N63 vs N52

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
N52 BEST 90/100
+48 points over N63
0 / 100
AVOID N63 BMW
0 / 100
BEST N52 BMW

Specifications

N63
N52
Brand
BMW
BMW
Verdict
AVOID
BEST
Reliability
42
90
Years
2008--present
2004--2015
Displacement
4395 cc
2996 cc
Layout
V8
I6
Type
Petrol Turbo
Petrol Na
Power
408--625 hp
190--272 hp
Known Issues
2
3
Total Risk Cost
€2,500--€7,000
€250--€900

Character

N63

"Hot-V design cooks turbos and injectors between cylinder banks. Oil consumption, coolant leaks, injector failure. N63TU (2012+) improved but still problematic. Called 'hot vee from hell' by BMW techs."

N52

"Last great NA six. Lighter (magnesium block), smoother, higher-revving than M54. 250k+ km."

Issues Comparison

N63 2

◆ CRITICAL
Injector failure (hot-V design) €2,000--€5,000 60,000 km--120,000 km
▲ HIGH
Excessive oil consumption €500--€2,000 40,000 km--100,000 km

N52 3

● MODERATE
Coolant expansion tank / hose failure €100--€300 80,000 km--150,000 km
● MODERATE
VANOS solenoid / oil feed failure €150--€400 80,000 km--160,000 km
○ MINOR
Hydraulic lifter tick on cold start €0--€200 60,000 km--∞

Models

N63 8

6 Series F13 2011--2018 X5 E70 2010--2013 8 Series G15 2018--present 5 Series G30 2017--2023 7 Series G11 2019--2022 7 Series F01 2012--2015 5 Series F10 2010--2017 X5 F15 2013--2018

N52 9

6 Series E63 2004--2010 5 Series E60 2005--2007 5 Series E60 2005--2007 3 Series E90 2005--2007 Z4 E85 2006--2008 5 Series E60 2005--2007 X5 E70 2007--2010 3 Series E90 2005--2007 1 Series E87 2005--2011
Full N63 Report Full N52 Report