BMW N52B30 Engine Review, Specs, Problems

N52B30 is a gasoline engine with a volume of 2996 cubic centimeters. Produced from 2004 to mid-2011. It has an in-line structure, an injection power system. It is characterized by 6 cylinders made of a mixture of magnesium and aluminum. Each is 85mm in diameter.

The engine has 24 valves, 4 for each cylinder. The piston stroke is 88 millimeters. The compression ratio is 10.7 to 1. Engine power varies from 218 to 272 horsepower. Torque from 300 to 315, depending on the modification of the engine. It is recommended to fill with 95 gasoline.

Meets Euro 5 environmental standards. The weight of the engine is about 160 kilograms. The average consumption in the city per 62 miles is 13.6 liters, on the highway – 6.6 liters, in mixed mode it consumes 9.2 liters.

Oil consumption up to a liter per 621 miles. It is recommended to use either 5W-30 or 5W-40. The engine will hold 6.5 liters of oil. Should be changed every 6,213 miles.

The engine operates at an average temperature of 95 degrees Celsius. The engine resource is more than 186,400 miles.

N52B30 Engine Specifications

Power, hp	218 – 272
Fuel type	Gasoline AI-92 AI-95 AI-98
Volume, cm*3	2996
Maximum torque, N * m (kg * m) at rpm.	225 (23) / 2750; 270 (28) / 2500; 270 (28) / 4250; 280 (29) / 2500; 300 (31) / 4000
Fuel consumption, l/62 mil	7.9 – 11.7
engine’s type	V-shaped, 6-cylinder
Add. engine information	Dual VANOS timing system
CO2 emissions, g/miles	178 – 260
Cylinder diameter, mm	85
Number of valves per cylinder	four
Maximum power, hp (kW) at rpm	218 (160) / 6100; 258 (190) / 6600; 264 (194) / 6600; 265 (195) / 6600; 265 (195) / 6650
Supercharger	Not
Valve drive	Valvetronic engine valve drive system
Start-stop system	No
Compression ratio	10.7
Piston stroke, mm	88

N52B30 Engine Modifications

Since 2004, the N52B30U1 has been produced, it has 218 horsepower. Produced for BMW 25i or 28i. Differs in ECU firmware. The torque of the engine is 270 Nm.

The second modification of the engine is N52B30 . Produced for cars in America. It has a capacity of 231 horsepower. Mounted on version 28i.

N52B30O0 , characterized by a three-stage intake manifold. It has a higher power – 258 horsepower. Produced for models 30i. Torque 300 Nm.

N52B30O1 is an upgraded version of the previous engine. Engine power is 265 horsepower. Installed on version 30i, has a torque of 315 Nm. There is also a version for crossovers with the X index, characterized by a capacity of 272 horsepower. Torque – 315 Nm.

This N52B30 Engine is installed on the following models:

BMW 1 Series (E82)
BMW 1 Series (E88)
BMW 1 Series (E81)
BMW 1 Series (E87)
BMW 3 Series (E90)
BMW 5 Series (E61)
BMW 5 Series (E60)
BMW 6 Series (E64)
BMW 6 Series (E63)
BMW 7 Series (F01)
BMW 7 Series (E65)
BMW X1 (E84)
BMW X3 (F25)
BMW X3 (E83)
BMW X5 (E70)
BMW Z4 (E89)
BMW Z4 (E85)

N52B30 Engine Advantages And Reliability

This engine is characterized by lightweight cylinders, a modernized crankshaft. The piston-rod group also has less weight compared to the predecessors of the engine. The modernization touched upon the gas distribution system, Double Vanos is used. In order to increase efficiency, the second version of Valvetronic is used. The height of the exhaust valves depends on the engine upgrade, from 0.18 millimeters to 9.9. The cylinder head uses a different cap and injector. The timing chain is operated.

The Most Common Problems Of The N52B30 Engine

Problems characteristic of all the predecessors of this engine. Exceptions affected only oil scraper rings, the so-called “oil zhor” disappeared. For this reason, the engine resource has increased in comparison with its predecessors. Good engine for the money.

N52B30 Engine Chip tuning

It is recommended to tune deliberately weakened versions of 218 and 231 horsepower. To return the factory power, you need to purchase a three-stage intake manifold from DISA. ECU firmware will also be required.

Together, this will increase power to 272 horsepower. To achieve even more power, you can install a sports exhaust system, so the output will be about 290 horsepower. Another option is to mount a 6 throttle inlet, however, tuning on “non-standard brains” will be required.

There is the possibility of installing a compressor that will allow you to achieve a power of 350 horsepower, but it is easier to purchase the N54 version with subsequent tuning of the chip up to 400 horsepower.