[Inquisitor]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering the reliability of the old m2 models before the m2c production. I know it has the n55 motor. What were some common problems unique to that motor without a tune ?

[RAM_F30_F87]

Stock daily driver 9 months of the year with 38,000 miles.
Oil & filter every 5,000 miles and only Shell V-Power.
No engine issues.

[DanG]

Mine is 5 years old. Only problem I have had is the right turn signal malfunction. It was fixed twice under warranty.

The N55 is a very reliable engine.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Inquisitor

Hi everyone,

Just wondering the reliability of the old m2 models before the m2c production. I know it has the n55 motor. What were some common problems unique to that motor without a tune ?

The reliability of the OG m2 is quite good.

Some common issues that can happen is the valvetronic system tends to fail over time or very oddly when the car is brand new (maybe break in metals clogging the oil squirters, I have no clue). But what happens is you ocassioanlly will hear clicking from the engine when lock and unlocking the door after the car has fallen asleep, this is because the valvetronic motor is binding and cannot properly sweep the eccentric shaft. Or the eccentric shaft bearings are damaged, or the shaft itself is damaged and is binding. Over time this will get bad enough that the valvetronic system will fail and you will require a new valvetronic motor and potentially a new eccentric shaft as well. This happened to my own m2 when it was 3 years old and had under 10,000km but the dealer replaced all the parts for me.


Other issues could be basic leaking due to old seals, but that is quite minor and easy to fix.


The water pump can die at higher mileage, hpfp can eventually die (at really high mileage), serpentine belt needs to be replaced or else they can catastrophically fail, carbon build up is a potential but much lesser than the n54, etc.


But these are all basic maintaineace items and overall this car is quite reliable in terms of bmw standards (it will absolutely require more than a honda which literally only needs fuel and oil) so nothing to worry about.

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by F87source

The reliability of the OG m2 is quite good.

Some common issues that can happen is the valvetronic system tends to fail over time or very oddly when the car is brand new (maybe break in metals clogging the oil squirters, I have no clue). But what happens is you ocassioanlly will hear clicking from the engine when lock and unlocking the door after the car has fallen asleep, this is because the valvetronic motor is binding and cannot properly sweep the eccentric shaft. Or the eccentric shaft bearings are damaged, or the shaft itself is damaged and is binding. Over time this will get bad enough that the valvetronic system will fail and you will require a new valvetronic motor and potentially a new eccentric shaft as well. This happened to my own m2 when it was 3 years old and had under 10,000km but the dealer replaced all the parts for me.


Other issues could be basic leaking due to old seals, but that is quite minor and easy to fix.


The water pump can die at higher mileage, hpfp can eventually die (at really high mileage), serpentine belt needs to be replaced or else they can catastrophically fail, carbon build up is a potential but much lesser than the n54, etc.


But these are all basic maintaineace items and overall this car is quite reliable in terms of bmw standards (it will absolutely require more than a honda which literally only needs fuel and oil) so nothing to worry about.

Does this valvetronic issue throw any codes?

[F87source]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Does this valvetronic issue throw any codes?

Only when it gets really bad.

[m2ss]

2018 here with 17k on it, reg maintenance no issues.

[Inquisitor]

Thanks everyone for the input but also Looking for high mileage examples !!

[SCCThree]

2018 w/ 22k miles. Had both rear tail light assemblies replaced due to malfunction. Charge pipe blew a few thousand miles ago, replaced with an aftermarket pipe. Otherwise no other issues.

[jefe2000]

Most of the folks with high mileage M2’s have reported their experiences over here on this thread:
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1796747

[Sundinisagod]

Originally Posted by Inquisitor

Thanks everyone for the input but also Looking for high mileage examples !!

If you go to page 3 of this forum, there is a thread titled “who’s got the highest mileage?” There’s plenty of discussion for you there. Not to spoil it for you, but it’s been quite a reliable car for most. Tail lights and charge pipes are the most common issues. Personally, I’m at 67,000km and only issue were tail lights, both replaced under warranty.

Sorry I don’t know how to link that thread for you from the device I’m currently on.

[jefe2000]

Originally Posted by Sundinisagod

If you go to page 3 of this forum, there is a thread titled “who’s got the highest mileage?”
Sorry I don’t know how to link that thread for you from the device I’m currently on.

That’s the link I provided just above in the previous post.

[Chuck W.]

2016, 17,000 miles and zero problems. Rock solid.

[drmalmgren]

2016, 27000 miles and being told I need a new steering rack due to eps module going bad.

[carchrism5]

2016 w/ 70k driven in all four seasons in northeast. Basic care and preventative maintenance.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by DanG

Mine is 5 years old. Only problem I have had is the right turn signal malfunction. It was fixed twice under warranty.

The N55 is a very reliable engine.

Almost bulletproof IMO

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by carchrism5

2016 w/ 70k driven in all four seasons in northeast. Basic care and preventative maintenance.

That’s absolutely awesome, good for you ‼️

[3t3p]

I had valvetronic motor fail at around 22,000 miles. Stranded me while on holiday.

Luckily didn't appear to need the eccentric shaft doing and my garage fixed it easily and quickly.

[///MPhatic]

The one to watch for IMO is the oil filter housing gasket. Beyond that it's just if you're unlucky or not, the N55 is super reliable.

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

The one to watch for IMO is the oil filter housing gasket. Beyond that it's just if you're unlucky or not, the N55 is super reliable.

I’ll second this. That gasket is notorious for leaking, and I had that issue on my 335 N55 at relatively low mileage. Car was between 4-5 years old.

It was the only issue I had on that engine, and really the only thing I liked about my F30. And is also why I was more than happy to have an N55 in my M2.

I’ve also seen the valve cover gasket reported as a common leak as well. Big $$$ to fix that one unfortunately.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy's Dodge

I’ve also seen the valve cover gasket reported as a common leak as well. Big $$$ to fix that one unfortunately.

And the oil pan gasket in some cases as well.

[VicF87OG]

Hi, my 2018 with 35,000k had the tail light replaced
and my sound system fixed under warranty
I tracked it often and had no issues.
Rotors and pads get worn out quickly though.