E89 N52 vs N20

Manual Transmission · 07-12-2022, 09:49 PM

I'm in the market for a Z4, and currently trying to learn about the motors. I couldn't find an existing thread for this, so let me know if there is one.

I used to have an e90 and e88 328i/128i so quite familiar with the n51/n52 motors. Really wonderful. I probably lean towards them for their good combo of reliability and power.

I've also test driven the N54/55 and know their reliability issues well. I could swing them, but not sure I care for the headache and expense.

I'm most interested in learning about the N20 2.0T. I'm really not familiar with these new turbo 4 cylinders. Are they reliable? What are common issues with them? How well do they drive? What performance mods are there? How do they compare with the N54/55 given they're both turbo motors?

B21 · 07-13-2022, 02:31 PM

So in the E89 Z4 the N52 engines were replaced by the N20 engines.

Power and especially torque wise the N20’s stomp over the N52s. Especially when re-mapped.

The N20 is probably not quite as over engineered than the N52 and in time still suffers from common problems associated with ageing plastics.

Pre 2015 N20s suffer from a could be better design in the cam chain, guides and oil pump drive areas.

These issues if they surface are usually in the 50k-80k miles area.

It’s an easy if expensive (2k USD) fix to address these issues.

However if it goes bang then it’s hasta la vista for the engine.

However compared to N54s they seem faultless with that one exception..��

Manual Transmission · 07-14-2022, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B21

So in the E89 Z4 the N52 engines were replaced by the N20 engines.

Power and especially torque wise the N20’s stomp over the N52s. Especially when re-mapped.

The N20 is probably not quite as over engineered than the N52 and in time still suffers from common problems associated with ageing plastics.

Pre 2015 N20s suffer from a could be better design in the cam chain, guides and oil pump drive areas.

These issues if they surface are usually in the 50k-80k miles area.

It’s an easy if expensive (2k USD) fix to address these issues.

However if it goes bang then it’s hasta la vista for the engine.

However compared to N54s they seem faultless with that one exception..��

That almost sounds better than the n52. I'll definitely consider this motor.

B21 · 07-15-2022, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manual Transmission

That almost sounds better than the n52. I'll definitely consider this motor.

Some people argue that it’s not a BMW without an in-line 6 or the only acceptable exhaust note comes from a 6..

However speed, power, torque, acceleration and handling are all better with the N20…

A re-mapped N20 allied to a ZF8HP auto box is a fabulous combination..

GerryC · 07-15-2022, 02:35 PM

I've got a 2016 Z4 28i with the N20. I love the car.

As others have pointed out there are timing chain and oil pump issues with engines built through Jan 2015 (before Feb 2015). So cars built in Mar 2015 (which have engines built in Feb) or later avoid the issue. That is effectively all 2016 model year cars (mine is a 2016 built in Mar 2015.)

If you are looking at an earlier model, BMW provided an extended warranty specifically for related parts of 7 years/70k miles from in-service date. That's expired, but if the cars were repaired under the warranty it would show up in the car's service history (a dealer can pull it up for you if the current owner doesn't have the records.)

The SIB covering the issue is attached.

Gerry

Ichiro · 07-18-2022, 07:50 AM

I'll throw in my two cents based on my personal ownership experience in Oz.

I've owned a 2013 28i with the N20 and ZF 8 speed from new.
I keep up to date with the maintenance, and do frequent oil + oil filter changes (every 5000 kms). My N20 has ~90,000 kms - the major service items I've carried out are valve cover gasket and walnut blasting of the intake ports (chain guides are still good, no slack or movement). My engine mods are cat-less downpipe and high-flow air filter (stock airbox) supplemented by an OTS conservative tune at 300hp.

I love the occasional WOT (...almost every drive

) and a spirited drive every fortnight

The car has been rock solid bar the weeping valve cover gasket which was recently replaced. It does sound like a diesel on cold starts though....which is normal apparently. Once its upto temps, the exhaust burbles are just the right amount of loud when wanted.

My modest mods are Msport calipers w/340mm disks up front, braided lines, big wheels, Coilovers. And that's plenty of fun for my driving needs. If I ever get into track events, I'll look into more handling upgrades such as arbs, control arms, poly bushes and chassis bracing plus intercooler?

07-12-2022, 09:49 PM	#1
Manual Transmission Private First Class 30 Rep 158 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: California iTrader: (0)	E89 N52 vs N20 I'm in the market for a Z4, and currently trying to learn about the motors. I couldn't find an existing thread for this, so let me know if there is one. I used to have an e90 and e88 328i/128i so quite familiar with the n51/n52 motors. Really wonderful. I probably lean towards them for their good combo of reliability and power. I've also test driven the N54/55 and know their reliability issues well. I could swing them, but not sure I care for the headache and expense. I'm most interested in learning about the N20 2.0T. I'm really not familiar with these new turbo 4 cylinders. Are they reliable? What are common issues with them? How well do they drive? What performance mods are there? How do they compare with the N54/55 given they're both turbo motors?
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07-13-2022, 02:31 PM	#2
B21 Captain 145 Rep 602 Posts Drives: E89 Atacama Yellow 35is Join Date: May 2022 Location: Scotland..God’s own country iTrader: (0)	So in the E89 Z4 the N52 engines were replaced by the N20 engines. Power and especially torque wise the N20’s stomp over the N52s. Especially when re-mapped. The N20 is probably not quite as over engineered than the N52 and in time still suffers from common problems associated with ageing plastics. Pre 2015 N20s suffer from a could be better design in the cam chain, guides and oil pump drive areas. These issues if they surface are usually in the 50k-80k miles area. It’s an easy if expensive (2k USD) fix to address these issues. However if it goes bang then it’s hasta la vista for the engine. However compared to N54s they seem faultless with that one exception..�� __________________ Much modified 2011 Atacama Yellow 35is…previously a much modified 2012 Atacama Yellow 20i MSport Change history here… https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h1vabklgz...0List.pdf?dl=0 Build thread here… https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=131886
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07-18-2022, 07:50 AM	#6
Ichiro Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Aus iTrader: (0)	I'll throw in my two cents based on my personal ownership experience in Oz. I've owned a 2013 28i with the N20 and ZF 8 speed from new. I keep up to date with the maintenance, and do frequent oil + oil filter changes (every 5000 kms). My N20 has ~90,000 kms - the major service items I've carried out are valve cover gasket and walnut blasting of the intake ports (chain guides are still good, no slack or movement). My engine mods are cat-less downpipe and high-flow air filter (stock airbox) supplemented by an OTS conservative tune at 300hp. I love the occasional WOT (...almost every drive ) and a spirited drive every fortnight The car has been rock solid bar the weeping valve cover gasket which was recently replaced. It does sound like a diesel on cold starts though....which is normal apparently. Once its upto temps, the exhaust burbles are just the right amount of loud when wanted. My modest mods are Msport calipers w/340mm disks up front, braided lines, big wheels, Coilovers. And that's plenty of fun for my driving needs. If I ever get into track events, I'll look into more handling upgrades such as arbs, control arms, poly bushes and chassis bracing plus intercooler?
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