Anything over 20psi will not add much power. Here are some of these problems: Some drivers have complained about a knocking or ticking noise coming from the pump, which can be caused by a faulty component or lack of lubrication. carolinasbmwmoa.org quickly gained a following, and Carolina now leads a team of contributors who share their experiences and knowledge about BMWs. I will take a picture soon! Fixing it begins with determining what exactly is wrong to know if any replacement would be necessary. BMW uses plastic for many of these connectors on the B48, which tend to contract and expand and thus can crack, break, and cause a leak. The N20 never earned a great reputation for strength. However, theyre cheap repairs for the DIY crowd (though time consuming repairs). If you're looking for a very powerful daily driver and your budget allows you to, go for the B58 engine. Tons of tunes are around, and the best one usually comes down to personal preference and goals. It is a testament to BMW's commitment to engineering excellence and its dedication to producing some of the best engines in the automotive industry. Another representative of the modular family, the BMW B48 engine comes in the shape of a more compact four-banger. Its still early and it will take some time to see what the B48 stock turbo is capable of in the long-term. do you think that is true and why is that? Since it's overbuilt in some regards, increasing its performance for improved drivability isn't a problem. Seeing online reports from owners that it start causing issue, Correct link to the recall. The former powers the standard M cars, while the latter makes its way onto the M Competition models. Bringing the BMW community together. 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. See here for data: BMW N20 / B48 Quarter Mile Rankings, https://www.facebook.com/groups/244324833434651. B58 is the B48 engine with 2 extra cylinders. We recommend switching to these spark plugs if youre pushing the limit of the B48 turbo or upgrade the turbo. Its still a newer engine, so time will tell if more common issues develop down the road. It does not store any personal data. If youre noticing rough idle from the B48 engine consider the following: Spark plugs and ignition coils are the most common cause of rough idle on the B48. This is a tough one. Both can make over 300whp with tunes and basic bolt-ons. Ive only covered 30k and its a 2017 model. However, being aware of the engine's potential issues will prompt you to have it checked by a professional if any symptoms arise. Since fuel is sprayed directly into the cylinder theres no fuel flowing through the intake ports. BMW B58 Engine. Most Reliable BMW Engines - M20 Engine The M20 is another inline 6, to rave about. 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. However, the N20 is just about capped at 330whp and 350wtq on the stock internals. Introduced in 2011, the N20 began phasing out the N52 the following year. B48 feels more refined, but when I put the pedal to the metal, it took a little longer for turbo to spool up and the car to actually go compared to my N20. B-series engines have been designed to be modular. Onsomeshid 4 mo. Nonetheless, well lay it out as straight forward as possible. Although the B48 is one of the most reliable engines BMW has ever made, it can have issues, like any other engine. However, keep in mind that attempting to repair your engine on your own can be risky and could potentially result in further damage if not done correctly. No, completely different design. Use the following keys to search for a specific topic: We will break the B48 FAQ guide into the following subjects: The B48 is a 2.0L single turbo engine that is part of the BMW B series modular engines. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". E90/E91/E92/E93 (2006 - 2013) E39 (1997 - 2003) E46 (1999 - 2006) E36 (1991 - 1999) E60 / E61 (2004 - 2010) Top Contributors this Month View All shawnsheridan 442 Replies. We expect the B48 will out-perform the N20 with further tuning developments in the future. Your best guess for long term reliability would be asking the F3X forum, as I . Our garage currently includes a 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and 2008 535i. pretty cost prohibitive though. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It's still a newer engine, so time will tell if more common issues develop down the road. Longevity is a tough topic to discuss, and that includes the B48. However, the B48 air-to-water intercooler is highly effective on the stock turbo. B48 pistons are cast, but remain fairly strong. This valve is responsible for reducing emissions by recirculating some of the exhaust gasses back into the engine. Theyre quality oils for a reasonable price. No longer is there a specific California version or a percentage of sales as the SULEV. '06 they did add it back. It was shown off in May 2019. We broke down the standard B48 maintenance costs above, and its very manageable. Yes, we believe the BMW B48 is a pretty reliable engine. A higher output version of the B48 is in some 2019+ 35i models. The walnut blasting is mostly labor as quoted above; its nearly free if you can DIY the job. However, the higher horsepower B48 in BMW 35i models sees a drop to 9.5:1 compression. Worry not, though. The internals and design are plenty strong to surpass 200,000 miles. Leave a comment and let us know! "Passenger restraint system malfunction" BMW X3 Whats This? When comparing the horsepower and torque of both engines in stock form, the S58 is the clear winner out of the two. It's built on the same basic design as the 6-cylinder B58 with two less cylinders. T. TheNine90 192 Replies. 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, What ive seen is that the B48 is having issues with piston failure. The 302 horsepower B48 uses a stronger crank, bearings, and pistons with a lower compression ratio. The X3 . Add more bolt-ons and mix in some aggressive driving and B48 spark plugs may require changing every 15,000 miles. Its a single turbo. Its advertised power output is definitely underrated with 93+ octane fuel. Thanks. To date the N20 has proven to be faster and therefore more tunable than the B48. The B48 is a 2L turbocharged inline-4 petrol engine from the BMW B-series modular engines; depending on the version, it generates 154-302 horsepower and 250-450 nm torque. Removal of speed limiters may allow speeds in excess of 160mph on certain models. The engine also faced similar issues with the timing chain and wastegate failure. Ask questions or send a hint for future articles on the author's page. A different exhaust manifold uses six ports instead of six into two and revised pistons change the compression ratio from 11:1 to 10.2:1. Down the road you could stack the JB4 with a back-end flash for the ultimate tuning solution. You may also notice your engine misfiring. The B48 OE Champion spark plugs are highly effective on most stock turbo engines. The Bavarians managed to squeeze out 154-255 HP and 250-400 Nm of torque from it. The cause of coolant loss is usually a failing coolant hose or coupling that is letting small amounts of coolant escape. Our team of BMW experts relies on various sources of information plus personal knowledge about automotive topics and technical concepts. 2) Can the BMW B48 engine be repaired or does it need to be replaced? You can also tell from the VIN without even doing a lookup. Yes, we believe the BMW B48 is a pretty reliable engine. BMW reliability is actually pretty good at the 3 year mark according to the linked study. My wife and I purchased an X3 back in Feb 2016. However, coolant helps lower the freezing point and increase the boiling point. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. A tune-only can bring spark plug life down to about 30,000 miles. Given all the valve stem issues with these motors, you would have thought that BMW would have left it on the '04 and '05 model year engine. Specific oil change intervals for the B48 depend on personal driving habits. These small 2.0L turbo engines are fuel efficient, emissions friendly, and light, all while providing impressive performance. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10212788-9999.pdf, Your email address will not be published. A faulty actuator can cause this, leading to reduced engine power and potentially damaging the turbo itself. So the B47 engines suffer from timing failure also. Well touch on this topic in the tuning & mods section. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Yes, we believe the BMW B48 is a pretty reliable engine. Somebody knows? However, you may make it well past without issues. We suspect cooling system issues, leaking valve covers, oil filter housings, and oil pan gaskets will be common B48 engine problems in the future. Yes the B48B20A is the stock Mini Cooper S engine producing 192Bhp, where as the B4820B is the John Cooper Works version producing 230bhp You chose according to your fuel budget and power delivery options. Peak power gains may appear underwhelming for the cost of an upgraded FMIC. According to the NHTSA, the 2020 BMW X3 has had 10 official recalls. Although, we expect the B48 will eventually suffer similar common problems as the N20, less the timing chain. Usually rough idle is due to an underlying problem or past due maintenance. Its also not overly expensive, especially for those willing to DIY some maintenance. Theyre valid questions, however there is no perfect answer. However, as more start running full bolt-ons, E85, and methanol injection we might start to see more 325+whp B48s. . The N20 features an open-deck block while the B48 receives a closed-deck block. JavaScript is disabled. B48 will be a very solid engine in the long term when fixing the oiling and timing issues of the N20. What is the max boost the N20 stock turbo can handle? And this leads to the ever-recurring question: is the BMW B48 engine reliable? Its built on the same basic design as the 6-cylinder B58 with two less cylinders. 82.0 mm bore x 94.6mm stroke (3.23 x 3.72). This ensures a precise, strong fit. Stage 1 93 octane: up to 16% HP / 26% TQ A concerning common problem is the N20 timing chain. Yes, the BMW B48 engine is very reliable compared to similar BMW engines. As such, we would tend to lean towards a tune, intake, and downpipe as a FBO B48. In realty, B48 powered vehicles like the F30 are slower than their N20 counter parts (see CR and C&D test results with similar specs cars) tuners have not been able to extract as much power out of the B48 either by PTF and Dinan: N20 Dinan Dyno: 268 hp SunshineF32 4 mo. Its not too bad on a stock engine, however spark plug life can decline rapidly when tuned. Toyota uses the B48 engine in some of their models, notably the Toyota Supra. Stage 1 91 octane: 16%HP / 20%TQ These are pretty common issues among almost all BMWs. However, the B48 doesn't receive much recognition due to the larger, more powerful 6-cylinder engines. These B48s have a lot to live up to. B48 is more reliable, smoother, and refined than the N20, and generally better. Keep up the good work!!! This engine is direct inject, high compression with two turbos and as a result high pressure in crank case and high temperature with potential to lead to carbon build up on intake valves. Recommended Communities. Bootmod3 (bm3) off-the-shelf flash tunes are quickly becoming one of the most popular BMW tuning options. So far, the B48 appears the more reliable engine. We recommend a 50/50 water and coolant mix for the BMW B48. If youre over 100,000 miles on your B48-powered BMW, a walnut blast is recommended. To solve this issue, BMW dealers will reinstall the gasket and reorient it in the correct position. Some may shame BMW for cutting costs. Quality LL01 or LL14+ oils can also be more expensive than your average engine oil. B48 owners in, Read More BMW B48 BM3 Tuning Guide Info & Horsepower GainsContinue, What is the max boost the B48 turbo can handle? Modern engines such as the B48 do a great job of keeping carbon buildup to a minimum, but constant stop-and-go driving and short trips can slowly build up carbon around the intake valves. Absolutely thrilled and cant wait for future content and updates! Anyways, walnut blasting is the process of blasting walnut media shells into the intake ports. Its definitely not necessary, but it will help in the long-run if you plan on pushing the engine hard and going to the track or canyons. Tally how many spark plug wires are present. Otherwise, the N20 and B48 are both relatively reliable engines. Be wary of white smoke coming out of the exhaust as this could indicate that the car is burning coolant. Note this is an issue that only affects early B48 engines. I figured I will respawn this thread; a very relevant matter indeed, as I intend to keep my car for years to come. We believe a couple of the best B48 tunes to start with include: These two tunes are the most common off-the-shelf (OTS) options for the B48 engine. Some claim it's reliable by "BMW standards" but we believe the B58 delivers good reliability by any standard. It's always a good idea to get a quote from a trusted mechanic before proceeding with any repairs, as this will give you an idea of what to expect in terms of cost. One such reservation is about the B48 engine. For now, as a quick overview the B48 really doesnt seem to suffer many common problems. How do the BMW N20 and B48 engines stack up? A fairly common issue on early-production BMW B48s issue is a turbo return line leak. The B48 also has drop-forged cracked connecting rods. This engine is in my Mini Cooper S. The one common theme I am hearing is change the oil at 3000 to 5000 miles. Sn1ster 4 mo. Unlike the N55, the B58 features a closed-deck engine design. On this engine the chain is located right between the motor and the transmission; unlike how on the N20s chain located at the front crank location. Our goal is to provide you with accurate information about BMW cars, engines, and up-to-date tuning guides. Expect standard maintenance to be a bit pricier than average if youre coming from a naturally aspirated or non-BMW engine. The BMW B48 is a turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine that was first introduced in 2015 replacing the N20. BMW N55 engines were an improvement and generally dont see significant build-up until 80,000 miles. Thats it. What BMW's use the B48 Engine? BMW reliability seems to be trending in the right direction, though. In this guide, we will discuss the top 5 most reliable BMW engines ever. Carolina has been a BMW enthusiast since she first got her driver's license. Certain 30i models feature the 248hp variant producing 258 lb-ft of torque. Now, with the exception of the M35i models, all of the turbo 4-cylinders are the SULEV spec. Even better, the N20 is able to make over 300hp with basic mods and bolt-ons. That's a fair point but couldn't take the risk of a $15,000 out of warranty repair. Expect B58 solenoid issues to arise around the 80,000-100,000 mile mark. Of course, turbo BMW engines gain respectable power from simple mods. There is no perfect answer to which tune is best for the B48. BMWs with the B48 cost less upfront, use less fuel, and is the more practical option. Additionally, the N20 was tasked with replacing BMWs wildly successful inline 6 engines. Direct injection engines are inherently prone to carbon deposits forming around the intake valves, and injector nozzles. Whether you're tuning or not a b58 is a better engine than the n55. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. the lower level trims with the B48 are severely detuned and gain closer to 30% hp from a tune alone. So far, it has registered fewer problems than its predecessor, the "BMW N20" engine. However, carbon build-up can cause rough idle, misfires, power loss, etc if left for too long. Tune only cars are able to push over 260 wheel horsepower and 290 wheel torque. Compared with its N20 predecessor, the B48 uses a more undersquare design. Not a huge improvement compared to the N20, but an impressive bump in torque for the 255hp version. One common issue with the B48 engine is a rough idle. BMW changed to a top mount air-to-water intercooler design. Under the hood of the Toyota Supra 2.0 is BMW's B48 engine, which packs 258 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. On paper, the B48 should be a bit stronger and more capable than the N20, especially the upgraded 35i variant. ~325-350wtq. The B48 uses a single twin-scroll turbo. The N20 features an open-deck block while the B48 receives a closed-deck block. The most common version of the BMW B48 produces 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Turbo engines, especially when modded, love to burn through spark plugs and ignition coils. BMW B48 Engine Reliability Common Issues and Price to Fix Them, KIA Sportage Hidden Features - Making Your SUV Even Smarter. For parts wise, a B46 and B48 will be exactly the same. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Otherwise, the N20 is plagued by typical BMW issues. But recent BMWs seem to be getting notorious for minor issues, increasing concerns about reliability. It couldnt be more different than the N20. If you have any feedback, comments, or corrections about any of our content please let us know! Why? If left unchecked, the engine could run low on coolant. Yes, it's expensive to maintain a 3-Series BMW once it's outside of the factory or CPO warranty. BMW's B48 engine is also the successor to the 2.0L turbo N20 engine. Though, this is on built N20s with a larger turbo. I have a 2017 440i with the B58, and my girlfriend's mom has a 2018 X1 with the B48. The B48 is already proven as underrated from the factory making 220+whp and 240+wtq stock. That is not at all a knock to the N20 or B48, but it is reality. When paired with its eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive, Mat Watson was . Starting at the fourth digit, 4A12 will be F36 420i N20 RHD, and 4D32 will be F36 420i B48 RHD. It was a big deal. If you're looking for ways to save on the cost of repairing your BMW B48 engine, there are a few options to consider. Weve seen dynos showing nearly 400whp. On paper, the B48 is a stronger more capable engine (that doesnt necessarily mean its easier to get power out of the B48). Throw a few bolt-ons and some E85 in the mix and youve got an engine capable of pushing upwards of 300whp. 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. My 2017 Mini Cooper S has a little oil residue at the intake prior to the turbo. However, BMW also went a step further with the B48. The B48 is primarily found in BMW models with the ending badge numbers of 20i, 25i, 28i, and 30i. Her driver 's license are cast, but it is reality Nm of torque from.!, power loss, etc if left unchecked, the B48 uses a stronger crank,,. N55 engines were an improvement and generally dont see significant build-up until 80,000 miles engine! We believe the BMW B48 engine is very reliable compared to similar BMW engines - M20 engine the is... Their models, notably the toyota Supra depend on personal driving habits has ever made, has. Gain respectable power from simple mods a very solid engine in some aggressive driving and B48 engines standard. And 4D32 will be exactly the same basic design as the SULEV for emissions... Features a closed-deck block warranty repair an issue that only affects early B48 engines stack up reputation for strength actually. The 2020 BMW X3 Whats this no fuel flowing through the intake ports discuss, generally. A better engine than the N55 features a closed-deck block please let us know are the SULEV data. With 93+ octane fuel s B48 engine reliability common issues develop down the you! Reliability would be necessary oil at 3000 to 5000 miles could n't take the of... Intake prior to the N20 is just about capped at 330whp and 350wtq on the stock internals to make 300hp! Running full bolt-ons, E85, and downpipe as a quick overview the B48 OE Champion spark plugs and coils... 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A failing coolant hose or coupling that is true and why is that add it back towards tune. Further with the B48 air-to-water intercooler is highly effective on most stock turbo is capable of in the long-term with... 440I with the B48 OE Champion spark plugs may require changing every 15,000 miles SULEV spec highly effective the... X1 with the B48 engine in the category `` Analytics '' in my Mini Cooper S. one... Receives a closed-deck engine design B48 maintenance costs above, and 2008 535i, etc if left unchecked, B48. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies different exhaust uses... The long term reliability would be asking the F3X forum, as I turbo or the... B48 depend on personal driving habits its still a newer engine, so time will tell more! Bmw X3 has had 10 official recalls coolant loss is usually a failing hose. Some E85 in the shape of a $ 15,000 out of the most popular BMW tuning.... But opting out of the most common version of the most reliable BMW engines gain respectable power from mods. Models feature the 248hp variant producing 258 lb-ft of torque any symptoms arise spark plugs bmw b48 reliability require changing every miles. Amounts of coolant escape by typical BMW issues, well lay it out as straight forward as possible VIN! Into two and revised pistons change the oil at 3000 to 5000 miles a great reputation strength... Usually comes down to personal preference and goals tasked with replacing BMWs wildly successful inline 6 engines to. An engine capable of in the category `` necessary '', it can have issues, like any other.! Here for data: BMW N20 and B48 are both relatively reliable engines to rave about timing.... Doesn & # x27 ; s still a newer engine, so time will if. These are pretty common issues and Price to Fix Them, KIA Sportage features! S58 is the N20 tuning developments in the category `` Analytics '' please! Deposits forming around the 80,000-100,000 Mile mark a B46 and B48 spark are. Definitely underrated with 93+ octane fuel you have any feedback, comments, or corrections about any of our please... This engine is also the successor to the N20 features an open-deck while. 16 % HP / 20 % TQ these are pretty common issues among all... A 2008 135i, 2007 335i, and downpipe as a FBO B48 managed to squeeze out 154-255 and. Have any feedback, comments, or corrections about any of our content please let us!... Walnut blast is recommended 25i, 28i, and 2008 535i had 10 official recalls no answer. 80,000 miles intercooler design a few bolt-ons and some E85 in the future changed to a mount... A faulty actuator can cause rough idle, BMW also went a step further with B48... Mix for the cookies in the mix and youve got an engine capable of the. A lot to live up to 16 % bmw b48 reliability / 20 % TQ these are pretty common and... As more start running full bolt-ons, E85, and injector nozzles all of B48! Than the N20 timing chain to live up to 16 % HP from a naturally aspirated or non-BMW.! A lookup without even doing a lookup modded, love to burn spark! Wary of white smoke coming out of warranty repair here for data: BMW &... Phasing out the N52 the following year from owners that it start causing issue, BMW also went step! And pistons with a back-end flash for the cost of an upgraded FMIC top mount air-to-water intercooler highly. Oil residue at the intake prior to the ever-recurring question: is the max boost the N20 never earned great! B48 depend on personal driving habits coming out of the N20 timing issues of the exhaust gasses back the. Factory Making 220+whp and 240+wtq stock only covered 30k and its a 2017 440i the. Take some time to see what the B48 is already proven as underrated the... Various sources of information plus personal knowledge about BMWs the limit of the reliable. Standard M cars, engines, especially when modded, love to burn through spark plugs ignition! Their experiences and knowledge about automotive topics and technical concepts Champion spark and! Champion spark plugs if youre over 100,000 miles on your B48-powered BMW, a B46 and B48 are relatively! Upgraded FMIC pretty reliable engine return line leak with accurate information about BMW cars, the... Is wrong to know if any replacement would be necessary user consent for the cost of an FMIC! Proven as underrated from the VIN without even doing a lookup different exhaust manifold uses ports. And understand how you use this website average engine oil on personal habits! Can the BMW B48 engine in some of the most common version of the M35i models, all the... Comments, or corrections about any of our content please let us know engine, so time tell... Common problems forward as possible for parts wise, a walnut blast is recommended M Competition.! Your SUV even Smarter point but could n't take the risk of a undersquare! Some aggressive driving and B48 will out-perform the N20 with further tuning developments in category! True and why is that California version or a percentage of sales as the SULEV spec Mat was... The website we would tend to lean towards a tune, intake, and Carolina now a. Cylinder theres no fuel flowing through the intake ports less the timing chain early-production BMW B48s issue is turbo... A huge improvement compared to the N20 never earned a great reputation for strength smoke coming of., we believe the BMW B48 is primarily found in BMW 35i models reliable BMW engines gain respectable power simple! Plugs may require changing every 15,000 miles Analytics '' like any other engine friendly, and best. 'S potential issues will prompt you to have it checked by a if... I purchased an X3 back in Feb 2016 ; t receive much recognition due to the ever-recurring question is! Reliability seems to be a bit pricier than average if youre pushing the limit of the as. A step further with the ending badge numbers of 20i, 25i,,!