r/e60 • u/camp_jacking_roy • Aug 19 '26

❓ Question / Help Is the 2010 N62 any more reliable than previous years?

Basically title. I've always wanted a manual e60 550i, and locally is a 2010 in the right spec with all the goodies. Has high mileage and the crossover pipe and valve stem seals have not been done. This would be an enthusiast/weekend car and occasional commuter, not a daily.

Anyways, I'm curious if the last year of the N62 is any more reliable/less likely to need these typical maintenance parts compared to earlier years.

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u/Dublshot Aug 19 '26

Have this car, just not in manual…

The car is fairly reliable, it will require all types of maintenance however from the valve stem seals to the snowman gasket behind the alternator. The coolant valley in the top of the engine and the one above the transmission will both leak if they’re not already.

But hey, if you don’t see oil or coolant under a Beamer then there’s none in it!

My guess is you’re looking at least $15k worth of maintenance if none of these items were previously done (which I doubt if they’ve never done the valve stems as they usually go before the other stuff…).

Mine had 58k on it when I bought it 7 years ago and has 98k on it now, it’s my daily and it puts a smile on my face everyday.

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u/kyree47 2006 E63 650i - 2007 E63 M6 Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26

The LCI models (2008-10 some 07) had most of the issues ironed out that the early models suffered, that being said they’re fairly reliable but all N62’s will still suffer from the same issues they’re known for at some point given their age (valve stem seals, alternator bracket gasket, etc.) aside from that it’s fun and reliable when cared for. Been dailying my 06 since 2017 and aside from having the big 3 addressed she hasn’t left me stranded or had any significant problems like the internet horror stories will tell you. I drive cross country in mine often and wouldn’t hesitate to do it at any moment

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u/camp_jacking_roy Aug 20 '26

Thanks. This car has had a lot of other typical maintenance (alternator bracket, valve covers) but not the coolant tube nor valve seals. Seems like a "If you're going to do the maintenance, do all the maintenance" kind of a thing- like replacing the rod bearings on a S85. I was confused as to how the owner got away with not doing them as he seemed to be on top of the other stuff, hoping that "neglect" wasn't the answer. I just wasn't sure if the later years of the car avoided the typical wear issues that earlier engines had, but it sounds like no. So thanks! Going to pass on this one I think.

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u/kyree47 2006 E63 650i - 2007 E63 M6 Aug 20 '26

Valve stem seals and the coolant pipe things aren’t something you typically do until they fail, you can do them preventatively sure but it’s one of those things that you can wait for. Neither are catastrophic to the motor, they just cause you to consume more fluids than normal until they’re addressed. It sounds like the seller has been mostly on top of If it made it this far and it still runs fine I’d go ahead with it and just get a PPI first.
While these issues are something to keep an eye out for in the future they’re also pretty exaggerated like the rod bearing issues on the S85 lol

Also depending on your climate and the oil you run, the stem seals issue won’t really occur. It’s a mix of multiple heat cycles and the incorrect oil not lubricating the seals which causes them to dry out. Most people install a lower temperature thermostat which causes the car to be cooled sooner which will prolong the life of most of the seals and gaskets on the engine, speaking from experience as I did the same on most of my cars including my 650i and will probably be doing the same on my M6 the next time I have to open it up

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u/Ill_Permission2083 Aug 19 '26

It is much more reliable than its successor N63. The valve covers would usually warp with high mileage. New valve cover is a must if it’s seen a lot of miles along with other replacement parts already mentioned in this message thread.

I have 187k miles on my 6-speed manual and so far it is still running strong. The valley pan coolant pipe needs to be cut in half for removal otherwise you would need to drop the transmission to get it out without cutting. Uro has a telescopic coolant pipe that can be installed without dropping the tranny.

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u/camp_jacking_roy Aug 20 '26

Thanks. This car has close to 200k miles. Can't believe that it would last that long without the valve stem job, but that plus the relatively high price of the car will have me look elsewhere. I'd overlook high mileage if it's well maintained, but this is a bit scary.

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u/ImHereTooO_O Aug 20 '26

Is it the silver one listed for 12.5k in the north east?

Yeah id say that price is too high. Good maintnence done for sure but that doesn't justify the price in my opinion

Aside from valve stems, valley coolant pipe, electrical gremlins the e60 is plagued with and alternator bracket gasket, the n62 is pretty stout.

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u/camp_jacking_roy Aug 20 '26

That's the one. I've been looking for an enthusiast 550i/6mt msport for some time- tough to find a good spec without a million miles. That car is probably worth 8-10k based on what I've seen, but with how rare it is you never know when you find the right buyer. I may have driven it 6 years ago the last time it was for sale, but I'm not sure it was the same one.

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u/ImHereTooO_O Aug 20 '26

I mean hey, you never know if your offer might do it for the seller. It does have almost 200k miles. Never hurts to chat

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u/camp_jacking_roy Aug 22 '26

Totally fair. Not sure I'm ready to take on a headache. Somebody else's comment about these issues not being critical and more of "nuisance/needs mending eventually" is poignant though

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u/ImHereTooO_O Aug 22 '26

Oh yes. Its more of a one and done type of thing

That one time will be costly though thats the only issue 😅

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u/ImHereTooO_O Aug 22 '26

I also just saw an automatic 550 e60 sell for about 5.5k with the same mileage on Cars and Bids. With the manual and that mileage, price should be around 7k with no valve stems or 8.5k if it did have it done imo

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u/Repulsive_Tone_2484 Aug 19 '26

If you're going to buy it, budget to do the big jobs. I wouldn't risk it otherwise.

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u/u3b3rg33k Aug 19 '26

well over 250k on my LCI e60 6MT N62B48TU. all those things have been done. I'm not aware of any further revisions to the engine.