[jjjjjjjjjjjjj]

Hey guys,
I'm not writing to report any issue but to start a discussion. After few years since the model was introduced what do you guys think about its reliability?

I have mixed feelings: there are "stock" cars that blow engine after some stupid low mileage and there are also "tuned" cars that run for months/years without any issues.

We all know BMW has a bad PR for V8 engines after the F10 model where you had to service it almost always after 100,000 km's but how it is with F90?

I personally own F90 for 5 years now with 70,000km's driven (2018 model) and I didn't have any issues except BDC error after badly coded retrofit rearlights.

Looking at the used cars market I have found at least few M5 that have engines replaced at similar or higher mileage.

So what are your thoughts?

[Patton250]

I am very interested in this thread. I have an F90 being built as I type this. I don’t plan to tune it and the only engine modification I’m going to do is put Evolve intakes on it. I sold my 992 turbo s to get this one. That was one hell of a reliable engine in that car. I hope we don’t have a legion of people posting here that this engine in the F90 is a lemon. I don’t think that will happen. But let’s see.

[AHall]

Originally Posted by Patton250

I am very interested in this thread. I have an F90 being built as I type this. I don’t plan to tune it and the only engine modification I’m going to do is put Evolve intakes on it. I sold my 992 turbo s to get this one. That was one hell of a reliable engine in that car. I hope we don’t have a legion of people posting here that this engine in the F90 is a lemon. I don’t think that will happen. But let’s see.

Why sell the turbo S? I am not aware of any widespread engine failures or systemic problems with the F10. I frequent the F10 board just as a heads up of long term reliability of the F90 as the engines are similar. I am often surprised at the low mileage of the cars discussed. Yes there are some postings about engine failures, but nothing I consider systemic. They seemed to have had an oil consumption issue during the early years but that seems to have been addressed in later year F10s.

[pbonsalb]

And the S63 TU4 is a further updated version of the latest F10 engine. Rods were not changed and remain the weak point at higher than stock boost or low octane gas. Evolve has rebuilt a few with essentially no internal improvements other than aftermarket rods and made 1000 hp. Big job to change rods, though.

[Patton250]

Originally Posted by AHall

Why sell the turbo S? I am not aware of any widespread engine failures or systemic problems with the F10. I frequent the F10 board just as a heads up of long term reliability of the F90 as the engines are similar. I am often surprised at the low mileage of the cars discussed. Yes there are some postings about engine failures, but nothing I consider systemic. They seemed to have had an oil consumption issue during the early years but that seems to have been addressed in later year F10s.

Thanks man. Long story on the Turbo S. I wasn’t a fan other than the 2.39 sec 0-60 times. I prefer a 4 door sedan and the F90 is pretty dang fast. Glad to hear no problems.

[hunter8793]

Reliability side: Anything can happen with any manmade mechanical device. It can fail at 250 miles, 25,000 miles, 250,000 miles etc. There are numerous things that can cause an engine failure. The key for us owners is either trying to minimize the likelihood of failure, or just living with the fact that stuff doesn't last forever and no engine is perfect. It seems like these engines have gotten better over the years. Issues start to arise more frequently when the car is tuned.


Money side of it:

Everyone says its a $50k engine. That scared me. But in reality, it is like $5k in labor to remove and reinstall the engine, and probably $10K-15K for a rebuild depending on what needs to be done.

So if you tune it, you are risking $20k or so. If you don't tune it, you aren't risking anything for the first 4 years or 50k miles. If you are keeping the car after the 4 years or 50k miles, it would be nice financially to get an extended warranty. I think Fidelity has a good one.

[rsingh7]

I think any engine depends on how you take care of it. Yes, there are recalls and design flaws, but if you change the oil regularly and take care of the needed parts and updates I think you can get a good life from these engines.

The only thing I foresee after 50-60K is the heat component. I think the BMW V8 Bi-Turbos give off lots of heat under the hood and the surrounding hoses and plastic parts take a beating. There is no way those cna survive to 100K like the old E30 and E28 hoses and plastic parts did.

[Maverik259]

the S/N63TU has come a long way in reliability. Looking at the X5 50i and X5M side of the house the engine has been bullet proof if taken care of. I'm approaching 80k on my 50i with only an oil pan gasket currently needing to be replaced. Not a single other engine issue. Heat is an issue. Change the thermostat, turb blanket, remove primary CAT and change the oil temp sensor to a lower temp version and you will greatly increase the life. However, as stated, the plastics and clamps that coolant traverses will break down over time so keep an eye out for coolant leaks etc.

[micvite]

Originally Posted by jjjjjjjjjjjjj

Hey guys,
I'm not writing to report any issue but to start a discussion. After few years since the model was introduced what do you guys think about its reliability?

I have mixed feelings: there are "stock" cars that blow engine after some stupid low mileage and there are also "tuned" cars that run for months/years without any issues.

We all know BMW has a bad PR for V8 engines after the F10 model where you had to service it almost always after 100,000 km's but how it is with F90?

I personally own F90 for 5 years now with 70,000km's driven (2018 model) and I didn't have any issues except BDC error after badly coded retrofit rearlights.

Looking at the used cars market I have found at least few M5 that have engines replaced at similar or higher mileage.

So what are your thoughts?

You say that like the e60 with the v10, the e9x with the v8, the e39 with the v8 didn't all have their issues lol... every car, every engine not just bmw has issues. Non m cars suffer terribly from valve stem seals, timing components, m cars suffer from timing, rod bearings, crank hubs, etc. (Dare i mention the throttle bodies on the e60 and e9x?) E46 suffered from oil pump nuts coming off and timing again. Vanos issues galore. Mercedes? Supercharger bearings on the e55s, head bolts on all the amgs. Audi? Plastic timing chain components, timing in the back making it an engine out service.

It's just how things are, it's cost vs performance, if it lasts 50k miles so the warranty is up they're happy. First owner is usually happy after the lease is up and they turn it in for the new toy and the second third 5th owner gets left with the problems.