[desmo01]

Hello All,

I'm shopping around for a 5er and was looking at N63 (2011+) 550i's. I've read some things about N63's that suffice to say aren't so great, but as an engine development engineer the N63 looks quite interesting.

Can any of you all help a brotha' out with some feedback on the N63 (2011) and (I think) the N63TU?

There are some interesting used cars out there and don't want to buy something that is a mess.

Thanks!

[EL Jeffe 5]

Originally Posted by desmo01

Hello All,

I'm shopping around for a 5er and was looking at N63 (2011+) 550i's. I've read some things about N63's that suffice to say aren't so great, but as an engine development engineer the N63 looks quite interesting.

Can any of you all help a brotha' out with some feedback on the N63 (2011) and (I think) the N63TU?

There are some interesting used cars out there and don't want to buy something that is a mess.

Thanks!

Just like any other car depending how much money you spend lower millage you be better of. High millage expect to do some repairs and on and on F10 550 parts and labor not cheep.
I have 2013 550i with 42k miles No major issues still under warranty.

[burro_blasta]

Not my forte, but I'm told that there are recalls, class actions, etc on n63s brewing

[burro_blasta]

Originally Posted by burro_blasta

Not my forte, but I'm told that there are recalls, class actions, etc on n63s brewing

That's on a friend's 2011, in case that matters

[EZgo]

Originally Posted by desmo01

There are some interesting used cars out there and don't want to buy something that is a mess.

Then absolutely don't buy an N63. They are mess and you'll be spending a lot of time and money on repairs and rentals. After my latest repair (turbo lines and some other stuff), the repair bills just during my 40k miles of ownership exceed $20k. Fortunately, other than about $3k-$4k, most have been covered under the CPO and later an aftermarket warranty (which cost $3k itself).

[desmo01]

So a modded 535i is a safer bet then?

[335socal]

Originally Posted by desmo01

So a modded 535i is a safer bet then?

that big power bump with the 550i is great. Buy the N63TU. make the car idle for 5mins then gas it up to see if there's any smoke. Smoke=valve stem seals=$$$.

[Kwood-F10-535i]

535I with mods will be much more reliable! The money you save not buying the 550 will go a long way to mods on the 535.

[135i_vs_]

Originally Posted by desmo01

Hello All,

I'm shopping around for a 5er and was looking at N63 (2011+) 550i's. I've read some things about N63's that suffice to say aren't so great, but as an engine development engineer the N63 looks quite interesting.

Can any of you all help a brotha' out with some feedback on the N63 (2011) and (I think) the N63TU?

There are some interesting used cars out there and don't want to buy something that is a mess.

Thanks!

If you're an engine builder and a DIY'er, The N63 will be fine for you. The F10 is itself a really nice car. The N63 engine is powerful. The valve stem seals eventually wear out from the high heat of the engine (hot-V design). This will cause excessive smoke and oil burn. If you can repair this yourself, there really isn't anything else worth mentioning as a "major problem".

I love my 11' 550iX, however, the potential problems are in the back of my mind.

[desmo01]

Man it does look like a MFer to work on though.

Unfortunately I don't have a lift.

[byebyev8]

I Was in the same boat as you. I choose a higher mileage 535i and did the m sport conversion wheels etc and kept my 11 sec e92 335i also Instead of buying a low mileage 550i

[desmo01]

LOL I have an e92 as well. More stock (right now) though.

[Kyngofpop]

I'm living proof that an early high mileage N63 550xi is a nightmare to own. I do my own work on my other cars but the N63 is such a complex design that it's intimidating to say the least and the car has had to go to the shop for most of its myriad issues and has rapidly burned a NASTY hole in my wallet.

Great to drive, beautiful to look at, and buckets of power but when the DTM light pops up you can feel your soul leave your body. I'm only 1.5yrs into my ownership and wish everyday that I'd gone with the 535 instead.

This board gave me many warnings and I went against their advice and am regretting it daily...heck it's been in the shop AGAIN the last month or so for a randomly stalling issue that the tech isn't able to chase down.

Think this over before you take the leap...

[EZgo]

Originally Posted by Kyngofpop

...when the DTM light pops up you can feel your soul leave your body.

so true

[windowmaker]

Can people share some major work items that have been wallet-draining for the 550i N63? Wondering what I'm at risk for and how long can I tangibly keep the car considering I'm pretty comfortable doing my own maintenance items - done oil, MTF, brake lines, pads, CDV, and on other cars things like engine mounts and suspension. Never done anything as deep as the valve stem seal replacement though.

I'm still on my 30k 3rd party warranty - bought at 47k, currently at 58k.

[EZgo]

Originally Posted by windowmaker

Can people share some major work items that have been wallet-draining for the 550i N63? Wondering what I'm at risk for and how long can I tangibly keep the car considering I'm pretty comfortable doing my own maintenance items - done oil, MTF, brake lines, pads, CDV, and on other cars things like engine mounts and suspension. Never done anything as deep as the valve stem seal replacement though.

I'm still on my 30k 3rd party warranty - bought at 47k, currently at 58k.

• Water pumps
• Turbo coolant rear lines
• Valve stem seals
• Coolant lines: pull up a N63 diagram, every coolant line will fail and need to be replaced.
• Oil gaskets: pull up a N63 diagram- every gasket that touches engine oil will fail and need to be replaced.

Many repairs damn near require taking the whole engine out and if it's a impossible-to-get-to hose, you'll probably be on the hook for it as most warranties don't cover hoses.

[Kyngofpop]

Originally Posted by windowmaker

Can people share some major work items that have been wallet-draining for the 550i N63? Wondering what I'm at risk for and how long can I tangibly keep the car considering I'm pretty comfortable doing my own maintenance items - done oil, MTF, brake lines, pads, CDV, and on other cars things like engine mounts and suspension. Never done anything as deep as the valve stem seal replacement though.

I'm still on my 30k 3rd party warranty - bought at 47k, currently at 58k.

Too much stuff to list. Rolling shit bucket cars that aren't worth a dime. Trash....at least mine is.

[Teddylongtooth]

Originally Posted by desmo01

Hello All,

I'm shopping around for a 5er and was looking at N63 (2011+) 550i's. I've read some things about N63's that suffice to say aren't so great, but as an engine development engineer the N63 looks quite interesting.

Can any of you all help a brotha' out with some feedback on the N63 (2011) and (I think) the N63TU?

There are some interesting used cars out there and don't want to buy something that is a mess.

Thanks!

The n63 is technically advanced flawed piece if shit, stay away from this engine period. The newer n63tu is slightly better but they have most of the same issues. I could list a ton of reasons why to stay away but we don't have that much time left in our lives for that, trust me and the others who know this engine is not worth the headache. I will say thou the main problem is valve seals go bad around 75,000 miles and it costs thousands to fix and isn't a problem that can be ignored. They can also fail as early as 20k so I would research this topic and then look at all the other problems, just Google n63 problems and youll be busy for the next few months. My car has been in for 4 recalls/technical bulletins since I owned it and ive only put 21k miles on the car when I purchased it 2014. I didn't do enough homework on this car and would never have bought it knowing then what I know now. Goodlluck

[EZgo]

Originally Posted by Teddylongtooth

My car has been in for 4 recalls/technical bulletins since I owned it and ive only put 21k miles on the car when I purchased it 2014. I didn't do enough homework on this car and would never have bought it knowing then what I know now. Goodlluck

If the repairs don't make you livid the rate of deprecation will! Is this just a weekend car for you or do you just not drive much?

[Teddylongtooth]

Originally Posted by EZgo

If the repairs don't drive you make you livid the rate of deprecation will! Is this just a weekend car for you or do you just not drive much?

Its a weekend car for sure, I have a company vehicle I drive for work. And yes the depreciation is stupid for this car if I waited 2 more years to buy I could have gotten a 2013 for $25,000 instead of my 2011 for $35,000. My car is now barely worth maybe $17k and I owe 15k. Most of the repairs were covered under service bulletins and my aftermarket warranty so I never paid out of pocket. Im trading it in for a ZR-1 or CTS-V, Im done with this car. My car originally stickered for $81k and it started failing just after 51k miles. Right now I get a drive train malfunction every couple months and its my diverter valves, they are cracked and leaking boost. I just haven't had the time to change them but I will soon now that summer is over. Im for sure ditching this car before the valve seals start leaking and it starts to smoke, this is most likely my last bmw.