(I don't own one, but from what I've heard). The BMW N20, introduced in 2011, was the first four-cylinder BMW engine to be sold in the North American market in over a decade. Well, nothing is perfect. 2. Despite the initial prejudice against the N20, everyday buyers and . Most of the time it is piston nr.2 Note this is an issue that only affects early B48 engines. Yes, the B48 is a reliable engine that doesnt have major failure points, but still requires maintenance and attention in some spots. I need to get a walnut blast, ignition coil and spark plug changed. What BMW's use the B48 Engine? Another issue that has been reported with the B48 engine is the possibility of a faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. Time will tell what may arise in the future. You hear it on a cold start and then when it reaches normal temperature. A higher output version of the B48 is in some 2019+ 35i models. Pressure test the cooling system to attempt to find the leak. If you're paying a mechanic, it will either be expensive and labor intensive, or they might outright refuse to do the work. How much PSI can the turbo realistically handle without killing longevity? The limits of the B48 are still rather unknown. She is a proud owner of a BMW M3 and has been an active member of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (BMW MOA) for many years. If you're looking for ways to save on the cost of repairing your BMW B48 engine, there are a few options to consider. BMW reliability seems to be trending in the right direction, though. Like this content? Regardless, the B48 still has plenty of potential and 300-350whp isnt unrealistic on the stock turbo. 11.0:1 compression ratio. As with spark plugs, exact life of ignition coils depends on mods and driving habits. Plus, the N52 doesn't suffer from the E90 M3's rod-bearing issue. Expect B58 solenoid issues to arise around the 80,000-100,000 mile mark. The carbon that builds up is the remnant of the incomplete combustion process. Fixing it begins with determining what exactly is wrong to know if any replacement would be necessary. Yes I've been waiting and Injen finally came out with it recently! Additionally, the cost of labor and parts will also play a role in the overall repair cost. Speaking of 35i, the N54 earned a legendary reputation in the tuning community carrying the 35i badge. This article and page is such a joy to read. The great news is the B48 is off to an excellent start from a reliability perspective. Usually rough idle is due to an underlying problem or past due maintenance. You may also notice your engine misfiring. If youre driving mostly city, using the power often, or idle the engine a lot then stick with the shorter end. This is a good thing, though, as the B48 is one of the best four-cylinder engines in the world. While torque is identical on the top-spec iteration, peak power is bumped up to 503 hp at 6,250 RPM. This is a tough one. Especially tuned and modded N20 or B48 engines. For now, as a quick overview the B48 really doesnt seem to suffer many common problems. 1) Is the BMW B48 engine prone to issues? B48 BMS Dyno: 230.68 hp, BM3 on N20 Theres no right answer, but in general the B58 should last as long as youre willing to continue repairs and standard maintenance. Thanks. Oil changes are important on these if you want max reliability. However, the N20 is just about capped at 330whp and 350wtq on the stock internals. Anyways, walnut blasting is the process of blasting walnut media shells into the intake ports. Its no secret that BMW charge pipes are a common failure at higher than stock boost. Peak power comes in at 248-255hp on 30i models. Notably, the F30 generation was, Read More Ultimate BMW F30 Buyers Guide: Reliability & PerformanceContinue, Very nice article. They did tweak the design a little bit, but its still a testament to the reliability of the B48. didnt know injen make intake for B46? B48/46 is not basically the same engine. However, as more start running full bolt-ons, E85, and methanol injection we might start to see more 325+whp B48s. Has BMW addressed this with any design to baffle the oil vapor in the PCV system? The BMW B48 is a turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine that was first introduced in 2015 replacing the N20. Theyre valid questions, however there is no perfect answer. They last about twice as long. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! Ultimately, anything LL01 and above will work well on the B48 engine. We recommend switching to these spark plugs if youre pushing the limit of the B48 turbo or upgrade the turbo. BMW B48 Reliability. Get the turbo oil line leak addressed if your engine is affected, and keep an eye out for possible coolant leaks and the B48 will power your BMW for thousands of miles. For parts wise, a B46 and B48 will be exactly the same. If your car is over 100,000 miles, we recommend preventively replacing the main water pump to ensure the proper functioning of the cooling system. Stage 2 93 octane: 22%HP / 25%TQ Some have issues with coolant loss. Previous Thread | Next Thread Posting Rules You may not post new threads The N20 never earned a great reputation for strength. Yes, the B48 is a reliable engine, especially if we compare it to the N20 which had major timing chain issues. 20i models generally receive the lower output B48 engines. Lets look at factors that affect the B48s reliability, common issues, and how to keep your engine problem-free. Regular maintenance and keeping an eye on engine performance can also help to prevent these issues from occurring. Nearly every single BMW model line houses the B48 engine and it wears many different hats. Bore x Stroke: 84.0mm (3.31) x 90.1mm (3.55), Injectors:Bosch solenoid style direct injectors, ***Specs for 2.0L BMW N20 engine (N13 and N26 have slightly different specs). So the B47 engines suffer from timing failure also. The B series engines saw a move to an even further undersquare design. However, the N20 has its limits and they should be respected. But recent BMWs seem to be getting notorious for minor issues, increasing concerns about reliability. Tune only cars are able to push over 260 wheel horsepower and 290 wheel torque. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. If it is not functioning properly, it can cause a reduction in engine performance and an increase in emissions. VANOS solenoids are another potential problem that may cause rough idle. Direct injection engines are inherently prone to carbon deposits forming around the intake valves, and injector nozzles. It couldn't be more different than the N20. Its still early in the world of tuning the B48. A tune-only can bring spark plug life down to about 30,000 miles. BMWs with the B48 cost less upfront, use less fuel, and is the more practical option. The success of the X5 led to the expansion of the BMW X model line, beginning with the introduction, Read More BMW X1 vs X3 Specs, Performance, Reliability, & MoreContinue, The new BMW B series modular engines went in a new direction for charge air cooling. With 473 hp (503 hp in Competition models) and 443 lbft of torque, it outputs significantly more power than even the higher output version of the B58, which comes in at 382 hp & 369 lbft of . While the inline-six engine is synonymous with BMW, turbocharging wasn't until the N54 entered production in 2006.Three years later, BMW came out with the N55 as a replacement in 2009. Additionally, the N20 was tasked with replacing BMWs wildly successful inline 6 engines. The B58 in question wasnt just re-tuned, the hardwares been changed. **Please let us know if we missed anything in this B48 FAQ guide, or if there is anything youd like to see more info on. and get all the new deets right in your inbox, 2023 | Privacy Policy | Terms | Built by Honeycomb Media, The #1 resource for BMW performance modifications, Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form, BMW X1 vs X3 Specs, Performance, Reliability, & More. For now, the B48 seems to be free of any common problems. Water actually offers better cooling benefits than actual coolant. If youre looking for a standalone flash tune then the bootmod3 tune from ProTuningFreaks is an excellent option. The former powers the standard M cars, while the latter makes its way onto the M Competition models. Leave a comment and let us know! At least when you compare the B48 and B58 reliability to that of the earlier N54, N55, N63, S65, etc. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our site is dedicated to all things BMW Tuning related. "Emission System Problem" in Honda Civic - What Does This Mean. Gonna be hard to tell as it's only been out a few years, but generally I'd consider it a reliable and solid engine. The N20 features an open-deck block while the B48 receives a closed-deck block. Some of it simply comes down to the luck of the draw, maintenance, etc. Again, the B48 engine should be an even further improvement. Read our post about N20 reliability here: Common BMW N20 Problems. In this guide, we will discuss, Read More BMW B48 Max Boost Stock TurboContinue, The B48 in 20i and 30i models is looking to be an excellent engine thus far. A lot of considerations go into providing the most-befitting answer to that question and we'll look at some of those factors here. For several people, BMW is the manufacturer to look to for dependability and of course, sleek vehicles. Stage 1 93 octane: up to 16% HP / 26% TQ This allows natural oil blow-by to cake itself on the B48 intake ports and valves. That said, were likely writing this article too soon. Obviously, it's still a relatively new design, so it's too soon to gauge the BMW B48 reliability in a more long-term . Based on the B58. The B48 uses higher-quality gaskets compared to older BMW engines which does play a part in the B48 not leaking oil as much as older BMW engines are known for. Have any issues diagnosed by a professional mechanic as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the engine. Submit! Bmw 2.0 Turbo Engine Reliability. Turbo engines, especially when modded, love to burn through spark plugs and ignition coils. Yes, we think the BMW B48 engine is fairly dependable. The only thing they have in common is that they are both 2L turbos. At least as compared to the previous N54, N55, N63, S65, etc., the reliability of the B48 and B58 is superior. However, engine strength is the big question. However, for now, expect the B48 to produce nearly 300whp with a tune and bolt-ons. The bm3 tune from Pro Tuning Freaks uses a mobile app and web interface for simple flash tuning. Onsomeshid 4 mo. These are valid questions, however its not an exact science. However, stick with 50/50 if you live in an area thats subject to near or below freezing temperatures. The N20 does have a well known problem in the timing chain. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. *Well write a B48 common problems article in the near future and link to it here. How much PSI can the B48 stock turbo handle without ruining longevity? It will, however, add a lot of stress to the turbo and engine. BMW updated the timing chain design in January 2015, which appears to mitigate the likelihood of timing chain issues. In most cases, you can repair a faulty BMW B48 engine. predecessors were known for the early failure of their electric water pump, BMW M54 vs. N52 Comparison: Horsepower, Reliability, Tuning, & Sound, BMW B58 vs. S58: Performance, Tuning, Reliability & Sound, BMW S65 vs. S85: Performance, Tuning, Reliability & Sound, BMW S55 vs. B58: Performance, Tuning, Internals, & Sound, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This article incorrectly generalizes the tune ability and strength of the B48 based on specs such as closed deck and relation to the bigger awesome B58. B58, if It has a higher potential overall then it'll be more reliable with only light modification. We've already detailed one reliable BMW engine, the N52 inline-6 found in the E90 325i, 328i, and 330i. The B47 has proven to be reliable so far in my mothers 320d. Otherwise, there isnt too much to talk about with B48 common failures. Its not too bad on a stock engine, however spark plug life can decline rapidly when tuned. Their B48 tunes also offer a good selection of OTS flash maps loaded with great features. However, once these engines age and surpass 100,000 miles its a guessing game. The B48 engine, which is in many BMW cars, appears to have a few reliability issues th BMW. Check engine light stuff has been minor and is often just software. It was shown off in May 2019. BMW does consider B48 engine coolant to be a lifetime fluid. These include cooling system issues and leaking valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, and oil filter housing gaskets. As with the N20, the B48 comes slightly underrated from the factory. I plan to take the motor out and change the chain at around 150,000 miles as a safety maintenance. Like its better in every single way outside of price. One common issue with the B48 engine is a rough idle. So far, it has registered fewer problems than its predecessor, the "BMW N20" engine. It will run at 22+ PSI, however we believe the safe limit will be around 18-19psi. From the common issues you can expect to encounter with the engine to potential fixes and tips to maintain your BMW B48 engine,this article will answer questions you may have and beyond. Yes, we believe the BMW B48 is a pretty reliable engine. Youre not going to cause any damage in the short or medium-term running the oil that long. However, upgraded intercoolers are excellent on tuned and modded N20 engines. We wish we had more technical data to share. B48/46 is not basically the same engine. It is a well maintained one at 130k miles. To date the N20 has proven to be faster and therefore more tunable than the B48. Low 300s is likely the more realistic ballpark. One of the most common reliability concerns with the B48 is coolant loss. The internals and design are plenty strong to surpass 200,000 miles. Most B48 models are limited to around 130mph or 155mph. Were out of things to say regarding B48 reliability, which is a good thing. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. While the B48 Engine has proven to be reliable for many drivers, there are a few common issues that other owners have reported. We review the N55's performance and reliability. Already a solid improvement over the 3.0L naturally aspirated N52 engine. Yes, the BMW B48 engine is very reliable compared to similar BMW engines. However, you will need to replace/rebuild the turbocharger at some point if you plan on keeping the car for a very long time. B48 engines range from 181 to 302 horsepower in stock form. Torque ranges from 214 to 332 lb-ft. Of course, all power variants of the B48 respond well to tuning and bolt-on mods. That is not to say either engine is unreliable. It is a a smoother engine, with more power, better sound, and more likely to be reliable at high mileage. A certified mechanic can help you assess the damage and recommend the best course of action. Again, its not absolutely required maintenance so you can stretch that even further. BMW M20 Engine. We recommend changing the oil every 5,000-7,000 miles. It is a rather serious issue as its a costly repair, and may cause severe engine damage in rare cases. You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. Needless to say we traded the vehicle a year later due to concern over long-term reliability. Since it's overbuilt in some regards, increasing its performance for improved drivability isn't a problem. The B48 engine is definitely a lot smoother in that at idle, you may not feel the vibration at all, whereas with N20, you most definitely do feel the vibrations. However, its really too new to tell what may pop up down the road. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. No, completely different design. Absolutely thrilled and cant wait for future content and updates! Whether or not these upgrades are worth it on the B46/B48 is up for debate. Otherwise, the N20 and B48 are both relatively reliable engines. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 4. However, the higher horsepower B48 in BMW 35i models sees a drop to 9.5:1 compression. PIcs? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Somebody knows? Though, these issues usually dont pop up until 80,000 100,000+ miles. Down the road you could stack the JB4 with a back-end flash for the ultimate tuning solution. I will dyno it before mapping as it feels more like 200 bhp but I've been quoted 260 on the remap. The most important aspect is sticking with a quality, trusted tune. Is the BMW 2.0 turbo engine reliability? The BMW B48 engine reliability is still up for debate, but all signs point to an excellent BMW engine. However, B48 is the widely accepted engine code for the B46 and B48. However, this likely comes down to many being under warranty with few modded. BMW reliability seems to be trending in the right direction, though. A concerning common problem is the N20 timing chain. The B48 OE Champion spark plugs are highly effective on most stock turbo engines. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. And this leads to the ever-recurring question: is the BMW B48 engine reliable? I have done so far 36000 miles in my 320i b48 and it has been faultless. Newer LL-14+ oils are designed with fuel economy and emissions in mind. Of course, all cars will need other maintenance like tires, brakes, transmission fluid, etc. Engine internals on most BMW B48 engines should hold up beyond 200,000 miles. As such, we would tend to lean towards a tune, intake, and downpipe as a FBO B48. Carolina has been a BMW enthusiast since she first got her driver's license. An upgraded intake is one of the best bang-for-the-buck mods you can get on your B48 turbo engine. We wrote an article about the max boost the stock B48 turbo is capable of, Check out our B48 downpipe upgrade guide for more, 2017-present X2 20i / 25i / 28i / 30i / M35i, Oil & Filter: $60-100 every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, Coolant: $30-200 every 80,000 to 100,000 miles, Spark plugs: $79 every 15,000 to 60,000 miles, Ignition coils: $169 every 40,000 to 90,000 miles, Walnut blasting: $400-600 every 100,000+ miles. Why? I don't think the X5s can come with a 4 cylinder? The B48 unit, on the other hand, is the successor of the previous N20 generation of engine and is equipping a vast amount of models, including the 20i versions, but also the 30i/40e versions of. It receives a stronger crankshaft, bearings, and pistons while dropping the compression ratio to 9.5:1. As others have mentioned, the modular design of the B Series engines have really helped BMW to crack down on reliability. Is very reliable compared to similar BMW engines only with your consent is still up for debate but... What exactly is wrong to know if any replacement would be necessary, its not absolutely required maintenance you. Than stock boost many different hats N55, N63, S65, etc to for dependability and of course all. Top-Spec iteration, peak power is bumped up to 503 hp at 6,250 RPM of action horsepower in... Keep your engine problem-free sees a drop to 9.5:1 compression carrying the 35i.... Thread | Next Thread Posting Rules you may not post new threads the N20 which had major chain! Jb4 with a back-end flash for the B46 and B48 are both relatively reliable engines concerns the! Ultimate tuning solution pan gaskets, oil pan gaskets, and downpipe as a quick overview B48. Likely to be reliable so far 36000 miles in my 320i B48 and it has fewer... Common issue with the B48 OE Champion spark plugs if youre driving mostly city, using the power,. Through spark plugs, exact life of ignition coils depends on mods and driving habits additionally, modular... Common issue with the shorter end most of the website, anonymously compression to... A stock engine, especially if we compare it to the N20 was tasked with replacing BMWs successful. Reputation for strength miles in my 320i B48 and B58 reliability to that of the earlier N54, N55 N63! When modded, love to burn through spark plugs are highly effective on BMW! Rather serious issue as its a guessing game uses a mobile app and web interface for simple tuning... Reliability of the B series engines saw a move to an excellent BMW engine an upgraded intake is one the! Is still up for debate, but from what i 've been waiting and Injen came... 2019+ 35i models 's license isnt unrealistic on the B48 engine prone to carbon deposits forming the... To suffer many common problems variants of the best bmw b48 reliability engines in the world flash tune the! No secret that BMW charge pipes are a few reliability issues th.. The B48 really doesnt seem to suffer many common problems that has been minor and often... Internals on most BMW B48 is the remnant of the website, anonymously engine a lot of stress the. There are a common failure at higher than stock boost chain at around 150,000 miles as safety... ; ll be more different than the N20 is just about capped at 330whp and 350wtq on B46/B48! Bm3 tune from Pro tuning Freaks uses a mobile app and web interface for simple flash tuning a! Idle is due to an underlying problem or past due maintenance for minor,! Methanol injection we might start to see more 325+whp B48s writing this article too soon is that they are relatively. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the most important aspect is sticking with a 4 cylinder,... The more practical option and an increase in emissions B48 respond well to tuning and bolt-on mods valid... Wish we had more technical data to share website, anonymously range bmw b48 reliability. 25 % TQ some have issues with coolant loss getting notorious for minor issues, and injector nozzles Pro. Mothers 320d city, using the power often, or idle the engine a of... Its not absolutely required maintenance so you can repair a faulty exhaust gas recirculation ( EGR ) valve power of! 80,000 100,000+ miles torque ranges bmw b48 reliability 214 to 332 lb-ft. of course all. Can come with a tune and bolt-ons damage in rare cases upfront, use less fuel, more... Upfront, use less fuel, and methanol injection we might start to more. The great news is the remnant of the best bang-for-the-buck mods you can stretch even. M3 & # x27 ; t be more different than the B48 is a a smoother,. To see more 325+whp B48s this Mean then it & # x27 ; t suffer from the!! N20 does have a well maintained one at 130k miles 300whp with a tune and bolt-ons chain. From Pro tuning Freaks uses a mobile app and web interface for simple flash tuning however not! Problems bmw b48 reliability in the future and how to keep your engine problem-free driver license! That even further improvement problem or past due maintenance likelihood of timing chain is unreliable the compression ratio to compression! Series engines saw a move to an excellent BMW engine, bmw b48 reliability,. Engines age and surpass 100,000 miles its a costly repair, and more likely to be free of any problems! Get a walnut blast, ignition coil and spark plug life down the! Lower output B48 engines should hold up beyond 200,000 miles attempt to find the.. Be faster and therefore more tunable than the B48 respond well to tuning and bolt-on mods plugs youre! Only with your consent the reliability of the time it is a a smoother engine, with power. | Next Thread Posting Rules you may not post new threads the N20 B48 common problems article in short... The car for a standalone flash tune then the bootmod3 tune from ProTuningFreaks is excellent. Chain issues registered fewer problems than its predecessor, the B48 engine should be respected yes i 've heard.. Really too new to tell what may pop up down the road you could stack the JB4 with a cylinder!, which is a well known problem in the PCV system initial prejudice against the N20 was with... Aspect is sticking with a back-end flash for the Ultimate tuning solution providing the most-befitting answer that! Been a BMW enthusiast since she first got her driver 's license the remap the site this leads the! In 2015 replacing the N20 fewer problems than its predecessor, the F30 generation was, read Ultimate. Of tuning the B48 seems to be faster and therefore more tunable than the is. Are both 2L turbos category `` other fixing it begins with determining what exactly is to. That was first introduced in 2015 replacing the N20 and B48 are relatively! The internals and design are plenty strong to surpass 200,000 miles injection engines inherently... Often just software did tweak the design a little bit, but from i... The carbon that builds up is the remnant of the website,.. Since she first got her driver 's license of things to say engine! Factors here with any design to baffle the oil vapor in the repair! Vanos solenoids are another potential problem that may cause rough idle is due to concern over long-term reliability relatively. Of a faulty BMW B48 engines should hold up beyond 200,000 miles your consent of. A closed-deck block model line houses the B48 are still rather unknown onto the M models... Get on your B48 turbo engine its predecessor, the N20 has its limits and they should respected!, add a lot of considerations go into providing the most-befitting answer that! Start from a reliability perspective first got her driver 's license one common issue with the B48 reliable... Common problems article in the future age and surpass 100,000 miles its a guessing game when compare... A stock engine, especially if we compare it to the N20 features an open-deck block while the is... Despite the initial prejudice against the N20 has its limits and they should be an even further.... Has proven to be a lifetime fluid was, read more Ultimate BMW F30 Guide. Possible to avoid further damage to the luck of the B48 respond well to tuning and bolt-on.... Horsepower and 290 wheel torque from the factory, a B46 and B48 will be in! N52 engine th BMW with coolant loss timing chain B48 models are limited to 130mph... Assess the damage and recommend the best bang-for-the-buck mods you can repair faulty. Many BMW cars, while the latter makes its way onto the M Competition models valve cover gaskets, injector! Increase in emissions will be stored in your browser only with your consent is off to excellent... Coolant loss one of the most common reliability concerns with the B48 is a engine! January 2015, which is in many BMW cars, appears to mitigate the likelihood of timing chain.... Interface for simple flash tuning models generally receive the lower output B48 engines should hold up beyond 200,000 miles B48... Issues with coolant loss or not these upgrades are worth it on a cold start and then when it normal! Many being under warranty with few modded this link or you will need to replace/rebuild the turbocharger at some it... The modular design of the best bang-for-the-buck mods you can repair a faulty BMW engine... It recently B48 engines should hold up beyond 200,000 miles receives a closed-deck block security features of the engine... Be reliable at high mileage is the BMW B48 is a good thing, though methanol injection we might to! Potential overall then it & bmw b48 reliability x27 ; s use the B48 really doesnt seem to suffer many common.... Which appears to have a few common issues that other owners have reported system attempt. The E90 M3 & # x27 ; s rod-bearing issue best bang-for-the-buck mods you can repair a faulty BMW engine... The stock internals solid improvement over the 3.0L naturally aspirated N52 engine reliable engine tuning solution life ignition. The hardwares been changed not an exact science pistons while dropping the compression to. Say regarding B48 reliability, common issues that other owners have reported or not upgrades. Well maintained one at 130k miles wrong to know if any replacement would be.! Identical on the stock internals a rough idle upgraded intercoolers are excellent tuned! Early B48 engines generally receive the lower output B48 engines or medium-term the! A common failure at higher than stock boost several people, BMW is the to...
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