[itsnota2ma]

On my way to work this morning, my motor headed to the pearly gates. I am contemplating replacing the engine. I got 138K out of my 2012 550i, so I think that I did pretty good. The car is in great condition otherwise and I still love driving it. I think my mind is already made up, but I want to hear your thoughts. Does anyone regret doing it? How about those who did it and still love their car??

[ezaircon4jc]

It's all about whether YOU value the car or not. Is it worth it to you to spend more than the monetary value of the car for a new engine? How long would you plan on driving it? Does the car still float your boat?

[ChiltiCoatl89]

If you are considering and that's a beast of a motor, look up on getting the updated N63TU and see if its possible to have that installed instead.

[itsnota2ma]

Does anyone know; is the replacement engine an original N63, or has it been modified to address some of the issues??

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by itsnota2ma

Does anyone know; is the replacement engine an original N63, or has it been modified to address some of the issues??

Don't think anything but an original engine will work. There are not just physical considerations, but also electrical considerations. The updated engines have (possibly/probably) different sensors that the stock DME couldn't decipher.

[itsnota2ma]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Don't think anything but an original engine will work. There are not just physical considerations, but also electrical considerations. The updated engines have (possibly/probably) different sensors that the stock DME couldn't decipher.

I have heard the replacement is an N63T (not an N63TU) and that they addressed some of the issues like oil starvation and valve seals, however I have not been able to confirm.

[riggs6]

Originally Posted by itsnota2ma

On my way to work this morning, my motor headed to the pearly gates. I am contemplating replacing the engine. I got 138K out of my 2012 550i, so I think that I did pretty good. The car is in great condition otherwise and I still love driving it. I think my mind is already made up, but I want to hear your thoughts. Does anyone regret doing it? How about those who did it and still love their car??

My condolences 🙏🏿. Same thing here and I just got the news. 2011 550i xdrive and I got 144K out of that engine. Love the car but I think it is time for me to be realistic and just live with the results. No regrets, just pissed about the engine.

[itsnota2ma]

Originally Posted by riggs6

My condolences 🙏🏿. Same thing here and I just got the news. 2011 550i xdrive and I got 144K out of that engine. Love the car but I think it is time for me to be realistic and just live with the results. No regrets, just pissed about the engine.

Yeah it sucks, but this is the way I look at it. Where else can you find a 500hp car with a brand new engine for under 15K??? I mean you could find another 550i, but for that price it will have high miles and you are buying another problem. Besides the engine, there is nothing wrong with my car. I am looking forward to the "refresh". With that said, there are some age related items to resolve, like flex disks, and I should probably replace my airbags at some point. But at this point, I consider those items maintenance since I do not have a car payment...

[ChiltiCoatl89]

Rebuild the Motor if possible if you really really like it. It will be costly however it would be very satisfying in the end. I was very close to getting an N63TU 550i, however I went with a very happy medium, I wanted a B58 however I am very satisfied with my N55.

[slobo7x]

Very sorry to hear that

If you can do the work yourself, I have seen brand new engines on ebay for $5000-$6,000.

Small price to pay I think, if you love the car and looking to keep it for many more years.
IF you have to pay someone else to do it, then I'm not sure if it's worth it to be honest..

[Thecastle]

I'll go with a different opinion.

Why not just buy a newer 2013+ 550i with the N63TU engine? Your car is likely mechanically totaled. So put the money towards a newer vehicle if possible.

I've owned 3 BMW V8s. I had a 2008 X5 N62 4.8i (total junk, smoked like the batmobile got rid of it at 98k), I had a 2011 S63 X5M (problematic, left me stranded and very expensive to maintain departed $35K in repairs departed at 77K), now a 2016 N63TU, with 96K miles. The only issues I've had with it are failed pneumatic pressure converters for the turbos, an oil pan leak, Replacement of PCV/Filtered air ducts due to plastic embrittlement (all bmw plastics turn to crap, same issue on N62 and S63). Thats in about 5 years of ownership. Pretty good if you ask me. It burns no oil, never left me stranded (unlike the X5M).

[itsnota2ma]

I decided to pull the trigger. New motor, dynamic strut refresh with Dinan springs and new flex discs.Transmission, transfer case, and differential service. Should be like a new car. Being patient during the break-in period is going to be hard. The motor is already out, and the new motor is already ordered. I should have it back in about 2 weeks.

[ChiltiCoatl89]

Show us pictures!!! or a compilation vid link on Youtube! Sounds like a grand project and I can tell that's dedication to your 550i!

[itsnota2ma]

So, I've had my car back for a couple of weeks. In that time I replaced the valve diverters and MAP sensors myself because of low boost messages above 4K RPM. I also had the injectors changed (another $4k) because it was running rich on the left bank. I believe they were original with 140k miles on them. I fought with a stubborn coolant banjo on one of the turbos and replaced misc hardware that was not changed with the new engine. Like all of the clips and screws on the skid plates.

The new Dinan springs are on and while it is lower, and it handles way better, it's a little rougher of a ride than I would like as my daily. But now I have to live with it for a while.

Next items to do:
Paint and new tires on the 650 staggered setup for summer.
New door sills, since winter has taken its toll on the original ones.
I am fixing my dead pedal myself. Peeled it off, ordered doubled sided sticky foam and will re-install soon.

[itsnota2ma]

I also need to paint the rear brakes and work on the intakes.