Why The N52 Is One Of BMW's Greatest Engines | E86 BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si (N52 Pure Sounds)

Check us out on Instagram for more of our content!
foot.to.pedal
For me, engines are an integral part not just to the cars themselves, but the driving experience as a whole. It is for that reason why I take such a great interest in them and why in particular, I have such an appreciation for the N52.
I've spent many months with my E86 Z4 Coupe, and feel that the N52B30 may be one of BMW's greatest engines.
What do you think?
Music from Epidemic Sound:
www.epidemicsound.com
Images: www.press.bmwgroup.com/global
#e86z4 #n52engine #bmw
BMW Z4, BMW Z4 Coupe, 3.0si, Z4 Coupe 3.0si, N52 engine, N52B30, N52 engine sound, E86 BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si, BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si, Z4 Coupe

[@AB-jk7tw]

Love my n52. It has been reliable and fun to drive over 120K km. Just change the oil regularly, the water pump at 100k and you will not be disappointed.

[@armandde1]

I've had sooo many cars over the years but never a BMW. People I know have always told me that the cost of repair would destroy any love for the brand. But recently I've come across a 2009 328i convertible that I just fell in love with only 85k. I'm not looking for top end speed, but wide band of usable power without the worry of the twin turbos. After see this video and a few others, I think I'll have a mechanic look it over, and if it's in great shape I will pull the trigger. Thanks !

[@jamesfigueroa382]

N52 rocks&rolls baby..!:)

[@Krezo200]

I just bought my fourth n52, great engine

[@TheJamesdavidmartin]

I'm lucky enough to live near The Stang and have an n52 engine. The last of the straight 6 NA engines! I'll be keeping it for as long as I can.

[@FootToPedal]

Ah thats great, the Stang area is one of my favourites for sure! Yeah the N52 is a bit of a masterpiece really, it's everything I love about straight six N/A engines!

[@magshinedetailworks6814]

I daily an E82 125i. Might not have all the bells and whistles like the DISA valves making peak power, but it's still one hell of a joy to daily nonetheless. 180k on the clocks and still runs like a dream. The N52 is indeed one of the greatest. My BMW tech prefers the N52 over the N54, citing the much more linear power delivery, on top of the proven reliability of course. If you are looking to get an N52, don't hold back. It's the very last and near perfect iteration of its kind.

[@FootToPedal]

That's awesome, 180k is a big figure and yet I'm not surprised your N52 is running well still, these engines seem to be very strong. Hope you continue to enjoy it!

[@lukebatchelor-fretwell376]

Pretty sure they do have the 3 stage manifolds on the 125i e82

[@magnusdrives]

@@lukebatchelor-fretwell376 Yes. It does have the DISA valves. I was mistaken. All I need is a tune to unlock that 50 extra HP.

[@magnusdrives]

As an update: the Euro spec 125i's do come with the 3 Stage Manifold/DISA. I was mistaken.

[@brianr.9732]

Just picked up an E93 with the N52. Great, smooth power with a wide torque band. I just discovered the sport mode on the automatic transmission and it's scary good on the curves!

[@robertonunez1085]

I love the N52 engine!! In fact I have two...one, the N52 b30 in a e90 330i with 112000km and now one N52 k in a Z4 e89 sdrive 3.0 2010 with only 6700km. Pure enjoy in both cars.The sedan with automatic and the roadster with manual.

[@FootToPedal]

Cool to hear you have two N52's! Both great cars too

[@darrylwebb3625]

I bought an E86 a few weeks ago. The engine has so much character. It's what I've been looking for in a car for so long. The motor industry can move towards electric but I'll savour this for a long time.

[@FootToPedal]

Agreed Darryl, it really is full of character. The engine to me is such an integral part of a car, and it's why I love the N52. I'll certainly be savouring mine too 👍

[@harrytitus9184]

@@FootToPedal if the n52 engine, and I will also include the N54, the s52 and the s54 are such great engines, why do they all suffer from vanos problems, dispa issues, water pump problems, valve cover gasket leaks, valve cover cracks,faulty thermostats, oil leaks and a other issues that BMW has never addressed? Nor did you address either.

[@FootToPedal]

@@harrytitus9184 First of all an engine can be fantastic and still have problems. Note the video is not titled "The Greatest Engine in the World". At no point do I claim that any of these engines are perfect, they're absolutely not and pretty much no engine is. But to me they are still incredible pieces of machinery for what they offer from a driving perspective. If you re-watch the video I do mention the VANOS and rod bearing issues on the S54 and S85. But a lot of the other issues you mention are often down to poor maintenance on the part of the owner. A lot of people buy BMW's once they have depreciated and can't afford to fix or maintain them, and that's often when a lot of these issues arise. I'm not saying that's always the case but it certainly is a lot of the time. I agree that at times BMW's build quality in the engine department has lacked, and it has led to some of the issues you mention. But does that mean they're not good? In my opinion of course it doesn't. This video is purely my opinion and I do not expect everyone to agree with me, particularly if you been burned by owning a BMW which it sounds like you might have been.

[@anthonygillesse7242]

@@FootToPedal Being an proud owner of a e86 with the n52 I totally agree with you, no engine is perfect but the n52 is a darling in my books. As with all German cars they do need maintenance with regular oil changes half the recommended bmw schedule. Never seen a Corolla driver with a smile on their face?🇨🇦 can’t wait for spring to get the coupe on the road again

[@FootToPedal]

@@anthonygillesse7242 Yeah fully agree Anthony! The N52 in particular has a lot of character to it. Bet you can't wait to get it back out on the road!

[@lucasvonheiz1310]

N52 is hands down the best non M engine.

[@FootToPedal]

Definitely one of the best I'd say!

[@lucasvonheiz1310]

@@FootToPedal and having two of them, n52b25 and n52b30 is really really nice

[@sparkoftruthblazeoffire8517]

I heard, however, that the n52 z4 has higher torque and the m is better after a hundred miles and hour. However, for daily driving, the n52 is much more fun as most people are not driving over a hundred. In sum, it is faster than the M up to a hundred miles an hour.

[@maxgr7723]

On this, finding this video very interesting, i cant agree at all. In my eyes going to Non M an Non Charged I6 BMW Engines id rate them Following: M50TÜ, S52B32US, M54B30, M52 and then N52B30, after that the M30/M20 and probably on the very last spot the N53. Actually i really liked the z4qps i tested a lot and im still curious about an e83x3 probably as an 3.0si to maybe buy as a daily winter car. But still i think if you take the m54 in maintenance cost and on all weather regions and chassises against the n52, the n52 doesnt offer as much of a benefit over the m54. The n52 in a z4 and maybe in a ringtool or lightweight build like an e30, is a wonderful engine for those applications, but in a 5series its probably not that big of a difference at all.

[@richlee509]

M54

[@toast47624]

Recently brought our son a 130I M sport. I got to drive it back from up north in the weekend and I must say I had no idea what I was buying at the time. The thing is a rocket ship. It is by far the cheapest car in the driveway but right at this point in time by far my favorite. I was hinting at swapping him our 320D for it. It was a spirted and fun 3.5hrs of driving. I felt like a kid again by the time we got home. The older BMW's are fantastic value. People get it in the heads that they are unreliable but if you service them and look after them they seem fine. In fact our 320D is due for replacement and in 143,000km of driving it has given us absolutely no trouble at all. I'd easily say it has been the most reliable car we have owned and we have brought only new cars for the past 20 years.

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah I've heard lots of good things about the 130i, agree that the older BMWs are often great value for money! And yeah they do sometimes get a reputation for being unreliable but this is usually due to people not maintaining them properly, if you look after them they can go for a long time indeed

[@petef7323]

Bang on the money this video. Absolutely superb engine! I owned, loved and enjoyed my 3.0si e86 for 9yrs. Always put a smile on my face everytime I got in it, and it never failed to get admiring glances. ♥️

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks Pete, glad you enjoyed the video! Yeah that is how I feel about it, absolutely live owning and driving my E86, never a dull moment out on the road in it. And yes, people certainly seem to appreciate it when I'm out and about!

[@cologne2792]

A superb video! No waffle, well presented and very useful info conveyed too. Brilliant!

[@FootToPedal]

Really appreciate the positive feedback, thanks for watching!

[@BMWEiMSport]

Last week I made a video about the N52B30 in my E82 125i M Sport. It sounds awesome. Thank you for focussing on this engine which is sometimes overlooked.

[@FootToPedal]

Awesome, I will check it out, always had an appreciation for the E8X 1 series! Yes I agree, it is certainly often overlooked and ultimately it offers a great compromise between performance and usability!

[@abbasmushtaq137]

We need more Z4 content mate! Great video

[@FootToPedal]

Appreciate it, thanks for watching!

[@martinkaminskidesign]

I have a 2006 330i which has the n52. Great engine. 220000 km still going strong.

[@TheGoldenBosses]

How much MPG do u manage?

[@Paul-jl2vo]

I got my E86 2 days ago. The performance is a revelation. I am going to have to get better at driving to ever get close to what this car is capable of. Nicely produced video also.

[@FootToPedal]

Awesome, hope you enjoy the car Paul! Yeah it's a car which definitely requires some skill to get the most out of, it demands a lot from the driver but that's what I love about it!

[@bmw-130i]

Great video mate! got the N52 in my 1 -series (130i 2008) and love it to bits... especially with the relative low weight of the car it performs really well...and the smoothness and sound is very adictive! 🙂

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks man! 130i is another great car, glad you can also appreciate the N52!

[@johannjohann6523]

It's not Horsepower, it's Horsepower to Weight ratio that ultimately matters. The N52 is not just one of BMW's best engines, it is one of, if not THE best in-line 6 cylinder engines ever made. Rock solid reliability and performance. And just a little tweak with the intake and exhaust can easily give you 40-45 more HP. Solid. (sidenote: the only recall on the engine had to do with the PCV valve. actually its a "heater unit" added to the valve which doesn't make much sense in the first place. easy fix).

[@Mark-bd5ci]

40 to 50hp ? Explain please. Are you talking about lower tune models?

[@Boasandpythons]

@@Mark-bd5ci American N52 engines came with a nerfed one stage intake manifold. Converting it to the three stage "Disa valves" unlocks 40 to 50hp.

[@Mark-bd5ci]

@@Boasandpythons cool, thought as much.

[@greenlightwilly]

Another 'recall' re: aluminum VANO bolts potentially snapping off. Mine were good but they replaced with non-aluminum's anyway.

[@kalinwellmein]

i did total repair to my n52b25, and i bought an equal lenght exhaust manifold. but i have also an intake manifold of n52b30, is it worth installing it? the dissa are the same and they fit. does it require any code adjustments if i do?

[@SCD-BOY]

I had the same car 6 months ago,I miss it like crazy! So raw and engine screams loudly. Remember taking a round about on the way home from the dealer and thinking wow the lightness & feeling it gave me. Z4m must be amazing & if I had the money I would,but as u say those are delicate, definitely got to get another.

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah they're awesome cars, glad you enjoyed yours! Hope you manage to get another some day 👍

[@dominator9833]

Have you never considered looking into your fuel system? Try using fuel treatment like Seafoam, replacing your fuel filter, or replacing your fuel injectors

[@truehighs7845]

Got it on an e61, and even with that bigger chassis it's all the engine you will ever need. Good review!

[@arthur3945]

A recent 130i purchase prompted me to find this video and, in turn, your channel. Such good content - subscribed!

[@FootToPedal]

Appreciate it, thanks for watching! 130i is a great car 👌

[@dismasjoseph7313]

This is another really good video 😍 All the facts spot on and I am hoping to get one to experience this driving pleasure. I have a more modern 340i B58 which I wouldn’t change for the world but would like to add one of these to drive regularly for the non turbo experience!! The scenery is this video is great 👍🏾

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks Dismas! Yeah the B58 is an awesome engine, I'd love to have one of them at some point for sure. The N52 really is excellent too!

[@colindevine3233]

I have an 07 335i had it for 8 years love the car love the engine super smoth and plenty of power :)

[@Roger-fv9pw]

The nicest of the 2010 BMW world. The N51, naturally aspirated,hydraulic steering, m sport package, like your on rail and can feel everything on the road..just a beautiful car to drive.

[@casper7794]

Great video, subscribed

[@FootToPedal]

Much appreciated!

[@rob_lightbody]

We've also got an E86 and love it. We collected it from Luton and drove it up to Glasgow and were astounded when it achieved 40mpg on the journey up, makes it viable as a long distance tourer. To us it definitely feels like a mini GT.

[@FootToPedal]

Great to hear Rob! Yeah I fully agree, definitely a mini GT but yet still has some of those sports car elements too 👍

[@JessePlays3434]

Considering I moved from a 1995 GMC Sierra with the 5.7L V8 that barely pushed 200hp on a good day, to this beaut of an engine, I am very impressed with the thing. Has almost 200,000 miles on it, and it still does the job.

[@CareerProgramming]

Great vid!

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks very much!

[@paulforbes1319]

100% mate! I have a 2007 version of the E86, also black. Hoping the value shoots up in the future when everything is electric!

[@FootToPedal]

Awesome! Yeah I think there is potential, these cars are starting to get some attention now so you never know

[@mikemartin6857]

I've had 4 bmw's over the years...... 94 sedan 325i ..... a 2001 320i..... then a 2011 e93 328i. I loved the 328i when I first got it and loved driving it. I soon realized I was only experiencing the lower end of bmw ownership. After reading forums and doing research I quickly discovered that there was so much out there in the world of bmws and really wanted a e93 m3. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find one in my price range and had a friend tell me about the 335i..... which he described as the (poor man's m3) I was able to locate one in my area and acquired it for a great price because of faulty valve cover. The car only had 125 thousand miles on it and had been owned by an older lady but she wanted to get rid of it because soon as the car got up to temp it smoked horribly. After taking a gamble and rolling the dice I got the car had the vcg replaced on it and immediately did all the necessary maintenance..... index 12 injectors...updated msd81 dme new plugs new coil packs. It's been 2 years and the car is fbo and stage2+ tuned and it's so awesome to experience a bmw at its full potential 💯 I still have the n52 powered 328i which my fiance drives now and i must say..... it all started with that n52 and I still enjoy driving that one from time to time. Bmw's truly are the ultimate driving machine

[@FootToPedal]

Awesome to hear! Funnily enough I've just bought an E90 335i, absolutely love the N55 in that. The N52 in my Z4 was fantastic too, great sound and such linear power!

[@raybutts9133]

How many miles are on the 328i and have you had any problem with the VANOS bolts? Thanks

[@rafal3966]

Great video.... your reviews are one of the reasons I am going to view an E86 3.0si Coupe tomorrow :D fingers crossed the car checks out and I join the club ;)

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks very much for watching, and cool to hear your story. Hope the viewing goes well, let me know if you buy it!

[@rafal3966]

@@FootToPedal I'm collecting the car this weekend. Can't wait!

[@FootToPedal]

@@rafal3966 Awesome, best of luck!

[@Arrozconchopsticks]

Glad to own my first BMW with this engine. Looking forward to maintain/modify it.

[@bwdrives]

Nice to see there's a large following and appreciation for this engine :) I suppose because it rarely lets people down, I have maybe one of the last ones to leave the factory. It's a '13 125i convertible with the N52B30, detuned though so will have a look into releasing the rest of its potential soon. Awesome video!

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah its a fantastic engine, great to hear you're enjoying yours. I believe the detuned versions do have a lot of potential, alot of the time it's just software differences. Thanks for watching!

[@richardjenkinson1851]

Fantastic engine. Mine's in an E85, so even more of that great noise with the roof down. There are 2 sponges in the sound generator pipe, so you can even remove one / both to tune the noise to your taste. The engine pulls smoothly from below 1,000, which is great when you fancy just ambling along some country lanes, but the noise after 5,000 rpm is truly wonderful.

[@FootToPedal]

Agreed Richard and glad you appreciate yours! I love the versatility of it, I can cruise around town at low RPMs with no issues and then wring it right out to 7k on a back road. Awesome engine 👍

[@roderickwinslow8642]

I have to agree with you! You understand a well built balanced engine and car, I have a 04 2.5i roadster with a hardtop and softop great car, nice even in 2023 and most people have no clue about the car just that it's a BMW and they think it's a beautiful car.

[@crudwater660]

I’ve got an e90 330i sport, it was my dad’s car before and I remember being so excited as a kid to someday drive it. He passed down to me a couple years back and damn I love this car, I feel like this engine is looked over by so many people, along with the e90 330i; seems like everyone just goes for the 335. It may be a sedan but it handles incredibly well and the exhaust sounds great, I am thinking of swapping the muffler for a magnaflow though, I’d like to hear it a bit more without being obnoxious haha. Anyways great video, I really liked that rear bumper camera angle you had set up!

[@FootToPedal]

Awesome story, thanks for watching the video! Yeah I love the E90 330i, the E90 platform in general is great and I'm sure the N52 suits it really well. With an exhaust on it I'm sure it'll sound great!

[@ianedmonds9191]

I came from an E46 BMW 320i with the 2.2l M54. I really enjoyed that engine and it was bullet proof reliable. I bought a 2006 Z4 2.5si with the N52 in it and I was blown away at how much more free revving it was compared to the M54. The redline on the M54 2,2 was 6800 so not a lot of difference there but the extra torque to get there on the N52 was a game changer. That coupled with the lower weight made it feel like a serious step up. The N52 is a wonderful engine. I cannot fault in the 3 years I've had the car. It's at about 85,000 miles now and other than a rattle at startup it's been bulletproof. It does drink a bit of oil but that was the case with the M54 as well. Nothing to worry about. My E46 320I was still going strong at 150,000+ when I sold it. Last of the NA bmw engines and what a way to go out. It's a screamer toward redline and I'll never get tired of that. Luv and Peace.

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah the torque spread seems to be about 90% of that of modern turbo charged engines, yet without the lag and with the linearity of N/A - rather absurd when you think about it. It's really the pinnacle of "ordinary" N/A engine technology, an incredibly usable motor. That's great to hear though, everyone seems to praise its reliability. And yep, that 7k red line is glorious 👍

[@lungasikazwe6362]

Great to hear...Am still in love with the M54 and thinking of going your direction

[@randalleldridge5667]

Ive driven my n52 to 288k miles. Still is fun to get into everytime i drive.

[@scotty6346]

Wow 288K miles is testament to how reliable these engines are! I'm looking at a few 3.0 si Z4 Coupe's next week.

[@opsgov]

Have the N52 engine in my E89 Z4 Brilliant torque and driveability

[@esteemedenergy]

Over 200k miles on mu 2011 328i with it's N51 (Kalifornia version). Vanos bolts, OFH gasket, oil pan gasket, and of course all maintenance. This engine just pulls. No smoke, good MPG. Best BMW engine ever.

[@bobaphat3676]

hey great shots man, production is spot on! I have the n52b25 and although a sweet sounding engine, it can be lack lustered until you ring it out to about 5k+ rpms. I guess they were built with a race car philosophy. Around this time, Toyota's 2GRFSE was winning the Torque/Litre wars and honestly they made a better engine on paper than BMW, combining both direct and indirect injection. Still, the N52B30 is one of BMW's best non-M engines.

[@FootToPedal]

Appreciate it, thanks man! Yeah thats interesting to hear, the N52 is probably one of those engines which on paper, doesn't look like anything special. Driving with it tells a totally different story though! Agree, has to be one of the best non-M BMW engines 👍

[@denniscohle3786]

Love your videos, thank you so much for taking a closer look on the often overlooked 3.0si Coupe. I would like to fulfill a dream next year for my 31st birthday and buy an enthusiast car, I am currently wavering between the Audi S5 V8 and the Z4 Coupe. Both have their own philosophy, the Z4 is a small, sporty, purebred coupe, the Audi is a big, heavy cruiser with a glorious sounding V8. Both have their merits. The N52 engine is maybe the holy grail of modern NA BMW inline 6 engines (leaving the M engines aside). I like the Z4 better and I have the feeling that the V8 of the Audi S5 could be a money pit. Only problem is the Z4 gets expensive fast. Again, thank you for your cool content around the Z4. You are a good presenter and your quality is right there.

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks very much Dennis, appreciate it! Yeah both great cars and each offer something very different. That N/A V8 in the Audi is meant to be great, but I agree that the N52 is one of BMWs greatest N/A engines. I'm sure whichever you choose will be great but I can certainly recommend the Z4 Coupe. Thanks for watching!

[@denniscohle3786]

@@FootToPedal It finally happened. Yesterday i bought a 06' Z4 3.0si Coupe, 72.000 miles, silvergrey, black interior new england, very good condition from a care taking owner. Couldn't be happier. It is my dream car and it will be with me for a loooong time. I will daily it and will take good care of it. It is a blast to drive and the engine is better than expected, with the torque so low in the rev range compared to other NA engines, it is so good for daily driving. As strange as it sounds, in a way it feels a liiiiittle bit like a V8 with the torque so low in the rev range. The boot is very good for a small 2 seater, fuel consumption is really good if you dont floor it all the time. A life's dream has come true for me with this car. There is no "upgrade" for me after this car, i don't lust after another car. I am glad that my dream car is attainable and I have it now. I am excited for your next video featuring your Z4. Thanks again for featuring this car so much and i wish you an alltime good and safety drive.

[@FootToPedal]

@@denniscohle3786 So glad to hear you managed to get one of your own, I of course think you made a brilliant choice! Awesome to hear how much you're enjoying the car so far, I hope you continue to do so! Stay tuned for more Z4 videos!

[@bootsie378]

N52B30A.I love it

[@SFXingful]

Got this in my e92 330i (N52B30K), has been going strong for 7 years in my ownership. One does not need more than this engine in a car, really. Very easy to maintain and repair, too.

[@FootToPedal]

Great to hear - I fully agree, after living with mine for 1 year +, I've been amazed at what it can offer. Perfect engine for a road car really!

[@kristofjaroszewicz8310]

Sounds, reving, torque, all there. I have e90 330i manuals as toy Best ever for money

[@FootToPedal]

I agree Kristof! Thanks for watching 👍

[@bluerineimb1148]

Yes I have it in my e60 530i msport modified exhaust,intake and remap now running at 280+ bhp

[@ChrisTheDragonRider]

Hearing a lot of crackles and pops from your E86! Did you do a muffler delete on it? I'm planning on getting mine done in the spring. Also, love the production quality and attention to detail on your content. Your videos always have a real professional shine to them and your passion comes across.

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks Chris, appreciate it! It's interesting because quite a few people have commented on the crackles. As far as I'm aware the exhaust is all standard just because its usually pretty quiet, but who knows at this point! What I will say is in the cabin you barely hear them, and it was only when I stuck a mic back there I realised how loud they were!

[@mofopopo437]

Still Love driving my 2010 BMW 328i N51, with just under 92,000 miles. Had a few problems with it about 2yrs ago with some machinal issues but they were resolved and its been running slicker than owl shit since then.

[@RCL802]

I have a 2008 e86 with over 400k km and racing coilovers, it runs great and is my daily driver. With a back box delete the engine sings and puts a smile on my face everytime I get in it. I run slightly wider rear tires and the back end breaks free frequently, making for additional smiles per hour.

[@FootToPedal]

Great to hear Reid! Sounds like an awesome car you have there and glad you enjoy it 👍

[@RCL802]

@@FootToPedal Cheers! Great work on your videos ive been watching for a while and you make great content!

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks man, appreciate it!

[@jondhuse1549]

I have a 2006 530i with this engine in it... it has 330k miles on it. At the moment, I am having the head rebuilt, new rings, rod bearings, etc., but it has been trouble free (except for minor things) for 18 years. I love it.

[@FootToPedal]

Amazing to hear, a testament to the reliability of these engines. 330k miles is an impressive figure!

[@counter-steer]

Great vid! FYI, there are two sound dampening sponges inside the sound generator pipe... removing one or both gives you more induction noise.

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks! Yeah removed the grey sponge out of mine and was happy with the sound. I did try it without either sponge but it was a bit on the loud side for daily use!

[@mms16mms16]

I have owned a lot of BMWs over the years, all straight 6s (several E30s with M20s, an E46 with an M54 and now an E60 and E91 both of which have N52s). I absolutely love the N52. It's easy to work on and provides just the right balance of everything you want from a daily driver. Each of mine have 175k miles and are still going strong. We have used them heavily in snowy mountains and flying up and down the California coast between the bay area and LA. They may not have the power of an N55 or the V8s, but they still have just enough grunt to be rewarding. In my opinion the N52 is a worthy successor to the exceptional previous gen M54. Nothing as good (M-car engines excluded) was produced until 2016 when the B58 came out.

[@lancemannion4113]

It's funny you mention that drive because I live up in Vancouver Canada and I drove down to San Francisco and then Los Angeles in September in a Z4 Coupe and the car was brilliant on your Pacific Coast Highway!

[@CoeurDeLion81]

Another good video from yourself. May have mentioned on one of your earlier e86 uploads that I too have one, SI with the red leather and silver dash inserts. The engine is delicious and the beauty of it (as you mention) is that you don't need to be driving it at 9/10ths to enjoy it. Even at low high street type of speeds it has character and pulls nicely. That pipe that runs to the bulkhead, I removed one of the foam sound insulating things from it (the pipe has one at each end). I found that it helps to get that bit extra sound coming through without being too noisy or over bearing.

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks very much! Yes I think I recognise your name from an earlier comment. Yeah I fully agree with you, I love using it between the 3,000 to 4,500rpm range, loads of torque and makes a great sound. Below 3,000rpm it's really quiet and still makes enough torque to not have to always be changing down. Ah yes, I have removed a single piece of foam from mine (the black piece). Made it a lot louder around 5,000rpm but the sound is amazing!

[@davidcb7275]

Had it on my 130i. Miss it so much😢

[@samuelwillis6315]

Yes , I'm in the US and have a 2007 328i E90 with the N52 . It has a tad over 200k miles on it but still runs great .

[@erfansafaeian8906]

I’ve had two e86 z4s, terrific cars with such a smooth engine really suited to the car. It is to me, a modern 240z!

[@FootToPedal]

Fully agreed Erfan! And yes, I hadn't thought about that but it is very much a modern 240Z!

[@Engineer10211]

I've had a few 240z's and a 3.0si, and given the 35 years between them you can't fault the 240 too much, but it's Flintstones vs Jetsons.

[@SuperKinapuff]

It's a great motor and great car! I have BMW Z4 3.0SI E85, with 265HK / 315nm standard. But I tuned it to 283hk and 335nm! I have done what many do with their turbo cars. Of course, it does not give as much power as on a turbo converted car. But the torque is very noticeable. At the same time, the top speed limit was removed. I also removed the rear muffler. It sounds absolutely wonderful!!

[@FootToPedal]

Wow sounds great, yeah these engines do have plenty of torque so I imagine yours feels great. Out of interest, what is the top speed now you have removed the speed limiter? I always wondered how much top end these cars had, need to take mine to Germany

[@SuperKinapuff]

@@FootToPedal It's hard to test in Sweden also. But i reached 260KM/h, but it had more to give. Let's hope for better conditions next year! 99% of all BMW Z4 owners park the car for the winter.

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah thats understandable, if you reached 260kmh with more to give, that's certainly impressive!

[@Xoxo92q]

That first clip reminds me of my 6speed 07 328i

[@paullockwood7219]

Great shout, but the engine from the 330ci is pretty decent too. The modern day B58 might go down as a future classic in years to come also.

[@FootToPedal]

Agree with you, I think the B58 is one of the best sounding straight sixes too!

[@robhicks8660]

N52 is such a fun engine to drive. It just wants to go. Considering it is also used I much larger cars like the X5, in a Z4 it is a pocket rocket

[@FootToPedal]

Fully agree Rob! It amazes me how subdued it can be, but then it really comes alive above 4,000rpm. The fact it revs to 7,000rpm means it just has so much to offer: in both sound and performance.

[@BMWEiMSport]

Agreed! Love this video by Foot to Pedal. The N52 is great to drive daily and never let me down.

[@HARDAOREDGE]

One of the best engines ever made. If taken care of it can run reliably forever. E70 3.0 si owner with stage 1 upgrade to 306 hp.

[@FootToPedal]

Pretty impressive power that!

[@HARDAOREDGE]

@@FootToPedal considering it's a natural aspirated engine I think so...I've done remapping, K&N air filter, sprint booster (on throttle pedal) and it measured to 306 HP. Later on I installed a Remus exhaust and I've noticed some more improvement.

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah definitely, sound look good mods!

[@CrankshaftsMotors]

Ya my N52B25 has treated me well in my E90. B30 is even better of course. Great engine for a Z4 and a 128i Cabriolet.

[@thomasdewit31]

Cheers from a fellow E86 owner! I agree about the engine, it’s very robust and has fantastic characteristics. Noticed the burble sound when lifting off, did you change anything to the exhaust?

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks Thomas, appreciate you watching! I think the exhaust is completely standard, certainly doesn't sound bad though!

[@stevecariggillio4139]

Love my E90 . Hard to beat a straight six mated to a six speed manual

[@FootToPedal]

Completely agree Steve, one of the perfect recipes!

[@ioannislampros2786]

Having owned a E86 for two years in the past, I totally agree that the looks and the engine are superb! I truly miss it! But do you ever crave for more steering wheel feel?

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah it certainly is a fantastic car to own. I find the steering feel to be pretty decent overall, but perhaps that's just due to how the suspension geometry is setup. I'm also running the M wheels which will effect that too I guess. Definitely not as much feedback as a hydraulic rack but a decent set of tyres also helps to increase feel I find!

[@ianedmonds9191]

@@FootToPedal Agreed. Get rid of the runflats if they are still on and invest in greenflag/AA if you haven't already. Night and day difference to tramlining. Luv and Peace.

[@rowen898]

I have the e82 6mt n52 usa spec. It has a hydraulic rack. The steering is superb!

[@DriverEightSix]

5:53 Yes please.

[@dsong2006]

Love this car so much, I had one since 2016, however its been running rich on and off(SES light on) for about 5 years lol I've changed 02 sensors, maf sensor, map sensor, VC gaskets, waterpump+thermostat and maintained it meticulously but the problem won't go away. Haven't affected driving at all but it idles rough when its cold

[@FootToPedal]

Ah that must be very annoying! Yeah sometimes for things like that it can be incredibly hard to find the root cause, and you can end up changing half the engine just to fix it 😂

[@nicholaslu4069]

Could be something with the DISA valve?

[@NMONEY56]

Replace your ignition coils and spark plugs

[@goorackerelite]

Vanos

[@Yesthatisme14]

Indeed a masterpiece car. Which town did you shoot this video? Looks familiar

[@FootToPedal]

This was shot in and around the Stang Top area of North East England.

[@Yesthatisme14]

@@FootToPedal i knew it. Cheers mate from teeside

[@paul_f2058]

My dad and I own a E85 and a E86 both with the N52B30. It is on of BMW's best

[@FootToPedal]

Awesome, it is definitely one of the best engines!

[@APbbb]

Definitely love the N52 it's tame, quiet and predictable around town under 3500 rpm, as reliable as any Honda or Toyota. The engine stirs to life with a glorious deep rumble from 4k -5k rpm. Above this, the teeth and claws really come out screaming and the whole car seems to awaken to its purpose. Overpowered sports cars will rip your face off; underpowered ones act like it's the drivers job to find the promised performance. This engine is ready with the power when and how you need it with predictably and precision. Matched with the 6spd gearbox, it's a quite robust combination while also a surprisingly good value. I love mine and wouldn't trade it for a turbo car with 8 computers and a fake soundtrack. Though I do prefer the top-down version! 😉

[@FootToPedal]

Fully agree with you, I really like the N52 engine. Works great in the Z4!

[@nickkotsify]

I love it in my E90. How'd you get such a nice exhaust burble out of the N52 mate

[@FootToPedal]

As far as I know this exhaust is completely standard, it's not particularly loud but if you put a mic right next to it you do hear some nice crackles sometimes on the overrun!

[@chrishebbeler7822]

1985 535i with M30 lasted me 436k miles. Before I stupidly sold it. My 2009 X5 3.0 N52 has vanos , cam ledger failures up the WaZoo. Currently not drivable.

[@hugoschyns6937]

As a fellow E86 N52 owner, I fully agree with all you’ve said! It’s also quite economical as a daily driver :-) Have you done anything to the exhaust ?

[@FootToPedal]

That's Hugo! Yes it is pretty economical isn't it, I can get 30mpg+ on the motorway and it seems comfortable at around the 25mpg mark for city driving, so not bad. As far as I'm aware the exhaust is totally standard! I can't really ever hear the crackles from the inside but sounds nice on the outside.

[@hugoschyns6937]

@@FootToPedal good to know that my standard exhaust probably makes the same sound as yours then :-p

[@FootToPedal]

@@hugoschyns6937 Yes indeed! I only found out about the crackles after I mounted a mic back there for an earlier video ahaha

[@HumanStateOfEmergency]

My E60 has 254k miles on it and runs great

[@timovandam]

I love my N52, I have an E90 330i and it really feels bulletproof. Do you have an aftermarket exhaust on it? I don't get those crackles when you let off the throttle.

[@FootToPedal]

Awesome, yeah they're great engines. As far as I know the exhaust is stock - it's weird as I'd never heard any crackles like that in the interior as it's a fairly quiet system, only realised it did it when I mounted a mic back there!

[@timovandam]

@@FootToPedal Oh interesting! It sounds great though, sporty but not obnoxious like those pop and bangs tunes. 👍🏻

[@FootToPedal]

@@timovandam Yep absolutely, you'll hear it coming but it is not obnoxious as you say!

[@benjalex89]

Stang Forest road! I’m Barnard Castle based with a black e86.

[@FootToPedal]

It certainly is! Ah awesome, I'll keep an eye out for you when I'm over that way!

[@weirdchimp5901]

how did you get rid of wind noise when recording on the 7:29 clip, my clips always have crazy wind noise and I can't hear the engine noise

[@FootToPedal]

We put a gopro next to the exhaust on the rear bumper then edit that audio over the other clips.

[@Engineer10211]

I had a 3.0si E86 just like yours until a lady pulled out in front of me and I replaced it with the M. The thing I miss the most about the N52, not mentioned in this video, is the fuel mileage. It is just SO much better than the S54. This only matters if you put some miles on it on long highway trips, but 22 mpg vs 34 at 70 mph is a significant "M tax." Also not mentioned, the N52 is quite a bit lighter than the S54, with an aluminum/magnesium block vs cast iron in the S54. But all the M tax is forgotten once the S54 breaks 4k rpm's, when it becomes a rocket ship (all the way to 7900 rpm's) compared to the 3.0si.

[@FootToPedal]

Yep you're absolutely right! Fuel mileage is really impressive on the N52 and it is indeed a very lightweight engine too - I believe at its launch it was the lightest straight 6 production engine in the world, pretty impressive!

[@austinnafziger4159]

Since you have had both cars, would you be able to give some advice? I am looking at a Z4 Coupe no matter what, but am torn between the Si and the M. I feel like I am leaning toward the M, but it would by my only car. I don't drive on a daily basis anymore (maybe 2-3 trips a week) and none of them are very long, so I don't think the M tax would be that noticeable. I know pretty much all the differences between the cars on paper, but still can not decide.

[@Engineer10211]

@@austinnafziger4159 I personally wouldn't get the M as an only car. Gas mileage isn't nearly as good and maintenance is quite a bit more costly. The heavy oil means you have to let the engine warm up a long time before kicking it in the guts. Not necessarily by idling, but just keeping the revs down low until it's warmed up. There's a gauge on the tach that let's you know where the orange line is at as the engine warms, but my god, don't take it literally. I keep mine under 2500 until it's nice and warm. If you have to commute in colder temperatures, like below 40F, that's going to be a pain. BUT, from your description of only a few short commutes per week, it could be fine. And by short, you want it to get up to full temperature and run there for a while to clear moisture from the system (that applies to any car, but the S54 is a highly-tuned beast). I wouldn't advise regular trips under 5 miles under 70F. Both cars were/are on stock suspension (well, Bilstein B6 anyway) and I honestly don't think one is noticeably less comfortable. There were a few months between them for me, so take that with a grain of salt. Definitely don't use the runflats. Both cars have been "special occasion" cars for me. The M a little more so. I'm kind of exhausted so I know I'm leaving stuff out so if you have any questions feel free and I'll get back. Love these cars, though.

[@austinnafziger4159]

@@Engineer10211 Thank you for the in depth reply! I actually do most of that with my 335 now. No revving over 3k until at full operating temp, try not to warm it by idling, and I always ditch run-flats on BMWs. I actually live in Florida, so low temperatures outside are not much of a concern. As for the special occasion nature of the Coupes, that is what I am looking for, I want every drive that I take to be a special occasion. I was actually considering an even more impractical car before deciding that the E86 is what I want (the Lotus Evora). Other than the stuff that I know about the S54, maintenance wise, i.e. rod bearings, manual valve adjustment, frequent oil changes, a likely VANOS rebuild, what other concerns would you have with it over the N52?

[@Engineer10211]

I got the SI in Nov of 18, and went from 49.5k miles to about 54k before losing it. Soon after bringing it home I realized that though the tires LOOKED great, they were about 9 years old! The lady who had it obviously crept about town in it. I put on PS4s and boy what an improvement with new tires. I did one 6-hour round trip on the interstate, and the rest was mostly on the uninspiring roads of Dallas. On in-town roads, it's almost as much car as the M because of the lower speeds. Beautiful car with high WAF. I got the M in September of 20, at about 52k miles. My buddy in CT picked it up from the seller in rural upstate NY and very kindly kept it for me for a couple months. I flew up with a friend to CT and we drove it back to Dallas with a detour in NC. Plenty of miles for a collectible, but Skyline Drive, BRP, and TotD made it worth it. When I got it home I had the valves done ($1500 - premium shop), stock shocks swapped for B6s and all the 60k mile services because the previous owner had almost zero records (he hadn't bothered to get the pile of them from the accountant who was the previous owner!) All told, $6500. Didn't NEED to do anything, but I wanted to get it perfect right away. I've since driven it from Dallas to Charlotte via 20 then back through the mountains of NC for more fun. So, I've definitely put more miles on the M than the SI, and though it bothers me a bit to run up the clock (at almost 57k now) I figure I bought it to drive it. The M is so sweet on the highway. It's a stiff car, but on smooth interstate it just feels so capable. The difference in power and acceleration between it and the SI is significant at highway speeds. The SI was fast, but the M hauls ass. Once you pass 4k rpms, it takes off like a rocket, and you hit 120 in a hurry and it WANTS to keep accelerating. Don't do that. The M is better-looking for the body differences I'm sure you know about. It sounds better. It's quite a bit faster. The brakes hit HARD. It's got that M cachet. It costs twice as much. I had the M seats in both cars. They are fantastic. I sat in a non-M seat in an automatic SI and eew. The SI I had was manual. I was looking hard to replace the SI, and of course it had to be a manual, but I was having no luck. They only made 828 of the SI's in manual for North America. It was simply much easier to find an M, rare as they are, because they are all manuals. I bit the bullet, paid the higher price, and as much as I love and respect the SI, I wouldn't go back.

[@callytheblueparakeet]

What do you think of the N52B30 in the E89? I know the twin-turbo flavours in the sDrive35i/is will be faster but I’ll gladly forego the extra acceleration in favour of a more authentic NA experience. Nice filmography by the way!

[@FootToPedal]

Unfortunately can't comment too much on the E89 as I've never driven one - The N54 twin turbo motor in the 35i and 35is I imagine will be a pretty different driving experience. It will definitely be significantly quicker than the N52 engined cars because of that fat lump of torque but it will not be as rev happy as the N52. The N52 makes peak power close to red line and although it has a good torque spread, the N54 has peak torque for most of it's rev range thanks to the turbochargers and clever software mapping. So to summarise; N52 = pure, refined, responsive, less powerful; N54 = power house, torquey, highly tunable, minimal turbo lag but not as responsive as N/A. N/A straight sixes are rare nowadays so I think I'd be willing to put my money on an N52 engined E89, it's still plenty of power for the road, especially when most of them have open differentials too! Thanks for watching!

[@callytheblueparakeet]

@@FootToPedal Thanks, that’s a great summary.

[@sybrenhenstra]

Think your summary is spot on! That's why I opted for the N52 3.0I when searching for a e89. Apart from the potentially additional maintenance costs/trouble of the less refined N54 turbo charged engine. Very happy with my Z4 N52B30.

[@alexwalsh31]

Loved the video, they can rev much higher, I have nine set to 7,500, in manual sport mode, with xhp stage 3. the gear box it will auto change in sport at 7,200, sounds crazy when it's up that high. Add some lucas oil aka ethnol and it's even better, a shit load of fun. In summer you and literally have your foot to the floor with Mitchline ps4, in the winter no chance lol.

[@FootToPedal]

Sounds great! Glad you're enjoying your N52, they certainly sound great at the higher RPM's!

[@alexwalsh31]

@@FootToPedal mate I love got to confess though mine is N53, same thing just slightly newer version but same engine, I have a box box delete and decats, Sound is insane when u hit 7500 and change gear it almost sound like an m6/m5 v10 if your passing tress, wall or tunnel, bloody screamssssss. Might put a small resonator back on the and go for sports primary cats and headers as I want 300BHP or slightly over, this would be epic. That's porsche cayman stats.

[@dalisobanda5575]

Which Water pump brand do you recommend for the N52 engine?

[@FootToPedal]

I think I'd just recommend a proper OEM one to be honest

[@kaxbyrita9279]

Oh man, the amount of problems and issues i’ve had with the N52 😅. Still loving it though 🤣

[@valentinejackjr.859]

What kind of Problems? I just bought one, thats why im asking 🙈 (z4 e89, 23i)

[@kaxbyrita9279]

@@valentinejackjr.859 I have a E86 Z4 Coupe with N52B30 engine. I have replaced: starter motor, electric water pump, the whole crank case ventilation system, valve cover gasket, excentric shaft sensor, ignition coils and VANOS solenoids (and an airbag module, but that is not about the N52).

[@paulo7507]

@@kaxbyrita9279 how much did it cost?

[@kaxbyrita9279]

@@paulo7507 starter motor ~200€, electric water pump, original BMW ~650€, crank case ventilation stuff + intake gasket ~190€, valve cover gasket ~25€ , eccentric shatf sensor ~260€ + gasket ~4€ + reprogramming 80€, ignition coils, all 6 ~160€, VANOS solenoids, 2 of them, ~400€, airbag module, second hand ~50€ + reprogramming it 80€. Those are parts only. Except for reprogramming, I did all the work myself, so no labour costs.

[@streetfighter398]

@@kaxbyrita9279 sounds mostly like just maintenance parts

[@zahid4331]

Has anyone driven both the manual as well as the automatic. Which is generally better to drive and more reliable. The manual or automatic. Thanks

[@lukaszg74]

That's what I'm going for 2011e89 3.0

[@FootToPedal]

It's a great engine, hope you enjoy it!

[@lukaszg74]

@@FootToPedal me to buddy , thanks

[@tamalama1496]

I love my e90 330i 6speed

[@JT-ol7hx]

I've seen several videos on the N52/E90 engines, many from one of the finest Europian machanics. Been awhile since I've seen this video on the best/only real N52 engine, and they were only produced in 2006-07 models, they came with metal head covers, not the black plastic. 2007 began the N53-N54(the N53 not sold in the US) era and the N54 block has been modified and can no longer be an original N52 engine. It is well known the allowance for water jackets near the cylinders caused some issues. This all being said, are you talking about the N52 the N53, or the N54? Hopefully you can give some clarification on this. By the way; yes I am the proud owner of a BMW E90/N52, and this type of information is of utmost importance in proper maintenance. The right information makes the difference in performance and the life of these engines, my little sleeper is at over 190k, running strong but getting tired and I am making plans for a complete tranny/engine rebuild soon(spring 2023), which may include a specially designed turbo charger 🤓 for these engines.

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah just talking about the N52 here, 190k is a great number and cool to hear yours is still going at that mileage. I'm sure a rebuild will make a difference, I've heard of a few people turbocharging N52 engines too!

[@karmasutra12]

I own an N52 E82 1 series coupe and it's the best of both worlds: Reliability and Performance.

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah I fully agree Carl!

[@z4funkdreamer986]

My friend could you please show me the exhaust manifolds on your rhd car as it seems it is different of european z4 3.0si manifold Please show me a picture Please do little video to show me

[@backnunAndy]

Only minor problem I have with this engine is normal temp. set too be high for MPG purpose. I hope that I could manage the engine oil temp low but I couldn't find the way out. There are so much computing into this drive train.

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah there's definitely some complex electronics on these, not my area of expertise so afraid I can't help you with this!

[@soundseeker63]

It's funny how quickly we've started getting all nostalgic about cars from the 2000s (too soon surely!?) but actually with engines like this, I can see why! There is no modern facsimile of this engine. Naturally aspirated engines are almost extinct now. And manual transmissions are going that way too! And there is something about the combination of those two together that really pull the driver in a create a sense of involvment and reward that even the best modern turbo/auto setup cannot replicate. Snap cars like this up now because as things go increasingly electric the appeal of cars like this will only increase, as will their prices!

[@FootToPedal]

Completely agree with you, it's quite shocking how much cars have changed (arguably gone downhill) in the past five years, I think this is particularly the case for BMW. A lot of manufacturers have lost touch with the enthusiast customer base, and simply try to appeal to mass market through the use of, at times, questionable design tactics, fake sound and screens/technology that most people would never use. Quite sad to see, but it makes me appreciate these analogue cars a lot more, even cars from the mid 2010's are completely different to new cars!

[@FurmiPL]

Is N52B25 with 177hp as good as this N52B30? I’m going to buy Z4 with N52B25 but I know nothing about BMW engines

[@FootToPedal]

I think all N52 variants are decent so I'm sure that will be a great engine for the car!

[@mr.smiley991]

Have done anything to your exhaust ? I have the same car. Just mine doesn’t bubble like yours does.

[@FootToPedal]

Exhaust was completely standard as far as I know, always possible the previous owner did something though! Mine wasn't particularly loud

[@mr.smiley991]

@@FootToPedal have you done any mods to it by now ? Or is ist still stock. I have the same car. My 2 one.

[@FootToPedal]

Mine was completely stock with the exception of the M alloy wheels fitted by the previous owner, sadly just sold mine! Hope you are enjoying yours!

[@mr.smiley991]

@@FootToPedal that’s sad. I enjoyed your videos. What did you replace it with?

[@FootToPedal]

Thanks man! I bought an E90 335i, there's a video on the channel now

[@flybobbie1449]

Just replacing the the filter housing casting seals....

[@diopsidem5]

I own an E60 M5 and a 130i. Best of both worlds =D

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah thats a great combo man!

[@kabobobo1995]

I own both N52 and N54, but no one can say N52 is equal or superior to N54, they re different leagues tbh, in reliability the n52 might take it, but performance wise theres nothing like my N54, it is a beast

[@FootToPedal]

Yeah I mean they're just totally different engines, N52 is naturally aspirated, N54 is turbocharged. Really depends what you want from a car but an N/A engine is really nice to have these days!

[@modestasnovicenko5440]

thats the diferece n52 160kw and n52 si 195 kw?

[@FootToPedal]

The si model isn't a special type of engine, but the N52 did have different power ratings throughout its life and application. The E86 Z4 Coupe has the N52B30 engine which makes 265ps

[@rotary_64]

I love the N52 as well, but I wouldn't call it reliable. Mechanically? Maybe. But when it comes to the surrounding parts, there are many things that could go wrong: Vanos solenoids, DISA flaps, ESS sensor, MAFs, lambdas... all these things fail fairly often and not always cheap to fix. Not to mention oil leaks from valve cover gasket, oil housing, oil pan... That's probably still better than turbo N-engines like N54, but it's certainly not trouble free.

[@FootToPedal]

Everyone's experience will differ, but most people regard the N52 as a reliable engine, including me. Saying that does not then mean it never fails, I agree all the things you list are potential failure points. A lot of people don't maintain cars properly and half the time that is one of the reasons parts fail prematurely. Keep up regular maintenance on the N52 and they generally look after you back!

[@stevo8782]

Is this the new Jezza?

[@chris2vallen729]

I didn't hear about anybody beefing up the N52 to 300-325hp with no problems?

[@FootToPedal]

I think 300hp is fairly doable but haven't heard many people going much higher than that without forced induction of course

[@chris2vallen729]

@@FootToPedal I'm looking for some feedback on how to do that?

[@FootToPedal]

I think most people would start with a better intake, free flowing headers and exhaust, ECU tune but then you can also modify the valvetronic system to change the amount of lift and duration on the cam. Check out this site for more info on that: www.bimmermilvs.com/