Some BMWs may look like a fantastic deal in the used market, but somethings are just too good to be true. Sure, who wouldn’t want to own a car that retailed for upwards of 80k for a fraction of that, but the reality is that these cars can quickly empty your bank account. Lets find out which BMWs to avoid like the plague.

Many BMWs depreciate quickly, and there is a good reason for this. Typically, expensive cars equal expensive parts, but some BMWs will need way more parts than others. At Prussian Motors we typically see cars at the end of there life cycle. While some make it to upwards of 300k miles, we see too many cars with catastrophic engine and driveline failure before reaching 100k miles. This has given us a different insight into the reliability of these cars. Hopefully with this list of BMWs to avoid, we can help you keep your future BMW on the road and your money in your wallet.

1. BMW N20 Engine (2013-2016 328i, 320i, 528i, X3 28i)

This was BMWs 2.0L 4-Cylinder Turbo Engine. We get countless calls from customers who are looking to replace this engine or sell us their car with engine failure. The typical culprits for engine failure are timing chain failures and rod bearing failure. We often refer to this as the worst engine BMW has ever made.

2. BMW N55 Engine (2011-2018 335i, X5 35i, 535i, 740i, X3 35i, 640i)

This may be a controversial one as many BMW enthusiasts boast about the reliability of this engine. This is BMWs single turbo inline 6-cylinder engine. It’s typically compared to the predecessor N54 engine and claimed to be much more reliable. Although the N55 is less maintenance intensive than the N54, when the N55 breaks, it really breaks. The most typical failure we see is rod bearing failure, and we see this all the time. Like the N20 we also get constant calls for replacement engines.

3. BMW N63/S63 Engine (2011-2023 550i, M5/M6, 750i, X5/X6 50i, X5/X6 M, 650i, M550i, 850i)

This is BMWs twin turbo V8. While many revisions were made along the long production run, this engine is still one of the most failed engines. We often see these engines fail before even reaching the 80k mile mark. The most common failure we see here are also rod bearings (are you noticing the trend here?). They are also maintenance pigs: coolant and oil leaks are very common. Due to the “Hot-V” design they are also known for excessive oil consumption and overheating issues.

4. 2002-2016 7-Series (740i, 745i, 750i, 760i)

Most of the issues with these cars are the engine related, which have been covered above. These 7-series often have lots of electrical issues and air suspension related issues, which can leave you stranded.

5. N54 Engine (2007-2010 335i, 135i, X6 35i, Z4 35i)

While the 6-cylinder twin turbo N54 doesn’t typically suffer from catastrophic engine failure, it definitely has its issues that can snowball into a large repair bill. Most common issues are oil leaks, coolant leaks, fuel injector failure, and spark plug / ignition coil failure. If you are looking to purchase one of these cars, we recommend finding one with extensive maintenance history (don’t buy the clapped out Facebook marketplace deal for 5k). When properly maintained these can be great engines and have capabilities of making loads of power.

Honorable Mentions:

• 08-13 M3 (rod bearing, throttle actuators, injectors)
• 06-10 M5/M6 (rod bearings, throttle actuators, SMG transmission)
• 13-22 i3 (battery failure)
• Any V12 (death by 1000 cuts)

While all BMWs have their issues and can be expensive to repair, luckily there are many sources to find quality parts for reasonable prices. Prussian Motors offers used OEM parts at a fraction of the price and can confirm fitment using your VIN so you get the right part the first time. FCP Euro offers new OEM and aftermarket prices with a lifetime warranty. Lasty, there is always the local Pick and Pull salvage yards. While you may not always get the right parts the first time, the prices can’t be argued with.