Turbo Life on N55?

glennjoseph · 03-11-2014, 11:07 AM

Hey All,

I'm new the forum and new to BMW ownership. I did some digging on the forums and couldn't find anything about this but what kind of turbo life is everyone getting?

I recently purchased a CPO 2011 335i xDrive Coupe w/ M-Sport and 13k miles. The original manufacturer warranty still applies but I was curious the amount of miles everyone is getting from their turbo's.

I've heard of people claiming turbo's need to be replaced after 60k miles but wasn't sure if that had any context behind it.

Anyways, I'm excited to be part of the forum!

XM_Rocks · 03-11-2014, 11:23 AM

John 070 · 03-11-2014, 11:32 AM

Why would turbos not last the life of the motor? My wife's cousin has a 1999 Passat and the motor now has 205k (low miles for its age).

imho we don't go into it "planning" on replacing turbos, it may happen. We may need to live with a rattle, but I don't think there's any strategy to replace your turbo(s) every x miles. Maybe a psychic (a good one, not one of those who advertises late night) or acupuncturist can say how long it lasts. If they don't know, I'd probably ask David Blaine or a certified public magician.

kdbryce · 03-11-2014, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

Why would turbos not last the life of the motor? My wife's cousin has a 1999 Passat and the motor now has 205k (low miles for its age).

imho we don't go into it "planning" on replacing turbos, it may happen. We may need to live with a rattle, but I don't think there's any strategy to replace your turbo(s) every x miles. Maybe a psychic (a good one, not one of those who advertises late night) or acupuncturist can say how long it lasts. If they don't know, I'd probably ask David Blaine or a certified public magician.

+1

Blackhawk36 · 03-11-2014, 12:06 PM

If you don't mod and tune it I would expect it to last the life of the car. All bets are off otherwise.

D's Bimmer · 03-11-2014, 12:08 PM

These turbos will last a very long time. Those who need to replace an N55 turbo quite frankly either have a defective one(which is rare that the defect isn't captured under the initial warranty) or much more likely it is playing with boost levels outside of the normal spectrum of the turbo. If you gun it every time obviously that will also shorten the lifespan of the turbo and many other parts too! I have 138k on my 2011 335. Not had a single problem other than regular proactive maintainence.

glennjoseph · 03-11-2014, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D's Bimmer

These turbos will last a very long time. Those who need to replace an N55 turbo quite frankly either have a defective one(which is rare that the defect isn't captured under the initial warranty) or much more likely it is playing with boost levels outside of the normal spectrum of the turbo. If you gun it every time obviously that will also shorten the lifespan of the turbo and many other parts too! I have 138k on my 2011 335. Not had a single problem other than regular proactive maintainence.

That's awesome! Glad to hear that I don't need to worry about it. By any chance would anyone know if turbo replacements are covered by the original manufacturers warranty?

JETmn · 03-11-2014, 02:29 PM

As long as it is still under warranty, yes.

glennjoseph · 03-11-2014, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JETmn

As long as it is still under warranty, yes.

Awesome! That's all I wanted to know.

Dark_Knight_335 · 03-11-2014, 08:22 PM

Much longer than a set of N54 turbos!

bk335ilci · 03-11-2014, 08:44 PM

D's Bimmer wow you probably have the highest miles for a n55. What major issues have you had?

Knobi · 03-12-2014, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Much longer than a set of N54 turbos!

Prepare for shit storm...

romanonj · 03-13-2014, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Much longer than a set of N54 turbos!

romanonj · 03-13-2014, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D's Bimmer

These turbos will last a very long time. Those who need to replace an N55 turbo quite frankly either have a defective one(which is rare that the defect isn't captured under the initial warranty) or much more likely it is playing with boost levels outside of the normal spectrum of the turbo. If you gun it every time obviously that will also shorten the lifespan of the turbo and many other parts too! I have 138k on my 2011 335. Not had a single problem other than regular proactive maintainence.

138k on N55 motor, thats impressive.. I think this is the most mileage I have seen on this forum on N55.. I am luving N55 smooothinessessnnesss

Dark_Knight_335 · 03-13-2014, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romanonj

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Much longer than a set of N54 turbos!

Haha

eric914 · 03-13-2014, 02:47 PM

2011 335I. Purchased with 32XXX miles in October. No modifications. Just had the Turbo fail at 47,xxx miles. SA told me it was a tight shaft bearing. Symptoms were initially a more pronounced turbo noise (all research said not to worry about it), then an occasional sequel for 2-3 seconds mostly on start up, and then on Wednesday a constant loud sequel while under load accompanied by no boost. Turbo replaced under warranty. No questions asked. Glad it failed now and not in 3000 miles.

Fernanimal · 03-18-2014, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romanonj

138k on N55 motor, thats impressive.. I think this is the most mileage I have seen on this forum on N55.. I am luving N55 smooothinessessnnesss

Being from Toronto, I'm guessing he means 138,000km not miles.

rohitsja · 03-18-2014, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fernanimal

Being from Toronto, I'm guessing he means 138,000km not miles.

+1, was just about to post that but then I read yours !!

mike@x-ph.com · 03-18-2014, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackhawk36

If you don't mod and tune it I would expect it to last the life of the car. All bets are off otherwise.

i can't agree with you on that since there is no proof of turbo failing because of a safe tune.

Andrewe92 · 03-28-2014, 07:15 PM

I don't think you are going to get a straight answer because there is none.. just like many parts on the n55 /54 things go bad at different times for different people with different driving habits and mods and so on.. way to many factors to mention and I would have to say for the most part I don't think your turbo will poop out that easily although anything is possible I say just ejoy your car and when a problem comes handle it.. and anyway when people post on the forums about turbo life they will most likely be talking about how it failed on them. because who is going to bother to post to say how well the turbo is doing at xxx,xxx miles you know? thats why on the forums you read alot of failure stories because there are more than success stories.. that's just my humble opinion

glennjoseph · 04-02-2014, 02:12 PM

That makes a lot of sense.

chronos6 · 04-02-2014, 09:46 PM

I'd say take care of the piping going to the cold side of the turbo (specifically the tract that it sucks in air). Any debree in there could cause the turbo the fail prematurely. So when replacing the air filter, make sure you don't get dust into the tubing that goes to the turbo.

03-11-2014, 11:07 AM	#1
glennjoseph New Member 7 Rep 16 Posts Drives: E92 335i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Turbo Life on N55? Hey All, I'm new the forum and new to BMW ownership. I did some digging on the forums and couldn't find anything about this but what kind of turbo life is everyone getting? I recently purchased a CPO 2011 335i xDrive Coupe w/ M-Sport and 13k miles. The original manufacturer warranty still applies but I was curious the amount of miles everyone is getting from their turbo's. I've heard of people claiming turbo's need to be replaced after 60k miles but wasn't sure if that had any context behind it. Anyways, I'm excited to be part of the forum!
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03-11-2014, 11:23 AM	#2
XM_Rocks Captain 63 Rep 688 Posts Drives: 2016 GTI, sold my E90 N54 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)
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03-11-2014, 11:32 AM	#3
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	Why would turbos not last the life of the motor? My wife's cousin has a 1999 Passat and the motor now has 205k (low miles for its age). imho we don't go into it "planning" on replacing turbos, it may happen. We may need to live with a rattle, but I don't think there's any strategy to replace your turbo(s) every x miles. Maybe a psychic (a good one, not one of those who advertises late night) or acupuncturist can say how long it lasts. If they don't know, I'd probably ask David Blaine or a certified public magician.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-11-2014, 12:06 PM	#5
Blackhawk36 Captain 30 Rep 644 Posts Drives: 2007 335i 6MT No iDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	If you don't mod and tune it I would expect it to last the life of the car. All bets are off otherwise.
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03-11-2014, 12:08 PM	#6
D's Bimmer Major 235 Rep 1,343 Posts Drives: 2016 340 Xi Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	These turbos will last a very long time. Those who need to replace an N55 turbo quite frankly either have a defective one(which is rare that the defect isn't captured under the initial warranty) or much more likely it is playing with boost levels outside of the normal spectrum of the turbo. If you gun it every time obviously that will also shorten the lifespan of the turbo and many other parts too! I have 138k on my 2011 335. Not had a single problem other than regular proactive maintainence.
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03-11-2014, 02:29 PM	#8
JETmn Lieutenant Colonel 245 Rep 1,595 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xDrive Msport Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335Xi [0.00]	As long as it is still under warranty, yes.
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03-11-2014, 08:22 PM	#10
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1110 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	Much longer than a set of N54 turbos!
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03-11-2014, 08:44 PM	#11
bk335ilci Private First Class 6 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Alpine White Join Date: May 2013 Location: Brooklyn NY iTrader: (0)	D's Bimmer wow you probably have the highest miles for a n55. What major issues have you had?
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03-13-2014, 02:47 PM	#16
eric914 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2011 335I Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Dayton OH iTrader: (0)	2011 335I. Purchased with 32XXX miles in October. No modifications. Just had the Turbo fail at 47,xxx miles. SA told me it was a tight shaft bearing. Symptoms were initially a more pronounced turbo noise (all research said not to worry about it), then an occasional sequel for 2-3 seconds mostly on start up, and then on Wednesday a constant loud sequel while under load accompanied by no boost. Turbo replaced under warranty. No questions asked. Glad it failed now and not in 3000 miles.
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03-28-2014, 07:15 PM	#20
Andrewe92 enthusiast 117 Rep 997 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 lci 335xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 bmw 335 xdrive [10.00]	I don't think you are going to get a straight answer because there is none.. just like many parts on the n55 /54 things go bad at different times for different people with different driving habits and mods and so on.. way to many factors to mention and I would have to say for the most part I don't think your turbo will poop out that easily although anything is possible I say just ejoy your car and when a problem comes handle it.. and anyway when people post on the forums about turbo life they will most likely be talking about how it failed on them. because who is going to bother to post to say how well the turbo is doing at xxx,xxx miles you know? thats why on the forums you read alot of failure stories because there are more than success stories.. that's just my humble opinion Last edited by Andrewe92; 04-02-2014 at 02:20 PM..
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04-02-2014, 02:12 PM	#21
glennjoseph New Member 7 Rep 16 Posts Drives: E92 335i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	That makes a lot of sense.
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04-02-2014, 09:46 PM	#22
chronos6 Banned 13 Rep 210 Posts Drives: '11 335xi Le Mans Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Clifton, NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 1987 Buick Grand Na ... [0.00] 2011 BMW 335xi [9.00]	I'd say take care of the piping going to the cold side of the turbo (specifically the tract that it sucks in air). Any debree in there could cause the turbo the fail prematurely. So when replacing the air filter, make sure you don't get dust into the tubing that goes to the turbo.
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