BMW N52 engine repair costs
We have real owner-reported prices for 9 N52 repairs. Among those with at least two dealer or independent prices for this engine, the highest median is Oil Pan Gasket Replacement at $2,861 and the lowest is Oil Filter Housing Gasket Replacement at $663.
Specs and history from Wikipedia (revisions listed below) · every price links to its source on the repair page
N52 at a glance
| Production | 2004–2015 | [1] |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Straight-6 | [1] |
| Displacement | 2497 cc (152.4 cu in) / 2996 cc (182.8 cu in) | [1] |
| Fuel type | Petrol | [1] |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, with VVT & VVL | [1] |
| Block | Magnesium-Aluminium | [1] |
| Cylinder head | Aluminium | [1] |
| Redline | 7,000 rpm | [1] |
| Fuel system | Port injection | [2] |
Cars with the N52
128i, 328i, 528i and X3 3.0si, per our VANOS data, plus 325i/330i and the X5 3.0si in other repair threads. This line only lists cars our own repair data names for this engine.
Cars and chassis codes named in Wikipedia's article on this engine. It can include related or successor models, so treat it as a lead and check your exact car. Open a linked model to see its repair costs.
- 3 Series 323i (E90)
- 5 Series 523i, 528i (E60/E61)
- Z4 2.5i (E85)
- 5 Series 523i, 528i (F10)
- Z4 sDrive23i (E89)
- X3 2.5si, xDrive25i (E83)
- 5 Series 525i, 525xi (E60/E61)
- 3 Series 325i, 325xi (E90/E91/E92/E93)
- Z4 2.5si (E85)
- 3 Series 325i, 325xi (E90/E92/E93)
- Z4 3.0i (E85)
- 1 Series 125i, 128i (E82/E88)
- 5 Series 528i korean spec (Dme 525i) (E60)
- X1 xDrive25i (E84)
Show 14 more
- 3 Series 328i, 328xi (E90/E91/E92/E93)
- 6 Series 630i (E63/E64)
- 3 Series 330i, 330xi (E90/E92/E93)
- 7 Series 730i (E65/E66)
- 5 Series 530i, 530xi (E60/E61)
- 7 Series 730i (F01)
- Z4 sDrive30i (E89)
- X1 xDrive28i (E84)
- 1 Series 130i (E87)
- X3 28i (F25)
- 5 Series 528i, 530i asia and euro (F10)
- Z4 3.0si (E85/E86)
- X3 3.0si (E83)
- X5 3.0si, xDrive30i (E70)
Model pages for the N52
Chassis pages whose cars, per Wikipedia, used this engine.
Known issues
From the engine's Wikipedia article, section named in each item. Links are the references attached to those sentences (archived copies where the original page is gone); where none is shown, the Wikipedia section is the source.
In 2017, BMW recalled 740,000 six-cylinder models due to reports of the heater for the crankcase ventilation valve short-circuiting and causing a fire.
Source: Wikipedia: BMW N52 (section "Recalls") · cited reference · cited reference
Repairs we have prices for
Sorted by number of reported prices. "N52 only" rows use only prices that name this engine. "Whole job" rows use every price on that repair page, which also covers other engines, so read them as a general guide.
| Repair | Scope | Dealer | Independent | DIY | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Main Seal | Whole job | $2,400–$4,000 | $1,700–$3,500 | — | 7 |
| Valve Cover Gasket Replacement | N52 only | — | $580 | $40–$630 | 5 |
| VANOS Solenoids | N52 only | $500 | — | $80–$300 | 4 |
| Oil Pan Gasket Replacement | N52 only | $1,000–$4,150 | $2,000 | — | 4 |
| Serpentine Belt, Tensioner & Idler | Whole job | — | $100 | $151–$197 | 3 |
| Oil Filter Housing Gasket Replacement | N52 only | $550 | $775 | — | 2 |
| Water Pump & Thermostat Replacement | N52 only | — | $1,000 | $600–$800 | 2 |
| Radiator Replacement | N52 only | — | — | $284–$483 | 2 |
| Eccentric Shaft Sensor (Valvetronic) | N52 only | $900 | — | $150 | 2 |
Most expensive N52 repairs in our data
Ranked by the median of dealer and independent prices for N52 cars, for repairs with at least two such prices. Scope differs between reports, so open the page before comparing.
- Oil Pan Gasket Replacement: median $2,861, range $1,000–$4,150 (4 prices)
- Oil Filter Housing Gasket Replacement: median $663, range $550–$775 (2 prices)
Cheapest N52 repairs in our data
- Oil Filter Housing Gasket Replacement: median $663, range $550–$775 (2 prices)
- Oil Pan Gasket Replacement: median $2,861, range $1,000–$4,150 (4 prices)
Models these repairs appear on
Before and after
Related engines
Related guides
- BMW Coolant Leak: Common Causes by Engine
- BMW Dealer vs Independent Shop: Which Is Cheaper?
- Are BMWs Expensive to Maintain?
- BMW N52 Common Problems and Repair Costs
Common questions
What are the most common BMW N52 repairs?
The N52 repairs owners have reported prices for are: Oil Filter Housing Gasket Replacement, Valve Cover Gasket Replacement, Water Pump & Thermostat Replacement, VANOS Solenoids, Oil Pan Gasket Replacement, Rear Main Seal, Radiator Replacement, Serpentine Belt, Tensioner & Idler, Eccentric Shaft Sensor (Valvetronic). These are repairs we have real prices for, not a measured failure rate.
What is the most expensive N52 repair?
Among N52 repairs with at least two dealer or independent prices, Oil Pan Gasket Replacement has the highest median, at $2,861 ($1,000–$4,150, 4 prices).
What is the cheapest N52 repair?
Among N52 repairs with at least two dealer or independent prices, Oil Filter Housing Gasket Replacement has the lowest median, at $663 ($550–$775, 2 prices).
Which BMWs have the N52 engine?
128i, 328i, 528i and X3 3.0si, per our VANOS data, plus 325i/330i and the X5 3.0si in other repair threads.
When was the BMW N52 engine produced?
2004–2015, per Wikipedia.
Sources
- Wikipedia: BMW N52 (revision 1376592842, read 2026-10-23)
- Wikipedia: List of BMW engines
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