Is the N54 reliable?
We rate the N54 62 of 100 for reliability: moderate. The rating is one of the inputs to every Guide Score below, and it is argued for on the method page with the others.
Why that rating
The lit mark is the N54; each grey mark is another engine on the engines page.
BMW's first mass-produced turbocharged gasoline engine, used here in the 1 Series M. Strong inside and popular with tuners, but the parts around it fail: the high-pressure fuel pump, the piezo injectors, the electric water pump, and the turbo wastegates, usually fixed with new or rebuilt turbos.
Cars in this guide with the N54
| Car | Years with this engine | Reliability | Guide Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Series M E82 | 2011 | 66 | 83 (2011) |
Reliability is each car's score out of 100 for the years it had this engine: the engine rating plus that car's own known problems, service costs and age. The Guide Score is for the car's best year to buy.
Known problems on the N54
| Problem | Named in the guides for | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|
| Wastegate rattle | 1 Series M E82 | $4,000 |
| Fuel injector failure | 1 Series M E82 | $1,200 |
| High-pressure fuel pump failure | 1 Series M E82 | $900 |
Bills are the guides' estimates, not quotes; each car's guide says which model years a problem hits and how to check for it. The bars share one scale, up to the costliest bill here.
Other engines
Every engine we rate, from the most reliable down, is on the engines page.