Crank case breather

pcdee · Post by **pcdee** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 1:53 pm

Hello all

I've just had my car MOT'd and it passed!! It's done 230K still original turbo and DPF. Whist the MOT was been done there was a lot of smoke which smelt like burning oil. One of the mechanics said that it's best I replace the crank case breather. He said it's about £120 from BMW and and easy fix before my turbo goes.
Has anyone done this as I thought it was a lifetime part.
Thanks

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 5:26 pm

Never come across anyone here doing it on the N57 engine. M57 yes if it still had the ‘bog-roll’ type that became the vortex design.

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 9:50 pm

If there is smoke on a dpf car id say there is trouble looming and the turbo is on the way out especially given the miles .Not heard of any x5's need the breather replaced as its not the looroll type the old cars had afaik What year/engine is it ? Its certainly worth a check though to see whats fitted

pcdee · Post by **pcdee** » Tue Nov 11, 2025 8:18 am

It's 3.0D 2007, I saw online that sometimes the seals go.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Nov 11, 2025 5:49 pm

M57 engine in that case. The breather should be a vortex type by that date, and should not fail. Could be a blocked breather hose, but turbo is a good shout at that age/mileage.

Compression test to check for blow by of oil past rings into cylinders might be worth doing too.

If you can get to the front of the turbo then check for any sign of damage, or movement of the impeller shaft.

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Tue Nov 11, 2025 6:11 pm

Id have thought that all e70 x5's had a dpf , I could be wrong though !

If you put your vin last 7 digits into www.realoem.com it should tell you

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Nov 11, 2025 6:26 pm

I know the N57 engines had them in order to get through the Euro 5 limits, but I was (possibly incorrectly) told the M57 engines had Cats but not DPFs.

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Tue Nov 11, 2025 7:21 pm

Mines M57N2 and has a dpf as it warmed me a while back it was "end of life"

, 2008 has too and id assume 2007 is the same , they started being fitted in 2006 to the e90 series among others . I just checked and it says euro4 AB in the logbook

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Nov 11, 2025 8:00 pm

Fair enough. I’ll edit my previous….

Alan Gunn · Post by **Alan Gunn** » Wed Nov 12, 2025 5:18 am

Late 2007 for the e90s

Leslie · Post by **Leslie** » Wed Nov 12, 2025 5:51 pm

Optional on say a 320d by the look of it for 2006 but in 2007 it became standard with the newer engine although standard dpf on eg a 2006 335d from what I can find . Engine specific it seems rather than year

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