Does the N55 have timing chain issues?


Sharing is Caring


The N55 in your BMW is an interference engine, meaning that if the timing chain were to fail your engine would suffer catastrophic damage due to valvetrain components colliding with each other. Over time the timing chain will start to wear and stretch, potentially causing it to skip timing or just completely fail.

Is BMW 135i reliable?

The 135i was capable as a track day toy as well as a spirited commuter car, but it does have a few common issues besides rear legroom that were prevalent across the spread of N54-equipped BMWs. However, that doesn’t make it an unreliable car to own and drive every day.

How many miles do 135i last?

With the right maintenance at the right time, your 135i has a good chance of hitting 200,000 miles or more. So, you want to care for your car, but you’re not sure when to get certain services. It can be overwhelming, but fortunately, there’s a resource that takes the guesswork out of routine 135i maintenance.

Is the BMW N54 engine reliable?

The N54 itself is a very strong engine that can often last beyond 200,000 miles. Of course, that’s if you’re willing to keep up with all of the maintenance and repairs for that long. Even when modding the N54 engine it still retains good longevity.

What year 135i has N54?

The N54 began production in 2006 and first appeared in the 2007 BMW 335i; in 2008, the N54 was introduced along with the 135i and 535i.

Is the 135i a good daily driver?

The 135i is comfortable enough for the daily drive Many BMW 1 Series enthusiasts speak highly about the car’s suspension in stock form as it’s pliable on uneven surfaces, but keeps the car planted in the corners. Additionally, the 135i has plenty of head and legroom up front although the rear seat is rather cramped.

Which engine is better N54 or N55?

The twin-scroll setup allows the engine to reach its top torque with 100 fewer rpm. According to Road Sumo, the twin-turbo N54 has better performance than the twin-scroll N55 as it can move more air when running. It is made of two turbochargers and a pneumatic actuator, unlike the N55, which has an electronic one.

Do all 135i have N55?

YES! All 2011’s. 2010’s got the N55 first.

How reliable is the N55 engine?

N55 Reliability Despite the many misconceptions that BMW’s as a whole are unreliable, the BMW N55 is actually a fairly reliable engine. The four most common problems with the N55 are, in no specific order, the valve cover and gasket, water pump, oil filter housing gasket, and VANOS solenoids.

What is the highest mileage for a BMW?

The only surprise comes when the cameraperson goes to look at the odometer, where it reads 542,500 miles. Incredible. The owner claims the engine has never been opened, meaning the piston rings, head gaskets, and all of the engine’s internal seals are as they were when they left the factory two decades ago.

How long do N54 turbos last?

Turbochargers on the BMW N54, for the most part, last around 100,000 miles before they have to be rebuilt or replaced. It isn’t uncommon to hear of cars that have the original turbos still functioning as designed upward of 200,000 miles.

Why are N54 engines so good?

The biggest advantage of the BMW N54 is its power and potential. Sure, the twin-turbocharged petrol engine provides enough power as it is. Still, what truly makes it special is the ability to boost the output even more with a couple of aftermarket upgrades.

How much HP can N54 handle?

N54 Engine Limits – Simple Answer. The N54 can handle around 600-650whp and 550-600wtq on the stock block and internals.

What year did the 135i switch to N55?

THE 2011 BMW 135i is set to switch from its existing N54 twin-turbo setup to the German carmaker’s new N55 single-turbo inline-six, along with the 5 Series GT and the next generation 335i.

Is the N54 twin turbo?

The N54 is a 3.0L twin-turbocharged straight-six engine. It has 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft. This engine has an aluminum block, aluminum head, and weighs 145 pounds. All have a bore of 84.0, an 89.6 mm stroke, a 10.2:1 compression ratio, and a redline of 7,000 RPMs.

How long do N55 turbos last?

N55 Turbo Longevity at 20+ PSI In general, more boost will reduce the lifespan of the N55 stock turbo. However, it is possible for N55 turbos to last 50,000+ miles at 23psi, for example. On the other hand, the stock turbo may decide to let go much sooner even at 20psi.

Can you daily drive a N54?

YouTube video

What engine is in a 135i?

In most countries, the 135i is the top model of the E82/E88 coupe/convertible range (excluding the limited production 1M Coupe). From 2007 to 2010, the 135i was powered by the N54 twin-turbo 3.0-litre engine with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

What makes more power N54 or N55?

N54 N55 tuning potential While both engines give good gains, the N54 will always make slightly more power simply because it has two turbos and that means it’s easier for it to generate more power.

Is BMW N55 twin-turbo?

The BMW N55 is a turbocharged straight-six petrol engine that began production in 2009. The N55 replaced the BMW N54 engine and was introduced in the F07 5 Series Gran Turismo. The N55 was BMW’s first straight-six engine to use a twin-scroll turbocharger.

Is the N55 twin-turbo?

The N55 is a pillar of BMW’s “Efficient Dynamics” powertrain strategy and uses a single twin-scroll turbocharger instead of the twin-turbo arrangement on the N54 I-6, which won Ward’s 10 Best Engines honors three straight years, from 2007 to 2009.

How much HP can N55 handle?

The N55 can handle around 550whp and 550wtq on the stock engine block and internals.

What years did BMW use the N54 engine?

Here’s the full list of the BMW’s and Alpina’s that featured the N54 engine: 2006-2010 BMW E90/E91/E92/E93 335i. 2007-2010 BMW E60/E61 535i. 2007-2010 BMW E82/E88 135i.

What year BMW has N55 engine?

Ever since the twin turbo N54 hit the markets in the 2007 BMW 335i, BMW has been building on the design of the turbocharged, direct injected inline 6 engine. In 2010, the 335i received the updated N55 engine followed by the B58 in 2016, however, the model was rebranded to the 340i.

Does N55 burning oil?

N55s do burn oil but to my knowledge. However, its not nearly that much. Do not quote me on this, but I believe N55 burns about a quart per 10,000 miles.

Craving More Content?

Carolina's BMW