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      03-13-2014, 10:56 AM   #1
TheSt|G
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Exclamation N51 Owners, Important Topic

We all know it is a bit of a pain the the N51 SULEV version of the N52 engine has less potenial power and all that. Frankly, not that big of a deal. What is important, and I hadn't really thought to look into until now, is the long term of SULEV cars.

For the E46, the SULEV version has a completely different fuel tank from the normal E46 fuel tank that is "Evap Emissions Free". The downside of this tank is that the fuel pump is integrated into it, instead of seperate and easy to change like a normal BMW fuel pump. The tank itself is also stainless steel instead of plastic. The net result is that when your fuel pump fails on a E46 SULEV, you have to replace the entire fuel tank/rear system, to the tune of ~$6,000-$8,000.

"Ah ha!" you must be thinking, "Surely they didn't do that again!"(or so thought E46 owners after E36 subframe issues). The answer is, I don't know yet. On a whim this morning on the train on the way to work I looked up identical production month/year 128s with the N51 and N52 and they do have different fuel tanks. The N51 version is more than 3 times the price of the N52 unit. It also appears that there is a secondary "Fuel regulator" for the N51 that requires a crossfeed through the gas tank to the N51 fuel pump.

My take, outlook not so great. I would investigate this immediately if I was a N51 owner.
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      03-13-2014, 11:15 AM   #2
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Aahhh ST|G!
If you lived in California, you'd have a 15 year/unlimited mile warranty on your N51's emission system. That includes the stainless steel lines, fittings, tanks and pump, as this was done to cut evap emissions to get the SULEV rating! This is what I was told when I requested for an N52 and was told all cars ordered here will be N51s, but don't worry because you have a 15 year warranty on the fuel system. That warranty is only valid to Cali residents. Nevertheless, I hear you and I'm glad I ended up with an N52N by some twist of fate!
Narayan

PS: Maybe it was 150K miles and not unlimited. But 15 years for sure. Can anyone with a Cali N51 confirm this?
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      03-13-2014, 11:20 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 128 View Post
Aahhh ST|G!
If you lived in California, you'd have a 15 year/unlimited mile warranty on your N51's emission system. That includes the stainless steel lines, fittings, tanks and pump, as this was done to cut evap emissions to get the SULEV rating! This is what I was told when I requested for an N52 and was told all cars ordered here will be N51s, but don't worry because you have a 15 year warranty on the fuel system. That warranty is only valid to Cali residents. Nevertheless, I hear you and I'm glad I ended up with an N52N by some twist of fate!
Narayan

PS: Maybe it was 150K miles and not unlimited. But 15 years for sure. Can anyone with a Cali N51 confirm this?
It was 15 years on the E46 as well, but people have been known to have issues with the claims...
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      03-13-2014, 11:20 AM   #4
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Okay it looks like 15 years/150k miles...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_ultra-low_emission_vehicle

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_AB_1493
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      03-13-2014, 11:27 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSt|G View Post
It was 15 years on the E46 as well, but people have been known to have issues with the claims...
Is this a problem everywhere or only in states that originally didn't require the N51?
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      03-13-2014, 11:38 AM   #6
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there's not much we can do about it.
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      03-13-2014, 11:59 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 128 View Post
Is this a problem everywhere or only in states that originally didn't require the N51?
Not sure on the specifics as I never went through it myself. Just about it not being covered and the car being effectively totaled as a result.

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Dowager Countess View Post
there's not much we can do about it.
Awareness is always good. Also helps new buyers steer away from the N51.
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      03-13-2014, 12:13 PM   #8
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Steering away from EPS, turbos, run-flats, no dipstick and now this! Not long term strategies! I've already given in to run-flats and no dipstick. In 5 years it will be EPS and turbos for sure
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      03-13-2014, 12:27 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 128 View Post
Steering away from EPS, turbos, run-flats, no dipstick and now this! Not long term strategies! I've already given in to run-flats and no dipstick. In 5 years it will be EPS and turbos for sure
Yeah, its not great.

At least run flats are fixable.
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      03-13-2014, 12:54 PM   #10
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What is there to investigate?

Suck it up. This is coming from a N51 owner. Ish happens
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      03-13-2014, 01:02 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kgolf31 View Post
What is there to investigate?

Suck it up. This is coming from a N51 owner. Ish happens
I'd probably start by pulling up the rear seat cushion and seeing what the fuel pump situation looks like. Takes about 3 seconds.
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      03-13-2014, 01:19 PM   #12
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Could be worse.

N52
Repair kit, fuel pump/fuel level sensor 16147163298 $330.93

Plastic fuel tank 16117074463 $401.68

PLASTIC FILLER PIPE 16116768785 $137.92

N51

Delivery unit, right 16147194207 $330.93
Repair kit for flange cover 16117194201 $42.41
Retainer 16117162168 $11.49
RIGHT FUEL LEVEL SENSOR 16117248295 $95.86

Plastic fuel tank 16117190559 $1,393.43
only in conjunction with
-- Repair kit for flange cover 16117194201 $42.41
-- Repair kit, fuel tank 16117194202 $62.44

Filler pipe 16117200463 $357.66
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      03-13-2014, 01:23 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Suprgnat View Post
Could be worse.

N52
Repair kit, fuel pump/fuel level sensor 16147163298 $330.93

Plastic fuel tank 16117074463 $401.68

PLASTIC FILLER PIPE 16116768785 $137.92

N51

Delivery unit, right 16147194207 $330.93
Repair kit for flange cover 16117194201 $42.41
Retainer 16117162168 $11.49
RIGHT FUEL LEVEL SENSOR 16117248295 $95.86

Plastic fuel tank 16117190559 $1,393.43
only in conjunction with
-- Repair kit for flange cover 16117194201 $42.41
-- Repair kit, fuel tank 16117194202 $62.44

Filler pipe 16117200463 $357.66
It was the labor more than the parts that make the difference, as to get the fuel tank out you need to drop everything. Once again though, if this can be done from the back seat, that would be fantastic.

Just wanted to give N51 owners a heads up on an issue they will run into ~100k(or less if they run the tank dry frequently).
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      03-13-2014, 01:38 PM   #14
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Regardless of my tank - I run to 1/4 and start finding gas stations to fill.

Anyways, I'll pop the seat and do some investigating
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      03-13-2014, 02:04 PM   #15
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Keep it up with the informative stuff stig!
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      03-13-2014, 02:09 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kgolf31 View Post
Regardless of my tank - I run to 1/4 and start finding gas stations to fill.

Anyways, I'll pop the seat and do some investigating
Yup, running them dry is a bad decision with any flavor of engine.

Curious to see the results, though the other half is going to be that aforementioned piping betweent the two units.
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      03-13-2014, 02:14 PM   #17
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Well that sucks. Washington state supposedly doesn't provide extended warranty on emissions components. I want to keep this car a long time so I might get hosed when/if the fuel pump fails. Hopefully that's not something I'll have to worry about for another decade.
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      03-14-2014, 08:39 AM   #18
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      03-14-2014, 02:51 PM   #19
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2 Repair Instructions > 16 Fuel Supply System (N51) > 12 Fuel Transfer, Sensor For Gauge > 1 RA Removing And Installing_replacing Fuel Filter With Pressure Regulator (US Cars W

16 11 048 Removing and installing/replacing fuel filter with pressure regulator (US cars with N51 engines)

Fuel filter and pressure regulator cannot be replaced individually
on US cars with N51 engines!

The fuel tank must be replaced if the pressure regulator is faulty!



In about 8 years ...

Son, see that BMW in the driveway, it's yours ...
Really, ... all you got to do is replace the fuel tank.
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      03-14-2014, 03:09 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Black Prinz View Post
2 Repair Instructions > 16 Fuel Supply System (N51) > 12 Fuel Transfer, Sensor For Gauge > 1 RA Removing And Installing_replacing Fuel Filter With Pressure Regulator (US Cars W

16 11 048 Removing and installing/replacing fuel filter with pressure regulator (US cars with N51 engines)

Fuel filter and pressure regulator cannot be replaced individually
on US cars with N51 engines!

The fuel tank must be replaced if the pressure regulator is faulty!



In about 8 years ...

Son, see that BMW in the driveway, it's yours ...
Really, ... all you got to do is replace the fuel tank.
Got a link to that just so everyone has confirmation?
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      03-14-2014, 06:12 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSt|G View Post
Got a link to that just so everyone has confirmation?
http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...mw-3-series/p6

According to this, it may have been true that the fuel tank may be sealed with the pump, FPR etc at one point in time, but that fact may have changed from the M56 to the N51?
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      03-14-2014, 06:42 PM   #22
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Every car has its niche on an expensive replacement item. For the N51 it may very well be the fuel tank.

The S54s need rod bearings after hard tracking...and that isn't an inexpensive fix, yet people still do it. Suck it up and move on, IMO.

Last edited by Kgolf31; 03-15-2014 at 07:54 PM..
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