BMW X6 M F86

BMW's first turbo V8 in the M5 — the crossflow exhaust routing between the cylinder banks (hot-V) produces an atypical V8 sound: less primitive burble than the S62 naturally aspirated, more muted growl with turbo whistle in the background. What the S63 loses in character it gains in torque — 680 Nm available from 1,500 rpm, pushing consistently to above 5,000 rpm. The Achilles heel is the con rod bearings: metal swarf in the oil filter on an oil change is the earliest warning sign. Preventive bearing replacement every 80,000–100,000 km is strongly recommended, costing €4,000–6,000. Oil cooler seals weep from 60,000 km; turbocharger oil supply lines coke up with Longlife intervals. Shorten oil changes to 8,000 km and have the bearings done and the result is a robust engine.

• !! Connecting rod bearing wear from 90,000 km

  Connecting rod bearing shells wear through high revs and turbo boost pressure. Metal particles in the oil filter are the earliest warning sign. Preventive replacement every 80,000–100,000 km for around €2,390 is recommended — compared to €30,000–€50,000 for a replacement engine.

  Symptoms: Knocking or hammering engine noises under load and at idle, metal particles in the oil filter or sump, oil pressure warning light, engine no longer revs freely
  2,000–3,500 $
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• !! Recall: oil pump drive shaft

  Manufacturing tolerance fault on the oil pump drive shaft. The shaft can separate from the rotor, causing immediate total oil pressure loss. Affects approximately 696 US vehicles, produced July–September 2012. NHTSA Recall 12V475000.

  0–0 $
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• !! Turbo coolant lines brittle from 100,000 km

  The rubber lines and plastic T-connectors of the turbo cooling circuit become brittle through permanent radiant heat in the V-valley. Typically first seen from around 100,000 km. A repair kit with silicone hoses and brass T-pieces is the permanent solution.

  Symptoms: Dropping coolant level without visible external leak, gurgling after switching off the engine, rising engine temperature, coolant steam from engine bay
  300–1,200 $
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+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses