How is the N20 engine for 2013 X3?

Hello:

i am really nervous about this new turbo engine over the out-going I6 on the reliability side. I know the performance is better with the new one. But can some one comment about the downside of this engine?

The concerns I have for it:
- it is pretty new (don't have long history to prove its reliability)
- it is turbo which seems to wear out faster than NA engine.

this is the biggest issue right now that prevent me from ordering the 2013 X3 28i.

thanks

It sounds like you're looking for a problem. There really isn't any.
It's been in Europe for a few years in the x1...no problems
No ....new turbos are not like old turbos ....the new metals that they use insure that the turbo will last as long as the rest.
It's an amazing engine. I have one, And if no one told me, I would believe it was six and I'm very impressed
It was also voted wards top 10 international engine of the year ....its not new...it's basically an 335 motor which Has been out for over six years.

thanks a lot for the infor.

Originally Posted by Glen E

It sounds like you're looking for a problem. There really isn't any.
It's been in Europe for a few years in the x1...no problems
No ....new turbos are not like old turbos ....the new metals that they use insure that the turbo will last as long as the rest.
It's an amazing engine. I have one, And if no one told me, I would believe it was six and I'm very impressed
It was also voted wards top 10 international engine of the year ....its not new...it's basically an 335 motor which Has been out for over six years.

Did you get rid of your X3 already?

Yup ....get a new one annually....

Originally Posted by Glen E

Yup ....get a new one annually....

Fun! Guess working for BMW has it's perks!!

Go drive a new 3... The motor is amazing...torque comes in at 1250 RPM

Tour starts mid April this year....

Originally Posted by Glen E

Go drive a new 3... The motor is amazing...torque comes in at 1250 RPM

Tour starts mid April this year....

Will you be doing a tour to Kalamazoo, MI again? I'll be sure to sign up for the event if it comes our way!

No .I'll be doing the leg that goes from Florida up through New York city.

Originally Posted by Glen E

It sounds like you're looking for a problem. There really isn't any.
It's been in Europe for a few years in the x1...no problems
No ....new turbos are not like old turbos ....the new metals that they use insure that the turbo will last as long as the rest.
It's an amazing engine. I have one, And if no one told me, I would believe it was six and I'm very impressed
It was also voted wards top 10 international engine of the year ....its not new...it's basically an 335 motor which Has been out for over six years.

How exactly is it "basically the 3.5 motor" when the 3.5 is an inline 6 and this is a 4 cyl..Are you implying it is the same with two cylinders hacked off? Just like the 4.3L V6 is the same as a small block with 2 cylinders hacked off? That worked really well if it weren't for the exploding pistons and cracking cranks..

Hey, I had a 4.3 diesel Oldsmobile that was the exception to the rule! Worked like a champ with great mileage and lasted well into the 70K mile range when I sold the car! Not all of them were junk, but sadly enough of them were to give the whole line a nasty rep! The biggest reason the turbos are better now, along with the improved metal, is the use of synthetic oil! The old dino oil used to carbon up and was hell on turbos if not allowed to cool down after a hard run. I think the new 4 potter will be just fine, as will the other 4 potters now coming out across the board. Virtually every manufacturer now is putting these out with some serious HP numbers. Buick of all things has the best hp to displacement rate in their very nice 4 banger (probably from Opal) but the rest are not far behind. One of the sleeper performance "cute utes" is the Kia sportage turbo which posts some amazing numbers for a very economical ride. Things just keep getting better and better.

I just remembered why I don't post here anymore .....people can disagree with each other all they want , but there's no reason to get vicious like the person above.....see you later guys

Ummm...who a you referring to? Just because Uncle J had a GM diesel in his past is absolutely NO reason to refer to him as a "jerk"...shame on you!

Originally Posted by Glen E

I just remembered why I don't post here anymore .....people can disagree with each other all they want , but there's no reason to get vicious like the person above.....see you later guys

Glen E, don't leave on account of a few rotten eggs. If you looks at most of his posts regarding ANYTHING, they are usually negative or have a tone (and we are not talking about Uncle J).

Please stop taking shots at Uncle J. He, like myself, have had a few stinkers in our past. That is no reason for any Kool-Aid drinkers to gang up on him or call him names.

Thanks for the support guys, although I didn't see the "offending" post -- must have been "taken down". Anyway, to clarify whilst I was driving my Olds diesel for work, I was driving my '68 2002 for fun. So I am not all bad. Compared to the contemporary cars of that day the Olds was a decent car that got exceptional mileage and (few may remember this) in the days of gas rationing in the 70's it was exempt from the odd-even day 10 gallon fill up rule as a diesel.

After picking up a loaded X3 with the N20 I have mixed feelings about this engine. the first problem is that I am toward the end of a 2011 535 lease and get to compare engines several times per week. I think the inline six turbo is incredibly smooth which makes me notice the N20 rough edges. If you drive both the 4 banger vibrations are there. Well masked but there. Regardless, the power of the N20 combined with economy is a great combination. 30 mpg is pretty easy on trips. The N20 vibrations are most noticed by me at 30-60 when changing throtte. The 535 has no such issues with its engine. I am hoping I simply get used to the feel and that is blends into the car over time.

It was a tremendous risk to place this engine as a replacement to the inline six "Newton" engine. Others have noted what I noted. Motorweek loved the drive but said the N20 has rough edges at times such as idle and slight vibration at some speeds.

I drove the Audi Q5 2.0T and do not recall any vibration issues. My guess is that Audi/VW have completely figured out how to mask it after all these years of use.

Any other N20 thoughts out there?