BMW 335i E90 — Reliability
Reliability Summary
Best engine
N55 — 79/100
BUY
Worst engine
N54 — 42/100
AVOID
Average reliability
60/100
Engine Comparison
| Engine | Reliability Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
|
N55
3.0L Turbo I6 |
79/100 | BUY |
|
N54
3.0L Twin-Turbo I6 |
42/100 | AVOID |
Engines in this model
Known Issues Across All Engines
| Issue | Engine | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| VANOS solenoids and VANOS housing bolts (recall 2010-2012) | N55 | moderate |
| Valve cover gasket and PCV valve in the cover — oil leaks, oil consumption | N55 | moderate |
| Oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) leak | N55 | moderate |
| Intake valve carbon build-up (direct injection) | N55 | moderate |
| Electric water pump failure | N55 | moderate |
| High-pressure fuel pump failure — mainly 2010-2011 engines | N55 | moderate |
| Turbo wastegate rattle | N55 | minor |
| Coolant pipe / banjo bolt seals | N55 | minor |
| Plastic charge pipe crack | N55 | minor |
| High pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure | N54 | critical |
| Piezoelectric injector failure (x6) | N54 | high |
| Turbocharger failure (one or both) | N54 | high |
FAQ
Is the BMW 335i reliable?
The BMW 335i has 2 engine options with reliability scores ranging from 42/100 (AVOID) to 79/100 (BUY). Average reliability: 60/100.
Which BMW 335i engine is most reliable?
The N55 is the most reliable engine in the BMW 335i, scoring 79/100 (BUY).
What problems does the BMW 335i have?
Across all engine variants, the BMW 335i has 17 known issues. The most common are related to VANOS solenoids and VANOS housing bolts (recall 2010-2012), Valve cover gasket and PCV valve in the cover — oil leaks, oil consumption, Oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) leak.