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      02-04-2019, 02:43 PM   #1
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Stop the 50i/N63tu bashing

It's now over 97000 miles & 4 years of flawless 50i performance on my 2014 F15. My 2004 4.4 did almost 200,000 miles with exactly one expensive fix, an oil pump. So many negative comments about this beast of an engine in the various threads, mostly from non 50i owners. I check these threads regularly, always great info from others that make ownership of an F15 a special experience. Have not once read where a 50i owner has regretted the choice or any horror stories that would be cause for concern. Anyone know where this bad reputation of engine issues, an engine to be avoided, started? Seems like for some, having to add a quart or 2 of oil between oil changes is the beginning of the end.
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      02-04-2019, 02:45 PM   #2
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Nice 😇
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      02-04-2019, 03:33 PM   #3
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Big difference between the n63 and n63tu
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      02-04-2019, 04:19 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pits200 View Post
Big difference between the n63 and n63tu
Preach
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      02-04-2019, 06:50 PM   #5
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Previous generation n63 engine really got infamous and is still ruining solid reputation of n63tu However, those who need to know - they know the huge difference n63tu made. N63TU is very reliable and solid performer! BMW did a fantastic job updating it - without exaggeration n63tu update was most extensive one among v8 engines ever produced by BMW!
People are conservative and like stereotypes, but the word is already out on the street that n63tu is a solid choice and folks are learning slowly. Give it some time.
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      02-04-2019, 07:46 PM   #6
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I hear they have some transfer case issues..
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      02-04-2019, 07:56 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LocksmithNick View Post
I hear they have some transfer case issues..
Nah, it's same TC for 35i or 50i - it doesn't matter. People say lots of stuff man, but really 3rd generation f15 is solid compared to previous ones.
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      02-04-2019, 08:33 PM   #8
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This is exactly what lead me to owning an F15 50i. It also happens to be a great value to pick up used due to rapid depreciation

That being said, my vehicle went into service on Thursday because my heater was acting up. While dropping it off, the SA confirmed the heat issue and also felt a slight vibration and wanted the tech to look into the engine mounts. So far, no update on the heat issue being resolved as the tech wasn't able to reproduce the first day but did identify a slight leak in the oil pan took care of that first. Also identified a thrust arm bushing starting to split and leak and is replacing that as well. All covered under warranty.

They have given me a '19 X5 40i and I must say I really like the interior so I'm hoping to get mine back soon. 😁 The longer I have it, the more that grill is starting to grow on me. :
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      02-04-2019, 09:49 PM   #9
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Yeah the n63tu is better than the previous n63. However there have been a few on here with some problems. At least one needed a new engine, other injectors. I'd be curious to see how the v8 does above 100k miles.
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      02-05-2019, 12:53 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turboawd View Post
Yeah the n63tu is better than the previous n63. However there have been a few on here with some problems. At least one needed a new engine, other injectors. I'd be curious to see how the v8 does above 100k miles.
We 50i guys share injectors with x5m x6m s63tu and they have a bit higher demand in terms of fuel pressure - and yet no common issues so far (knock on wood). I mean of course there always will be some outliers, but it's not a trend. I'll calculate later how much engines in total were produced by BMW n63tu and s63tu and it's a pretty substantial number. I'm talking about production across the world since 2013 for various models from f01, f07... F10, F15, F16, f85, f86 - it's for sure several hundred thousands (might be close to million) of n63tu/s63tu for all models worldwide for almost 6 years now.

Just for fun: Toyota failures are about 0.58% on average (which is one of the lowest in industry). So if we take same reliability and apply it to n63tu/s63tu - considering lets'say very conservative all time production numbers of 300k engines produced - we'll get about 1800 engine failures. And yet I highly doubt there are 1800 n63tu failures. i mean I've heard maybe 2-3 (1 of them was tuned) and maybe another 2-3 on facebook forum. let's add some more worldwide lol - maybe 10-20 and we have still way less than 1800. So n63tu is several folds more reliable than Toyota on average .
Just kidding, but jokes aside - it's probably one of the most reliable V8 German engines ever created so far.

Last edited by DuSh; 02-05-2019 at 01:07 AM..
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      02-05-2019, 02:16 PM   #11
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In the year and 10K (currently have 46k on the odo) that I've put on the 50i since buying, I have a coil go bad, (heard it was common) and a gasket/seal or two replaced. I'd say that I've put in maybe 6 qt's of oil in between oil change. That's where the gasket/seal replacements came in. I was more concerned about the topping off the oil more than I would have liked. I know back in my pre- Fast n Furious Honda days, it was known that Turbo'd cars required a little more maintenance and liked to drink oil. This was late 80's early 90's so would think Turbo technology has improved over the years. Hopefully with all the gasket/seal replacements that's all fixed now. My wife's been a Bimmer head for the past two decades so I know maintenance is crucial and can be a little costly as least compared to my previous Lexus's. So far I'd say it's been a pretty solid car. We'll see how it goes over the next 50k miles. I'm gonna take it in before my Manufacturer warranty is up next month to have inspected to see if anything needs to be fixed/replaced before my CPO kicks in.
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      02-05-2019, 04:28 PM   #12
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Amen to this thread, but also to the wise folks pointing out there's a big diff between N63 and N63TU, which is what our 2014-2018 50i models have. looooots of fixes made by BMW in the N63TU.
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      02-05-2019, 04:43 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LeopardM3 View Post
Amen to this thread, but also to the wise folks pointing out there's a big diff between N63 and N63TU, which is what our 2014-2018 50i models have. looooots of fixes made by BMW in the N63TU.
Exactly what steered me away from pulling the trigger on a 2013 X5M.

Although not an ///M, I've been pretty happy with the performance of this vehicle overall for such a heavy box
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      02-05-2019, 04:46 PM   #14
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N63TU upgrades from N63:

Engine mechanical
• New cylinder head due to use of the Turbo Valvetronic Direct Injection (TVDI) procedure
• 3rd generation Valvetronic
• New valvetrain with modified timing
• Adoption of VANOS from the N55 engine
• New cylinder head cover with adapted crankcase ventilation
• Pistons with modified piston crown geometry
• New connecting rod with even pitch and adaptation of the crankcase due to modified connecting rod shape
• Adapted crankshaft
• Chain drive with modified guide rails and an extruded chain with 142 elements.

Oil supply
• Pendulum slide cell pump with small overall width
• Eight individual oil spray nozzles for piston crown cooling.

Cooling
• Integration of the two engine control units in the low-temperature circuit and cooling over the back panel with cooling pipe
• Expansion tank under the left side wall with separate filling hopper.

Intake and exhaust emission systems
• Adaptation of the manifold for the air intake duct due to new geometry of the cylinder head cover
• Use of the hot film air mass meter 7
• Adoption of the charge air temperature and intake-manifold pressure sensor from the N20 engine
• Exhaust turbocharger with new compressor and modified wastegate valves
• Discontinuation of the blow-off valves.

Vacuum system
• Two-stage vacuum pump with new arrangement of the bolt connection
• Vacuum reservoir for the wastegate valves in the V-area of the engine.

Fuel preparation
• Use of the known high-pressure injection with injectors and high pressure pump HDP5
• Discontinuation of fuel low-pressure sensor

Engine management system
• New dual control unit concept with one control unit per bank
• Oil level sensor with an additional temperature sensor in the main oil duct behind the starter motor.

I mean even piston design is changed - basically the only thing in common is a BMW emblem and number of cylinders
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      02-05-2019, 04:58 PM   #15
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Just opened N63TU Engine Technical Training pdf and I'm pleasantly surprised to find out that rods are redesigned too! Also, crankshaft is forged, rods are forged too and some other parts are forged!
Attached Images
  
Attached Images
File Type: pdf N63TU Engine.pdf (2.55 MB, 632 views)
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      02-05-2019, 05:03 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DuSh View Post
N63TU upgrades from N63:

Engine mechanical
• New cylinder head due to use of the Turbo Valvetronic Direct Injection (TVDI) procedure
• 3rd generation Valvetronic
• New valvetrain with modified timing
• Adoption of VANOS from the N55 engine
• New cylinder head cover with adapted crankcase ventilation
• Pistons with modified piston crown geometry
• New connecting rod with even pitch and adaptation of the crankcase due to modified connecting rod shape
• Adapted crankshaft
• Chain drive with modified guide rails and an extruded chain with 142 elements.

Oil supply
• Pendulum slide cell pump with small overall width
• Eight individual oil spray nozzles for piston crown cooling.

Cooling
• Integration of the two engine control units in the low-temperature circuit and cooling over the back panel with cooling pipe
• Expansion tank under the left side wall with separate filling hopper.

Intake and exhaust emission systems
• Adaptation of the manifold for the air intake duct due to new geometry of the cylinder head cover
• Use of the hot film air mass meter 7
• Adoption of the charge air temperature and intake-manifold pressure sensor from the N20 engine
• Exhaust turbocharger with new compressor and modified wastegate valves
• Discontinuation of the blow-off valves.

Vacuum system
• Two-stage vacuum pump with new arrangement of the bolt connection
• Vacuum reservoir for the wastegate valves in the V-area of the engine.

Fuel preparation
• Use of the known high-pressure injection with injectors and high pressure pump HDP5
• Discontinuation of fuel low-pressure sensor

Engine management system
• New dual control unit concept with one control unit per bank
• Oil level sensor with an additional temperature sensor in the main oil duct behind the starter motor.

I mean even piston design is changed - basically the only thing in common is a BMW emblem and number of cylinders
LOL. So basically this:
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      02-05-2019, 07:42 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DuSh View Post
N63TU upgrades from N63:

Engine mechanical
• New cylinder head due to use of the Turbo Valvetronic Direct Injection (TVDI) procedure
• 3rd generation Valvetronic
• New valvetrain with modified timing
• Adoption of VANOS from the N55 engine
• New cylinder head cover with adapted crankcase ventilation
• Pistons with modified piston crown geometry
• New connecting rod with even pitch and adaptation of the crankcase due to modified connecting rod shape
• Adapted crankshaft
• Chain drive with modified guide rails and an extruded chain with 142 elements.

Oil supply
• Pendulum slide cell pump with small overall width
• Eight individual oil spray nozzles for piston crown cooling.

Cooling
• Integration of the two engine control units in the low-temperature circuit and cooling over the back panel with cooling pipe
• Expansion tank under the left side wall with separate filling hopper.

Intake and exhaust emission systems
• Adaptation of the manifold for the air intake duct due to new geometry of the cylinder head cover
• Use of the hot film air mass meter 7
• Adoption of the charge air temperature and intake-manifold pressure sensor from the N20 engine
• Exhaust turbocharger with new compressor and modified wastegate valves
• Discontinuation of the blow-off valves.

Vacuum system
• Two-stage vacuum pump with new arrangement of the bolt connection
• Vacuum reservoir for the wastegate valves in the V-area of the engine.

Fuel preparation
• Use of the known high-pressure injection with injectors and high pressure pump HDP5
• Discontinuation of fuel low-pressure sensor

Engine management system
• New dual control unit concept with one control unit per bank
• Oil level sensor with an additional temperature sensor in the main oil duct behind the starter motor.

I mean even piston design is changed - basically the only thing in common is a BMW emblem and number of cylinders
Thanks for sharing the details. Very insightful.
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      02-06-2019, 12:02 AM   #18
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Hello,

First post in this forum.

I'm glad i found this post from searching.

As replacement to wife's 2002 Honda Odyssey, i'm considering 2015 BMW X5 XDrive50i, (production date shows as 2015-07-21) and looking up the engine type, i believe it's the N63TU variant from 3rd generation X5 (2014 to 2018).

Is that correct?

Any feedback about this particular used car sale would be appreciated.

https://www.carmax.com/car/16911029
https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/0j79495

It doesn't have many factory installed options though.

Sorry to hijack, but thought i would ask for quick feedback, rather than starting a whole new thread about my ask.

Thumb up, or down?


Thanks much.
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      02-06-2019, 12:05 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daytonaviolet View Post
Nice ��
What? Your white e46 m3 is a legend. I met you some many years ago (at socal bimmerfest), i think you had the very early folding side mirrors tied to your key remote. Glad to see you here.

(still at nvidia?)
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      02-06-2019, 11:30 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dinan5m3 View Post
Hello,

First post in this forum.

I'm glad i found this post from searching.

As replacement to wife's 2002 Honda Odyssey, i'm considering 2015 BMW X5 XDrive50i, (production date shows as 2015-07-21) and looking up the engine type, i believe it's the N63TU variant from 3rd generation X5 (2014 to 2018).

Is that correct?
Yes, that's correct. Powerful and solid engine.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dinan5m3 View Post
Any feedback about this particular used car sale would be appreciated.

https://www.carmax.com/car/16911029
https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/0j79495

It doesn't have many factory installed options though.

Sorry to hijack, but thought i would ask for quick feedback, rather than starting a whole new thread about my ask.

Thumb up, or down?


Thanks much.
So it's a 1 owner with low 26k miles and M-Sport - which is good! It also has 3rd row seats - I wish I had those (they are for kids only, but they are priceless when you really need them! It has LED lights and some other options - which is nice (it's not fully loaded, but good enough).
It's 2015 so technically your 4 year or 50k miles warranty is about to expire. You'll get 1 year of CPO warranty on top by default - but I'm not sure if that car is sold by BMW dealership - so my only negative is the warranty situation. You'll need to do PPI before buying for sure and check all maintenance records. So I would say thumbs up IF everything checks out and you'll sort out warranty issue one way or the other (if they are wiling to budge a bit in price and you can get a good aftermarket warranty for that saved amount - then it works too, sometimes aftermarket warranty is way better than CPO warranty from BMW, it all depends).
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      02-06-2019, 11:36 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dinan5m3 View Post
Hello,

First post in this forum.

I'm glad i found this post from searching.

As replacement to wife's 2002 Honda Odyssey, i'm considering 2015 BMW X5 XDrive50i, (production date shows as 2015-07-21) and looking up the engine type, i believe it's the N63TU variant from 3rd generation X5 (2014 to 2018).

Is that correct?

Any feedback about this particular used car sale would be appreciated.

https://www.carmax.com/car/16911029
https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/0j79495

It doesn't have many factory installed options though.

Sorry to hijack, but thought i would ask for quick feedback, rather than starting a whole new thread about my ask.

Thumb up, or down?


Thanks much.
Correct - all F15 50i's (model year 2014 - 2018) have the N63TU. The prior generation E70 50i (model year 2011-2013) has the N63 and it's very maintenance heavy. I have first hand experience with that

The X5 you linked to is moderately optioned IMO - not a stripper but no where near loaded. I see the following packages/options:

M Sport package
Lighting package
Driver's Assistance package
Ventilated front seats
3rd row seats
Extended nappa leather/interior design package

Strange that it doesn't show Harmon Kardon sound, I thought that was standard on all F15 50i's. Is that part of the Executive Package, which I don't think this one has?
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      02-06-2019, 04:44 PM   #22
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Thanks for the feedback's, appreciate it.

Yes, i will most certainly have the car PPI'ed at the local Raleigh bmw shop, bpc (bimmer performance center). Since the factory warranty will run out soon, and since carmax doesn't do bmw CPO warranty, i will most likely purchase carmax provided "max care" extended warranty plan with some form of deductible.

As for the options installed, right, just moderate. As for the sound system, probably the first think i will do is replace thee hi-fi (non-HK) system with the bavsound speakers, under the seat subs and amp. Glad to see these upgrades are available from bavsound.

I think what brought me to this car is the 50i with m-sport. Anything else, i think i can retrofit myself down the road, eg. digital cluster, android upgrade, etc.

Thanks much.
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