What distinguishes this version
2,979 cc straight-six with two turbochargers, each feeding three cylinders, and High Precision Injection direct injection with piezo injectors: 225 kW at 5,800 rpm and 400 Nm from 1,300 to 5,000 rpm. Six-speed manual; six-speed automatic optional. BMW quotes 0–100 km/h in 5.3 s and 9.2 l/100 km; Euro 4.
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Engine oil: quantity and approval
Oil change with filter: 6.5 l according to TIS data for the N54 B30, the same figure as BMW’s press table. Longlife-04 oils are approved for petrol engines only in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein; outside that area, use the approval BMW specifies for the country.
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What the CBS tracks
The oil due date is calculated from the fuel used. BMW starts from 25,000 km for petrol engines and encodes 30,000 km for the ECE N54 from 09/2008. At every oil service: oil and filter, handbrake check, microfilter. Every third oil service: air filter and spark plugs. Front and rear pads, brake fluid and the vehicle check each have their own service.
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Timing drive
Chain-driven. The N54 TIS describes chain replacement, but no chain item appears among the maintenance operations: it is a repair, not scheduled maintenance.
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High-pressure pump and wastegate: what BMW acknowledged
In the United States, BMW of North America started a voluntary emissions recall in October 2010 covering model year 2008–2010 135i cars: the high-pressure fuel pump may fail, with long cranking, the engine warning light on and sometimes reduced power. The remedy was a new pump and/or a software update, depending on the car’s history. Following a US court-approved settlement, BMW then extended the emissions warranty of the turbocharger wastegate to 8 years or 82,000 miles for model year 2008–2010 E82 and E88 135i cars. BMW states that a slight wastegate rattle is normal, but a clank repeated up to six or seven times when decelerating from about 3,500 rpm should be diagnosed.
Both measures cover US cars; the sources consulted show no equivalent action in Europe. In practice: unusually long cranking with the engine light on, or clanking from the turbos, warrants a prompt diagnosis. Also ask a BMW workshop to check open campaigns against your VIN.
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Prepare the next service
Have the engine code and build date read to confirm the N54. Count oil services since the last spark plugs and air filter. Order brakes by axle: six-piston fixed callipers and 338 mm vented discs at the front, two-piston and 324 mm at the rear.
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