When did the 130i change to n53 engine

[anonymous-user]

Hi,
As per the title, does anyone know when the 130i switched from the N52 to the N53 engine?
Thanks

[bmwmike]

130i never had the n53 afaik

Maybe check realoem?

[Heathwood]

As per the above poster, the 130i only ever had the N52. There was, I believe, a very minor change to the head around 2007, which can be identified by a black cover as opposed to a silver cover, but it makes no real difference from what I understand. The N52 in mine has been fantastic for the 15 years I’ve owned it.

[anonymous-user]

Good to know. Much appreciated

[g3org3y]

Heathwood said:

As per the above poster, the 130i only ever had the N52. There was, I believe, a very minor change to the head around 2007, which can be identified by a black cover as opposed to a silver cover, but it makes no real difference from what I understand. The N52 in mine has been fantastic for the 15 years I’ve owned it.

N52K.

Same thing with the Z4.

IIRC the change is to do with the PCV system.

[Court_S]

It never did.

It started out with the silver top engine but changed to the black top around the LCI. The black top is slightly more powerful.

[Mr Tidy]

Thankfully 130is all had the N52 rather than the more troublesome N53!

FWIW pre-facelift models had Hydraulic PAS but facelifts had EPAS.

The N52K "black top" was a revised version with new engine management, new FM, new throttle, plastic valve cover with integrated CCV, stronger con rods, exhaust valve stem increased to 6mm, new electric water pump and lightweight camshafts.

I've had Z4 Coupes with one of each and in terms of how they drive I really couldn't tell the difference. And I'm not convinced about the new electric water pump being an improvement - my N52K needed a new one after just 60K miles!

[g3org3y]

Mr Tidy said:

Thankfully 130is all had the N52 rather than the more troublesome N53!

FWIW pre-facelift models had Hydraulic PAS but facelifts had EPAS.

The N52K "black top" was a revised version with new engine management, new FM, new throttle, plastic valve cover with integrated CCV, stronger con rods, exhaust valve stem increased to 6mm, new electric water pump and lightweight camshafts.

I've had Z4 Coupes with one of each and in terms of how they drive I really couldn't tell the difference. And I'm not convinced about the new electric water pump being an improvement - my N52K needed a new one after just 60K miles!

Didn't realise the changes were so extensive!

[Court_S]

g3org3y said:

Mr Tidy said:

Thankfully 130is all had the N52 rather than the more troublesome N53!

FWIW pre-facelift models had Hydraulic PAS but facelifts had EPAS.

The N52K "black top" was a revised version with new engine management, new FM, new throttle, plastic valve cover with integrated CCV, stronger con rods, exhaust valve stem increased to 6mm, new electric water pump and lightweight camshafts.

I've had Z4 Coupes with one of each and in terms of how they drive I really couldn't tell the difference. And I'm not convinced about the new electric water pump being an improvement - my N52K needed a new one after just 60K miles!

Didn't realise the changes were so extensive!

I knew about a few bits (plastic engine cover, water pump and CCV) but I didn’t know about the camshafts etc.

[anonymous-user]

Mr Tidy said:

Thankfully 130is all had the N52 rather than the more troublesome N53!

FWIW pre-facelift models had Hydraulic PAS but facelifts had EPAS.

The N52K "black top" was a revised version with new engine management, new FM, new throttle, plastic valve cover with integrated CCV, stronger con rods, exhaust valve stem increased to 6mm, new electric water pump and lightweight camshafts.

I've had Z4 Coupes with one of each and in terms of how they drive I really couldn't tell the difference. And I'm not convinced about the new electric water pump being an improvement - my N52K needed a new one after just 60K miles!

Good info

[The Conflated Outlier]

The N52 was uprated with some N53 parts including the conrods and a new PCV system in late 07/early 08. This is due to economies of scale - the N52 continued until 2011/2012 in the USA and other markets in cars like the X3 and F10 528i. The N53 wouldn't pass emissions there.