Need inputs on buying used F10

Tejas Tarun · 10-13-2021, 08:34 AM

Hello all,

I recently had someone rear end me in my beautiful E60. The other guy had GEICO and we all know how shit they are. They want to total my car because the price to fix it is 7k and my car value according to them is 6k.
I am fighting at the moment with all the receipts from FCP euro and BMW. Basically the car is mechanically all new. Including oil pan gasket, engine mounts, transmission mounts, diff mounts, all new control arms front and back, new sachs shocks and struts, all new hardware in suspension ( MEYLE and LEMFORD only), brakes including fluid, hoses are new ( Zimmerman and Akebono, fluid is Castrol racing brake fluid ). and many more under the bonnet parts. Transmission was also serviced twice by me. new fluid, solenoids and all gaskets and pans.... and the list goes on.. I also have switchback led angel eyes by removing the lens, quad bixenon setup and led all over the car. So it is definitely worth a lot more than what GEICO is saying.

In the event that I do have to buy a new used car, I was lookin at f10 with N55 or the N63 engine. I cannot afford to get a loan on the newer 2016 or 2015 cars since they are way above my budget.
I have read in some of the threads that N55 is a damn good engine and much better reliability compared to the N54. On the other hand N63 is tempting... I did want a v8TT for a long time. But I read in lot of posts that 2014 and below are shit.
BMW did give a CCP but I am not sure on how good it is after the CCP.

I am not shy to DIY. All the work done on my previous is DIY in the parking lot. But I am not willing to spend a lot on parts and work every weekend.
I found two really good deals, one for 2013 535xi and the other one is 2014 550xi. Both have close to 100k.

I am yet to test drive them. Could you all please tell me your experiences with these two engines. I do not want to go with the N20 because of reliability issues and not enough power.

Please advise.
TIA

ChiNorm · 10-13-2021, 08:52 AM

IMHO, the N55 motor is the only option worthy of your consideration.

95blkmax · 10-13-2021, 08:59 AM

N63s are great engines WHEN THEY WORK. I honestly suggest getting an aftermarket warranty for it, as fixes on it are ridiculously expensive. Turbos go out, valve seals go out, piston rings fry, oil pan gasket leaks from hell (expect to pay about $5k in with labor on that). Again, awesome when it runs right! But things are VERY expensive to fix on your own. The N63TU is a much better version, but it still suffers from the same issues as the first version, just not as prevalent.

95blkmax · 10-13-2021, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiNorm

IMHO, the N55 motor is the only option worthy of your consideration.

exactly this. BMW has no business making V8s. They haven't made a reliable V8 since the late 90s IMO. The alu-sil of the N62s, the long list of issues on N63s. They seem to have finally fixed it all with the N63R, but that's on the newest models wch

6-cylinders is where BMW shines. But even these are not perfect. Coming from an N54 (OP) you'd love the reliability and ease to work on of an N55. Doesn't have as much power-making potential as an N54... but unless you're part of the 1% of people that go balls out with it on an F10, this isn't an issue lol.

Tejas Tarun · 10-13-2021, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95blkmax

exactly this. BMW has no business making V8s. They haven't made a reliable V8 since the late 90s IMO. The alu-sil of the N62s, the long list of issues on N63s. They seem to have finally fixed it all with the N63R, but that's on the newest models wch

6-cylinders is where BMW shines. But even these are not perfect. Coming from an N54 (OP) you'd love the reliability and ease to work on of an N55. Doesn't have as much power-making potential as an N54... but unless you're part of the 1% of people that go balls out with it on an F10, this isn't an issue lol.

Well, that settles it then.. I have been reading even more horror stories about how bad the BMW NA customer service is w.r.t. the N63.
I was about to get a 2008750li but valve steam seal issues on the N62 just pushed me away. being a grad student I never should have even considered that. I made the best decision to go with the n52 and after the 3 stage intake mod, I was in love with this beast. I would still be able to keep up with mustangs and camaros on highways with ease. the way it just sticks to the ground is simply amazing.

I am just going to have to find a good N55 car with good options.

What are the major drawbacks of the N55 ? common issues you have had if any ?

Unspec · 10-13-2021, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95blkmax

exactly this. BMW has no business making V8s. They haven't made a reliable V8 since the late 90s IMO. The alu-sil of the N62s, the long list of issues on N63s. They seem to have finally fixed it all with the N63R, but that's on the newest models wch

6-cylinders is where BMW shines. But even these are not perfect. Coming from an N54 (OP) you'd love the reliability and ease to work on of an N55. Doesn't have as much power-making potential as an N54... but unless you're part of the 1% of people that go balls out with it on an F10, this isn't an issue lol.

To be fair, the S65 is pretty reliable outside of the bearings. BMW's just struggles with heat management on hot-v setup turbo V8's.

Tejas Tarun · 10-13-2021, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unspec

To be fair, the S65 is pretty reliable outside of the bearings. BMW's just struggles with heat management on hot-v setup turbo V8's.

The S65 is an M engine. It is generally allowed to have some imperfections.
The N63 is not an M engine. It should have never passed the testing at the factory. That being said, it is still a good engine ( good power and torque ).

I hope they fixed those flaws in the N63tu.. would be a shame if they didnt..

Hoa · 10-13-2021, 11:38 AM

Stick with N55 if you want a reliable vehicle. Mines have 288K miles with original engine and transmission. I still drive it every other day even though I have a replacement vehicle.

Tejas Tarun · 10-13-2021, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoa

Stick with N55 if you want a reliable vehicle. Mines have 288K miles with original engine and transmission. I still drive it every other day even though I have a replacement vehicle.

Thats awesome.. I am leaning towards N55 now..!!

TuckerE36 · 10-13-2021, 10:25 PM

I wouldn't be afraid of a N63TU. Find one with very low mileage, one owner and with great service records. I did and I'm very happy with this 550i. I just recently tuned it and I'm very happy with how the cars pulls. I tend to over do it on preventative maintenance with cars so the N63TU is perfect for me lol

CanadianTSi · 10-15-2021, 10:40 AM

The N57 is quite reliable as well

beegeezy · 10-15-2021, 12:48 PM

Also, is your location accurate or are you in Maine? If you're in Texas, wait for a RWD car.

TuckerE36 · 10-15-2021, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beegeezy

Also, is your location accurate or are you in Maine? If you're in Texas, wait for a RWD car.

This! RWD is much more fun in the 550i

10-13-2021, 08:34 AM	#1
Tejas Tarun New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 528i Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Denton,TX,US iTrader: (0)	Need inputs on buying used F10 Hello all, I recently had someone rear end me in my beautiful E60. The other guy had GEICO and we all know how shit they are. They want to total my car because the price to fix it is 7k and my car value according to them is 6k. I am fighting at the moment with all the receipts from FCP euro and BMW. Basically the car is mechanically all new. Including oil pan gasket, engine mounts, transmission mounts, diff mounts, all new control arms front and back, new sachs shocks and struts, all new hardware in suspension ( MEYLE and LEMFORD only), brakes including fluid, hoses are new ( Zimmerman and Akebono, fluid is Castrol racing brake fluid ). and many more under the bonnet parts. Transmission was also serviced twice by me. new fluid, solenoids and all gaskets and pans.... and the list goes on.. I also have switchback led angel eyes by removing the lens, quad bixenon setup and led all over the car. So it is definitely worth a lot more than what GEICO is saying. In the event that I do have to buy a new used car, I was lookin at f10 with N55 or the N63 engine. I cannot afford to get a loan on the newer 2016 or 2015 cars since they are way above my budget. I have read in some of the threads that N55 is a damn good engine and much better reliability compared to the N54. On the other hand N63 is tempting... I did want a v8TT for a long time. But I read in lot of posts that 2014 and below are shit. BMW did give a CCP but I am not sure on how good it is after the CCP. I am not shy to DIY. All the work done on my previous is DIY in the parking lot. But I am not willing to spend a lot on parts and work every weekend. I found two really good deals, one for 2013 535xi and the other one is 2014 550xi. Both have close to 100k. I am yet to test drive them. Could you all please tell me your experiences with these two engines. I do not want to go with the N20 because of reliability issues and not enough power. Please advise. TIA Attached Images
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10-13-2021, 08:52 AM	#2
ChiNorm Second Lieutenant 92 Rep 233 Posts Drives: '13 535xi Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	IMHO, the N55 motor is the only option worthy of your consideration.
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10-13-2021, 08:59 AM	#3
95blkmax Captain 213 Rep 658 Posts Drives: '11 535 M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Oklahoma City iTrader: (0)	N63s are great engines WHEN THEY WORK. I honestly suggest getting an aftermarket warranty for it, as fixes on it are ridiculously expensive. Turbos go out, valve seals go out, piston rings fry, oil pan gasket leaks from hell (expect to pay about $5k in with labor on that). Again, awesome when it runs right! But things are VERY expensive to fix on your own. The N63TU is a much better version, but it still suffers from the same issues as the first version, just not as prevalent. __________________ I'm on the YouTubez now!! Check it out -> https://www.youtube.com/@turbospool 11' M-sport- 371WHP - 478WTQ on stock PWG E50 TunedbyShoup // 386WHP - 429WTQ on Shuenk N55+ with ultra-conservative 91 Octane tune // Starting full-range flexfuel tuning in Spring '24
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10-13-2021, 11:38 AM	#8
Hoa Major 513 Rep 1,356 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA iTrader: (9)	Stick with N55 if you want a reliable vehicle. Mines have 288K miles with original engine and transmission. I still drive it every other day even though I have a replacement vehicle.
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10-13-2021, 10:25 PM	#10
TuckerE36 Private First Class 50 Rep 156 Posts Drives: BMW 550i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't be afraid of a N63TU. Find one with very low mileage, one owner and with great service records. I did and I'm very happy with this 550i. I just recently tuned it and I'm very happy with how the cars pulls. I tend to over do it on preventative maintenance with cars so the N63TU is perfect for me lol __________________ 2014 BMW 550i M Sport- Tuned by Matt @Cedar Performance-Daily Driver 2016 Audi Q5 3.0T Prestige-Weekend Warrior 2008 Infiniti G37S Coupe 6MT-RIP 2015 Lexus RC350 FS-SOLD
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10-15-2021, 10:40 AM	#11
CanadianTSi Captain 207 Rep 602 Posts Drives: 2014 535 xDrive Diesel Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0)	The N57 is quite reliable as well
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10-15-2021, 12:48 PM	#12
beegeezy Second Lieutenant 70 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 2013 535i M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: New Orleans iTrader: (0)	Also, is your location accurate or are you in Maine? If you're in Texas, wait for a RWD car.
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