N54 waterpump

[Brandon 12]

Hi guys,

I have an n54 that’s just ticked over 120,000ks and looking to get the water pump done. How much should I expect to be paying on a job like this? Any recommendations for places in Auckland?

cheers 

[qwertyk1d 12]

Bellars Motor Works or BMWorkshop (Grey Lynn or Botany). Unsure of cost though someone else may be of use there.

[jon dee 500]

N54 water pumps run about $1000 on trademe, and it is somewhat of a pain to change them, so I can easily see it being a $1500 job by the time incidentals are added. Recommended to change the thermostat assembly at the same time and that will add another $200  It is a wonder old school cars could even get out of the garage without a PWM pump and electronic thermostat... but they did. And if you threw $100 worth of parts at them every 100,000 kms they were good to go  

Cheers... 

[gofaster 93]

Brandon are you hands on, have time/tools and want to learn?

I had never changed one before buying my previous 130i, and have now done my second on my current N54.

Youtube is your friend, allow about NZ$600 plus freight from FCP Euro for Pump, Thermostat and bolts.

FCP also have a video archive for jobs like this.

[qwertyk1d 12]

2 hours ago, gofaster said:

Brandon are you hands on, have time/tools and want to learn?

I had never changed one before buying my previous 130i, and have now done my second on my current N54.

Youtube is your friend, allow about NZ$600 plus freight from FCP Euro for Pump, Thermostat and bolts.

FCP also have a video archive for jobs like this.

Interesting I've not looked at FCP before. Did you go for VDO or genuine BMW for the pump?

[qwertyk1d 12]

Just found this which could be of use to OP

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-water-pump-replacement-kit-11517632426kit

[gofaster 93]

21 minutes ago, qwertyk1d said:

Interesting I've not looked at FCP before. Did you go for VDO or genuine BMW for the pump?

Cant recall now for my own jobs, the quote above I just took cheaper of options to give a ball park figure

[Olaf 3236]

19 hours ago, qwertyk1d said:

Interesting I've not looked at FCP before. Did you go for VDO or genuine BMW for the pump?

I've been a regular client of theirs for more than fifteen years.  I think Pierberg might be the OE for your N-series?  HTH

[jon dee 500]

Pretty sure that VDO actually make N54 pumps for BMW, and Pierburg are another reputable European manufacturer. 

Noteworthy that Pierburg have actually come out with an alloy pump that they claim eliminates the cracking that is a frequent cause of leaks from the plastic pump housing. They also claim to have found a resolution to the design weakness in the pump motors that causes motor failure due to coolant getting amongst the electrics.  

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Cooling/Water-Pumps/N54-N55-Pierburg-BMW-Electric-Water-Pump-11517632426.html 

I have asked FCP if they can get them but apparently not yet. Other places can supply but they want stupid money for shipping, so I'm just waiting until I actually need one. But for sure when the time comes I want the alloy pump housing !!  

Cheers... 

PS: There is actually one (alloy Pierbug pump) for sale on TM at the moment for $999. 

Edited February 22, 2022 by jon dee
Typo...

[Ooonst 4]

Necro posting - FCP do the Pierburg and another Aluminium unit (Nissens) as well now - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-water-pump-replacement-kit-11515a05704kt3

[smiddy 76]

Had a VDO unit on mine for nine months, goes good. Was about NZ$ 550.00 to my door.