The direct fuel injection on BMW's N20 and N26 engines allowed them to produce a four-cylinder with excellent fuel mileage and plenty of power. Rather than sitting in a fuel rail on the intake manifold, the injectors sit in the cylinder head above the spark plugs. That allows them to spray their...
Direct fuel injection has become the standard injection system in the last decade. The N20/26 engine's in the BMW F30, F31, and F32 four-cylinder models use this injection system, giving them excellent fuel mileage with plenty of power. Unlike the traditional port fuel injection, the direct...
The sport sedan started with BMW, and their F30 3-series continued in that legacy. While not shy on power, the real excellence comes from its chassis and suspension, and just like everything else, the suspension needs to be maintained. When bushings and joints wear out, tolerances weaken, and the...
The only thing more iconic than the BMW roundel is the signature kidney grills on the front of every BMW. Whether it's the 507, M1, or new M4, we've come to expect every BMW to have those grills in some form. The BMW F30 generation 3-series is no different, as BMW offers a few different styles of...
Every engine needs fuel, air, and spark to run. The BMW's N20/26 engines have a spark plug and ignition coil for each cylinder. Failing plugs or coils will produce a weakened spark at best, resulting in poor ignition of the fuel/air mixture in the cylinder. Without the spark, the engine will make...
Twenty years ago, BMWs, especially the high performance, had a penchant for eating the connecting rod and main bearings. The N20 engine available in the BMW F30 features newer technology for more performance and better efficiency over the old engines, but quietly, still have issues with...
A properly functioning wheel bearing is critical to any car, not just the BMW F30. The wheel bearing handles the rotational force of each wheel. Whenever a vehicle is modified, whether it be a lowered suspension or more power, there will be an effect on the wheel bearing's life. As the F30...
Driving in the snow is about as polarizing as pineapple on pizza. Yet, for many, including myself, driving on a snow-covered road is something we must do to get where we need to go rather than a choice we get to make. That's why opting for an xDrive equipped BMW is one of the smartest choices we...
This DIY covers how to replace the valve cover gasket and PCV on a Volkswagen VR6 engine. Shown specifically in this video is how to replace the valve cover gasket on a Mk5 VW Golf R32 with the VR6 engine, but this applies to the Golf GTI and VW Jetta as well. Keeping the oil where it is supposed...
Bringing an engine to its standard operating temperature before leaning on it is the best way to increase its life. That is especially the case with engines under boost pressure, such as BMW's N20 and N26 engines. This generation of BMW four-cylinder saw the use of an electric water pump, rather...