N55 vs. N54 review

evan5291 · 11-22-2015, 05:13 PM

Since I have had the pleasure of owning an e92 with an n54 and an e90 with an n55, I thought I might share my experiences and thoughts since thats something I searched for when buying.

The e92 had a JB+ and drop in k&n's. I had it set to 100% and running on 93. I had also replaced the wheels with some 19" niche essen's. It had more rubber on the pavement then a stock m3. It was pretty fast and I was pleased with the amount of grip and stability at high speeds.

The e90 has bms stage 1 and drop in k&n's. I upped the boost to 4.5 psi over stock and it too was running on 93.

Most notable differences were with the sound and torque of the n55. It sounded much better. Revving the n54 just didnt sound very impressive. It sounded great WOT in gear but the n55 sounded better in both respects. The drone can get annoying at highway speeds for some. The n55 also produced more torque just from a "seat of the pants" perspective and quite possibly on the dyno as well. Torque just is available faster. Also, turbo spool is louder with the n55. Although I have not had the n55 at 120+mph as I had with the n54, I will say the n55 felt faster. Even with the 300lbs weight increase with the e90. The e92 beat the e90 in handling and braking performance hands down. Could be due to different brake pads but that isn't attributable to the engine.

So basically, the n55 is a better engine in my opinion than the n54 given light modifications. I think it is the overall consensus that the n54 is better for heavier modifications given the turbo setup, but the refinement that bmw has done to the n55 should not go without notice.

Cory S · 11-23-2015, 11:26 AM

Love my N55... Super fun commuter.

DrRobert · 11-23-2015, 11:27 AM

Regarding the handling - I have an 2011 N55 E90 and had to spend thousands on suspension mods to make it handle the way I thought a BMW should (my previous car was an E46 coupe). I have driven my friend's 2007 N54 E90, he has done no mods to his car except for ditching the runflats for performance tires (which was my first mod too) and his car handles way better than mine did with just the tire swap. I don't know what BMW changed in the suspension between 2007 and 2011 but it was substantial IME, and for the worse.

Cory S · 11-23-2015, 11:31 AM

Spending thousands to make a 3 series commuter car handle a little better? OK.......

Should have bought an M IMHO....

DoctoRx · 11-23-2015, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory S

Should have bought an M IMHO....

It's not always about the difference in price that people choose m vs non-M. I didn't like the handling of my e92 when I purchased either, spent similar to upgrade and I love it now. Better for DD use, and once paired with a Pure Stage 2 turbo, you're left with plenty of speed for letting loose and having fun.

DrRobert · 11-23-2015, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory S

Should have bought an M IMHO....

Thanks a lot for the helpful advice Cory. I love my car and wouldn't trade it for anything. And BTW it doesn't handle just a little better, its night and day.

Cory S · 11-23-2015, 11:51 AM

I have researched the Pure turbo upgrade, and it's definitely on my plate after my warranty runs out...

Cory S · 11-23-2015, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrRobert

Thanks a lot for the helpful advice Cory. I love my car and wouldn't trade it for anything.

That's all that counts really. Love my E90 as well. Could use about 150-200 more HP, but that time will come.

DrRobert · 11-23-2015, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory S

That's all that counts really. Love my E90 as well. Could use about 150-200 more HP, but that time will come.

You didn't mention which N55 car you have Cory, but if you have the same car as me I'm telling you right now that if you start increasing the HP of that N55 engine anywhere near that much then you will need to upgrade the suspension too if you want to put all that power down.

Cory S · 11-23-2015, 12:04 PM

Well not worried about it, considering I run a good quality tire, AWD, and a 6AT

Dhillon92 · 11-23-2015, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory S

Spending thousands to make a 3 series commuter car handle a little better? OK.......

Should have bought an M IMHO....

Ok......people spend thousands to make even an M handle better, should have bought a (insert better handling car than M here).

I understand if you have a designated racecar and your 3er is your commuter car, but honestly there's people on here who treasure their 3s, and keep them in pristine condition as a "weekend car". As an enthusiast, and someone who mods every car I get my hands on, find it unfair to crush someone's work and effort in putting love into his car.

My e92 xdrive handles like crap with FBO+meth on all stock suspension and Michelin PSS.

CantCatchMe · 11-23-2015, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dhillon92

Ok......people spend thousands to make even an M handle better, should have bought a (insert better handling car than M here).

I understand if you have a designated racecar and your 3er is your commuter car, but honestly there's people on here who treasure their 3s, and keep them in pristine condition as a "weekend car". As an enthusiast, and someone who mods every car I get my hands on, find it unfair to crush someone's work and effort in putting love into his car.

My e92 xdrive handles like crap with FBO+meth on all stock suspension.

Time for some coilovers huh

Dhillon92 · 11-23-2015, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CantCatchMe

Time for some coilovers huh

It was, but then my clutch started slipping on digs

so now that winters here, clutch/smfw upgrade and then some KW for the spring

PS: I do wish we only had to spend hundreds instead of thousands LOL

CantCatchMe · 11-23-2015, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dhillon92

It was, but then my clutch started slipping on digs

so now that winters here, clutch/smfw upgrade and then some KW for the spring

PS: I do wish we only had to spend hundreds instead of thousands LOL

I agree! Even with my R56 it was expensive to mod. I'll say this though, the N55 is pretty fun mid range being FBO.

Get ST's or KW's, can't go wrong with neither.

Bours · 11-23-2015, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CantCatchMe

I agree! Even with my R56 it was expensive to mod. I'll say this though, the N55 is pretty fun mid range being FBO.

Get ST's or KW's, can't go wrong with neither.

does it help to put the power down ? i have a 335xi sedan on michelin x ice right now fbo and 94 oct and im all over the place when i go full throttle . im wondering if its the winter tires and ill be fine un summer or i need to get kw v1 ?

Dhillon92 · 11-23-2015, 05:40 PM

I'm on Michelin PSS, and my stock suspension gets worse every year, a good suspension would definitely help with putting power down more efficiently. When I'm racing my car squats, nose dives, front to back, side to side. With a fresh suspension the car would be more uniform.

Bours · 11-23-2015, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CantCatchMe

I agree! Even with my R56 it was expensive to mod. I'll say this though, the N55 is pretty fun mid range being FBO.

Get ST's or KW's, can't go wrong with neither.

does it help to put the power down ? i have a 335xi sedan on michelin x ice right now fbo and 94 oct and im all over the place when i go full throttle . im wondering if its the winter tires and ill be fine un summer or i need to get kw v1 ?

Turbod · 11-23-2015, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bours

does it help to put the power down ? i have a 335xi sedan on michelin x ice right now fbo and 94 oct and im all over the place when i go full throttle . im wondering if its the winter tires and ill be fine un summer or i need to get kw v1 ?

You would feel the difference as the Xdrives is not sporty at all. As for your traction issues they are due to your tires, outside temps, and road conditions.

Bours · 11-23-2015, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbod

You would feel the difference as the Xdrives is not sporty at all. As for your traction issues they are due to your tires, outside temps, and road conditions.

ok but would i feel it in a straight line or only when taking a curve ? is there a benefit on the straight or for acceleration ?

CantCatchMe · 11-23-2015, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bours

does it help to put the power down ? i have a 335xi sedan on michelin x ice right now fbo and 94 oct and im all over the place when i go full throttle . im wondering if its the winter tires and ill be fine un summer or i need to get kw v1 ?

Exactly what he said. Winter tires are soft so you won't gain traction if you're hitting gears hard.

Regardless, I'd recommend KW V1 or ST's(only minor difference). You'll love being able to maintain better control of the car.

Bours · 11-24-2015, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CantCatchMe

Exactly what he said. Winter tires are soft so you won't gain traction if you're hitting gears hard.

Regardless, I'd recommend KW V1 or ST's(only minor difference). You'll love being able to maintain better control of the car.

Ok and what about comfort ? Is it oem like or its stiff as hell ? I ask cause i have my 11 months baby in the back very often

CantCatchMe · 11-24-2015, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bours

Ok and what about comfort ? Is it oem like or its stiff as hell ? I ask cause i have my 11 months baby in the back very often

It's a bit stiff but not uncomfortable. It's like a stable car unlike the xDrive suspension.

Sorry for the thread Jack

.

11-22-2015, 05:13 PM	#1
evan5291 New Member 4 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 Join Date: May 2015 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	N55 vs. N54 review Since I have had the pleasure of owning an e92 with an n54 and an e90 with an n55, I thought I might share my experiences and thoughts since thats something I searched for when buying. The e92 had a JB+ and drop in k&n's. I had it set to 100% and running on 93. I had also replaced the wheels with some 19" niche essen's. It had more rubber on the pavement then a stock m3. It was pretty fast and I was pleased with the amount of grip and stability at high speeds. The e90 has bms stage 1 and drop in k&n's. I upped the boost to 4.5 psi over stock and it too was running on 93. Most notable differences were with the sound and torque of the n55. It sounded much better. Revving the n54 just didnt sound very impressive. It sounded great WOT in gear but the n55 sounded better in both respects. The drone can get annoying at highway speeds for some. The n55 also produced more torque just from a "seat of the pants" perspective and quite possibly on the dyno as well. Torque just is available faster. Also, turbo spool is louder with the n55. Although I have not had the n55 at 120+mph as I had with the n54, I will say the n55 felt faster. Even with the 300lbs weight increase with the e90. The e92 beat the e90 in handling and braking performance hands down. Could be due to different brake pads but that isn't attributable to the engine. So basically, the n55 is a better engine in my opinion than the n54 given light modifications. I think it is the overall consensus that the n54 is better for heavier modifications given the turbo setup, but the refinement that bmw has done to the n55 should not go without notice.
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11-23-2015, 11:26 AM	#2
Cory S Major 305 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	Love my N55... Super fun commuter.
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11-23-2015, 11:27 AM	#3
DrRobert Normal Person 147 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 335i Join Date: May 2014 Location: paradise iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E90 335i [0.00]	Regarding the handling - I have an 2011 N55 E90 and had to spend thousands on suspension mods to make it handle the way I thought a BMW should (my previous car was an E46 coupe). I have driven my friend's 2007 N54 E90, he has done no mods to his car except for ditching the runflats for performance tires (which was my first mod too) and his car handles way better than mine did with just the tire swap. I don't know what BMW changed in the suspension between 2007 and 2011 but it was substantial IME, and for the worse.
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11-23-2015, 11:31 AM	#4
Cory S Major 305 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	Spending thousands to make a 3 series commuter car handle a little better? OK....... Should have bought an M IMHO....
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11-23-2015, 11:51 AM	#7
Cory S Major 305 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	I have researched the Pure turbo upgrade, and it's definitely on my plate after my warranty runs out...
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11-23-2015, 12:04 PM	#10
Cory S Major 305 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	Well not worried about it, considering I run a good quality tire, AWD, and a 6AT
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11-23-2015, 05:40 PM	#16
Dhillon92 Captain 82 Rep 604 Posts Drives: '11 335xi Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I'm on Michelin PSS, and my stock suspension gets worse every year, a good suspension would definitely help with putting power down more efficiently. When I'm racing my car squats, nose dives, front to back, side to side. With a fresh suspension the car would be more uniform.
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