03-12-2024, 09:19 AM | #1 |
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N20 Experience
Does anyone actually have a high mileage N20/N26? I've been asking around and I can't seem to find anyone that's at 100k miles or more (that's 161,000 kilometers for those using the metric system).
I keep hearing that the N20/N26 is a time bomb ready to fail me as the miles go up so I feel like I'm at a decision point. Currently at just under 78k miles on my 2016 N26. It's been flawless so far, but I'm preparing for retirement in few years and can't really afford a major engine issue. And the prices for doing the timing chain guide and turbo seem to be all over the map, but expensive no matter what. So is the N20/N26 really that bad? I sure do love driving this thing. |
03-12-2024, 06:30 PM | #2 |
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Bimmertech seems to think the N20/N26 are ok, at least the ones after early 2015...
https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/ite...bmw-n20-engine |
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03-12-2024, 07:28 PM | #3 |
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My wife's X1 just crossed 100k...N20, only thing out of the ordinary we did was a valve cover due to oil leak, flawless otherwise.
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03-13-2024, 01:50 AM | #4 |
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Sorry, but even though I daily drive mine (It's my only car) my '15 228i (N20) only has 33,050 miles on it. I will say that I've not had an engine problem since I bought it.
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03-13-2024, 05:41 AM | #5 |
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03-13-2024, 05:46 AM | #6 | |
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So now at almost 78k but my commute is 32 miles each way so the miles are accumulating faster now. Zero issues with this car except a control arm bushing we had to replace. It's just fun to drive. |
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03-13-2024, 02:53 PM | #7 |
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I've got 133,000 on mine. Valve cover gasket, cracked oil pan, thermostat. Oil pan upgraded to metal vs oem plastic. Have owned it since 20,000.
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03-13-2024, 03:00 PM | #8 |
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The N20 after around mid 2015 improved very much over the early N20's. I forget the exact production month, but around that time the timing chain guides were updated. If you have an N20 post 2015 you should be fine.
That being said, I have a 2013 528i and have my fingers permanently crossed. Car is approaching 100k and so far, knock on wood, no issues. I have done the very basic timing chain pull test and it seems good so hopefully I am one of the lucky ones. |
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03-13-2024, 07:58 PM | #9 |
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03-13-2024, 08:00 PM | #10 | |
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03-14-2024, 07:56 PM | #11 | |
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EDIT I guess I'll let the cat out of the bag now: I'll be trading it in hopefully in a few months to get the 2025 manual Z4 M40i. |
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03-14-2024, 08:06 PM | #12 |
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Drives: '17 F22,15 E84 M Sport,02 R53
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Built in Mar 2015 owned it from new - Jul 2015.
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Rogue Engineering SSK & transmission mounts, WaveTrac LSD. Ohlins R&T coilovers, Turner monoball thrust arms, F87 LCAs, GC camber plates, Superpro subframe bushings, Megan Racing adj. RCAs, delrin differential bushings. Stoptech BBK 6 piston (f) 4 piston (r). |
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03-15-2024, 07:18 AM | #13 |
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I had a 2014 228i with 126k miles, never replaced the timing chain. was tuned for the last 30k. Car was ran hard. Never gave me any issues other than my cylinder 4 injector dying.
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03-18-2024, 08:31 AM | #14 |
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