The E90 lineup got revamped in 2018 and the 328i replaced the 325i. This hasn’t stopped the likes of Dinan and others from pushing things even further when such a customer comes along—and who can blame them, when sounds like this are possible? Although BMW experienced moderate success with their fascinating all-aluminum pushrod V8 of the 1950’s and 1960’s, it would be nearly 30 years before the marque would once again embark on V8 production, this time in 1992 with the introduction of the DOHC 32-valve M60. Search your Roundel archive for the October 2007 Issue, and you’ll find the cover story is about one of these engines having found its way into a lucky Z8. The S54 took the idea of a naturally aspirated BMW six cylinder to its magnum opus, becoming what is undoubtably considered the best of the lineage. Consumer survey. But even with a few Achilles heel issues that deserve to be sorted out preventatively on any example, the S54 has achieved lofted status, even among other greats like the S65 that have come since. The M Chapter of the BMW CCA invites you to our next virtual event, the 2021 BMW M Track... Are you coming to the BMW CCA MX1 Enthusiast Weekend in April? BMW delivered a chain-driven 6,064 cc V12 that had 4 valves per cylinder, VANOS (variable-valve timing) and dry sump lubrication. AMC 4.0. ft. of torque at 3,800, along with a 7,000 rpm redline. The legacy of the BMW inline six continues today with the B58 which replaced the N55, and before long, the S58 is slated to replace the S55. Like every other BMW engine made after 1990, the N52 came with VANOS. Electric cars are the way of the future, but BMW has one in its current lineup that’s … First off, it takes a while to narrow down anything BMW related into a qualified list because it’s difficult to impose such limitations on any form of desire or admiration, and second, and perhaps even more trying is the actual ranking. Beyond use in production street cars, the S62 also proved to be a robust platform for racing use. “One recommended option is the non-turbocharged 2006-2011 BMW E90 3-Series ”… according to the motorbiscuit.com website. The S63 M variant was brought to market by way of the first-gen X5 and X6 M back in 2010, and the engine has not ceased to amaze us since. The first incarnation of AMC's 4.0 straight-six dates back to 1964. Not only, but it’s also a learning experience, one that is always taken in stride so the next piece can be that much better. The N55 came about for the 2009 model year, just two years the N54’s model introduction. The 5 Most Reliable BMW Engines EVERWhenever you're looking at a BMW, the reliability of the engine is something you want to understand. With old-school inline-six engines and ZF-sourced automatic gearboxes, the E83 BMW X3, regardless of model, has always been quite reliable. BMW is well known for its history of inline-six (straight-six) engines, a layout it continues to use to this day despite most other manufacturers switching to a V6 layout. Technology like double-VANOS variable cam phasing and individual throttle bodies will sound familiar from other M engines on this list, but when it comes to embodying that razor’s edge of performance and sound, there’s nothing quite like the S54 at full tilt. Apart from that, the BMW M60 is a reliable, very smooth, and durable engine, UnixNerd reports. The S55 M version is also something special in its own right, but the character and sound of the N55 have long been a strong point of the non-M engine, elements which were continued in the throaty and even more potent B58. I know. Here’s my basis for saying it: I’m an independent motorcycle mechanic. In standard road-going 4.0-liter form, the S65 develops 414 hp at 8,300 rpm with 300 lb. Whether launching the new M5 with its super intelligent xDrive system putting power to all four wheels, or flooring it from 80 in an F01 B7 on the freeway, the incessant surge translating to forward motion will leave you amazed—instant, brutal torque, followed by power that simply continues too build with speed—the S63 is never caught breathless. The intake manifold and exhaust designs have also been tuned with increased volumetric efficiency as the goal, and Valvetronic variable valve lift was added long the way too, but while the rest of the engine range has gone modular, the the multifaceted N63 and S63 show are showing no signs of being replaced any time soon. Automotive petrol engines. There are many of these on the market that cost much less expensive than new. The BMW E390 3-Series – While the non turbocharged version is not as powerful, they are the most reliable. The sudden slip of the wrench. Not only that, but the M54 proved its worth in three-liter form, under the hood of cars like the lusted-after E46 330i ZHP, utilitarian and reliable E53 X5 3.0, and others like the E39 530i. It’s also important to note – the E53 is currently in the ballpark of 14-21 years old. Saturday Morning At MX1 Is Now An Official Griot’s Garage Caffeine & Gasoline® Event! Here's a rundown on the pros and cons of most of the engines available (in Australia). The GM 267 was another V8 engine rushed to market in an attempt to get better fuel economy. Factory output is largely identical between the two in various forms, including special specialized variants for cars like the 1M or M2, but anyone after horsepower figures approaching the four-digit threshold typically opts for the N54, simply because it offers that much more potential—high-test N55 builds are out there as well though, and they’re quite impressive in their own right. ft at 3,750. Suggested by Tunnelvision. Not only, but the already astronomically high redline of 8,250 was increased even more, to 8,400. The S55 engine in the F80, in early 2019, is still too new to truly know how reliable it is. According to online reviews, the 318i for E46 and E90 consume oil and mostly have oil leaking problems. Factory output has since been eclipsed by even the most mundane offerings today, but is still a very respectable 333 hp at 7,900 rpm and 269 lb. 6/00: 3.0-litre engine supersedes 2.8-litre unit. The BMW 2 Series 220i came with several different engines with engine codes … The initial N54 wasn’t without its own set of issues though, and today the fuel injector revision number is in the double-digits. The most reliable modern BMW I can think of would be the E90 chassis, specifically the 2008–2011 328i Sedan or 2008–2013 E92 328i Coupe. BMW E30 M3 Sport Evo Inline-4 The Evo’s S14B25 made 95 hp/liter at 7000 rpm from 2.5 liters. Since replaced by the modular and more powerful B58, the N55 makes this list because it validated the case for a direct-injected and turbocharged BMW straight-six. Although the BMW E90 325i and 328i are some of the most reliable BMWs, they’re not fault-proof. With everyone still so obsessed with the so-called golden era of BMW engines, which the post-1990 era covers to a certain to degree, this actually seemed like a good place to start, so we can check a few big names off the list before offering what will be a nice history lesson in the pre-1990 article. It’s not an unknown fact that the BMW 5 series is a very popular lineup in the USA. Alex enjoys light wrenching on his fleet, drinking local San Diego beer, and sharing his passion for all things automotive, mechanical, and technical through writing. Need further confirmation? There will always be something special about a naturally aspirated engine though, and that’s why the final top spots on this list are reserved for two of the best ever produced. ft. of torque from 1,400 to 5,000 rpm. 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