . The B58 is also more fuel efficient than the N54, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg combined compared to the N54's 23 mpg combined. Then remove and replace passenger side. The BMW B58 engine can handle around 600-650whp and 550-600wtq on the stock block and internals. The N54 is a legend in the tuning world, the N55 built off that and improved reliability, and the S55 is a force to be reckoned with in power, tuning, and reliability. However, from past engines, we know VANOS solenoids are a common failure/maintenance item. It cost about 180 Euro. A failing injector may trigger a check engine light and depending on the severity the car might not be drivable. Ok, definitely my thought process as well. With 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, the B58 provides power to a series of BMWs, from the X3 M40i to the M240i and the new X5 xDrive40i. Good luck with finding the issue with yours. One dependable BMW engine, the N52 inline-6 featured in the E90 325i, 328i, and 330i, has already been covered in detail. Its a pretty simple 20-45 minute install and uninstall. Ill take it up with the dealership once we are all in better times. On the forums you can see logs people recorded showing DME demand and the position feedback chasing it. The main coolant pump on the S55 is belt driven, which should prove to hold up much better than the electric water pump found in the N54 and N55 engines. Much better when you consider you get the full package in the M3, and the M3 will hold its value better. Love the car but hate the pain! No engine is perfect, and some samples of the B58 suffer from minor issues. The butt-dyno felt no power gains. But sometimes, my engine just doesnt want to start. All rights reserved. Lastly, issues with waste-gate rattle were mostly resolved on the N55. Could you give me some advice about this problem? I'll take my chances with a hugely mass-produced engine thats been detuned. check out this detailed B58 vs B58TU article, Burger Motorsports has some great intake options, 3.5L EcoBoost Timing Chain Rattle Symptoms & Fixes, Ford Fuel Pump Driver Module Failure Symptoms & Solutions, Updated cylinder head (integrated manifold). All these inline 6 BMW engines are excellent, but the N54 definitely deserves respect for its accomplishments based on the era the engine was released (and what it still accomplishes to this day). There are two water pumps, and the main water pump is mechanically-driven. Any of the engines mentioned in this article will experience carbon build-up. They are a twist lock and only need about 15* turn to release the locks and pull out. Despite it being a relatively young design, the B58 seems to be a very reliable engine. The car seems to have lost some pep. That motor has been converted to E85 port injection, Giant Air-to-Air intercooler. Why not? Deposits can cause misfires and power loss. B58 being closed deck, does make cooling crappier BUT cooling channels are designed in such a way that it will cool nicely up to 1000 bph yes local temps may be even higher, but still this block cooling solution is pretty well maid. perhaps look for a used Audi 4 wheel drive convertible. VANOS solenoids may be considered a normal wear and tear item. ansolutely thrilled. ?Any accuracy in this? Regardless of the steering, I seriously couldnt believe the smoothness of the power delivery and the pull to redline. Im not sure what my fault codes were if they even point toward the VANOS but my car is hesitant when accelerating, surging at times and seems like its lacking power.. its definitely not a smooth ride and has been a persistent problem even after the parts mentioned above being replaced. TuningPro.co is owned and operated by 8020 Media. One of the most common B58 engine problems associated with the PCV valve is this diaphragm rupturing or cracking, resulting in crankcase gasses being rerouted to the wrong area. Great article BTW. . Huh, B58 can make a lot of power and is the best for reliability. Had the well known gasket issues. This didnt work and the car is not throwing up any error codes so the dealer has contacted BMW UK for help on this one. B58 to N55 Comparison. Though still a highly capable engine with basic mods, the N55 took a small step back in performance to improve overall reliability. Our site is dedicated to all things BMW Tuning related. Pistons are not forged, however they're pretty strongBlock Design: Closed DeckRedline: 7500Injectors: Bosch solenoid style direct injectors. 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. Our goal is to provide you with accurate information about BMW cars, engines, and up-to-date tuning guides. The N55 was replaced in 2016 by the B58. It may not display this or other websites correctly. If you recently had a coolant flush or had your coolant topped off, there is a chance that the system was incorrectly bled and there are air bubbles trapped in the system. However, there is one more thing. The talker a 6th gear I can find the better. And if they are, can the transmission ratio be changed? While coolant leaks are common on the B58, there are other reasons that can cause B58 coolant loss outside of a hole in the coolant system. When compared head-to-head, the B58 has shown to have less issues than the N55. Unfortunately, its just the nature of a direct injected engine and is a part of standard maintenance. Although, VANOS work can be done without lifting the engine. Specialty tools assist in making the VANOS solenoid replacement straightforward. Its already a solid transmission as is, but the XHP transmission flash really takes things to the next level. The B58 is a marginally larger engine displacing 2,998cc compared to the N55's 2,979cc and weighs 18 lbs more, but while making notably more power. Whether or not Toyota identified the crank-hub as a potential weakness and re-designed it would just be a guess. Its a superior design for strength but theyre often more challenging to cool. Totally agree. If so, thats impressive. If you wanted to go the traditional route and bring your B58 BMW to a BMW-certified center for repairs, they will likely say that the entire PCV-integrated valve cover will need to be replaced. Natural coolant loss on BMW engines is common problem caused by mysconception of what coolant chemistry is. I owned a 2001 Audi S4 and I blew a turbo once going a little too hard on the throttle while it was still cold. N55 is better than the N54, but its just a reliability upgrade. Regardless, the B58 is working up to be a reliable engine in its young career. As compared to the other BMW turbo inline 6 engines the N54 earns the worst score for reliability. Fortunately, BMW learned its lesson on the N54 and focused on improving the reliability of its future turbo engines. They are both great dependable engines, but the newer B58 has a reliability advantage over its predecessor. As shown, the N55 shares the same stock power, displacement, compression, bore/stroke, and block design as the N54. Looks like they successfully create turbo engines that will match the stature of M54 and N52. 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 . About heat capacity of water / glycol. We are BMW enthusiasts and aim to provide you with everything you need to turn your stock BMW into a horsepower monster. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. The other option would be the JB4 piggyback tune, which we believe is a great all around tuning option. My history with bmw is: Further, compared to the N54s forged internals, the N55 features slightly weaker internal components, though the cast parts are still high quality and only become a concern well above 500whp. Once the pass side is in and connected, install driver side and connect. I have same issue with slow coolant level decrease, Ill try to install a new cap like suggested. This increases performance by. I have a 440i with m performance and sound kit during cold start there is shaking in the car I can feel the shaking if I hold the stearing wheel with both of my hands I am not sure what might be causing the problem only have about 25k miles showed to dealer they dint find anything We are not sure if BMW knew the N54 would be capable of handling as much power as it was eventually pushed to by the tuning community. Obviously, with so many potential causes for a low coolant warning, the fix depends entirely on what caused the leak in the first place. The BMW B58 engine is a remarkable one. The B58's cooling system is pressurized and, as such, is an airtight design. 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 . Ive had fuel injectors, coil packs and spark plugs changed. I found remove driver side first. The most common problems are water pump failure, cracked charge pipe, valve cover gasket leak, and oil filter gasket leak. Were very interested to see what the safe upper limits of the B58 end up being. Where the gasses end up is dictated by a diaphragm in the PCV system. It manages a respectable 322-382hp and 332-369 lb-ft from the factory. Open-deck blocks and cast pistons are not great at handling extreme boost pressures for long periods of time. TwinPower Turbo which is a twin scroll single turbo. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. I do love a straight 6. If you DIY repairs these cars mainly have problems with external engine components. Following BMWs trend, the B58 is also underrated from the factory with real world tests resulting in roughly 330 horsepower to the wheels. Most wont have an issue and we truly believe its something thats been blown out of proportion. *Picture is from an N54 that had a leaking VCG for nearly 20,000 miles. Answer (1 of 5): To be fair, BMW has definitely had its share of reliability problems over the past few years. Replace valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket at 160K. my buddy still has: just needed change ,everything im reading on B-58 engine sounds like fun to drive car. (4.2 l)My '06 TJ has the 4.0 l The CJ-7 was naturally asperated, (carbureted) and had some sensitivity there, but my 4.0 l is fuel injected and has been rock solid! Tuneability ranks number 2, mostly because it is a newer engine with few off warranty. Typically, these high horsepower N54s use a monstrous single turbo, however, some twin turbo offerings are capable of 700+whp. Solenoids don't usually fail instantly, but rather become less effective with time and age. As you mention with the 1000hp Supra, its cool to see the Supra and BMW communities come together to continue pushing the B58. Steph Papadakis and his boys are making 1000HP @ ~42psi on a 2020 Supra B58. Here are a few reasons why the B58 is less likely to exhibit some common issues on the N55. Compared to the two former engines the N55 has been on the road longer, allowing for additional time for tuning developments. Glad I wasnt imagining this weird phenomenon . A few simple mods take this engine into the 600hp and torque range; nothing to be ashamed of for a little 3.0L inline-6. This helps with the length of the connector cable. Appreciate any thoughts! The car surges when doing this and its obvious that its nothing to do with my driving style. B58 engine reliability BMW engineers were able to resolve the main issues with the engines that preceded the B58, including: Updating the fuel system Modernizing the cylinder head They fixed issues with the particulate filters A fresh design for the timing chain I eventually sold my car back to the dealership without me ever getting g to the bottom of the issue. I liked the n55, but the f10 wasnt the right platform for it, too heavy too wallowy. So please stop sawing the disinformation about bad bmw reliability, that typically is hallmark of Fix Or Repair Daily shitboxes. Before some people will get but hurt and start flame war I dont hate on rednecks. To find out more, read our Privacy Policy. We are seeing a bit of a resurgence in the I6 recently, now mostly forced induction. Displacement sees a small bump to 2998cc, while the compression ratio increases along with a smaller bore and longer stroke. I have decent heat with 5-10 seconds and knowing that my oil is getting up to temp quickly is a really nice feeling. Something doesnt add up. JavaScript is disabled. Solenoids are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. [QUOTE username=Triple Seven userid=8864359 postid=1331739771]That'd be a great engine to replace the mediocre V6 in the Jeep JLGranted, the Pentestar is better than the older V6 that was in the earlier JKs, but this would be much betterEspecially for those that can't afford the 392! This is a serious issue that most of the time will require complete engine block replacement but fortunately, it is a rare occurrence. Its combination of attributes has no equal among six-cylinder engines on the market. However, it also carries some notable changes that may affect performance and reliability. It's a pretty labor-intensive job. Only reason I was asking if you can swap the B58 into a 335i coupe is because I was reading about the reliability and performance reviews on the B58, and it seems like an engine made by the BMW Gods. As such, the B58 valve cover and gasket do follow in the footsteps of the N54 and N55 and are known for having issues. Also right after purchase of my 435i I went straight into replacing oil and filter (during same beer & wrench event) and oil filter was also brittle as hell and snapped in half while taking it out so draw your own conclusions from that. 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. Be prepared for potential B58 oil leaks from the valve cover gasket. I couldnt imagine them using it if there was in fact an issue. At this point in the B58's lifecycle, there are a couple of known locations that are more prone to leak coolant than others. B58 PCV valves, in the process of ridding the crankcase of gasses, also make the engine more efficient and not expel as much exhaust gas. Any input apreciated. Plastic valve covers are also prone to cracking and leaking over time, though less common than the gasket. Our garage currently includes a 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and 2008 535i. Additionally, it receives the forged crank and rods as with the N54. I bought it at about 75k. However, it wasnt as drastic of an improvement as some say. Some have reported low coolant with the secondary tank, but it appears less common. Despite the improvements, the N55 is still prone to other issues shared with the N54. Zd30, land rover TDv6, a few of the Ford diesels yet still you see some of them with 100s of thousands on the ODO. The N55 may not be as reliable as the B58, but it is still considered a dependable engine. Engines now are far more reliable than in the past. This is a misconception. Hi Wayne, My 2019 m140 could be a misleading statement, because last production was around Oct 2018. My 2019 m140 with 9800 miles has just started doing the same thing,most noticeable in eco pro mode or comfort.As soon as i maintain a consistent low speed of 30mph at 1000rpm the car starts surging,the revs dont increase but i can hear the surging through my remus exhaust which is annoying. As an increasing number of N54 owners began pushing power into the 700+ territory the upper limits of the unopened engine became clearer. Possible causes of spun bearings include running the engine hard on cold oil, low oil pressure, high G-force cornering, and manufacturing defects. Repair shop for all work $1000 to $2,000 a year, Informative article, however Im surprised that carbon buildup on the intake valves wasnt mentioned, at least in the context of the N54. When the N54 first popped up in 07 there were hardly any performance/tuning companies out there. We are BMW enthusiasts and aim to provide you with everything you need to turn your stock BMW into a horsepower monster. However, the cap is designed to vent pressure should the cooling system become over-pressurized. other than that it runs good and I still like it. Turns out coolant was getting into the engine. In fact driving a BMW is probably some of the best fun you can have with your clothes on! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With that being said, I would not buy a BMW B58 at this moment. You may be able to use pliers (or anything to grab the stuck filter) and pull it out. Flush out and refill coolant every 5 years. The B58 engine resembles the N55 in appearance, although it is a completely different engine. Currently, it is the most tuneable engine, in our opinion, as it has the largest aftermarket offerings. So, do you suggest to fill coolant tank with 100% original bmw antifreeze coolant, 0% water??? The following table compares the technical data for both engines. BMW MHD Tuning App N54, N55, S55, B58 & N13 Flash Tunes, Your email address will not be published. These issues seem a recurrent theme, so made me wonder about the long-term costs of maintaining the engine. Whats your thoughts on this? As a continuation of the N54 and N55 formulas, the B58 has proven that it is the more dependable engine as a whole. BMW replacing whole engine with a new one. In fact, it may not have an equal among all engines on the. We also think the B58 should hold up a bit better as it ages. Im not convinced there isnt a secondary issue. Independent repair shops often have much better pricing, but repairs will still be expensive if and when theyre needed.