[rick100]

In toronto the difference between a n54 and n55 or similar mileage is roughly 6k give it or take after tax . For someone looking at buying a n54 or n55 as a weekend , summer car , what would make more sense. The budget is around 15 k canadian ( could be close to 20 for a really good deal)

2007-09 N54 with roughly 80-100 k miles with manual sport package for 11k to 14k or
2011 N55 with roughly 80-100 k miles with manual sport package ( maybe less options than n54) for 18k-21k


I ve been debating with myself , if buying a cheap 335 fully loaded and keeping 5k in the bank for repairs or mods ( turbo upgrade maybe?) is a better idea than using all my budget on a n55 and hoping for the best. There is not question N54 responds best to mods and n55 is more "reliable"

I m not even sure if 5k in repairs can get me a "reliable" n54.

[weehe126]

Do you plan to mod it? No? Get the N55. Yes but under 500whp, N55. Yes and 500+whp, N54.

[robthewrench]

Depends on what you value more: reliability vs mods?

If you look at all the issues associated with high mileage N54s that won't exist for a similar mileage N55s (injectors, coils, carbon build-up, turbo waste gates), I think you can get to $5K pretty quickly.

Don't forget, the N55 shares some of the same problems as the N54 (waterpump, others...)

[rick100]

yes I want to mod the crap out of it . Keep it for a long time . But I also have to be realistic . My budget is only 20 k max , that includes unexpected repairs. At least for the first year of ownership .

[TemjinX2]

The n54 or n55 is going to depreciate like a rock anyways, might as just keep the extra 5k in the bank.

The N54 has been around enough, that all the common problems are known, long as you do the preventive maintence shouldnt be too bad.

[E90B]

In the long term, you're better off focusing on getting a nice car as opposed to a project, and not worrying about 54 vs 55.