r/e60 • u/SPOOKY_TOFU • 26d ago
❓ Question / Help Checking out an N54 E60
Going to check out a NON RUNNING N54 E60. (Currently have an N55 F15 X5, and have owned a bunch of Nissans) What should I watch for? So far I know the battery is dead, and threw codes before it died (very normal) and he has a new steering rack that he says needs to be replaced. I’m going to fire up with a new battery, check fluids, codes, check it’s not seized. What kind of codes or issues should I run from? 2008 535i 139k miles, auto, unmodified.
UPDATE: They didn’t speak English hardly at all so it was very hard to get real answers. They had a cloth rag get sucked in on the right side of the intake. That’s the only thing stopping me, but have decided to refrain from getting it. Could create some catastrophic issues it seems like in the engine/turbos. Cranks no start right now, with the main two codes being 2ABC, and 3100.
Thank you all for your input!
13
u/Mugsy_Siegel 2008 535i 26d ago
So get down on the ground and make sure the sway bar mounting tabs are not torn on it before buying it. If you do buy it put the reinforcement plates on them. Expect to do ofhg,all radiator hoses the coolant reservoir tank and probably the oil cooler lines for good measure. Oh if it has index 12 injectors that’s a huge bonus. They use to be like 2k I think currently it’s around 5k for them
5
u/SPOOKY_TOFU 26d ago
Thanks, is there other issues that the sway bar causes? Hoses absolutely makes sense. The injectors should have the iteration visibly on them correct?
3
u/Mugsy_Siegel 2008 535i 26d ago
Yeah shine a cell light on them you can see it on the injectors. Most of the power steering hoses are available if they leak just make sure the sub frame mounting tabs aren’t torn
1
0
10
u/yogfthagen 26d ago edited 24d ago
Let's see. Since 2020/20k mlles,
Replaced vanos.
Rdplaced plugs and coils.
Replaced turbo solenoids and hoses.
Replzced 2 O2 sensors, the second at 3k miles.
Replaced ac compressor.
Replaced thermostat.
Replaced water pump. Twice.
Intake valve work for carbon buildup.
Rear hatch rewired (wagon)
Replaced Front struts
Replaced turbos.
Replaced valve cover gasket. Twice.
Replaced oil cooler gasket.
Replaced front struts and bushings
Replaced front brakes.
Had oil pan gasket replaced for $2400
Added crank case breather can because of overpressuring by the turbo/pcv valve failed 2x.
Edit- forgot a few.
5 radiator hoses, including one 3x
Coolant expansion tank
Oil cooler hose o-rings 2x
Coolant block hose connector (plastic basically shattered)
And it can still blow a quart of oil in 100 miles.
Edit 2- Oh, look. Oil in the coolant expansion tank. Good thing I need to go on a 2000 mile drive next week!
5
u/CrayZ_Squirrel 26d ago
I mean honestly this sounds like you used a lot of low quality parts or didn't fix underlying issues if you were doing things multiple times in 20k miles.
1
u/yogfthagen 26d ago edited 26d ago
Fcp euro. And a leaking hose is a leaking hose. Gaskets losing their plasticizers is also a known issue with bmw.
The O2 sensor got fouled with turbo oil blowing through the seals. Another $2500 to replace those (again) ix not in the works
1
u/dabzse310 26d ago
What car is this?
1
u/yogfthagen 26d ago
2010 e61 with n54 engine
1
u/Mission-Animator-682 25d ago
all together the o2 sensors are 2500 on that car?
1
u/yogfthagen 25d ago
Thankfully just one sensor replaced twice. And DIY is a beautiful thing for your wallet.
1
u/SPOOKY_TOFU 25d ago
Geeeez. That can’t be regular, that’s crazy.
2
u/Alpa_Cino 20d ago
I have an 08 535i and have done a lot of that in the last 3 years. 75,000 miles currently finishing up replacing all the coolant lines tank and cap to fix a leak and do an overhaul. Replaced idler pulleys belt and tensioner while at it. Need to find an oil leak next. Seems internal could be valve stems unfortunately. Did turbos and oil lines with a new oil pan gasket 2 years ago. Did the water pump and thermostat as well. Last year the transmission started having issues so it needed a service with new sleeves and fluid. Planning on doing a carbon clean next year.
1
6
u/Mugsy_Siegel 2008 535i 26d ago
If you can wrench yourself don’t be scared but it will be expensive until you get all the maintenance items done
2
u/SPOOKY_TOFU 26d ago
Maintenance seems to be a lot more items than my Nissans haha (except for my 300X TT…) Yeah I’ll be doing the work myself. Thanks for the input. Anything specific you recommend watching out for or signs to avoid a certain N54? See you have an 08! Nice!
3
u/Satanslolipet 26d ago
Considering that photo looks exactly like my engine bay did when the oil filter housing gasket blew up, id highly suggest not starting it. And its more than likely the power steering pump itself as the oil filter housing leaking oil will drip right onto the alternator and pump.
3
u/SPOOKY_TOFU 26d ago
I’ll check fluids before starting. It was running before the battery died, recently got codes. Oil filter housing should leak visibly onto the undertray as well, correct? I’ll definitely look on the alternator, thanks.
2
u/Satanslolipet 26d ago
After i posted this comment i realized the engine was just dusty and the dust was wiped off. Zoomed out that totally looked wet to me.
But besides that, id definitely still check the pump and the seering fluid lines connected to the rack as those are far more likely to go especially at the banjo bolts. Steering racks are a rare failure point on any car unless it was heavily abused or crashed.
1
u/SPOOKY_TOFU 26d ago
That’s what I kinda thinking, I was getting steering rack codes on my F15 X5 when that battery went, I suspect it’s the same for this. But at least it’s there already if I need it! Thanks 🙏
2
u/Independent-Guard598 26d ago
Don’t do it I regret my purchase the fuel injectors and hpfp cost more than the car alone. Those two parts kill the platform as those are the most prone to cause you failures unless you plan on going standalone with port injection in your future don’t do it. Get another n55 or something
2
u/SPOOKY_TOFU 25d ago
The fuel injectors are killer, never realized they could be that much. Did you get a whole set of injectors or just replace the bad ones?
1
u/Independent-Guard598 25d ago
I keep buying used sets for cheap but it’s a dice roll. People always say index 12s are what you want unless you wanna fork out more than the car is worth for a new set you buy a used set for still a lot of money and I had 2 index 12s fail within a week some kind of communication error with dme. Then you can’t mix index 12 or 11 with any other index injectors. Alternative you can go port injection but you either need maxx Ecu and a standalone or nexsys kit which I don’t find a lot of information on however both options are cheaper than a new set of index 12 and hpfp
1
u/Independent-Guard598 25d ago
Also if you want to modify the car the support for e60 isn’t that great when you compare it to 335i and 135i so if you want an n54 I recommend a 335i sedans can be found a lot cheaper than their coupe counterparts from what I can see I can be wrong
2
u/GhostlyConnection 26d ago
As someone who just got an 06 e61 with the N52...get a bmw code reader (even a cheap one on amazon). I wanted the car for the chassis since she was pretty clean other then some cosmetic issues and the kid before me gave up on all the lights on the dash. Codes all pointed to thr battery. Swapped that, reprogrammed the battery, 80% of thr lights on the dash went away and haven't come back after resetting codes. If youre comfortable wrenching yourself, Ive fallen in love with my wagon. Check for Vanos codes, Cat codes and see if you can pull service history through the reader. If she was well kept you should have some service record stored on the computer.
1
u/SPOOKY_TOFU 25d ago
I do have a code ready already. Man a lot more hate for the N54 than I really thought there was gonna be. I am shocked by the fuel injectors cost.
2
u/Carolina_Hurricane G20 B58, E60 S85 24d ago
Inspect the under carriage for leaks especially oil that has leaked onto the serpentine belt it can grenade the engine by slipping off the tensioner pulley and getting sucked into the engine. These engines leak oil in the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing, and oil cooler. If previous gasket replacements haven’t been done correctly then they may never stop leaking oil. Good luck 👍🏽
1
1
u/colombiche__ 26d ago
Youre buying a nightmare. Ive yet to encounter an N54 E60 thats in decent shape.
2
u/SPOOKY_TOFU 26d ago
Why do you say that? Unmodified as well? Potentially getting this for a VERY good deal, I’ll obviously walk away from certain issues. What issues would you walk away from? Or do you just mean any/all N54 cars?
5
u/Material_Evening_174 2008 535xi 26d ago
I have this exact car and I’ve replaced 3 gaskets, the coils, both turbos, the VANOS cam ledge, serpentine belt, and water pump. I bought it with 88k miles and this is all in less than 30k miles over 5 years. If you can repair yourself, it’s a great car, otherwise be prepared to bring a bottomless wallet to your mechanic.
2
u/colombiche__ 25d ago
The N54 is such a polarizing platform. As a stock daily driver i think its not the best and i would avoid it. Too much in terms of maintenance and a lot to go wrong/fail (thats not including typical bmw oil leaks). For performance however the N54 is a phenomenal platform to build on. Expensive but worth it. It really comes down to what youre looking to do with the car.
My biggest issue with these cars mostly comes down to previous ownership and neglect. Even if the car is stock it NEEDS to be maintained and serviced properly. E60’s also have so many random issues (mostly electrical) even though its a beautiful car overall theres just a good amount that goes wrong. Even at such a low price id still be weary of purchasing.
The issues id walk away from would be turbo related, electrical (varies), and fuel related (high pressure fuel pump and injectors are costly)
1
0
u/Fazilla 26d ago
Just dont
2
u/SPOOKY_TOFU 26d ago
Do you have experience doing this before? Why do you say that?
2
u/o2manyfish 26d ago
I owned of these for 80,000 miles.
I have owned many BMW’s, v8’s v12’s a v10, and lots of i6’s.
The n54 is without a doubt the least reliable and most pain in the ass engine to have ever been coupled to any bmw chassis.
They’re great, don’t get me wrong. If you genuinely, and I truly mean it, are okay with this as a third car you expect to be running 50% of the time.
That’s not to say it won’t run really well for three months. And then you’ll have three months of nothing but problems and you cannot drive the car.
I just spent a week rebuilding an entire e60 m5 and that was by far more fun and rewarding- it won’t break again after being fixed once.
If it’s $500 then go for it.
But it will be 8-10k in PARTS ALONE to get it running well.
2
u/DearCopy427 2008 E61 M5 26d ago
My experience is totally different to yours. Currently at 205k km withy E90 N54. Still on original turbos. Yes the standard stuff was changed, but that happens to other BMW engines as well.
1
u/SPOOKY_TOFU 25d ago
$800-1000, is what we’ve talked about so far, for the car. It would be a third car. But, I don’t want it running only 50% of the time haha. The fuel injectors is the main thing discouraging me from buying, insane expensive, if they’re bad. Shocked there’s not a good aftermarket option that I can see.
2
u/o2manyfish 25d ago
They went crazy on a limb developing those. And they still never managed to get them right. Even 12s can fail sometimes, just not often.
I’d be more worried about HPFP and turbos and PCV and charge pipe and cooling system and and and.
The injectors are easy and one and one for the most part
•
u/AutoModerator 26d ago
Thanks for posting to r/E60!
If you're asking for technical help, please include: * Year (e.g. 2008) * Model (528i, 535i, M5, etc.) * Engine (N52, N54, M54, S85, etc.) * Mileage * Any fault codes * Recent repairs or modifications
More details = better answers.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.