N52 Electric Water Pump

[Kristophe]

Since my 2010 E83 has 174K and has still has the original WP and Thermostat. I have previously changed out the radiator, main hoses, and expansion tank. So I thought about tackling the WP and Tstat as preventive. I've read over some general write ups I've come across online and found a YouTube video here and there but how tricky/difficult is this R&R? I've done quite a few DIYs on my old X5 but both the WP and Tsastat sure seem tucked away in an impossible-to-get-to-area almost underneath and between the subframe. If I DIY I'll sure save a good chunk of money that's for sure.

[crystalworks]

Done one X3 and one E61 wagon with the N52. It wasn't fun. If you have good motor mounts it will be a pain in the butt. If you have shot motor mounts that have collapsed... you'll want to burn the X3 to the ground. Total time for a decent wrench should be about 4 or 5 hours including coolant bleeding (nice to have electric pump).

The X3 I did actually had sheared motor mount bolts and engine had fallen on subframe destroying the pump. Fun stuff.

[Kristophe]

Replacing the starter last Spring sure was a "pain in the butt". I didn't fully remove the intake manifold but pulled it back enough to reach down and work the bolts out. That job took most of my Saturday. I'm sure my motor mounts are in good shape. Overall this X3 has held up much better than my E53. By the time the X5 hit 170K I've needed to replace the fuel pump, the front control and trust arms/ball joints, both front CV axels and wheel bearings.