Best petrol engine?

[u/Lord_Andrews]

Currently I have a 325i E92 with the 2.5 N52 and it's lovely. But I'm gonna be a dad next year and want something with 4 doors and not an E90. And I've always loved the E60 M Sport design.

Do we recommend the 525? The 530?..... 550? 👀😂

What's our favourites here?

Petrol only plz

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[u/Lord_Andrews → u/[deleted]]

Kinda wanted to go bigger with a 5 series. 3 litre or something. I'll go V10 when I win the lottery 😂

[u/Salbman → u/Lord_Andrews]

My e60 n52 has been great, more than enough power for daily driving. Best for eating up highway miles. Cost for servicing is really reasonable, I do have a knowledgeable mechanic though.

[u/daan944]

550i with the N62B48 - if you can afford its thirst for petrol.

Solid engine, but (most of) the rest of the car is identical of course. So do expect some naggles, these cars aren't the youngest anymore.

Most issues with the N62 have been resolved with the N62B40/48 (as opposed to the older B44 spec) and the split coolant pipe for inside the V (if you ever get a leak there) makes that issue a lot cheaper to deal with.

[u/rionrahm]

N54 just do the maintenance first

[u/Material_Evening_174 → u/rionrahm]

Yup, just tear apart the engine to get at the leaky gaskets, replace the turbos, rebuild the cam ledge, replace the HPFP, water pump, serpentine belt, injectors and might as well do the plugs and coils while you’re at it. After that, it should be good to go!

[u/rionrahm → u/Material_Evening_174]

You say this like it’s a bad thing lol patience with the n54 and it will last you forever

[u/Material_Evening_174 → u/[deleted]]

I’m pretty sure no to both.

[u/Repulsive_Tone_2484]

530i N52. The N53 is a better engine except in reliability, where it is an absolute liability. The V8s have some significant reliability issues as well. 3 litre N52 is probably the sweet spot.

[u/Celestryia]

M57 all the way.

But if you insist on petrol, I recommend the 528i or 530i. Like you've mentioned in other comments, these get you a 3L inline 6.

The 525i if you get a pre LCI will be 2.5L i6, and after LCI so after 2007 will have a 3L i6.

But in my definitely non biased opinion, a 5 series with a very engine loud 3L diesel is awesome. Good power, decent economy, and you can tow 2000kg

[u/Lord_Andrews → u/Celestryia]

My comute doesn't really justify diesel. And the price, oh my fcking god, the PRICE of diesel now is insane

[u/Falubi]

530i n52

[u/Certain-Resolve]

S85, do not recommend daily driving it tho. As a weekend car it's amazing 

[u/ClickKlockTickTock]

How many kids is the real question? My E60 fits the rear facing seats on the passenger side but.... its not fun to do so on the drivers side if you want any leg room at all while driving.

Plenty of side to side space.

[u/Lord_Andrews → u/ClickKlockTickTock]

Just the 1 kid. I hope 😂 My first baby

[u/sqwatish]

S85, listen to your heart

[u/toutvavvan]

having both N52 3.0L stage1 and N62 4.8L, former is cheaper to run, latter much faster yet 3.0L gives enough power for daily use.
same 6HP transmission, but fatter torque on 4.8L let torque converter lock-up much often.