BMW N53 engine
Production2006–2013
ConfigurationStraight-6
BlockMagnesium-Aluminium
HeadAluminium
ValvetrainDOHC, with VVT
FueltypePetrol
Displacement2,497 cm3 (152 cu in)
2,996 cm3 (183 cu in)
Bore82 mm (3.2 in)
85 mm (3.3 in)
Stroke78.8 mm (3.10 in)
88 mm (3.5 in)
PredecessorBMW N52
SuccessorBMW N54

The BMW N53 is a naturally aspirated straight-6 petrol engine which was produced from 2006 to 2013. The N53 replaced the BMW N52 in certain markets and debuted on the post-facelift E60 5 Series.

In European markets, the N53 began replacing its port-injected parent, the BMW N52, in 2007. Markets such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Malaysia retained the N52, as the N53 was deemed unsuitable due to the high sulfur content of local fuel.[1]

The N52 and N53 are the last naturally aspirated straight-six engines produced by BMW, ending a history of continuous production of this engine configuration since the BMW M30 in 1968. In 2011, the N52 began to be replaced by the BMW N20 turbocharged four-cylinder engine. N53 production ceased in 2013.

There is no BMW M version of the N53. The BMW N54 turbocharged straight-6 engine was produced alongside the N53.

Design

Compared with its N52 predecessor which was port-injected, the N53 uses direct injection. The direct injection system uses piezoelectric fuel injectors which inject into the combustion chamber, using a stratified lean mixture operation.[2] The compression ratio was increased to 12.0:1 for the N53.[3]

As per the N52, the N53 has double-VANOS (variable valve timing) and a magnesium alloy block.[3] Unlike the N52, the N53 does not have Valvetronic (variable valve lift), due to space limitations in the cylinder head.[4][5]

The bore of 85 mm (3.35 in) and stroke of 88 mm (3.46 in) are the same as the N52. Each cylinder has coil-on-plug ignition, as per the N52.[6]

Versions

Engine CodeDisplacementPowerTorqueYears
N53B252,497 cm3 (152.4 cu in)140 kW (188 hp)
at 6,100 rpm		235 N⋅m (173 lb⋅ft)
at 3,500-5,000 rpm		2006-2010
N53B302,996 cm3 (182.8 cu in)150 kW (201 hp)
at 6,100 rpm		270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft)
at 1,500-4,250 rpm		2009-2011
160 kW (215 hp)
at 6,100 rpm		270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft)
at 2,400-4,200 rpm		2007-2013
190 kW (255 hp)
at 6,600 rpm		310 N⋅m (229 lb⋅ft)
at 2,600-5,000 rpm		2009-2011
200 kW (268 hp)
at 6,700 rpm		320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft)
at 2,750-3,000 rpm		2007-2013

N53B25

The 2.5 L (153 cu in) version of the N53 produces 140 kW (188 hp) and 235 N⋅m (173 lb⋅ft).[5] It has a bore of 82 mm (3.23 in) and a stroke of 78.8 mm (3.10 in).

Applications:[7]

N53B30 (150 kW)

A 150 kW (201 hp) version of the N53 was used in the pre-facelift F10 523i.

Applications:[8]

N53B30 (160 kW)

This 3.0 L (183 cu in) version of the N53 produces 160 kW (215 hp),[5] the same figure as the 2.5 L (153 cu in) version of its N52 predecessor. However, peak torque increased from 250 to 270 N⋅m (184 to 199 lb⋅ft).[9]

Applications:

N53B30 (190 kW)

A 190 kW (255 hp) version of the N53 was used in the pre-facelift F10 528i.[10]

Applications:

N53B30 (200 kW)

The most powerful version of the N53 produces 200 kW (268 hp) of power and 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) of torque.[5][11]

Applications:

High-Pressure Fuel Pump failures

The N53 uses the same High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) as the BMW N54 turbocharged straight-six engine,[12] which had HPFP failures leading to Lemon Law "buy backs" and legal action in the United States. The N53 engine was not sold in the United States, therefore the N53 engine was not involved with these actions.[13]

Failures of the N53 HPFP have been reported,[14] although it is not known whether failure in the N53 is as common as the N54.

See also

References

  1. ^ "BMW's N52 versus N53 - what are we missing?". paultan.org
  2. ^ "Metric.or.kr". Archived from the original on 2019-09-29. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
  3. ^ "BMW N53B25 Engine". www.mywikimotors.com. 8 March 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  4. ^ "BMW Straight 6 Engine - N Series". BMWInformation.com. Archived 21 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ^ "Engine specifications for N53 engines". www.bmwheaven.com
  6. ^ "6' E63 LCI 630i Ignition coil/spark plug". www.realoem.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  7. ^ "BMW Engine Codes". racingdynamics.com
  8. ^ "2009 BMW 523i F10 Specifications". www.carfolio.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  9. ^ "BMW E60 5 Series 525i Specs". www.ultimatespecs.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  10. ^ "2010 BMW 528i (model since mid-year 2010 for Europe ) specs review". www.automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017.[dead link]
  11. ^ "2007 BMW 630i Coupé specifications". www.carfolio.com. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  12. ^ "13517616170 Exch high-pressure pump". www.realoem.com. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  13. ^ "What's the deal with all these Lemon/Buyback 335i's?". www.bimmerfest.com
  14. ^ "BMW N53B25 Engine". www.mywikimotors.com. 8 March 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2017.