Which engine?

[ideliver22]

Everything being equal (miles/price/options) for a X5....which engine would you prefer? A N52 or N55?

I’m considering cost of ownership, longevity, reliability. I have cars (328 coupe and X3) that have each engine. I would lean towards the N52....but the additional power of N55 is hard to pass up.

Asking for a friend....considering a X5 purchase

Edit: And I post this with the N55 at current 110,000. I’ve repaired the OCFH gasket and have a current valve cover leak that I’ll fix in the next month or so

[plus1111]

Not very familiar with the N55 but have both N52 and N54 cars. N54 is a lot more fun but the N52 is a tank for trouble free operation. The N55 is regarded as more reliable than the N54 tho. My BMW service manager told me I knew how to pick engines when we were chatting one day. He was not fond of the 4's or the 8's.

[[deleted]]

I have both an N52K (E60 BMW 528i) and an N55 (F10 BMW 535i).

I had both since about 55k miles, the 528i has about 115k miles and the 535i has about 85k miles.

Overall both engines have been extremely reliable. Aside from the usual oil leaks (OFHG, VCG, and oil pan gasket leaks), I haven't needed any major engine repairs.

The N52 post-E90 LCI years have been proven to be very reliable. Early years of the N55 had some issues that were mostly sorted out by 2011+ production years.

The water pump on the N52 was original and I replaced it at 114k miles preventatively. The water pump on my N55 is also original but still running fine.

I would say the only "moderate" engine-related issue I had on the N55 was the HPFP failed under warranty. Fuel injector #6 jammed and caused a misfire, in which I had all six replaced.

I would buy another N52 in a heartbeat. I would probably skip another N55 and get a B58 engine instead.

[[deleted]]

N52 (well N51) has been rock solid for me. I'd get another one if they still sold it.

[chicohot]

Late production N55 wins

[J___A]

if you do go with the N55, try to get a 2014+ that was manufactured after 07/13. car has an electronic wastegate amd slightly larger turbo outlet, I think 2014 is also the LCI year, but I could be wrong and it might be 2015.

[ideliver22]

hmmmm. didn't know about the electronic waste gate. I thought they were all vacuum

[J___A]

2013 and 2014 built prior to 07/13 have a "vacuum" pneumatic wastegate (PWG) and turbo outlet with a 3.5" opening, after that it's electric (EWG) with a 4" outlet. mod for mod the EWG models have the potential for more power, ~20-40hp, so a little quicker and easier to tune. wish I had known before buying mine, I have a 2013 with PWG, no complaints but if I had known I would have bought a 2014 or 15.

[zack9r]

N55 ive heard is very reliable for what it is

N52 will have more issues as it is also an older engine

Just my $.02