preventative maintenances for the high mileage e90

[Ryanc87]

Just finished going through the last 6 months of threads (it was certainly a fun journey) but I didn’t see anything fairly recent or inclusive as far as suggested maintenance goes. I thought it may be a helpful idea to see if my fellow forum members would be interested in contributing to a thread about things to watch for, and replace before they go wrong on high mileage (100k+) e90s (and yes I have a selfish interest in creating this thread ).

in December I bought a 2011 e90 328i xdrive sedan, manual trans with 125k on the clock. I’ve put 10k on the clock since then. Until last weekend I didn’t have any significant issues. Have an occasional rattle at idle (fairly certain it’s the heat shield) and my passenger DTR went on me. Then my water pump went on me last Saturday. Was optimistic it had already been done but I was prepared for it nonetheless.


So I suppose I’ll get it started with some of the more known items.


water pump between ~90-120k (120 might be pushing it).

thermostat should be done at the same time as the water pump

oil changes every 10k-15k. I’ve seen people suggest it be done as frequently as every 5k. While BMW suggest every 15k I personally plan on doing mine a little more frequently considering mileage. Might not make a huge difference but it makes me breath a little easier

Timing chain is considered by many to be a lifetime part, disregard the common theme on Japanese and American threshold of 100k



These are are some of the more we’ll known issues but like I said, I have a selfish interest here as well

[jclausen]

Oil changes with 5k or 7,500. I do mine at 5k. Spark plugs 60k, trans service at 100k, never seen a timing chain problem. Oil leaks water pump that's about if, starter.

[White94RX]

Most, if not all, of the engines with timing component replacement intervals are using timing belts, not chains.

Although, with BMW's chain stretching problem, maybe they should be replaced. It really has only affected the N20 4 cylinder, and the N63 V8. And it's not necessarily widespread. Nothing to worry about with an E90, though.

[Codes2]

Most, if not all, of the engines with timing component replacement intervals are using timing belts, not chains.

Although, with BMW's chain stretching problem, maybe they should be replaced. It really has only affected the N20 4 cylinder, and the N63 V8. And it's not necessarily widespread. Nothing to worry about with an E90, though.

Thanks White94RX,

This puts my mind at ease. I've been meaning to read up on this subject as it's not a common one on E9x forums.
I may still post to confirm suggestions if/when I replace my Head Gasket. (pin hole oil leak, about 1 teaspoon per 2 weeks, cylinder 2, driver side area)

[White94RX]

Are you sure that's where it's coming from?

I have never in 14 years seen an N52 head gasket leak oil. That I can recall, anyway.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[Codes2]

Thanks White94RX,

I'll try to post the video shortly.
You can see it bubbling out.

Motor is N54. 192000 km.
Seems to run well. Minimal oil consumption/ loss between changes.

[Codes2]

Hi White94RX,

Below is link to the video.
The leak is clear about 14 seconds in.

I polished this area down, sanded it, then cleaned with alcohol.
I then put JB weld over the area. So far it's pretty good. If it did it again, I'd try coarser sand paper. It's less than 10% of this now, but still slowly seeps, resulting in a stink when the engine is hot and I stop at a light.
The rest of the engine is now quite clean. (replaced VCG, OFHG and Orings, followed by appropriate shampoo - outside of the oil pan, there is no oil beside from this area)

https://photos.app.*******/pK1kZLNg5puhj8k47

** EDIT ** Rubbish, the post doesn't appear to be allowed... trying further options...

https:// photos .app .goo .gl/pK1kZLNg5puhj8k47

The above works if you remove the spaces.
Apologies if this breaks forum rules. Open to correction.