Hello everyone, I have a 2008 528i, build date was actually early summer of 2008. I've had the car since 55K miles, now at 82K. I try to stay on top of the maintenance and every is going well.

As I think about keeping the car for longer, I'd like to know if the N52 will hold up well for a while. I have been reading about broken head bolts and that is a little preoccupying. What about head gaskets? do those hold up well past 100K miles? And as far as the head bolts, should those be replaced now as a precaution?

Thanks for the input.

I believe the head bolt broken off or backing out is due to overheat; like water pump failure and driver not pull over fast enough.
Other than that, the engine is solid, I know so many people driving X5 with over 150k miles on M54 and N52

 

Nope. It's EXTREMELY hard to blow an N5x head gasket.

The electric water pump will throw the car into limp mode in the event of a cooling issue. You have to do some really stupid stuff to blow the head gasket, especially on an N52.

The head bolts shear due to incorrect torque spec.

The warning you get is not because the engine has overheated. It's warning you it is ABOUT to overheat buy the car limits throttle input.

 

I really miss the temp gauge from my e39. But if this e60 tells me way before that something will go wrong, then be it.

BTW, I have 98k on mine and it's been almost perfect.

 

Good to hear. I was out with a friend on some back rounds, revving it up, and the thought about the head gasket came into mind. Maxxym, did you do your water pump replacement yet?

 

Not yet...The only engine problem I had was recently Oil Filter Housing and Oil Cooler gaskets which I replaced myself. Other than that, nothing wrong so far

 

My Oil Filter Housing gasket was replaced under CPO at around 68K miles. Around that time we also did the Idler pulley, and new serpentine belt.