N52B30

BMW N52B30 Engine


  1. Specifications
  2. Overview, problems
  3. Performance tuning

N52B30 Specs

Manufacturer  Munich Plant
Also called BMW N52
Production 2004-2011
Cylinder block alloy Aluminium-magnesium
Configuration Straight-6
Valvetrain DOHC
4 valves per cylinder
Piston stroke, mm (inch) 88 (3.46)
Cylinder bore, mm (inch) 85 (3.35)
Compression ratio 10.7
Displacement 2996 cc (182.8 cu in)
Power output 160 kW (218 HP) at 6,100 rpm
160 kW (218 HP) at 6,100 rpm
170 kW (231 HP) at 6,500 rpm
190 kW (258 HP) at 6,600 rpm
190 kW (258 HP) at 6,600 rpm
195 kW (265 HP) at 6,600 rpm
200 kW (272 HP) at 6,650 rpm
Torque output 270 Nm (199 lb·ft) at 2,400-4,200 rpm
280 Nm (207 lb·ft) at 2,500-3,500 rpm
270 Nm (199 lb·ft) at 2,750 rpm
300 Nm (221 lb·ft) at 2,500-4,000 rpm
310 Nm (229 lb·ft) at 2,600-3,000 rpm
315 Nm (232 lb·ft) at 2,750 rpm
315 Nm (232 lb·ft) at 2,750 rpm
Redline 7,000 rpm
HP per liter 72.8
72.8
77.1
86.1
86.1
88.5
90.8
Fuel type Gasoline
ECU Siemens MSV70
Weight, kg (lbs) ~130 (287)
Fuel consumption, L/100 km (mpg)
-City

-Highway
-Combined
for E90 330i
13.0 (18.1)
6.4 (36.8)

8.7 (27)
Turbocharger   Naturally aspirated
Oil consumption , L/1000 km
(qt. per miles)
up to 1.0
(1 qt. per 750 miles)
Recommended engine oil 5W-30
5W-40
Engine oil capacity, L (qt.) 6.5 (6.9)
Oil change interval, km (miles)  7,000-10,000
(4,500-6,000)
Normal engine operating temperature, °C (F) ~95 (203)
Engine lifespan, km (miles)
-Official information
-Real


~300 (185)
Tuning, HP
-Max HP
-No life span loss

350+

The engine is installed in BMW 125i E82
BMW 128i E82
BMW 130i E87
BMW 328i E90
BMW 330i E90
BMW 528i E60
BMW 530i E60
BMW 528i F10
BMW 530i F18
BMW 630i E63
BMW 730i E65
BMW 730i F01
BMW X1 E84
BMW X3 E83
BMW X3 F25
BMW X5 E70
BMW Z4 E85
BMW Z4 E89

BMW N52B30 engine reliability, problems and repair

It is the first engine in the new N52 series which also includes N52B25. The N52B30 engine has 6 cylinders and is totally different from previous versions of M54B30. It is equipped by popular Double-VANOS camshaft and light-weight aluminum-magnesium block of cylinders, another crankshaft and lighter connecting rods and pistons.
New cylinder block head is used in this engine. It has system of variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust. Valvetronic II improved system of valve lifting is used in order to increase the level of motor efficiency. The height of valves varies from 0.18 mm to 9.9 mm. Duration 255/263 deg. Diameter of inlet valves is 34.2 mm while exhaust valves are 28 mm in diameter.
Injectors are located in the block of cylinder head. Variable-length intake manifold DISA is installed on the inlet.
Previous engine control unit was replaced by Siemens MSV70.
N52B30 was used on BMW 25i, 28i and 30i models according to their modification.
3-liter version of N52 engine was produced till 2011. Starting from 2007 it has been competing with modified version of N53B30 motor.

BMW N52B30 engine modifications and differences

1. N52B30U1 (2004 – 2011) has the following specs: power – 218 HP at 6,100 rpm, 270 Nm of torque at 2,400-4,200 rpm. The power is decreased with the help of new intake manifold and ECU. It was used for BMW models with 25i and 28i index.
2. N52B30 (2007 – 2011) is analogue of engine produced for the US market. The specs are as follows: power – 231 HP at 6,500 rpm, 270 Nm of torque at 2,750 rpm. It was used for BMW models with 28i index.
3. N52B30O0 (2004 – 2011) is a basic engine with 3-Stage DISA intake manifold. Power – 258 HP at 6,600 rpm, 300 Nm of torque at 2,550-4,000 rpm. It was used for BMW models with 30i index.
4. N52B30O1 (2006 – 2009) has the following specs: power – 265 HP at 6,600 rpm, 315 Nm of torque at 2,750-4,250 rpm. It was used for BMW models with 30i index.
5. N52B30O1 (2006 – 2010) has the following specs: power – 272 HP at 6,650 rpm, 312 Nm of torque at 2,750 rpm. It was used for BMW models with 30i index as well as in X3 and X5 crossovers.

BMW N52B30 engine problems and drawbacks

N52B30 engine has the same malfunctions as its younger 2.5-liter version N52B25 motor. You can come across such problems as ticking noise, rough idling and others. The main difference is in pistons rings and problems which follow them. N52B30 is equipped by different N52B30 piston rings (Mahle) which made it possible to prevent common problem of high level of oil consumption.
That is why 3-liter N52 engine has longer lifespan in comparison with N52B52. At the same time N52B30 engine has proved to be rather reliable due to fixed problems and malfunctions, It can be certainly recommended for purchasing.

BMW N52B30 engine tuning

N52B30 Intake manifold. Chip

Younger versions of N52B30 can be upgraded in order to provide engine with 218-231 HP according to the version. The main reason for that is the fact that producers decided to decrease the level of power on purpose in favor of other characteristics.
3-Stage DISA intake manifold will be necessary in order to return 272 HP as well as ECU tuning.

If you want to reveal the whole potential of the engine you can also install sports air filter along with performance exhaust system. It will help you to increase the level of power up to 280-290 HP.
Some variants of tuning include using and installing of ITB. However, it means that you will need to tune your engine on other ECUs.

N52B30 Supercharger

ARMA supercharger kit is also available for 3-liter N52 as well as for its younger brother N52B25. You can also use supercharger kits provided by other producers. It will provide your engine with 300-350 HP with stock internals. On the one hand the idea is rather good. On the other hand it will be better to buy BMW with N54B30 under its bonnet and proceed with chip tuning up to 400 HP.

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