What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Remanufactured Bmw N55 Engine

If you are looking for a powerful and smooth engine for your BMW, you might have heard of the N55 engine. This engine was introduced in as a replacement for the N54 engine, which had some issues with reliability and fuel efficiency. The N55 engine is a 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine that produces from 300 horsepower to 445 horsepower in ALPINA models. It is used in various models of BMW, such as the 1 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, X3, X4, X5, X6 and Z4.

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But how good is the N55 engine really? What are its pros and cons? And how reliable is it in the long run? In this article, we will answer these questions and give you some tips on how to maintain your N55 engine.

Pros of the N55 Engine

The N55 engine has many advantages over its predecessor, the N54 engine. Here are some of them:

• It has a single twin-scroll turbocharger instead of two single-scroll turbochargers. This reduces the turbo lag and improves the throttle response and low-end torque.
• It has a direct injection system that injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber. This improves the fuel efficiency and reduces the emissions.
• It has a variable valve timing system called Valvetronic that adjusts the intake valve lift and duration. This optimizes the airflow and performance of the engine.
• It has a variable camshaft timing system called VANOS that adjusts the timing of the intake and exhaust camshafts. This enhances the power delivery and fuel economy of the engine.
• It has an electric water pump that regulates the coolant flow according to the engine temperature and load. This reduces the parasitic drag on the engine and saves fuel.
• It has an oil filter housing that integrates the oil cooler. This simplifies the oil change process and reduces the risk of oil leaks.

Cons of the N55 Engine

The N55 engine is not perfect, however. It also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of. Here are some of them, according to feedback gathered online:

• It is prone to carbon buildup on the intake valves due to the direct injection system. This can cause rough idle, misfires, loss of power and reduced fuel economy. The carbon buildup can be cleaned by using a walnut blasting service or by using a catch can to prevent oil vapors from entering the intake manifold.
• It is susceptible to oil leaks from various gaskets and seals, such as the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan gasket and rear main seal. These leaks can cause oil consumption, smoke from the exhaust and damage to other components. The leaks can be fixed by replacing the faulty gaskets and seals with new ones.
• It is vulnerable to overheating due to the electric water pump failure. The electric water pump can fail without warning, causing the engine to overheat and go into limp mode. The water pump failure can be prevented by replacing it every 60,000 miles or by monitoring its performance using a scan tool.
• It is sensitive to spark plug and ignition coil wear. The spark plugs and ignition coils are responsible for igniting the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders. If they are worn or faulty, they can cause misfires, poor performance and check engine light. The spark plugs and ignition coils should be replaced every 40,000 miles or sooner if needed.

Reliability of the N55 Engine

The N55 engine is generally considered to be a reliable engine that can last for many miles if properly maintained. In many cases, we would say it’s more reliable than the N54. However, like any other engine, it can develop some problems over time that can affect its performance and longevity. Some of these problems are common to all turbocharged engines, such as carbon buildup, oil leaks and overheating. Others are specific to the N55 engine, such as water pump failure, spark plug and ignition coil wear and high-pressure fuel pump issues.

The high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) is a component that delivers fuel at high pressure to the direct injection system. The HPFP can fail due to various reasons, such as low-quality fuel, contamination or wear. The HPFP failure can cause long cranking time, rough running, reduced power and check engine light. The HPFP failure can be diagnosed by using a scan tool or by measuring the fuel pressure at the rail. The HPFP can be replaced with a new one or with an upgraded one that offers better performance and durability.

We’ve had our own issues with the HPFP, but in a BMW 1M with the N54 engine. It actually failed at the 20,000 miles mark along with the turbochargers. Both were replaced under warranty by BMW and no issues since.

Regular Maintenance

The N55 engine also requires regular maintenance to keep it in good shape and prevent major problems from occurring. Some of the maintenance items that you should perform on your N55 engine are:

• The N55 engine is susceptible to carbon buildup on the intake valves. This can cause performance issues and reduce fuel economy. Walnut blasting is a process that removes the carbon buildup from the intake valves. This is usually recommended around 60,000 miles.
• Change the engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first. Use synthetic oil that meets BMW specifications (LL-01) and a quality oil filter.
• Change the air filter every 30,000 miles or as needed. Use a quality air filter that fits your engine and provides adequate airflow.
• The coolant should be flushed and replaced every 4 years or 50,000 miles. This helps to prevent the coolant from becoming acidic and corroding the engine components.
• Change the transmission fluid and filter every 60,000 miles or as needed. Use BMW-approved transmission fluid that meets the specifications and a quality transmission filter.
• The spark plugs should be replaced every 30,000 to 40,000 miles. Worn-out spark plugs can cause misfires and reduce engine performance.
• Change the ignition coils every 40,000 miles or as needed. Use BMW-recommended ignition coils that fit your engine and provide adequate spark.
• The belts and hoses should be inspected regularly for cracks or wear. Worn-out belts and hoses can lead to engine problems, so it is important to replace them before they fail.
• Replace the serpentine belt every 60,000 miles or as needed.
• Replace the tensioner and idler pulleys every 60,000 miles or as needed.

Should I Still Get A BMW With The N55 Engine?

The N55 engine is a great engine that offers a lot of power, smoothness and efficiency for your BMW. However, it also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of and take care of. By following the maintenance schedule and addressing any issues promptly, you can enjoy your N55 engine for a long time and avoid costly repairs in the future. It is in the end an engine that was used by BMW and ALPINA from until , and powered a variety of different cars.

Here are the specifications of the BMW N55 engine:

General Specs and Features

• Engine type: Inline-6
• Displacement: 2,979 cc (181.8 cu in)
• Bore: 84 mm (3.31 in)
• Stroke: 89.6 mm (3.53 in)
• Compression ratio: 10.2:1
• Redline: 7,000 rpm
• Fuel system: Direct injection
• Turbocharger: Single TwinScroll turbocharger
• Intercooler: Air-to-air

Power and Torque

• N55B30M0: 225 kW (302 hp) at 5,800 rpm, 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) at 1,200–5,000 rpm
• N55B30: 235 kW (315 hp) at 5,800 rpm, 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) at 1,300–4,500 rpm
• N55B30O0: 240 kW (322 hp) at 5,800 rpm, 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) at 1,300–4,500 rpm
• N55HP: 250 kW (335 hp) at 5,800 rpm, 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) at 1,500–4,500 rpm
• N55B30T0: 265 kW (355 bhp) at 5,255–6,000 rpm, 465 Nm (343 lb-ft) at 1,350–5,250 rpm
• N55B30T0: 272 kW (365 bhp) at 6,500 rpm, 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) at 1,450– rpm
• ALPINA: 301 kW (404 bhp) at 5,500–6,250 rpm, 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) at 3,000–4,000 rpm
• ALPINA: 324 kW (434 bhp) at 5,500– rpm, 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) at 3,000–4,000 rpm
• ALPINA: 332 kW (445 bhp) at 5,500–6,250 rpm, 680 Nm (502 lb-ft) at 3,000–4,500 rpm

Dimensions

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The BMW N55 engine is the successor and replacement of the N54 engine. Like its predecessor, the N55 is a turbocharged 3.0L inline-6 cylinder engine known for its tremendous horsepower and fuel efficiency. Unlike the N54, the N55 uses a single twin-scroll turbocharger as opposed to the twin-turbo layout, allowing it to produce more power over a broader range.

But is the N55 a reliable engine, which models use it, and what exactly are the engine’s pros and cons?

Is the N55 Engine Reliable?

Yes, the N55 engine is one of the most reliable engines BMW has made. It greatly improves on old turbo inline six designs and is generally seen by car enthusiasts as a direct upgrade to its predecessor, the N54. Though it isn’t without its problems, namely the water pump and ignition coils that are prone to failure, the N55 is a solid engine that withstands the test of time — though it’s generally recommended to have certain parts such as the valve cover, the solenoids, oil cooler, thermostat, and fuel pumps replaced with compatible aftermarket parts for increased longevity and superior performance.

BMW Vehicles Equipped with the N55 Engine

The N55 engine can be found in various BMW models, including but not limited to the BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 4 Series, BMW 5 Series, and the X series. Prominent models in particular include:

• BMW 135i E82 and E88 (-)
• BMW 335i F30, F34, and F31 (-)
• BMW 435i F32, F33, and F36 (-)
• BMW 535i F10, F11, and F07 (-)
• BMW X3 xDrive35i F25 (-)

N55 Engine Pros

The N55 engine is lauded as a reliable and effective engine largely because of its fuel efficiency, powerful performance, and variable camshaft timing system. Drivers also appreciate how easy it is to conduct oil changes with BMW models equipped with an N55 motor engine.

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Easy Oil Change

The N55 engine has an oil filter housing that integrates the oil cooler, simplifying the oil change process. By making oil changes easier, it also becomes significantly less likely for oil leaks to occur in an N55 engine. It’s generally recommended to change the oil of an N55 engine every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or once every year.

Increased Fuel Efficiency

Because the N55 engine has a direct injection system, it has fewer emissions and better fuel efficiency compared to other engine types. This is because fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber, ensuring no fuel is wasted.

On top of that, the N55 engine also has an electric water pump that regulates the coolant flow according to the temperature of the engine. This reduces the parasitic drag on the engine and helps save fuel.

Powerful Performance

One of the biggest advantages the N55 engine has is that it is exceptionally powerful. This is largely because of its twin-scroll turbocharger — a turbocharger that splits cylinders into two groups to maximize the use of pulses in the flow of the exhaust gases in each cylinder. This reduces turbo lag and improves the throttle response and low-end torque.

The N55 also gets a power boost from its variable valve timing system, Valvetronic. This system adjusts the intake valve lift and duration, allowing it to optimize both airflow and engine performance.

VANOS

Vehicles occasionally have variable camshaft timing systems to help adjust the timing of the intake and exhaust valves, potentially improving fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and optimizing engine performance. The N55 engine has such a system: VANOS, which draws its name from “Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung” — German for variable camshaft timing.

N55 Engine Cons

The N55 engine isn’t perfect. Some reported problems include its potential to overheat easily, the increased rate at which carbon builds up in the engine, spark plug and ignition coil failure, and the risk of oil leaks.

Overheats Easily

The electric water pump of the N55 engine is known to fail from time to time, occasionally without warning. If the pump fails, the risk of the engine overheating increases significantly.

When the engine overheats, the vehicle enters limp mode and becomes too slow to drive. Because of this, it’s important to inspect the electric water pump regularly and replace it every 60,000 miles, or every three to four years.

Prone to Carbon Buildup

Because of the vehicle’s direct injection system, carbon buildup increases, especially on the intake valves. This can cause problems, such as rough idling, engine misfires, power loss, and reduced fuel efficiency.

Spark Plug and Ignition Coil Degradation

N55 engines may be prone to accelerated spark plug and ignition wear. These are the components responsible for igniting the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders. When they become inoperative, problems such as misfires and lit check engine lights can manifest. Similarly, engine performance will decrease.

It’s strongly recommended to replace the spark plugs and ignition coils together once every 40,000 miles, or every three to four years.

Susceptible to Oil Leaks

Even if the oil filter housing is integrated into the oil cooler, the N55 engine is still susceptible to oil leaks, typically from the valve cover gasket or the oil pan gasket. This leads to increased oil consumption and thick smoke from the exhaust. If this problem is left unaddressed, a lack of engine oil means less lubrication in moving parts of the engine, increasing friction and potentially destroying them.

Keeping Your N55 Running Strong

The N55 can be a workhorse, but it only stays that way if you look after it. That means swapping out tired parts before they cause bigger issues, staying on top of the small stuff, and picking replacements built to the same standards as the engine itself. Having quality Euro parts all in one place makes it a lot easier to keep yours in top shape without wasting time hunting around.CarParts Euro is for drivers who care about keeping their car true to its roots. Whether you own a Mercedes, BMW, or any other European icon, you’ll find premium components from brands that match your car’s pedigree. From ignition parts and cooling components to gaskets and seals, you get parts chosen for fit and function that feel right at home under the hood.

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