[M3NSTER]

Hi guys I just sold my 2011 328i m sport. I have a 2016 corvette so power is not what I'm looking for. At the same time I also feel there is no worst thing than an under powered BMW. I also have a Mercedes c300 on lease and am realizing I need something I can drive to put miles on.

I thought about a 2013 535i but realized I don't need it (I think) I want a work horse I can put miles on and not have to worry about it breaking down. Call me old school BMW guy but to me inline 6 comes in mind when I think bullet proof. Same reason I got my 2011 328i. I refuse to drive a none m sport car.

I greatly appreciate if I can get some feed back on realiabity on the 2011 528i vs the 2013 528i and if I should be looking at 535i?

[Bmw doubles]

I can't speak on the N20 motor other than I've driven in a 328 and it's impressive. The N55 is the incarnation of the N54 is most definitely BMWs finest product in terms of reliability. It comes down to gas mileage between a 528 and 535. The key differences between a 2011 and a 2013 BMW anything, is the NBT Screen display is better than the 2011 implementation. Also the angel eyes are upgraded. M Sport with DHP /EDC is a must.

[raleedy]

I have a 2013 528i. My previous car was a 2008 328i (E92). I was one of the biggest whiners when BMW announced the N20 to replace the N52. Then I was one of the first adopters (well, not quite) of the N20. It is superior to the N52 in every respect except sound. It has more than adequate power for the F10 sedan (more, by the way, than the 2011 N52-based one.) The torque curve makes it pull like a diesel. My fuel consumption is 25% lower than the E92's was. No complaints whatsoever, and certainly no reliability issues.

[Nalod]

I too have owned the n52 on a e92 with a manual. My wife in on her second 2.0T audi and its a great engine except for the sound.

I have to also say the N52 is smoother than both the n20 and the Audi. The Benefits of the Turbo and the improved MPG is nice.

I would not touch an N54. The N20 I have not seen as having any massive problems.

Drive both and see what the n20 feels like to you.

[moosebeamer]

Ive got a CPO 2012 528xi msport. I come from the 4 banger world having driven various SAAB's for years (though my last was a v6), so moving back to a 4 was certainly a familiar place. I bought it when it had 26K on it; now it's about at 80K. As far as reliability goes, I've had 2 major incidents.

The first was a year ago when the oil cooler/mount cracked. The day it was noticed was after the car was driven at night in the rain. Made it quite hard to see a decent amount of oil. By the next day I had easily lost a quart if not more. Car was towed and fixed. They upgraded the housing from plastic to aluminum. Too bad the service update hadn't occurred 2 months earlier. Too bad BMW got rid of the dip stick. I know its not accurate but it's a good backup.

The second was last fall, when the turbo failed. A bad seal or something causing burning smoke mostly at startup. Apparently the time frame wasn't good with the production of the 2016 models as I had to wait 3 weeks for the part. Not a happy camper here because of that. Now it's certainly possible this failure was related to the oil housing. I'll never know.

It's also possible the Dinan tune caused a delay seeing the first real problems. Im one of about 2 dozen vehicles where the Dinan module some how can't properly pass the oil level/quality sensor signal to the ECU. Thus I loose oil level quality reporting information. If it had worked, I might have detected the oil filter housing crack sooner. Im pissed Dinan hasn't figured this out after 18 months.

I have the extended warranty and service plan. Good thing cause I go in for oil changes every 5K cause I dont know the state of my oil.

What don't I like about the N20. What I dont like about any 4 (other than a boxer engine), the sound. I loved my SAAB v6.

Barry

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by moosebeamer

It's also possible the Dinan tune caused a delay seeing the first real problems. Im one of about 2 dozen vehicles where the Dinan module some how can't properly pass the oil level/quality sensor signal to the ECU. Thus I loose oil level quality reporting information. If it had worked, I might have detected the oil filter housing crack sooner. Im pissed Dinan hasn't figured this out after 18 months.

This happened to me as well! Bought my CPO 2012 528i a little over a year ago and had the dinan piggy back installed. I went back to the shop numerous times to have them look into the fact that the oil level sensor wasn't working and each startup said I needed to service immediately. Eventually spoke with a Dinan rep who said he has seen this a few times and for whatever reason they can't figure it out.

I had the piggy back removed and was refunded which secretly made me happy because I was rather disappointed with the "increase" in power anyway.