N54 injector compatibility with the N53
Discussion
Hi all,
I've had an E92 330i with the N53 for a number of years. I've had a mix of used index 11 injectors, and more recently 2/6 were N54 injectors. The remaining N53 index 11s were starting to fail, so late last year I went for it and replaced the remaining 4/6 injectors with N54 versions.
Given how sensitive the injectors and that even under testing, a pass can still have cold start issues, my advice to my past self would be to replace injectors with new ones. If you're keeping the car long-term, my recommendation is fitting a NOXEM sensor and set of new N54 079/261 index 12 injectors at the first hint of trouble.
It's not cheap, but it's much less messing around - and the original advice of, "replace all six" does seem to be correct as failures come close together. For the first time since owning the car, I can see how the N53 would have performed when new. On a full house of N54 injectors my MPG round town is up from high 20s to mid 30s, and longer journeys I'm getting low to mid 40s - but still with a healthy dose of performance and a stable cold start.
I've had an E92 330i with the N53 for a number of years. I've had a mix of used index 11 injectors, and more recently 2/6 were N54 injectors. The remaining N53 index 11s were starting to fail, so late last year I went for it and replaced the remaining 4/6 injectors with N54 versions.
Given how sensitive the injectors and that even under testing, a pass can still have cold start issues, my advice to my past self would be to replace injectors with new ones. If you're keeping the car long-term, my recommendation is fitting a NOXEM sensor and set of new N54 079/261 index 12 injectors at the first hint of trouble.
It's not cheap, but it's much less messing around - and the original advice of, "replace all six" does seem to be correct as failures come close together. For the first time since owning the car, I can see how the N53 would have performed when new. On a full house of N54 injectors my MPG round town is up from high 20s to mid 30s, and longer journeys I'm getting low to mid 40s - but still with a healthy dose of performance and a stable cold start.
Interesting post , been looking at 3.0litre E93 but wary of injector problems. The 330i seem to have come down in price recently. Decided to look for one with full service history(pref BMW) with under 60k miles. Can get BMW extended warranty for £42/ month which would cover £2k cost to replace all injectors) BUT if i'm going with the warranty do wonder what it would be to get 335i with DCT box which is nicer than 6speed auto. Insurance cost would not normally concern me but with all the recant huge increases in premiums it not just finding the right car but finding what current insurance cost would be.
twokcc said:
Interesting post , been looking at 3.0litre E93 but wary of injector problems. The 330i seem to have come down in price recently. Decided to look for one with full service history(pref BMW) with under 60k miles. Can get BMW extended warranty for £42/ month which would cover £2k cost to replace all injectors) BUT if i'm going with the warranty do wonder what it would be to get 335i with DCT box which is nicer than 6speed auto. Insurance cost would not normally concern me but with all the recant huge increases in premiums it not just finding the right car but finding what current insurance cost would be.
The BMW warranty can be hard work but possibly worth it if you have a bone stock car that meets the criteria.It seems that new doesn't necessarily mean new these days. Bimmerprofs claiming that since 2020 VDO have been refurbishing injectors to sell as "new" but they sit at the far end of parameter ranges and may fail much sooner than an injector from original index 11/12 batches.
But I agree, buying new is the only viable long term option still, even at these crazy prices. Will these prices mean that they continue providing this service? Probably not with a dwindling pool of cars and therefore demand, so it may be that these imperfect new units are the only hope of keeping these cars running.
I'm about to take the plunge on some new ones but can only stomach 3 at the moment so will get them checked to find those that are overfuelling/leaking the most!
SoupAnxiety, where did you purchase your index 12's from? If BMW, do they offer a warranty on them even if they're not fitting them? Cheers
But I agree, buying new is the only viable long term option still, even at these crazy prices. Will these prices mean that they continue providing this service? Probably not with a dwindling pool of cars and therefore demand, so it may be that these imperfect new units are the only hope of keeping these cars running.
I'm about to take the plunge on some new ones but can only stomach 3 at the moment so will get them checked to find those that are overfuelling/leaking the most!
SoupAnxiety, where did you purchase your index 12's from? If BMW, do they offer a warranty on them even if they're not fitting them? Cheers
preacherman said:
It seems that new doesn't necessarily mean new these days. Bimmerprofs claiming that since 2020 VDO have been refurbishing injectors to sell as "new" but they sit at the far end of parameter ranges and may fail much sooner than an injector from original index 11/12 batches.
But I agree, buying new is the only viable long term option still, even at these crazy prices. Will these prices mean that they continue providing this service? Probably not with a dwindling pool of cars and therefore demand, so it may be that these imperfect new units are the only hope of keeping these cars running.
I'm about to take the plunge on some new ones but can only stomach 3 at the moment so will get them checked to find those that are overfuelling/leaking the most!
SoupAnxiety, where did you purchase your index 12's from? If BMW, do they offer a warranty on them even if they're not fitting them? Cheers
Mine were new in terms of the later part number, but whether it's new who knows. They arrived in BMW packaging and were on backorder for a few days with manufacturing dates stamped on the box of 2023.But I agree, buying new is the only viable long term option still, even at these crazy prices. Will these prices mean that they continue providing this service? Probably not with a dwindling pool of cars and therefore demand, so it may be that these imperfect new units are the only hope of keeping these cars running.
I'm about to take the plunge on some new ones but can only stomach 3 at the moment so will get them checked to find those that are overfuelling/leaking the most!
SoupAnxiety, where did you purchase your index 12's from? If BMW, do they offer a warranty on them even if they're not fitting them? Cheers
Absolutely no idea about warranty, I imagine not, but fitting at BMW would be a markup both ways - injectors and the work to do it.
SoupAnxiety said:
Mine were new in terms of the later part number, but whether it's new who knows. They arrived in BMW packaging and were on backorder for a few days with manufacturing dates stamped on the box of 2023.
Absolutely no idea about warranty, I imagine not, but fitting at BMW would be a markup both ways - injectors and the work to do it.
Indeed. Appreciate the post re index 12; your N53 posts over the years have been a great resource so thanks for sharing (your pain) with us.Absolutely no idea about warranty, I imagine not, but fitting at BMW would be a markup both ways - injectors and the work to do it.
preacherman said:
Indeed. Appreciate the post re index 12; your N53 posts over the years have been a great resource so thanks for sharing (your pain) with us.
Thank you!To be fair, I missed the best advice in the original post in this thread - buy an N52 330i!
My wife has an E90 with the N52 engine and it's been much less drama. Realistically my N53 with the new injectors will outlast the life I expect from the car, I'm hoping not to have to worry about them until I can switch to a new car in the years ahead.
Having x6 good injectors has been a treat with the cold weather - the N53 fires up, idles fine and just works.
SoupAnxiety said:
Thank you!
To be fair, I missed the best advice in the original post in this thread - buy an N52 330i!
My wife has an E90 with the N52 engine and it's been much less drama. Realistically my N53 with the new injectors will outlast the life I expect from the car, I'm hoping not to have to worry about them until I can switch to a new car in the years ahead.
Having x6 good injectors has been a treat with the cold weather - the N53 fires up, idles fine and just works.
The bold bit is indeed the correct answer! Shame the N52 was relatively short lived but in the 3 series. To be fair, I missed the best advice in the original post in this thread - buy an N52 330i!
My wife has an E90 with the N52 engine and it's been much less drama. Realistically my N53 with the new injectors will outlast the life I expect from the car, I'm hoping not to have to worry about them until I can switch to a new car in the years ahead.
Having x6 good injectors has been a treat with the cold weather - the N53 fires up, idles fine and just works.
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