[STR8-6IX]

Hi all, having an N52 in my car all i can do is just wonder on the effortless torqu ive been missing out on.. as well as all the possible maintenance issues..

which engine do you prefer? Ive driven a very rare 6 speed manual M pack 335i before (n54) and i LOVED it.. I felt like the 6 speed manual's gearing was far better tuned to the N54 rather then the N52, despite the fact that the 328i had some goodies and a tune on it. the chassis of the e90 also seems better suited to the torque of the 335i.. but it could also be the aggressive damping of the M sport suspension which made it feel so great. dont get me wrong, I love my F10 and i rarely feel like its underpowered despite the measly N52, but I didnt buy a 535i just because of reliability concerns and I feel like im missing out..

what sort of mileage do you 35i guys have? are these any examples of people that havent had to change much over the long run? im looking for actual, real world mileage examples - not "40,000 miles and still running strong"

or does every N54/55 owner have to replace his fuel pump and random shit here and there to keep it running because my N52 has been running like a brick without needing to change a single damn thing at 67k..

any ideas, comparisons and opinions are much appreciated. also, does anyone on here have a turbo engine that burns NO oil?

thanks guys!

[Kevinl]

I wouldnt want a N55 the N52 is obvioulsly the most reliable but i think alot of the bad press the N54 has is overblown

[9krpmrx8]

Ask guys and read threads from people that have owned both N54 and N55 cars. The N55 is more reliable, period. Do you still have water pump failures and the occasional HPFP failure? Sure, but the N55 has far less issues, no turbo failures at high mileage, etc.

I have a 2011 335i with 75,000 miles and the only things that have broke that were not regular wear and tear was a wheel bearing and a cracked coolant reservoir. And my starter is getting tired so I just bought a new one for $160.00. I could probably get that covered under warranty but it's less of a hassle to just replace it myself.

As for the guys who chime in about the N54 being able to make more HP. Well, yes that is true, but very very few people are making north of 600WHP so it gets tiring hearing that BS.

And of course, remember when you are buying a used car you are buying the previous owners maintenance habits so comparing used cars is tough. You can have a car like mine that was a one owner and only dealer serviced or you can buy one that has had a few owners and little to no history.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

Ask guys and read threads from people that have owned both N54 and N55 cars. The N55 is more reliable, period. Do you still have water pump failures and the occasional HPFP failure? Sure, but the N55 has far less issues, no turbo failures at high mileage, etc.

I have a 2011 335i with 75,000 miles and the only things that have broke that were not regular wear and tear was a wheel bearing and a cracked coolant reservoir. And my starter is getting tired so I just bought a new one for $160.00. I could probably get that covered under warranty but it's less of a hassle to just replace it myself.

As for the guys who chime in about the N54 being able to make more HP. Well, yes that is true, but very very few people are making north of 600WHP so it gets tiring hearing that BS.

And of course, remember when you are buying a used car you are buying the previous owners maintenance habits so comparing used cars is tough. You can have a car like mine that was a one owner and only dealer serviced or you can buy one that has had a few owners and little to no history.

Honestly, Dealer serviced doesnt mean much. im sure some dealers are fine, but others are not.. when they tell you that the part is "coming from germany" and itll "take a month" to finish the service just know the dumbass kids working at the dealership will be taking it out for a spin. they put 1000KM on my car while fixing a fuel pump seal. also, the dealer service intervals? 15k? come on, thats awful. Unless something can be fixed under warranty, i go to my trusted mechanic and do it there. you can tell if a higher mileage vehicle was well maintained or not, so lack of dealer services isnt always a bad sign. honestly id never go back there for the reasons ive mentioned but also like you said, some things are not worth the hassle to fix, like your starter.

but getting back to the point of my thread, I have heard that the N55 is more reliable and honestly im almost wishing i just went for a 535i. Ive also heard that the N54 has better throttle response, or that the twin turbo setup just feels like a "bigger" engine compared to the n55. have you tried out an N54 before? if so, what do you think. im very curious to sample an N55 with the ZF. BMW is so great at tuning their auto boxes, even this one off, one year only 2011 N52 F10 which was the only example they ever paired this engine to the 8 speed.. flawless pairing.. makes other manufacturers look like utter garbage with like 3.8L engines not even geared as well as this 3L.

[maddmatth]

Turbo failures on the N55 are pretty much unheard of. It's the safer one to own if you just want the stock turbo to last. Now that MHD is out, it can be tuned just as easily.

It'll still have the usual silly issues. My stock chargepipe exploded weeks after running a tune (just the BMW PPK). My waterpump leaked. My pressure converter was failing causing the car to make less power (easy DIY thankfully, and N55 only has one while N54 has two).

And my HPFP is starting to fail, my local workshop is bringing one in from Germany. Glad I have an aftermarket warranty which is covering most of the cost.

[Fundguy1]

For me it really depends on your goal and budget. They are extremely similar. If you plan a high hp mod, go n54. If youre on a tighter budget n54 too. If youre happy with 450 hp and have a bigger budget, go newer. Proper maintenance and a good car are primary. The n55 is more reliable from the factory but if your n54 choice had the upgraded turbo and hpfp done then its just as reliable. Bumpers are interchangeable so thats moot. Different lights and mirrors. Swapable. Rest us pretty much the same. N55 will lauch better. N54 will get the n55 once moving. Up to you really. I ordered my n54 new. Could have swapped but chose not to. If theres no budget concern, go 335is. Best of both worlds. Up to you really. Good luck.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

For me it really depends on your goal and budget. They are extremely similar. If you plan a high hp mod, go n54. If youre on a tighter budget n54 too. If youre happy with 450 hp and have a bigger budget, go newer. Proper maintenance and a good car are primary. The n55 is more reliable from the factory but if your n54 choice had the upgraded turbo and hpfp done then its just as reliable. Bumpers are interchangeable so thats moot. Different lights and mirrors. Swapable. Rest us pretty much the same. N55 will lauch better. N54 will get the n55 once moving. Up to you really. I ordered my n54 new. Could have swapped but chose not to. If theres no budget concern, go 335is. Best of both worlds. Up to you really. Good luck.

Agree totally with FG comments here

[F22_Raptor]

N54 has more street cred.

[Boland01]

Our 2007 335i with 86K has had new fuel injectors (index 12 original were index 1), coils, VCG, oil pan gasket and HPFP. It is also the mostly heavily modded.

Our 2008 335i with 49K miles has had a water pump and HPFP replaced under warranty. It has an MHD and catless downpipes.

Our 2010 535i with 32K miles has had nothing go wrong. It only has a JB4 (map 5) and DCI's.

Mileage and age definitely come into play as well as hopefully improvements BMW may have made over time. My advice would be to get the lowest mileage car that has service records and a good independent garage give it the once over.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

only dealer serviced

I've never understood why this is so prominent on car ads. To me it indicates "I don't know anything about cars, I like to throw my money away, I stopped getting it serviced when they asked $1400 for brakes."

[Dark_Knight_335]

N55. There is absolutely no reason you cannot make nearly the same power in this day and age with a relatively trouble free platform like the N55. Several aftermarket larger turbo manufacturers clinched it if you ask me.

[Ozzie335i]

Like BK said, the power superiority of N54 vs N55 is in the moot now. Fundguy and Anytime need to put this argument to bed. A couple of weeks, ago I put a Z06 in his place with my lowly PI / Pure 2 car. His tags said FASTRNU, so Kathie said let's see. That was prior to Justin of MHD helping me to turn up the boost. Anything over 500 or 550 it is all about traction. So what if you have 650 or 700 dyno hp if you can't hook the power up to the road.

[Fundguy1]

I hook up. I think the n54 is better for thst too because power lags slightly out the gate. And once you're moving 40 or 50 you can hook it up, which is mostly when i use it.

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

For me it really depends on your goal and budget. They are extremely similar. If you plan a high hp mod, go n54. If youre on a tighter budget n54 too. If youre happy with 450 hp and have a bigger budget, go newer. Proper maintenance and a good car are primary. The n55 is more reliable from the factory but if your n54 choice had the upgraded turbo and hpfp done then its just as reliable. Bumpers are interchangeable so thats moot. Different lights and mirrors. Swapable. Rest us pretty much the same. N55 will lauch better. N54 will get the n55 once moving. Up to you really. I ordered my n54 new. Could have swapped but chose not to. If theres no budget concern, go 335is. Best of both worlds. Up to you really. Good luck.

Agreed. In their stock from there is very little difference (have less experience in an N54) but for most people, I think 400-450 HP is plenty. In which case you should go with the N55 since it is definitely possible to obtain that and it's a new car anyhow.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

I've never understood why this is so prominent on car ads. To me it indicates "I don't know anything about cars, I like to throw my money away, I stopped getting it serviced when they asked $1400 for brakes."

I second what NBA Jam said. Dealer serviced is NOT a sign of a well maintained vehicle. Ive had stuff fixed at the dealer under warranty and they drove my car. Im never going back there again And I have been doing regular services like Brakes, trans flush, Oil changes elsewhere.

[N54Luvr]

You know its an N54, but the real reason you don't own one is $$.

[Swizzie7]

Another one ? *Dj Khaled voice*

[Fundguy1]

Whoever that is.

[9krpmrx8]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

Honestly, Dealer serviced doesnt mean much. im sure some dealers are fine, but others are not.. when they tell you that the part is "coming from germany" and itll "take a month" to finish the service just know the dumbass kids working at the dealership will be taking it out for a spin. they put 1000KM on my car while fixing a fuel pump seal. also, the dealer service intervals? 15k? come on, thats awful. Unless something can be fixed under warranty, i go to my trusted mechanic and do it there. you can tell if a higher mileage vehicle was well maintained or not, so lack of dealer services isnt always a bad sign. honestly id never go back there for the reasons ive mentioned but also like you said, some things are not worth the hassle to fix, like your starter.

but getting back to the point of my thread, I have heard that the N55 is more reliable and honestly im almost wishing i just went for a 535i. Ive also heard that the N54 has better throttle response, or that the twin turbo setup just feels like a "bigger" engine compared to the n55. have you tried out an N54 before? if so, what do you think. im very curious to sample an N55 with the ZF. BMW is so great at tuning their auto boxes, even this one off, one year only 2011 N52 F10 which was the only example they ever paired this engine to the 8 speed.. flawless pairing.. makes other manufacturers look like utter garbage with like 3.8L engines not even geared as well as this 3L.

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

I've never understood why this is so prominent on car ads. To me it indicates "I don't know anything about cars, I like to throw my money away, I stopped getting it serviced when they asked $1400 for brakes."

I would never take my car to a dealer unless it was a big ticket warranty item and I know a lot of dealer techs that are clueless but I also think that about most mechanics. But dealer serviced is good because I got the entire service record and anytime any issue came up the car was taken to the dealer, even for tires, batteries, etc.

Having to take the word of a random previous owner is more risky IMO.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

I would never take my car to a dealer unless it was a big ticket warranty item and I know a lot of dealer techs that are clueless but I also think that about most mechanics. But dealer serviced is good because I got the entire service record and anytime any issue came up the car was taken to the dealer, even for tires, batteries, etc.

Having to take the word of a random previous owner is more risky IMO.

You're right about that, but if you find a used example you like, I wouldnt just automatically back out because it was not dealer serviced or lack of history. you can tell how the car was maintained and how it was driven on a day to day basis. being observant helps you spot most things worth mentioning.

[9krpmrx8]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

You're right about that, but if you find a used example you like, I wouldnt just automatically back out because it was not dealer serviced or lack of history. you can tell how the car was maintained and how it was driven on a day to day basis. being observant helps you spot most things worth mentioning.

True, but some things you can't tell by looking, like trans fluid intervals, oil change intervals, gasket replacements, water pump replacements, etc. etc. So without proof you are taking a huge risk trusting the seller.