The N52 engine is arguably one BMW’s most reliable engines ever built. It’s also the main reason why the E9X 3-series is one of BMW’s best selling models to date which can still be commonly seen on the roads as a daily driven vehicle. As stout as these cars and their engines are, they could benefit from one missing component.
While turbo charged N54 powered E9X’S came equipped with an oil cooler, their naturally-aspirated sister cars did not. However, the N52 powered cars can certainly benefit from one in order help manage engine temperatures in harsh conditions and help ensure performance and longevity over time. This is true for both high performance race cars as well as daily driven street cars.
The following is a parts list we put together, including links to sources for all of the items needed to install an oil cooler on an N52 powered E9X BMW.
| Part | Brand | Part Number | Quantity | Link | |
| Oil Cooler | Setrab | 50-619-7612 | 1 | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TO6BU5K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 | |
| Oil Cooler Fittings | Setrab | 22-M22AN10-SE-2PK | 2 | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077VRNH3T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 | |
| Oil Cooler Fittings | Aeroquip | AERFCL1534 | 4 | Must match hose brand. If you go different brand hose or fitting, use clamps. | |
| Oil Cooler Hose | Aeroquip | FCN1020 | 1 | https://www.summitracing.com/parts/AER-FCN1020 | |
| Oil Cooler plate | Vargas | VTT-OILPLATE-1 | 1 | https://www.bimmerworld.com/Vargas-Oil-Cooler-Block-Off-Plate-N54-135i-335i-535i.html | |
| Cooler Mounting Bracket | Condor Speed Shop | — | 1 | https://www.condorspeedshop.com/products/e9x-oil-cooler-mount?variant=41051973287982&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwg-24BhB_EiwA1ZOx8h1-_YWWqXI36umiUbSavco_Spbnm09sgOc-1QZOM16hIquHuU-MJhoCveoQAvD_BwE | |
| N54 oil cooler housing | BMW | OEM | 1 | Junkyard |