[Ian UK]

Hello, Im thinking to buy this 134 000mile e92 330i from 2008 58reg for £4295 can some one please tell me how its like to own high mileage N53B30 engine and what is going on inside the engine?
I mean piston rings, oil consumption, carbon buildup, rod bearings, valve stemps etc. and basically the whole car i mean suspension, rear wheel arches corosion ?
Also would apperciate any links to other forums and sources of information about high mileage N53 engines bcause im having hard time find anything about these engines.
I would be very greatfull for any info or experience. Thank you

[Dormermike]

Buy on condition as presented is all you can do really.

The n53 "foibles" are well documented. Expect a set of coilpacks and/or injectors and/or waterpump and/or hpfp. Or not if its all done.

CCV can play up too, but it screeches like a runover cat.

First thing i'd check if buying is look for oil underneath oil filler cap. Thats a new cam cover potentially (cracked) or cack handed oil changes.

Edit to add that there isnt much info recently on the n53 speaks volumes i think. Its a pretty solid engine overall and most issues sorted at this stage, but like any modern DI engine when something breaks it can get pricey (injectors £180 odd each). Basic short block and head by and large utterly reliable.

Whilst obviously modded that car looks ok, dents aside.

[Ian UK]

thank you for your input but i feel like im gonna wait for some lower mileage car to show up but still i want to know what will happen with this engine after 130k miles . I know the usual maintenece but how about piston rings and cylinder head, valve stemps and rod bearings ??

[Phil325i]

Compared to some, the N53 is not a particularly common engine, so I guess it's hard to draw firm conclusions, but I've been following BMW forums for several years and I've never read of an issue with piston rings, cylinder head, valve stems or rod bearings on this engine.

Compared to BMW turbo units, the N53 is relatively unstressed. All the issues I'm aware of are associated with ancillaries such as water pump/thermostat, coils, injectors and swirl flaps (on 330i not 325i). Oh and oil leaks of course (it's a BMW!).

I'm certainly hoping mine will go well past 130K!

[Ian UK]

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Compared to some, the N53 is not a particularly common engine, so I guess it's hard to draw firm conclusions, but I've been following BMW forums for several years and I've never read of an issue with piston rings, cylinder head, valve stems or rod bearings on this engine.

Compared to BMW turbo units, the N53 is relatively unstressed. All the issues I'm aware of are associated with ancillaries such as water pump/thermostat, coils, injectors and swirl flaps (on 330i not 325i). Oh and oil leaks of course (it's a BMW!).

I'm certainly hoping mine will go well past 130K!

Thats very nicely said! Sorry for late response i think you are right unlike the N54 with turbos the N53 should be fine and all the engine parts like timing chaing and rod bearings, piston rings should last for ever meaing for life of the engine im not planing to do a crazy tune but i would like to do some burble tune and remove resonator and muffler so it can pop like mine e46 325i that sound what it makes will never gets old

[Ian UK]

Alright, does anyone have some links, pictures or source of information about 2008+ N53B30o0 engine 3,0L 272bhp?? I mean i would like to see a rebuild video or something so i can see how its build inside bcause all i can find is about N54 i know they are very similar but N54 is made for strenght using only Aluminium and N53 is made for lightweight and that Aluminium+Magnesium combination is making me wonder i want to know more...