XSeries-forum

I am about to buy a BMW X5 but was after one with the m57 engine with the chain on the front does anyone no what year they changed it to the n57 was it 2008 they started to put the n57 in and the 2007 has the m57 engine is it

Hi
I think it changed on the 2010 60 reg.

So 2007 to 2010 had the m57 engine in it

I've just had a quick look on auto trader and there seems to be a few lci cars on a '10' reg so the n57 engine started then.

so all pre face lift cars have the m57 engine in them.

Yes I think that is correct

Just out of interest, why the worry about where the timing chain is? It’s the V8s (mainly E53) that have issues along with the four-cylinder engines (N47, now replaced by the B-series engines). I think we might have had just a single timing chain issue with all of the E70s on here and there are many with high mileage that are absolutely fine.

And yes, it is the LCI that got the N-series.

When I decided to buy an F25, I agonised about the N57 engine and its potential timing chain issues. I read somewhere, at that time, that any issues could have been exacerbated by extended oil change intervals and/or oil changes being neglected. Now I don't even think about the timing chain scare stories, until someone brings it up here.

I have never been a lover of extended oil change intervals, even in these days of so-called "longlife" oil, particularly given the size of the oil filter elements used these days. Given the cost of an oil change, especially if you DIY, I think changing the oil more regularly is a small price to pay.

BTW, just for the record, I choose to do oil changes every 6000 miles on all my (and my wife's) cars. Maybe that's a little extravagant, but I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable letting the oil & filter go more than 10000.

As ever, this is just my opinion. I'm not suggesting that I'm right and everyone else (including BMW themselves) is wrong. But if you buy a car with sound service history (backed-up with invoices, not just stamps in the service book) and continue to look after it, any engine - including the N57 - should be fine.