BMW N54B30 engine
Content
The BMW N54B30 is a 6-cylinder ICE equipped with direct injection and two turbochargers, which significantly increase its power. It was created in 2006, the company produced it until 2013 (one of the modifications), that is, it existed on the market for about 7 years. The engine is successful and reliable, in the 2007-2008 season it was recognized as the best engine of the year by the well-known company UKIP Media & Events Ltd. The motor is put on different serial cars of series 3, 5, 7, it has a huge resource.
Features
The main parameters of the engine are shown in the table:
| Exact volume | 2.979 l |
|---|---|
| Power | Depends on the version. 306-335 hp at 5800-5900 rpm |
| Torque | Depends on modification. 400-450 at 4500-5900 rpm |
| Number of cylinders | 6 |
| Number of valves | 4 per cylinder, 24 total |
| Cylinder block | Aluminum |
| Compression ratio | 10.2 |
| Piston stroke | 89.6 mm |
| Fuel | Gasoline AI-95 |
| Consumption | On the highway - up to 7 l / 100 km; in the city - up to 13.5 l / 100 km |
| Required oil viscosity | 5W30, 5W40 |
| Engine oil volume | 6.5 l |
| Oil change via | 10000 km, better - after 5000 km |
| Possible oil consumption | Xnumx l / xnumx km |
| Resource | 300+ thousand km. |
This ICE was installed on cars:
- From 2007 to 20010: BMW 335i (E90, E91, E92, E93).
- 2008-2010: BMW 535i (E60); BMW 135i (E88).
- 2009: BMW Z4 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive 35i, 740i (F01).
- 2011: BMW 335is (E92, E93).
- 2010-2013: BWM 1M, Z4 E89.
Description
BMW N54B30 - "inline six", which received a double supercharger. It was created by Alpina in 2006 for powerful BMW cars. At the heart of the motor is an aluminum BC with cast iron sleeves. Above - a cylinder head with a Vi-Vanos system (BMW proprietary technology for variable valve timing). The diameter of the intake valves is 31.44 microns, the exhaust valves are 28 mm. Camshafts with a phase of 245/261 and a lift of 8.7 mm are installed here.
A feature of the engine is two TD03-10TK3 turbochargers, each of which blows into its three cylinders with a force of 0.55 bar. Naturally, like any successful engine, the BMW N54B30 has different modifications.
Versions
N54B30O0 is the very first engine of the N54 family, which was produced from 2006 to 2010. It received 306 hp, a torque of 400 Nm at 1400-5000 rpm.
In 2008, this engine was finalized - a different fan, radiator and control unit firmware were installed, which made it possible to increase power to 326 hp, torque to 450 Nm. It was named N54B30 and was produced until 2012. Obviously, the first version could not achieve increased power due to overheating, but the use of a different radiator and a more efficient fan made it possible to better remove heat and increase power by adjusting the ECU.
From 2010 to 2013, N54B30T0 engines with 335 hp were produced. at 5900 rpm and a torque of 450 Nm at 1500-4500 rpm. The difference from the basic version also lies in the new cooling system: fan and heatsink, firmware.
Disadvantages
BMW N54B30 is a reliable and long-lived engine with a high resource. It works without problems in European countries where they sell high-quality fuel, but in Russia the owners face difficulties. The most common problem is the injection pump, which “dies” from bad gasoline after 50 thousand kilometers. It is inexpensive and can be changed at any service station, which somewhat simplifies the life of drivers.
HP injectors also fail after about 100 thousand km, candles and a pump. That is, if the high-pressure pump breaks down, then you can expect an imminent problem with candles. The turbines in this engine "run" about 100 thousand km, but it all depends on the driving style. The low pressure valve with a small amount of fuel in the tank takes a little air and also quickly fails.
By the way, in 2010, ABC News aired a story about this problem with BMW engines. After that, the car owners sued the German concern, and BMW began to return the cars on which this defect occurs. It included cars from 2007-2010. At BMW, even at the production stage, they suspected the possibility of this problem. Perhaps because of this, cars with N54B30 engines were not available in the US and Canadian markets, as gasoline in these regions has a high sulfur content.
For many owners, the pump changes 4-5 times during the operation of the car. Therefore, when choosing models with N54B30 engines, they should be refueled only with high-quality gasoline and avoid low fuel levels in the tank. If the "gas station" lights up on the dashboard, then this is already bad for the valve.
In addition to the injection pump, the N54B30 has no serious flaws or design flaws. It is reliable, durable, with a high margin of safety and subject to tuning. Of course, this is one of the most successful engines of the German concern, and the high-pressure fuel pump, which is demanding on gasoline, is an unpleasant trifle.
Tuning
Increasing the power of this engine is possible without significant investments. The easiest option is to use the so-called "toad" JB4. This will allow the 306 to increase power to 350 hp.
To increase power to 400 hp. it is necessary to replace the existing fan and install another radiator, install a new large intercooler, oil cooler, air filter. You will also need a new firmware, of course. It is believed that such tuning is the most optimal.
There is another option - to use a special methanol tuning kit that increases power to 450 hp. Instead, you can put a Single Turbo-kit, giving an additional 200 hp. The tuning potential of the BMW N54B30 is extremely high, and this flexibility makes the engine extremely popular.
Awards
This model is one of the most successful brainchild of Alpine engineers. The engine with a 3-liter cylinder capacity and direct injection won in the categories "International Engine of the Year" and "Best New Developments", but most importantly - from 2007 to 2012 (that is, 5 years in a row) it was recognized as the best power plant. In 2012, the N54 was replaced by the improved N55 in terms of environmental friendliness and economy.
Comparison with other versions
The BMW N54 replaced the N52 engines. And although the N52B30 has the same displacement, it is less powerful and resourceful compared to the N54. In addition, the latter has more power (+45 hp) and torque (+108 Nm). This increase in power was achieved through technology, and not a physical increase in cylinder volume.
There is also a newer series - N55 with a volume of 3 liters, which replaced the N54 in 2012. It uses one turbocharger, and its main difference is the torque, which is reached 200 rpm earlier. In addition, it is more economical and meets higher environmental standards, that is, it emits less pollution into the environment. The downside of the new version is the weak potential for tuning.
Tests have shown that the BMW 740i F01 with the M54B30 engine accelerates faster than the BMW 535i with the N55B30 engine. This is a big plus in favor of the older ICE, which weighs 135 kilograms more. It is because of this and the tuning potential that many people “in the know” chose a car with an N54 engine, but after 2012 cars with these internal combustion engines are only available used.
In addition, the N54 engine gives the same acceleration as the 4-litre 8-cylinder N64B40 engine. The latter is more expensive by $ 10000, and its weight is more than 90 kilograms. But this applies only to overclocking, over a long distance N54, of course, is weaker.
Contract motors
BMW N54B30 engines have been produced since 2006. Taking into account their resource for the middle of 2018, most of them, not to mention the engines of 2013, are quite “alive” and drive freely on the roads of Russia, and even more so Europe, the USA. Contract motors are sold at the appropriate sites. Depending on their mileage, year of manufacture and general condition, they can be found for $2000-5000.
These are quite expensive internal combustion engines, which, even taking into account the mileage, are not sold at a low price. If the motor "ran" only 100 thousand kilometers, then you can freely buy it and put it on your car - it will travel the same amount and even more during normal operation without any problems.
You can recommend this engine for purchase, but it should be borne in mind that many of them could roll out their resource, which is coming to an end today.
Conclusion
BMW N54B30 is a reliable and powerful engine that needs to be filled with high-quality fuel and serviced on time. Yes, he has a too whimsical injection pump, which will have to be reckoned with, but this is a minor drawback against the background of its high operational resource, reliability and technical characteristics. Definitely one of the best BMW engines.
