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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Drivetrain, ECU Software Modifications Close to purchasing a n63tu vehicle. Want advice
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      09-01-2019, 09:10 AM   #1
Momo122
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Hello I'm currently in the process to get a car with a n63tu engine and I'm wondering how reliable the n63tu is. We have 2 n54 cars in the fam so I'm famliar I guess with the bmw problems that occur. I'm kinda nervous after reading a few forms and idk how to feel anymore and I'm tryna just get some input. Thank you!(14 550i 59k Miles. Sold by bmw, one owner and 2 service records first one at 39k miles regular maintenance. maintenance by bmw. Build date "10/13")

Hit me with all the info!

Would like owners with N63tu to give a brief guidance about their ownership with their N63tu

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      09-01-2019, 12:46 PM   #2
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I was in the same boat as you having come from a BMW V8 (650), I was hoping the TU V8 would save my dream of buying a 550 after hearing all the problems with the 2011-2013 models. Sadly it looks like even the TU's are risky to get involved with. I believe the TU's are now apart of the class action engine replacement lawsuit (550,650,750). IMO it's just too risky of an investment.

https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthr...ighlight=N63tu

Last edited by bigscore; 10-15-2019 at 07:42 PM..
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      09-01-2019, 12:52 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigscore View Post
I was in the same boat as you having come from an E63 V8, I was hoping the TU V8 would save my dream of buying a 550 after hearing all the problems with the 2011-2013 models. Sadly it looks like even the TU's are risky to get involved with. I believe the TU's are now apart of the class action engine replacement lawsuit (550,650,750). IMO it's just too risky of an investment.

https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthr...ighlight=N63tu
Damn well that's a turn off lol smh
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      09-01-2019, 03:50 PM   #4
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Find one taken care of. Hopefully one with the BMW CCP, customer care package service done to it.
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      09-01-2019, 10:40 PM   #5
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I would advise against going with V8 from BMW. My brother works at the dealership and he sees plenty of 550s come in for services, engine removed to fix issues. Even the new m550s have issues and had an engine replaced within 6k miles. I would avoid it if I were you unless you going to get aftermarket warranty with it and plan on selling it as soon as the warranty runs out. Which also means forget about tuning it if you plan to do that.

In my opinion inline 6 are best motors to own after warranty runs out and V8 are the ones you want to lease so you are covered under warranty.
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      09-02-2019, 12:34 PM   #6
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Also keep in mind that in the unfortunate event that your V8 qualifies for a motor replacement down the line, you still have to wait on a waiting list for the replacement motor and you still have to pay a couple of grand in labor fees.
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      09-08-2019, 03:09 PM   #7
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The answer to your question is DONT DO IT! I've had nothing problems on the past N63 engines! Just look at the Service Bulletin list that BMW has developed. Numerous issues from top to bottom. HPFP, Injectors, burns oil excessively (every 500 miles to off).

Today...sport mode...hard acceleration... DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION!!

Going to my tech again to see what coils went bad this time. Or is it the Injectors. Or is it something else.
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      09-08-2019, 06:45 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 335xi Beast View Post
The answer to your question is DONT DO IT! I've had nothing problems on the past N63 engines! Just look at the Service Bulletin list that BMW has developed. Numerous issues from top to bottom. HPFP, Injectors, burns oil excessively (every 500 miles to off).

Today...sport mode...hard acceleration... DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION!!

Going to my tech again to see what coils went bad this time. Or is it the Injectors. Or is it something else.
And you have the TU, yes?
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      09-09-2019, 04:51 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc View Post
And you have the TU, yes?
Yes.
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      09-09-2019, 06:48 AM   #10
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N63TU here in an F15. 91k miles. Dealer serviced, I do oil changes every 6k or so and never have to add oil between changes. BM3 tuned for the last 12k miles, runs 11.7 int he 1/4. No issues so far, but we will see!
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      09-12-2019, 05:04 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by 335xi Beast View Post
The answer to your question is DONT DO IT! I've had nothing problems on the past N63 engines! Just look at the Service Bulletin list that BMW has developed. Numerous issues from top to bottom. HPFP, Injectors, burns oil excessively (every 500 miles to off).

Today...sport mode...hard acceleration... DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION!!

Going to my tech again to see what coils went bad this time. Or is it the Injectors. Or is it something else.
Update - I need a new HPFP at 70k miles. These engines are merciless! What next right?
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      10-12-2019, 04:48 AM   #12
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What did you get? I was in same boat trying to figure out which way to go.....decided to go with a little more reliable N55 and tune it a bit. Hear all kinds of horror stories about n63....it comes down to maintenance and how much money and time you want to invest to keep the hot v8 running well......if you can get a warranty that will actually take care of the issues it would be ideal....but it is interesting how many aftermarket warranties will not warrant the n63 cars!
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      10-13-2019, 04:09 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E36graduatebmw View Post
What did you get? I was in same boat trying to figure out which way to go.....decided to go with a little more reliable N55 and tune it a bit. Hear all kinds of horror stories about n63....it comes down to maintenance and how much money and time you want to invest to keep the hot v8 running well......if you can get a warranty that will actually take care of the issues it would be ideal....but it is interesting how many aftermarket warranties will not warrant the n63 cars!
...funny you say that! A few weeks ago my wife's 550xi drivetrain malfunction light came on after some very spirited driving. The usual shaking , engine light comes on, etc. Get it towed and it's the HPFP. Told my tech go ahead and I will run it through my aftermarket warranty. Guess what? not covered. Why? They said it is not the "Main" fuel pump. I called extreme BS on this but they wiggled out of it. Gave me $250 towards the $1250 bill.

So I'm pissed now...run this by my dealership. Told them what I replaced and I want a reimbursement since this part is on the extended warranty list. He said no because they didn't run the scan and diagnose the car.

I said F of course and called BMW relations and told them and she said pretty much the same thing but to send in the invoice anyway to see if possibly they could do something. Third time a charm, NO! IT gets better.

2 weeks later, drivetrain malfunction light comes on but it's driveable. Now I'm getting smart right...take it to my tech to run the scan. He says HPFP bank 1. This pump is on the passenger side. Definitely warranty right?

BWM tech can't find the code about the HPFP taking a crap. No fix. THey instead replaced a Rail Pressure Sensor harness. Asked me if ran crappy on a low tank of gas. NO! $400 later I get my car back.

In summary... WTF! I'm going to limp through another year or so I can and then dump since my aftermarket warranty runs out and basically not helping yet on my case. It's frustrating when something just doesn't work out that way you expect it huh? LIFE 101!!! Get used to it.
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      10-14-2019, 05:14 AM   #14
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The forums can be a bit of an echo chamber for people reporting problems/looking for solutions. Most folks who drive the car and go about their daily business without problems aren't here.

So I'm going to chime in with a bit of counter point. I own currently two BMW v8's an S63 (2011 X5M) and a N63TU (2016 550i). Neither engine has catastrophically failed, both are running fine, no smoking, and maintained their power unlike the ecoboost fords.... https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-maintenance/

I have 65K miles on the 550i, and only had a few minor issues with the car. Bad 02 sensor, and a bad charcoal canister valve. The 550i doesn't leak oil, it doesn't smoke, it runs every day, drove it from Houston to banff (canada) and back, never broke down or had any real issues. I'm a second owner, and change the oil every 6-7K miles (usually on a dealer $49 special).

My advice is that the BMW v8's are expensive engines, mainly because their failure points are in very inaccessible areas of the engine that take multiple hours to get to. Also BMW had crappy engine bay plastics in all of their cars (inline 6's included) and in houston, everything in the engine bays on all of my BMWs turn to crap after about 6-8 years, regardless of the engines. Yes even my 335D suffered cracked PCV lines, vacuum lines, sensors breaking etc.

So these car's with their embrittlement prone plastics, engine seals (oil leaks) that fail quickly, getting an extended warranty for piece of mind is a good idea. I have on on both my cars.

But these problems seem to plague nearly all modern cars (even honda's). Though I do notice my wife's 2013 mini has no problems with plastic embrittlement.......

Also watch out for vibration problems with F10's this is another common issue.

Last edited by Thecastle; 10-14-2019 at 05:24 AM..
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      10-14-2019, 12:06 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thecastle View Post
...The 550i doesn't leak oil, it doesn't smoke, it runs every day, drove it from Houston to banff (canada) and back, never broke down or had any real issues. I'm a second owner, and change the oil every 6-7K miles (usually on a dealer $49 special)...
Does it burn oil? Add any between changes? That is one of the big N63(TU) complaints. Not like the rod bearing failures of the M5 V10.
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      10-14-2019, 01:34 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc View Post
Does it burn oil? Add any between changes? That is one of the big N63(TU) complaints. Not like the rod bearing failures of the M5 V10.
I was topping off oil every 500 - 600 miles. Nice engine.
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      10-14-2019, 02:54 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc View Post
Does it burn oil? Add any between changes? That is one of the big N63(TU) complaints. Not like the rod bearing failures of the M5 V10.
In my case neither current V8 car burns any detectable amount of oil. The S63 (similar to N63) / N63TU both show oil level at full even after 7-8k miles. My M57 diesel did burn oil about 1 qt every 7-8k miles. I don't generally read about oil burning problems on the N63TU like I did on the N63, and generally no one has any oil burning problems on the S63 (unique to the X5). Though a couple of people have blown their rod bearings on the S63, probably because modded. I'll also say I do not have any engine mods on the 2 V8's I currently have. The X5 is currently 59.6K miles, and the 550i is 65K. Though the X5 is in the shop for 30FF (low boost pressure) and an occasional while towing engine malfunction/reduced power mode (probably a bad map or boost leak). I tow my travel trailer with the X5 a lot.

I've had 3 BMW V8s, a N62 4.8i which did burn oil at a rate of about 1 qt every 3-4k, but it had bad valve stem seals and sold it with about 98k miles. It was my batmobile until it chugged some AT-205 which stopped it from smoking. The N62/S63 have both had lots of oil leaks, S63 valve covers have been replaced, rear main seal, oil pan gasket, turbo oil lines, turbo oil line return block, whole PCV system.

I do run ceratec in both cars.
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      10-14-2019, 09:45 PM   #18
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I’m just glad I didn’t get he c7s4..... 2 out of 2 I looked at and did due diligence on had their turbos recently replaced....that was a big ticket item. The one main reason that scared me off was injector replacement was an engine out process to be done correctly...ouch, and Mechatronic issues. Liking my 3rd n54/55 buy.
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      10-21-2019, 07:42 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thecastle View Post
In my case neither current V8 car burns any detectable amount of oil. The S63 (similar to N63) / N63TU both show oil level at full even after 7-8k miles. My M57 diesel did burn oil about 1 qt every 7-8k miles. I don't generally read about oil burning problems on the N63TU like I did on the N63, and generally no one has any oil burning problems on the S63 (unique to the X5). Though a couple of people have blown their rod bearings on the S63, probably because modded. I'll also say I do not have any engine mods on the 2 V8's I currently have. The X5 is currently 59.6K miles, and the 550i is 65K. Though the X5 is in the shop for 30FF (low boost pressure) and an occasional while towing engine malfunction/reduced power mode (probably a bad map or boost leak). I tow my travel trailer with the X5 a lot.

I've had 3 BMW V8s, a N62 4.8i which did burn oil at a rate of about 1 qt every 3-4k, but it had bad valve stem seals and sold it with about 98k miles. It was my batmobile until it chugged some AT-205 which stopped it from smoking. The N62/S63 have both had lots of oil leaks, S63 valve covers have been replaced, rear main seal, oil pan gasket, turbo oil lines, turbo oil line return block, whole PCV system.

I do run ceratec in both cars.
About the engine plastics... Do you think opening the hood when getting home to allow the engine to cool off faster would help prolong plastic degradation? I've started doing this on my F10.
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      10-28-2019, 09:36 AM   #20
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i say go for it, i owned 2 cars both with N63 motors my current one being 2011 with 109k miles pushing 650whp 690wtq and so far has no issues and i drive her hard daily.

You should do preventative measures as soon as you get the car to prolong the engines life. ( oil cooler valve, low temp thermostat, use liqui moly oil with 2020 oil saver, N20 coils). As mentioned previously this is an echo chamber and most people come with complaints issues to forums.

Links to products:
Liqui Moly oil: https://amzn.to/2Wl2WtP
Liqui Moly oil saver: https://amzn.to/32VtdkX
oil cooler valve: https://n63intake.com/product/n63-n6...-cooler-valve/
low temp thermostat: https://n63intake.com/product/low-te...s63-s63tu-s55/
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      11-02-2019, 08:59 AM   #21
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I just bought 2016 n63tu as from what I read the turbos are better and pistons, rods are better. I seem to be having hard time getting transmission info like flash or how much can handle etc.
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      11-02-2019, 10:56 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by badblack550xi View Post
i say go for it, i owned 2 cars both with N63 motors my current one being 2011 with 109k miles pushing 650whp 690wtq and so far has no issues and i drive her hard daily.

You should do preventative measures as soon as you get the car to prolong the engines life. ( oil cooler valve, low temp thermostat, use liqui moly oil with 2020 oil saver, N20 coils). As mentioned previously this is an echo chamber and most people come with complaints issues to forums.

Links to products:
Liqui Moly oil: https://amzn.to/2Wl2WtP
Liqui Moly oil saver: https://amzn.to/32VtdkX
oil cooler valve: https://n63intake.com/product/n63-n6...-cooler-valve/
low temp thermostat: https://n63intake.com/product/low-te...s63-s63tu-s55/
So what is the temp rating on the new thermostat? $350 for a thermostat seems pretty steep. Is there warranty with it? No info on that webpage. What does your temp gauge run with the new thermostat and oil cooler valve?

I found ecs sells a low temp 90C thermostat kit with new temp sensor and some coolant for $132...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...BoCpWkQAvD_BwE

Last edited by Luky; 11-02-2019 at 11:04 AM..
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