Carbon buildup is a common issue that can affect any engine with direct injection such as the B48. Longevity is a tough topic to discuss, and that includes the B48. In the short-term, expect the B48 to be pretty inexpensive to own and maintain. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. What is the difference between N47 and B47 engine? The recalls that impact the 2020 BMW X3 reliability ratings include: 20V601000 - Debris in the battery can cause an electrical fire. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It also offers 20% more boost pressure and an increased compression ratio of 11.0:1. 2. Two of our N54s are nearing 120,000 miles on original VANOS components. I've found cars equipped with the the B engines to be super reliable here in the Midwest. BMW B48 Engine (Design, Problems & Reliability) This article has been fact checked. Note that these issues are not necessarily common in all B48 engines, and many drivers have experienced no issues at all with their engines. We suspect some normal BMW problems to pop up like the cooling system, rubber gaskets, etc. Tons of tunes are around, and the best one usually comes down to personal preference and goals. As per the N20, the block and head are made from aluminium. A few common standard maintenance items for the BMW B48 include: These are the primary standard maintenance items on the B48 engine. Like any engine, the BMW B48 engine can experience issues. Full Forum Listing. Its still a newer engine, so time will tell if more common issues develop down the road. 320hp on the 10.2:1 (B48a20b). Aftermarket testing shows numbers closer to 230-240whp. 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. A catless downpipe on the B48 will offer about 15-25whp gains. BMW changed to a top mount air-to-water intercooler design. Is a brake light and running light the same? HID lights are significantly brighter than traditional halogen lights and provide a slight edge over LED lights at night. An upgraded version producing 302hp is found in new 35i models. Have any issues diagnosed by a professional mechanic as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the engine. thanks so much for the write up. Stage 2 93 octane: 22%HP / 25%TQ However, some B48 engines have experienced issues with the tensioner, which can cause the chain to become loose and lead to engine damage. You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. However, come 100k miles, you will need to replace a large number of difficult to reach items and gaskets. Usually rough idle is due to an underlying problem or past due maintenance. Worry not, though. Theyre valid questions, however there is no perfect answer. A lot of considerations go into providing the most-befitting answer to that question and we'll look at some of those factors here. So the B47 engines suffer from timing failure also. Ignition coils also wear pretty quickly on turbo engines like the B48. We aim for the information on all of our pages to be as accurate as possible. How long an engine will last is always a tough topic. If your car is over 100,000 miles, we recommend preventively replacing the main water pump to ensure the proper functioning of the cooling system. Use your own judgement, but we like to change our BMW oils every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. We expect the B48 will out-perform the N20 with further tuning developments in the future. Well touch on this topic in the tuning & mods section. 2) Can the BMW B48 engine be repaired or does it need to be replaced? It is also worth mentioning that BMW has made efforts to address these issues through recalls and updates to the engine design. A forum community dedicated to BMW owners and enthusiasts. These are questions we see come up often. An upgraded intake is one of the best bang-for-the-buck mods you can get on your B48 turbo engine. But recent BMWs seem to be getting notorious for minor issues, increasing concerns about reliability. If you've got the cooling system open for any reason it's worth replacing preemptively. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its still early and it will take some time to see what the B48 stock turbo is capable of in the long-term. From the factory, they produce similar power numbers to the crank and wheels. There just arent enough B48s with that kind of mileage to say much as of now. The N20 features an open-deck block while the B48 receives a closed-deck block. For parts wise, a B46 and B48 will be exactly the same. A related problem here is a defective turbocharger. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The B48 in 20i and 30i models is looking to be an excellent engine thus far. pretty cost prohibitive though. Keep up the good work!!! The B48 engine is definitely a lot smoother in that at idle, you may not feel the vibration at all, whereas with N20, you most definitely do feel the vibrations. BMW does consider B48 engine coolant to be a lifetime fluid. We recommend changing the B48 oil every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Point is standard maintenance isnt the cheapest. However, upgraded intercoolers are excellent on tuned and modded N20 engines. A higher output version of the B48 is in some 2019+ 35i models. BMW reliability seems to be trending in the right direction, though. You can say we are somewhat N54 fanatics. Valve cover is the same. It is likely best to keep boost around 22psi peak. B46 vs B48 Emissions Emissions standards are really the . SunshineF32 4 mo. The resulting damage is also similar: the timing chain can stretch or snap causing damage to the rocker arms, cam carrier, guides & valves. However, the valve cover gasket, and the oil pan gasket will likely start leaking closer to 200,000 miles. Im hearing a electronic beep when I start up my b48 430i. BMW 520d 2.0 Diesel Engine. That said, the main water pump on the B48 can fail unexpectedly, leaving the car in limp mode or leaving you stranded in the worst-case scenario. Both have the same specs on paper so I am not sure whats the difference. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Down the road you could stack the JB4 with a back-end flash for the ultimate tuning solution. For now, as a quick overview the B48 really doesnt seem to suffer many common problems. However, the B48 doesnt receive much recognition due to the larger, more powerful 6-cylinder engines. I've just clocked over 35,000 miles and it is still smooth and fast. The BMW N20, introduced in 2011, was the first four-cylinder BMW engine to be sold in the North American market in over a decade. 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. Ive only covered 30k and its a 2017 model. At least when you compare the B48 and B58 reliability to that of the earlier N54, N55, N63, S65, etc. Read our post about N20 reliability here: Common BMW N20 Problems. Another representative of the modular family, the BMW B48 engine comes in the shape of a more compact four-banger. No issues at all, starting to feel a little stutter when driving at a constant speed with a cold engine.. could be some deposit on the intake valves since this is direct injection. Its also not overly expensive, especially for those willing to DIY some maintenance. *Well write a B48 common problems post in the future. The B48 is also a seemingly reliable engine thus far. Dmitry has been an editor and author at Cararac.com since 2015. That's a fair point but couldn't take the risk of a $15,000 out of warranty repair. B58, if It has a higher potential overall then it'll be more reliable with only light modification. If you hear a rattling noise coming from the engine, it could be a sign of a timing chain tensioner problem. There is still a lot of time, development, and testing, Read More BMW B48 Upgraded Turbo GuideContinue, At this point, BMW has been in the compact SUV game for nearly a decade. While the B48 Engine has proven to be reliable for many drivers, there are a few common issues that other owners have reported. Onsomeshid 4 mo. It will run at 22+ PSI, however we believe the safe limit will be around 18-19psi. To do timing chain on the B48 the transmission will need to come off. It requires a shop vac and walnut media shells. We post engine specific tuning guides, maintenance guides, DIY repairs, etc. Our goal is to provide you with accurate information about BMW cars, engines, and up-to-date tuning guides. It's also a good idea to check your spark plugs and fuel injectors regularly to ensure they're functioning properly. Yes, we believe the BMW B48 is a pretty reliable engine. At least when you compare the B48 and B58 reliability to that of the earlier N54, N55, N63, S65, etc. Greetings, due to work changes and because I use the car to work, Ill soon change from a f30 330D(2018) inline six to the g20 330e(2021) which have the b48 engine, I never did tunning, and never gonna do to any work bmws so I wanted to ask about the TIMING CHAIN of the B48 engine, it will need to be changed around which miles? This engine is in my Mini Cooper S. The one common theme I am hearing is change the oil at 3000 to 5000 miles. We are hoping to soon add an F80 M3 and F82 M4 GTS. I've replaced a couple of water pumps but have yet to see one leak oil. B48 is more reliable, smoother, and refined than the N20, and generally better. Though, these issues usually dont pop up until 80,000 100,000+ miles. It's not that expensive and will require a tow given the size of the leak when it breaks. Throw a few bolt-ons and some E85 in the mix and youve got an engine capable of pushing upwards of 300whp. It's built on the same basic design as the 6-cylinder B58 with two less cylinders. Those who often use the B48s power and boost will land on the shorter-end. It was shown off in May 2019. Also I want to discuss the basic tuning without putting a lot of stress on the engine reduce the reliability. They power 20i, 25i, 28i, and 30i models; a large percentage of all BMW models. Yes, we think the BMW B48 engine is fairly dependable. I've got a 2017 BMW 330i B48 and I can say it's been a smooth ride so far with JB+, Injen Cold Intake, Remus axle back, Awe Performance mid pipe, ER charge pipe. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It will, however, add a lot of stress to the turbo and engine. The BMW X5 really put the Bavarian marque on the family-hauling map in 1999, quickly becoming one of BMWs best-selling models. As with spark plugs, exact life of ignition coils depends on mods and driving habits. Most of the time it is piston nr.2 Its still a newer engine, so time will tell if more common issues develop down the road. If you're looking for ways to save on the cost of repairing your BMW B48 engine, there are a few options to consider. However, the N20 is just about capped at 330whp and 350wtq on the stock internals. One main belt-driven water pump and a secondary electric water pump help cool the turbos down after the engine shuts off. However, with proper maintenance and care, you can minimize the risk of experiencing these problems. Check the website again, they finally corrected the values. When paired with its eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive, Mat Watson was . Plus, the N52 doesn't suffer from the E90 M3's rod-bearing issue. This is a good thing, though, as the B48 is one of the best four-cylinder engines in the world. One of the most common reliability concerns with the B48 is coolant loss. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. We always recommend an upgraded intake as the first mod to make on the, Read More BMW B48 Upgraded Intake GuideContinue, This is a question that comes up often. Not too bad for a 2.0L engine. So far, the B48 appears the more reliable engine. Theyre valid questions, however there is no perfect answer. Gasket oil leaks can be expensive repairs at the shop. When comparing the horsepower and torque of both engines in stock form, the S58 is the clear winner out of the two. 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. Stick with known, quality oils. However, this likely comes down to many being under warranty with few modded. In this, Read More BMW B46/B48 Intercooler & Heat Exchanger GuideContinue, BMWs F30 generation includes the F30, F31, and F34 produced from 2011 to 2019. Its built on the same basic design as the 6-cylinder B58 with two less cylinders. Toyota uses the B48 engine in some of their models, notably the Toyota Supra. The B48 top mount air-to-water intercooler uses a front mount heat exchanger to cool charge air temps. It's reliable, efficient, and sporty. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Most B48 models are limited to around 130mph or 155mph. A faulty ignition coil or a clogged fuel filter can cause this issue. See here for data: BMW N20 / B48 Quarter Mile Rankings, https://www.facebook.com/groups/244324833434651. Already a solid improvement over the 3.0L naturally aspirated N52 engine. The reliability rating on a BMW 3 series is pretty average, but it does increase as you step up in the model range. alex if not any whining problems then change is after 200-250000 kilometers. However, compression also increases on the B48 which isnt the greatest for strength on boosted engines. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2012788-9999.pdf Stage 1 91 octane: up to 14% HP / 26% TQ The internals and design are plenty strong to surpass 200,000 miles. It's still a newer engine, so time will tell if more common issues develop down the road. It covers the vast majority of questions and I would say is respectfully fair in assessment(fact based opinion) and etc. Come join the discussion about Bimmerfest events, production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Like the N20, the B48 uses direct injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger to send more power to the front wheels. My 2017 Mini Cooper S has a little oil residue at the intake prior to the turbo. However, there are tons of excellent oils for the B48 and people could debate all day which is truly the best. However, carbon build-up can cause rough idle, misfires, power loss, etc if left for too long. 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. Recommended Communities. Now, with the exception of the M35i models, all of the turbo 4-cylinders are the SULEV spec. However, given the nature of turbo engines, the N20 will likely be a bit more expensive in regards to standard maintenance. However, we think a 10,000 mile OCI is too long for longevity. Its truly an excellent engine for its size. Submit! Required fields are marked *. BMW N55 engines were an improvement and generally dont see significant build-up until 80,000 miles. The BMW B46 and B48 are basically the same engine. Again, even Toyota is using the B58 3.0L turbo engine in their newest Supra models. Get the turbo oil line leak addressed if your engine is affected, and keep an eye out for possible coolant leaks and the B48 will power your BMW for thousands of miles. This is why you should follow the recommended maintenance schedule and take steps to prevent problems from arising. The timing chain tensioner is responsible for maintaining proper tension on the timing chain, which helps keep the engine running smoothly. As such, the limits of the B48 might fall in the same ballpark. Some have issues with coolant loss. Both can make over 300whp with tunes and basic bolt-ons. The NGK 97506 spark plugs are OE for the older N20 engine. Are BMW 3 Series expensive to maintain? Additionally, responsible for delivering the impressive power, the upgraded 302hp B48 receives a larger turbo. Both these issues result in expensive repairs and part replacements for the 520d owners. The lower level variants actually gain way more than the N20. Although, we expect the B48 will eventually suffer similar common problems as the N20, less the timing chain. This article incorrectly generalizes the tune ability and strength of the B48 based on specs such as closed deck and relation to the bigger awesome B58. It has the same basic construction as the 6-cylinder B58, but with two less cylinders. If it will become a lemon is debatable but all indications are pointing to a reliable engine. Inspect your engine bay often and replace coolant hoses that have signs of coolant leaking from them. What is the max boost the N20 stock turbo can handle? Yes, we believe the BMW B48 is a pretty reliable engine. Some of these examples are engines that have not been maintained with regular oil changes. Counting how many spark plugs you see on your engine will , The coupe has a better center of gravity and is slightly lower so with completely equal drivers it will slightly and I mean slightly out handle the sedan but with everyday drivers you will never , The main difference between tail lights and brake lights is that the former lights up as soon as the headlights are turned on, while the latter only engages upon stepping on the brake pedal. On the other hand, the B47 generates 187 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Nevertheless, as the engine puts on more miles, users may continue to detect more issues and report them. . 16K miles. That said, we're likely writing this article too soon. Personally, I think B48 is better than N20. However, you may make it well past without issues. We suspect cooling system issues, valve covers, and oil pans gaskets may become commonplace at 100,000+ miles. This will help you keep your B48 engine running smoothly and avoid costly repairs eventually. These include cooling system issues and leaking valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, and oil filter housing gaskets. We wrote an article about the max boost the stock B48 turbo is capable of. The new B47 engine replaces the N47 power unit and like its predecessor is a four cylinder in-line, common rail injection, 1,995 cc displacement with a single turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. We review the N55's performance and reliability. This and a good wastegate are what Im keeping an eye on. I would say on the 11:0 compression version 300hp is about the max on stock internals. It is certain that the B48 puts BMW ahead in the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine world. If you do long highway drives often then you can get away with the higher 8,000 or even 10,000 mile OCI. The N20 does have a well known problem in the timing chain. What are your thoughts and experiences with the N20 and/or B48? Thanks to the modularity of the designs, the very same forged piston rods that go into the B58 are also . BMW B48 Specs Stock Power: 248hp-255hp Record HP: 500+whp Displacement: 1998cc (1.997L) Turbocharger: "TwinPower" Single Turbo Compression: 11.0 to 1 Bore x Stroke: 82.0mm (3.23") x 94.6mm (3.72") Internals: Forged Rods & Crank Block Design: Closed-deck Redline: 7000 Injectors: Bosch solenoid style direct injectors The great news is the B48 is off to an excellent start from a reliability perspective. Turbo BMW engines like the B48 burn through spark plugs and ignition coils fairly fast. Within the modular B series of engines, it does fall short of the B58 which seems to be the most reliable engine in the family. Another issue that has been reported with the B48 engine is the possibility of a faulty exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve. Your email address will not be published. Sir, thats an amazing article. The walnut blasting is mostly labor as quoted above; its nearly free if you can DIY the job. Whether or not these upgrades are worth it on the B46/B48 is up for debate. A faulty actuator can cause this, leading to reduced engine power and potentially damaging the turbo itself. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The B series engines saw a move to an even further undersquare design. "Passenger restraint system malfunction" BMW X3 Whats This? B48/46 is not basically the same engine. The N20 is not alone as many BMWs are plagued by those issues. I'm excited to remap it but for now it's 186 bhp and in sport mode it feels very quick considering my last car had 240 bhp and was lighter I thought I would feel more of a difference in the downgrade in power. Newer LL-14+ oils are designed with fuel economy and emissions in mind. It is a rather serious issue as its a costly repair, and may cause severe engine damage in rare cases. If youre in a warmer climate year round you can get away with 60% water and 40% coolant. your BM3 estimated gain chart is incorrect, that is for the 35i B48 model that is already currently upgraded (tuned) to 302 hp. Like its better in every single way outside of price. BMW recommends running LL-14 or LL-17 oils on the BMW B48 engine. The more aggressive the tune and boost the bigger gains youll see. The BMW 520d came with a 2.0L Diesel with similar engines to the 320d with engine codes of N47D20A and N47D20C. Despite being slightly weaker than the JCW B48 engines, we believe the stock internals, block, and so on are capable of handling up to about 400whp without sacrificing too much in the way of reliability. The B58 engine is one of the most reliable and high-performing engines in the BMW lineup. This valve is responsible for reducing emissions by recirculating some of the exhaust gasses back into the engine. They last about twice as long. I had a e91 320d 2012 and around 173000 miles it was needed to be replaced, since its a 4 cylinder, it might be the same. LL-01 oils follow older standards, but its still some of the best oil in our opinion. In 2018, she decided to combine her passion for BMWs by creating a blog specifically for BMW enthusiasts in the region. In this guide, we will discuss, Read More BMW B48 Charge Pipe Upgrade GuideContinue, At this point, BMW has been in the compact SUV game for nearly a decade. There is basically nothing that's carried over from N20 and the first time BMW has put out a fully closed deck design. Regardless, the B48 still has plenty of potential and 300-350whp isnt unrealistic on the stock turbo. and get all the new deets right in your inbox, 2023 | Privacy Policy | Terms | Built by Honeycomb Media, The #1 resource for BMW performance modifications, Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form, BMW X1 vs X3 Specs, Performance, Reliability, & More. BMW's B48 engine is also the successor to the 2.0L turbo N20 engine. The B58 is a marginally larger engine displacing 2,998cc compared to the N55s 2,979cc and weighs 18 lbs more, but while making notably more power. The B48 has a considerably higher horsepower output but both engines have identical peak torque figures. My n20 120i 2016 is w that same noise Is that normal? Yes, it's expensive to maintain a 3-Series BMW once it's outside of the factory or CPO warranty. However, we believe it is a step in the right direction. The 330e has the B48B20B and the 530e has the B48B20A. The recall is US only at the moment. At least in the US. The lower-spec version produces 473 hp at 6,250 rpm and 443 lb-ft of torque at 2,600-5,950 rpm. Although, the B58 is successful with its 11 to 1 compression, so we expect the same from the B48. That said, were likely writing this article too soon. BMW N20 Engine Reliability, Known Issues, and More. Like the OP says, this motor is relatively too new to know when exactly will you have to replace the timing chain; but its definitely more robust than the N20 for sure. The most common version of the BMW B48 produces 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This article and page is such a joy to read. I live in the Bay Area, CA. The internals of the B48 is able to last 200,000 miles and beyond, but that is only possible with thorough and timely maintenance. didnt know injen make intake for B46? 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. The B46 is the Super Ultra Low Emissions spec (SULEV) and that is the standard engine in the US market. Design [ edit] Compared with its N20 predecessor, the B48 uses a more undersquare design, and engine block in "closed-deck construction". I'm pretty pleased with it so far! N20 (low-compression 28i) VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. PIcs? The B58 in question wasnt just re-tuned, the hardwares been changed. At higher mileage, excess carbon build-up might lead to a rough idle. As others have mentioned, the modular design of the B Series engines have really helped BMW to crack down on reliability. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Bore x Stroke: 84.0mm (3.31) x 90.1mm (3.55), Injectors:Bosch solenoid style direct injectors, ***Specs for 2.0L BMW N20 engine (N13 and N26 have slightly different specs). Content on bimmerfest.com is generated by its users. B58 vs. S58 Horsepower & Torque. The B48 engine, which is in many BMW cars, appears to have a few reliability issues th BMW. ~300-350whp. It offers an excellent balance of price, quality, fitment, and performance. Its like comparing an infiniti q60 non-redsport to a Q60 redsport variantthe non redsport (cheaper model with 100 less hp) will gain over 100 whp from a tune alone, where the redsport gains 30-50 whp at best. Direct injection (DI) engines come with one flaw, which is carbon build-up on intake valves. Engine limits are always a tough topic. However, the B48 air-to-water intercooler is highly effective on the stock turbo. There is no perfect answer to which tune is best for the B48. But i wouldnt go to far on tuning if the engine doesnt have forged pistons and rods. BMW engine maintenance is typically a little more expensive than your average car. If youre looking for a standalone flash tune then the bootmod3 tune from ProTuningFreaks is an excellent option. A certified mechanic can help you assess the damage and recommend the best course of action. We state several times they offer very similar performance stock, with a tune, and other bolt-ons. Nonetheless, well lay it out as straight forward as possible. The lines might be long and itll be a wait and see for codes. For most, it probably makes sense to upgrade to the turbo inline 6 engines if youre looking for 330+whp. Whether you're tuning or not a b58 is a better engine than the n55. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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. Time will tell what may arise in the future. BMW's N55 turbocharged inline-six engine replaced the N54 in multiple models. These engines perform great and have very good fuel economy. ~325-350wtq. Yes, we believe the BMW B48 is a pretty reliable engine. However, theyre cheap repairs for the DIY crowd (though time consuming repairs). Turbo engines love to burn through spark plugs. One such reservation is about the B48 engine. We wish we had more technical data to share. Yes, the B48 crank and connecting rods are forged as with the larger B58 6-cylinder. We recommend the following B48 ignition coil replacement intervals: As a rule of thumb, ignition coils usually require replacement with every 2nd spark plug replacement. Yes I've been waiting and Injen finally came out with it recently! Bimmerly is a hub for BMW enthusiasts. As you can see, from very early on the B58 has big gains over the N55 which it holds right through the rev range. You could do a full big turbo stock block b58 build in a day on stands with a floor jack. Again, the same concepts apply with the HP discussion above. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! However, the Champion spark plugs hold up very well for a stock turbo B48. Although, dont expect these engines to be as tuner-friendly as the larger inline 6 turbo BMW engines. Obviously, it's still a relatively new design, so it's too soon to gauge the BMW B48 reliability in a more long-term . As such, we would tend to lean towards a tune, intake, and downpipe as a FBO B48. Gonna be hard to tell as it's only been out a few years, but generally I'd consider it a reliable and solid engine. The BMW N20 and B48 have big reputations to live up to. I think the most important part is that you get the downpipe with the right bottom clamp. B46s meet SULEV emissions standards and are the primary engines in the US market. 4. However, if the damage is severe, it may need to be replaced. Most 30i models come in at 252-258 horsepower. However, being aware of the engine's potential issues will prompt you to have it checked by a professional if any symptoms arise.