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BMW E82 1 Series coupe and convertible common problems
2008–2013 · 128i, 135i, 135is, 1 Series M Coupe (N52, N54, N55). The known weak spots of the engines used in the E82, with sources, plus the topics that come up most in BMW's service bulletins and NHTSA recalls for this chassis.
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N52 engine
128i (2008–2013) · N52 bulletins →
Electric water pump and thermostat failure
The N52 introduced BMW's electric coolant pump. When the pump or thermostat fails the car shows a coolant temperature warning and can go into reduced power.
BMW bulletins on file for the E82:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices →
Sources: BMW Tuning: N52 engine problems · CRP Automotive: bleeding BMW electric water pumps
Oil filter housing and valve cover gasket leaks
The two classic N5x oil leaks. Oil from the filter housing gasket can reach the drive belt, so it shouldn't be left.
BMW bulletins on file for the E82:
- SIB 12 18 12 Valve cover fault codes Valve cover fault codes on BMW E60/E70/E71/E82 and other models (2012); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Nov 2012
Sources: BMW Tuning: N52 engine problems
VANOS solenoids and lifter tick
Dirty or failing VANOS solenoids cause rough idle and timing codes; hydraulic lifters can tick on cold starts.
BMW bulletins on file for the E82:
- SIB 11 02 08 VANOS reduced power VANOS reduced power on BMW E46/E60/E61/E70 and other models (2006–2015); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Sep 2020
- NHTSA 10162395 VANOS rattle VANOS rattle on N55 engines (2006–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2019
- NHTSA 10162416 VANOS reduced power VANOS reduced power on N54 engines (2006–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2019
VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust): prices →
Sources: BMW Tuning: N52 engine problems
N54 engine
135i (2008–2010), 1 Series M Coupe (2011) · N54 bulletins →
High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP)
Early N54 pumps failed often enough that BMW extended the emissions warranty on the pump to 10 years/120,000 miles for 2007–2010 N54 cars. Symptoms are long cranking, stumbling and reduced power.
BMW bulletins on file for the E82:
- NHTSA 10149587 High-pressure fuel pump warranty extension High-pressure fuel pump warranty extension on N54 engines (2007–2013); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · May 2013
- SIB 13 13 10 High-pressure fuel pump failure High-pressure fuel pump failure on BMW E46/E60/E61/E71 and other models (2006–2010); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Sep 2011
- SIB 13 03 09 High-pressure fuel pump service information High-pressure fuel pump service information on BMW E60/E61/E82/E88 and other models (2007–2008); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Apr 2010
Sources: BimmerFile: BMW NA extends N54 fuel pump warranty
Turbocharger wastegate rattle
BMW extended the emissions warranty on N54 turbo wastegates to 8 years/82,000 miles (SI B01 02 12). A loud rattle on decel or at light throttle is the typical complaint.
BMW bulletins on file for the E82:
- SIB 11 11 17 Timing chain leak Timing chain leak on BMW G11/G12/G30/G31 and other models (2008–2018); BMW gives diagnosis and repair guidance. Service bulletin · Sep 2018
- SIB 11 07 11 Turbocharger noise Turbocharger noise on BMW E60/E61/E63/E64 and other models (2010); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
- SIB 01 02 12 Turbo wastegate warranty extension Turbo wastegate warranty extension on BMW E46/E60/E61/E71 and other models (2006–2014); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jun 2013
Sources: BMW SI B01 02 12 on NHTSA
Water pump, oil filter housing and valve cover leaks
Shared with the N52 and N55: the electric water pump and the usual N5x gasket leaks.
BMW bulletins on file for the E82:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 12 18 12 Valve cover fault codes Valve cover fault codes on BMW E60/E70/E71/E82 and other models (2012); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Nov 2012
N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices → VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust): prices →
N55 engine
135i (2011–2013), 135is (2013) · N55 bulletins →
Oil filter housing gasket, valve cover and oil pan leaks
The N55's most common repairs are oil leaks at the filter housing gasket, the plastic valve cover and the oil pan gasket.
BMW bulletins on file for the E82:
- SIB 11 17 15 N63, N63TU, N63R, S63 and S63TU engines N63, N63TU, N63R, S63 and S63TU engines on N63/S63 engines (2007–2017); BMW shared service information. Service bulletin · Feb 2017
- SIB 12 18 12 Valve cover fault codes Valve cover fault codes on BMW E60/E70/E71/E82 and other models (2012); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Nov 2012
N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG): prices → N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV): prices → N55 oil pan gasket: prices →
Electric water pump and thermostat
Like the N52 and N54, the N55 uses an electric coolant pump that eventually fails.
BMW bulletins on file for the E82:
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices →
Charge pipe cracks
The plastic charge pipe between turbo and intercooler can crack, causing a sudden loss of boost; it's a shared N55/S55 weak point.
Most frequent bulletin topics 304 bulletins
| Topic | Bulletins | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 12 | SIB 61 03 14, SIB 61 03 13 |
| Instrument cluster | 9 | SIB 12 19 19, SIB 62 06 13 |
| Transmission | 8 | SIB 11 09 16, SIB 12 15 14 |
| Navigation | 7 | NHTSA 10162434, NHTSA 10147623 |
| Radio | 7 | SIB 65 07 17, SIB 65 07 16 |
| Engine no-start | 5 | SIB 11 06 16, SIB 12 55 06 |
| Fuel injectors | 5 | SIB 12 38 14, SIB 13 04 13 |
| Check engine light | 4 | SIB 12 04 15, SIB 12 01 11 |
BMW service bulletins and warranty extensions filed with NHTSA that list the E82, grouped by topic. A bulletin tells technicians how to diagnose and fix a known issue; it doesn't mean every car has the problem.
NHTSA recalls by component 10
- vanos bolt · 1 recall23V707
- PCV valve heater · 1 recall22V119
- wiring · 1 recall19V579
- crankcase (PCV) · 1 recall17V683
- constant velocity joint · 1 recall17V067
- engine · 1 recall14V176
- fuses and circuit breakers · 1 recall13V044
Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. Recall repairs are free; check a VIN.
BMW warranty extensions that list the E82
- SIB 01 20 16 Electrical system service information Electrical system service information on BMW E46/E70/E71/E72 and other models (2006–2014); BMW extended coverage for eligible cars. Warranty extension · May 2026
- SIB 01 01 22 Oil consumption class-action settlement Oil consumption class-action settlement on BMW E60/F01/F02/F06 and other models (2009–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Jan 2026
- SIB 01 09 19 Fuel injectors warranty extension Fuel injectors warranty extension on BMW G01/G11/G12/G30 and other models (2009–2019); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Nov 2023
- SIB 01 02 22 Communication class-action settlement Communication class-action settlement on BMW E60/E82/F01/F02 and other models (2009–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Feb 2022
- SIB 01 13 21 Electric water pump class-action settlement Electric water pump class-action settlement on N54/N55 engines (2007–2019); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · May 2021
- SIB 01 22 18 Battery class-action settlement Battery class-action settlement on N63 engines (2008–2018); covers eligible repairs and reimbursement under the court settlement. Service bulletin · Jul 2020
- SIB 01 03 19 Oxygen sensor warranty extension Oxygen sensor warranty extension on N63 engines (2009–2018); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Jul 2020
- SIB 01 05 18 Misfire warranty extension Misfire warranty extension on BMW G11/G12/G32/E60 and other models (2009–2019); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Feb 2020
If a car qualifies, the listed repair may be free. Check eligibility for the VIN with a BMW center.
Repair prices for these engines
N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV) N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat N55 oil pan gasket VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) N55 ignition coils (all six) N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement N54 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement
Prices on these pages are for other chassis with the same engine.
Sources: BMW service bulletins and recalls filed with NHTSA (public data) and the specialist and owner write-ups linked above. Not affiliated with BMW.