[seansurfn2]

I have heard from a few n55 owners issues with a valvetronic rod (think thats the name)
that fails after 50k miles or so.. aka eccentric valvetronic.. costs easily 1 grand for the parts and you have to do serious work to fix. I know bmw on occassion overengineers certain things on these cars and few m235i owners with n55 have gone over 50k miles so wondering if anyone else has had this issue. A friend with an m235i did and it cost over 3700 to fix. Its not something you can do yourself really either.. the rod wears slightly over time and then the car wont even start. Im at 57k miles and drive a lot until i buy a daily driver grocery getter but i know lack of maintenance oil changes especially can influence this. i had an n54 previously and it was the worst engine ive ever had hands down. Is there any fixes or improvements on newer n55 motors compared to pre 2013 ones?

[seansurfn2]

seems hardly anyone on this forum is over 50k miles

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by seansurfn2

seems hardly anyone on this forum is over 50k miles

N55 is definitely more reliable (in general) than the N54 and early N55 issues were mostly fixed by the time your 2014 M235i was built, so I don't think you have a lot to be worried about at the 50K+ mile level (assuming you didn't beat the hell out of it on track).

[p912guy]

This is the first I have heard of this potential "ticking time bomb". The N55 is in lots of other BMW's besides the two series and in much greater numbers. Have you tried asking your question in the 3/4 Series forums or the 5 Series or X5 forums? I'd think if this were a significant problem, there would be plenty of N55 equiped cars and SUVs with 100K miles in among those forum participants.

[wjjkoevoets]

I'm at 60k miles on my '14 235i. No engine issues so far *knocks on wood*. Not even the common VCG or OFHG failures. Waterpump still going as well.

N55 seems to be one of the more reliable BMW engines. If you look around on the forums (2er, 3er) you don't usually see many people posting topics of their N55s failing either.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by seansurfn2

I have heard from a few n55 owners issues with a valvetronic rod (think thats the name)
that fails after 50k miles or so.. aka eccentric valvetronic.. costs easily 1 grand for the parts and you have to do serious work to fix. I know bmw on occassion overengineers certain things on these cars and few m235i owners with n55 have gone over 50k miles so wondering if anyone else has had this issue. A friend with an m235i did and it cost over 3700 to fix. Its not something you can do yourself really either.. the rod wears slightly over time and then the car wont even start. Im at 57k miles and drive a lot until i buy a daily driver grocery getter but i know lack of maintenance oil changes especially can influence this. i had an n54 previously and it was the worst engine ive ever had hands down. Is there any fixes or improvements on newer n55 motors compared to pre 2013 ones?

If this was a common issue to the N55, I would have expected to many reports of it on the 3/4 series forum as well. I've read one or two others on the 3/4 series forum having this issue on an older N55 3/4 series.

The common issues with the N55 are:

Charge pipe failure
Oil filter housing gasket
Valve cover gasket
Water pump
Coolant line from radiator to expansion tank
Coil packs

The less common issues:

Injectors
Oil pan gasket
VANOS solenoid failure



The N54 was BMW's first stab at a mass marketed turbo 6 and they rushed it to market. The N55 has far less complexity by running one less turbo, albeit using much larger twin scroll unit with an electronic wastegate (2014+ N55s). The N55 corrects many of the N54s problems like the high pressure fuel pump failures (addressed in the 2015), wastegate rattles, vacuum issues, injectors (the N55 uses a far more reliable injector style), and intake valve deposits (the N55 has a much improved PCV system).

The N55 in the M235 is quite robust. It uses the same forged crank as the M2. It has the same exact rod bearings and rods as used in the S55 (M3/4) and M2. The block is plenty strong too as it's the same design as the one used in the N54.

[FCBuff]

Have a 2013 X5 with the N55. It has 94k miles and has had a failed water pump at around 50k and does have a seeping oil pan gasket. No other drama.

[2016M235i]

54,000 miles here and no engine issues.

[ANobleFox]

70k and no issues at all.

[drodrig2]

My Valvetronic Servomotor went out around 39k miles. It was still drivable but I fixed it once I confirmed it was bad. See link (https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1619701) for details and cost to fix.

[dlewis23]

132,XXX Miles on my 2014 M235i here and going strong. Really the only issue was the OFHG (That was mis diagnosed as a much more expensive repair by dealers.) Cost me $24 and 3 hours of my time.

Even with 132,XXX miles I had no carbon build up when I had the intake pulled back. I was going to give it a quick clean when I had the intake pulled up a bit and there was no need for it at all. I'm very impressed with the N55. I could easily see this car going 200K + miles. It leaks ZERO oil, is super clean and no complaints.

[seansurfn2]

Originally Posted by dlewis23

132,XXX Miles on my 2014 M235i here and going strong. Really the only issue was the OFHG (That was mis diagnosed as a much more expensive repair by dealers.) Cost me $24 and 3 hours of my time.

Even with 132,XXX miles I had no carbon build up when I had the intake pulled back. I was going to give it a quick clean when I had the intake pulled up a bit and there was no need for it at all. I'm very impressed with the N55. I could easily see this car going 200K + miles. It leaks ZERO oil, is super clean and no complaints.

welp i had a leak at the oil filter housing today so 1 month owning the car and had to fix that.. your lucky then so far. i heard the economode start and stopping the motor causes that valvetronic failure much sooner. i have is disabled all the time and its annoying.

[seansurfn2]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

If this was a common issue to the N55, I would have expected to many reports of it on the 3/4 series forum as well. I've read one or two others on the 3/4 series forum having this issue on an older N55 3/4 series.

The common issues with the N55 are:

Charge pipe failure
Oil filter housing gasket
Valve cover gasket
Water pump
Coolant line from radiator to expansion tank
Coil packs

The less common issues:

Injectors
Oil pan gasket
VANOS solenoid failure



The N54 was BMW's first stab at a mass marketed turbo 6 and they rushed it to market. The N55 has far less complexity by running one less turbo, albeit using much larger twin scroll unit with an electronic wastegate (2014+ N55s). The N55 corrects many of the N54s problems like the high pressure fuel pump failures (addressed in the 2015), wastegate rattles, vacuum issues, injectors (the N55 uses a far more reliable injector style), and intake valve deposits (the N55 has a much improved PCV system).

The N55 in the M235 is quite robust. It uses the same forged crank as the M2. It has the same exact rod bearings and rods as used in the S55 (M3/4) and M2. The block is plenty strong too as it's the same design as the one used in the N54.

wow i wasnt aware of that.. i know the b58 is a real nice motor.. that papadakis guy did a great breakdown on it

[seansurfn2]

Originally Posted by p912guy

This is the first I have heard of this potential "ticking time bomb". The N55 is in lots of other BMW's besides the two series and in much greater numbers. Have you tried asking your question in the 3/4 Series forums or the 5 Series or X5 forums? I'd think if this were a significant problem, there would be plenty of N55 equiped cars and SUVs with 100K miles in among those forum participants.

ya i think the standby mode on econo mode plays a part in the failure of the valvetronic control so it seems. i have it disabled. other owners had it disabled too. i just got the oil filter gasket replaced today which was dissappointing but not a surprise either since i had an n54 that had that problem too. i caught it very early before oil shorted the steering control module underneath(i think thats the name) costs 4k to replace so i dodged that bullet. cars in great shape now and all cleaned up. the mechanic had a good eye and took the time vacuuming up and wiping up every drop of oil. looks like an engine still with 10k miles still. im super duper ocd with cleaning everything on cars

[mikeyymonster]

I just got word that I have the OFG leak. My car also overheated today so I’m bringing it in tomorrow, it’s likely the water pump. I’m at 57K... here they come.

[seansurfn2]

Originally Posted by mikeyymonster

I just got word that I have the OFG leak. My car also overheated today so I’m bringing it in tomorrow, it’s likely the water pump. I’m at 57K... here they come.

ya in the modern bmws they use a crappy plastic housing water pump.. i replaced 2 on my n54.. luckily i do most of my own work and make all this money flippin houses geezus lol
im at 61k miles from 57k just last month already.. im shoppin a daily driver now.. too many miles on this thing

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by seansurfn2

ya in the modern bmws they use a crappy plastic housing water pump.. i replaced 2 on my n54.. luckily i do most of my own work and make all this money flippin houses geezus lol
im at 61k miles from 57k just last month already.. im shoppin a daily driver now.. too many miles on this thing

B58 engine uses an aluminium housing for the water pump: https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...mp-mechanical/

[seansurfn2]

Originally Posted by aerobod

B58 engine uses an aluminium housing for the water pump: https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...mp-mechanical/

oh wow i didnt know i stand corrected! this is another reason im scoping out the b58

[Strad]

Originally Posted by dlewis23

132,XXX Miles on my 2014 M235i here and going strong. Really the only issue was the OFHG (That was mis diagnosed as a much more expensive repair by dealers.) Cost me $24 and 3 hours of my time.

Even with 132,XXX miles I had no carbon build up when I had the intake pulled back. I was going to give it a quick clean when I had the intake pulled up a bit and there was no need for it at all. I'm very impressed with the N55. I could easily see this car going 200K + miles. It leaks ZERO oil, is super clean and no complaints.

Wow you are saying music to my ears. I am thinking of trading my 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JL in on a 2015 Performance Edition 235i Coupe with 29000 miles on it. I was thinking that I might have to buy an extended warranty. My wife thinks I am nuts trading in a newer vehicle that still has warranty on a preowned BMW. Lol but she drives a brand new x3 M40i.

[seansurfn2]

Originally Posted by Strad

Wow you are saying music to my ears. I am thinking of trading my 2018 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JL in on a 2015 Performance Edition 235i Coupe with 29000 miles on it. I was thinking that I might have to buy an extended warranty. My wife thinks I am nuts trading in a newer vehicle that still has warranty on a preowned BMW. Lol but she drives a brand new x3 M40i.

i think the extended warranty my credit union (gte financial) offered was ok.. never buy
through dealerships imo its just a scam.. mine covers up to 5k in damages but covers anything like an insurance claim. im at 68k miles no issues and i installed a reusable metal oil filter which helps to maintain proper oil pressures and has a magnetic pickup too

[kodsic]

I have a 2014 M235 manual,at exactly 50k miles ,I lost power with miss firing at idle. Dealer found that the valvetronic motor,harness and i believe the actuator burned out. Any idea why this is happening with the M235s?

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by seansurfn2

seems hardly anyone on this forum is over 50k miles

Just turned 17,000 miles here. Car still looks, runs and smells like new. LOL!