The BMW N54 engine’s OEM turbochargers have a number of somewhat frequent modes of failure. It is essential to replace your failed turbos with new OE units the first time because doing so is not a simple operation.
The BMW N54’s turbochargers typically survive for roughly 100,000 miles before needing to be refurbished or replaced. It is typical to hear of automobiles with original turbos that have over 200,000 miles on them and are still operating as intended. However, the BMW N54’s turbo failure is so common that class-action lawsuits and service advisories have been published by BMW as a result of the failures. Unfortunately, the solutions to these problems—whether extended warranty replacement or other—do not apply because the product is now over twelve years old.
There are a few indicators that your BMW 335i/xi/is with the N54 engine needs new turbochargers. The first and most typical symptom is a loss of power or misfiring caused by a defective wastegate. The wastegate eventually gets so flimsy that boost leaks are possible. You will usually hear a distinct rattling or chatter when things get extremely bad.
If you’re burning oil and seeing white smoke coming from your exhaust, it’s another indication that your turbochargers need to be replaced. Because the seals on these Mitsubishi turbochargers are oil-lubricated and coolant-cooled, you will notice coolant or oil burning if the seals start to fail. If that’s the case, either the cooling or lubrication of the turbo is insufficient, which will eventually lead to total failure of that turbo.
We sell the brand-new OE replacements for the front and rear turbos for your BMW 335i/xi/is rather than the remanufactured units from BMW if you’re in the market for new turbos. Due to the effort needed to get access to them, we advise replacing the second turbo at the same time that you replace the first. We offer a complete installation kit to make the process even simpler. The kit includes everything you’ll want to change when you swap out the two turbochargers.
Our BMW Catalog Manager, Gareth Foley, guides us through typical failures, symptoms, and why it’s crucial to replace the turbos if you notice failure signals in the video down below. If you enjoyed this Really Quick Product Review, subscribe and come back soon for new episodes.
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beamlord
That was how I responded to his remark. Not a lot of hope for a brand-new BMW owner like me. Are these engines actually intended to fail at those mileage levels, beamlord? It seems unreasonable for a car at this price. Beamlord, do you mean the turbos or the engines or both when you say they fail at 50k? Is there a technique to detect when your turbos need to be replaced before the engine is ruined?
As a new owner, you shouldn’t have too many concerns because you have a long way to go until you reach high mileage.
Furthermore, it goes beyond turbos alone. In actuality, turbo failure is neither spectacular nor unusual; depending on driving style, they typically need to be replaced in the high 60k–100k mile range.
But there is also an inherent manufacturing defect in the engine, specifically the timing chain guide, which breaks into small debris that clogs the oil lines (including the oil lines for the turbos) and causes the engine to overheat.
This is not simply a dream; the debris were accidentally discovered during service, and when I was doing investigation, I found a wealth of information about several similar occurrences. Simply said, BMW won’t ever publicly acknowledge it since doing so would be financially disastrous.
They agreed to cover 65% of the cost of the replacement engine (which included two turbochargers, an oil pump, and other components) and 65% of the labor in exchange for my cooperation, but the “deal” was that they would not respond in writing to my letter-based demands for an explanation of the failure and a reimbursement from BMW. Therefore, I don’t have them officially admitting that their engine failed.
The only good thing that came out of this was that I received the facelift engine and a new transmission (worth $8,000) absolutely free (for the tranny), so the $9,000 I paid out of pocket wasn’t the worst investment, especially since I now have a 2-year full warranty on just about everything inside the car and on the tranny.
However, it is still true that something like this shouldn’t have happened to a car like a BMW in the first place, as many of you have mentioned.
N54 Longevity Expenses
As you can see, if you want to go more than 200,000 miles, these costs can mount up. Simply analyzing mileage is not a very good science either. Additionally, aging is hard on many components. The extra wear it places on sensors, plastic hoses, gaskets, etc. Driving 200,000 miles in ten years is simpler than doing so over the course of twenty years.
In any case, how you perform any repairs or preventative maintenance is a significant element. If you do all of the work yourself, the N54 can actually be quite affordable. You’ll pay a lot of money for the BMW N54 if you get it from a dealer or a high-end independent shop.
Let’s connect this to the core idea here once more. If you have the money, the N54 can and frequently does last 200,000 miles or more. The N54 can provide good reliability and lifetime if repairs are made correctly. The cost of repairs and maintenance will ultimately exceed what these vehicles’ 10-15+ year old engines are worth.
How frequently are turbocharger assemblies required to be replaced?
Most turbocharged vehicles’ lifetimes cannot be extended with factory-grade turbochargers without sacrificing performance and fuel efficiency. Many turbocharged vehicles struggle in the second half of their useful lives due to failing catalytic converters, problems with oil consumption, a loss of power, and light to moderate exhaust smoke. The lifespan of a turbocharger is typically between 100,000 and 125,000 miles, although extreme driving circumstances, aftermarket parts, and subpar original parts will undoubtedly cause the turbocharger to fail earlier than expected. Due to the high altitude of their domestic manufacturing and engineering facilities, many luxury brands concentrate on the usage of turbochargers. These manufacturers often utilize higher-quality components that should last at least 150,000 miles with normal use and proper maintenance.
BMW turbos are they reliable?
The strains that a turbocharger must endure seem like a prescription for mechanical disaster, with operational temperatures that soar to 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit and internal speeds that soar over 100,000 rpm.
And indeed, during prior spikes in turbo popularity, catastrophes occurred frequently. Consumers may be wondering whether they should be concerned about the reliability of these devices now that automobiles with turbocharged engines have increased to over 20% of new sales, according to Honeywell, a major components supplier.
The automotive turbocharger, which uses a small turbine powered by the engine’s exhaust to spin a compressor section, is merely a pump intended to force more air into an engine. Because of the technology, automakers may use smaller engines to achieve the necessary horsepower while also achieving higher fuel efficiency. Because of this, as new models are released, turbo engines are becoming more and more well-liked.
Inadequate materials and insufficient lubrication have been blamed for the turbo failures of previous decades. In either case, the malfunctions can damage a carmaker’s reputation and the repairs are expensive. Therefore, the technology-using automakers can’t afford any errors.
They made blunders in the past. Some 1980s cars’ turbos proved to be problematic. When the engine was running, the turbine bearings were lubricated, but when it was shut off, they overheated, turning the lubricating oil into deposits of hardened ash. Customers started to avoid turbos.
The influx of turbocharged vehicles suggests that the issues have been resolved, at least in part. The reliability of turbos has increased, according to Mike Katerberg, a senior powertrain engineer at General Motors, who also noted that the warranty rate for GM turbos is extremely low and that they don’t rank among the top 15 most often failing engine components. Internal parts can withstand high speeds better thanks to lubrication circuits for bearings and cooling that continues after shutdown; the turbo housings are composed of more robust alloys.
Real-world durability is still up for debate. Consumer Reports magazine, which conducts extensive owner surveys, has observed certain problems.
According to Douglas Love, a magazine spokesman, “Traditional turbos from Audi, Volkswagen, and BMW have proved reliable when they are relatively new but developed issues as they aged.” “Newer turbo engines, like the Ford EcoBoost, haven’t always proven dependable, even at first.”
Condensation-related issues with acceleration were reported by Ford owners to NHTSA, however failures of the turbo itself don’t seem to be frequent. Turbo failure issues have been reported by NHTSA for the Volkswagen Passat TDI and the BMW 535is (which uses a turbodiesel engine). Additionally, a 2015 A3 model’s turbo failure was reported in an Audi service bulletin in August.
Other problems exist besides turbo longevity. Small turbocharged engines aren’t delivering on the fuel-efficiency claims by the manufacturers, according to a Consumer Reports report from February 5, 2013.
The GM engineer Katerberg noted that the turbo will outperform the larger normally aspirated engine under light loads at constant cruise speed since it operates without boost and the benefits of reduced displacement come into play.
How durable are turbo engines?
Despite the fact that certain turbocharged engines are dependable, turbo engines frequently have additional issues. A normally aspirated (non-turbo) engine has fewer parts than a turbocharged engine. These include an intercooler, boost control system, vacuum pump, exhaust wastegate configuration, and a more intricate crankcase ventilation system (PCV). Failure of the turbocharger itself is not unusual. More things can go wrong the more parts there are.
Higher combustion chamber pressure causes higher crankcase pressure when the cylinder walls and piston rings deteriorate with increased mileage. This may lead to oil leaks that appear in numerous locations and are challenging to rectify.
Having said that, many turbo engines have a lengthy lifespan. Consider the Mark IV Volkswagen Golf / Jetta’s turbodiesel (from the early 2000s). With proper maintenance, many of them are operating well into 200K miles. Learn more about engine maintenance.
Why do BMW turbos fail?
The primary reason for turbocharger failure is oil-related, typically as a result of either low oil levels or soiled oil. The lengthy oil service intervals appear to be the root cause of turbocharger failures in BMW vehicles. (Depending on when the car’s indication suggests to perform it, the dealer normally advises oil changes every 12,000–18,00 miles.)
How much do BMW turbos cost?
Cost estimation for replacing the turbocharger assembly in a BMW 328i. Replacement turbocharger assemblies for BMW 328i models typically cost between $3,477 and $3,673. Between $726 and $916 is the expected cost of labor, while between $2,751 and $2,757 is the projected cost of parts.
Who produces the BMW turbos?
The new BMW M3 and M4 models use turbocharger technology from Mitsubishi Turbocharger and Engine Europe. At least two single scroll turbochargers are fitted to the 3-liter S58 engine in order to boost this strong engine.
How frequently should turbos be replaced?
A superb engineering achievement, the turbocharger increases the engine of your car’s power and effectiveness. Turbochargers, however, are wearing parts and therefore will deteriorate with time. Between 100,000 and 150,000 miles is the typical range at which turbochargers need to be replaced. Your turbocharger could last even longer if you take proper care of your vehicle and get regular oil changes.
To prevent further harm to your automobile and to your pocketbook, have your turbocharger checked as soon as you become aware of a problem. The cost of repairing a turbocharger will significantly increase if action is delayed.
Can a BMW be driven without a turbo?
However, engine failure won’t be far behind if your turbocharger fails, so only continue driving if you really must.
Get your turbo checked by a trained technician as soon as you notice any of the above-listed indications of turbo failure. The problem will worsen (and cost you more) the longer you ignore it.
We may do a diagnostic check at Dowleys Garage to pinpoint the issue and provide advice on any repairs that are required. On weekdays from 8:30 to 5:30 and on weekends from 9:00 to 12:00, our garage is open.