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      02-27-2020, 02:38 PM   #1
mooney1184
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What To Look For

Hey everyone, new to E90post and looking to purchase either a 328i or 335i e93 in a month or two.

I've done tons of research on both for the last year and very familiar with common issues of both N52 & N54 motors.

My question is this, most of me is considering the 328i because it checks all the boxes and is enough fun to suffice all needs. However, I received a promotion last August, paid off my student loans, and haven't had a fun/turbo car since 2005.

I'd really like to get the N54, but my price point is sub 10K and I'm curious if most N54's out there have had most of the issues resolved/replaced by now? (I.e. HPFP, wastegate rattle, coils, etc.)

I'm setting aside about 3k for initial maintenance (belts, cooling pipes, struts, etc.) and hoping to get one with a decent maintenance record list. I've read various ownership reviews of N54's over the web (not really worried about the N52) but looking for honest ownership maintenance records and reviews from people on here with 100K+ miles.

Not looking to stir up any N52/N54 debate. Just honest discussion about overall N54 ownership.

I do know how to work on cars, and coming from both an e36 328 and e46 330ci.
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      02-27-2020, 02:45 PM   #2
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There is a whole thread dedicated to your question on the top of the page.
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      02-27-2020, 02:56 PM   #3
mooney1184
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Originally Posted by tcphoto View Post
There is a whole thread dedicated to your question on the top of the page.
Already read that part. Looking to hear from N54 owners past 100K miles and what their MX has been like since they took ownership to current.
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      02-27-2020, 02:58 PM   #4
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Why just N54? You could look at N55 as well - didn't have some of the issues that the N54 did.
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      02-27-2020, 02:59 PM   #5
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I do agree there's tons of threads on this.

What I will say is if you'e read into all the typical N52/N54 problems, you can do the work yourself and it doesn't totally put you off ;Then go for one
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      02-27-2020, 03:01 PM   #6
mooney1184
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Originally Posted by Just a 3 View Post
Why just N54? You could look at N55 as well - didn't have some of the issues that the N54 did.
Would love a N55 but its out of budget right now. Might reconsider when I'm getting closer to purchase pending commissions.
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      02-27-2020, 03:03 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by neilvan View Post
I do agree there's tons of threads on this.

What I will say is if you'e read into all the typical N52/N54 problems, you can do the work yourself and it doesn't totally put you off ;Then go for one
Agreed. Already drove a N52 and it pulls much better than my M54 (expected). It was plenty of power to suffice what I need, but I really miss having a turbo car.

This is totally out of the "needs" department, but it would be nice to actually purchase what I want instead of cutting corners again. Decisions, decisions.

Would love to drive a 3-stage 328i to see what that's like, but its already hard enough to find manual e93's as is.
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      02-27-2020, 03:17 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mooney1184 View Post
I'd really like to get the N54, but my price point is sub 10K and I'm curious if most N54's out there have had most of the issues resolved/replaced by now? (I.e. HPFP, wastegate rattle, coils, etc.)

I'm setting aside about 3k for initial maintenance (belts, cooling pipes, struts, etc.) and hoping to get one with a decent maintenance record list. I've read various ownership reviews of N54's over the web (not really worried about the N52) but looking for honest ownership maintenance records and reviews from people on here with 100K+ miles.
sub 10k is definitely doable for an n54, just be patient when looking.

If they havent been already, change vac lines and boost solenoids, it'll save you a ton of headache. I picked mine up at just over that mileage with a 30ff error, which luckily turned out to be a brittle wastegate vac hose.

The previous owner did have maintenance records showing replacement of the typical maintenance stuff (i.e. gaskets, plugs, etc) along with receipts of additional parts. The one major thing was, he had replaced both of the turbos. Which probably saved me a lot of trouble. Other than that, the car had all the recalls taken care of (airbag, injectors, blower motor).

I'm planning on doing a full maintenance day for my car soon, including a transmission flush, @100k I just want to be safe.

All in all, I'm just under $1k into this car, and part of that was a JB4 purchase, not a necessity item
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      02-27-2020, 04:51 PM   #9
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Can you do the labor yourself? If so, no reason not to go n54. If no, then n52 fits your budget much better.
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      02-27-2020, 05:16 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mooney1184 View Post
Agreed. Already drove a N52 and it pulls much better than my M54 (expected). It was plenty of power to suffice what I need, but I really miss having a turbo car.
I'd never "miss" a turbo car if the non turbo met my needs. The extra complexity, parts count, wear/tear and headache factor are all good reasons to stay away if you don't "need" it. Of course, no one "needs" a turbo car. What we need is a car that meets our demands and in our case, the turbo car is what does it. If I'd be content with a slower car, I'd opt for the non turbo.
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      02-28-2020, 12:18 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tlow98 View Post
Can you do the labor yourself? If so, no reason not to go n54. If no, then n52 fits your budget much better.
I can, but I'd take it to a show if it were the HPFP or something turbo related. I mostly stick to brakes, valve covers, suspension, etc. for DIY.
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      02-28-2020, 12:20 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ky0u View Post
sub 10k is definitely doable for an n54, just be patient when looking.

If they havent been already, change vac lines and boost solenoids, it'll save you a ton of headache. I picked mine up at just over that mileage with a 30ff error, which luckily turned out to be a brittle wastegate vac hose.

The previous owner did have maintenance records showing replacement of the typical maintenance stuff (i.e. gaskets, plugs, etc) along with receipts of additional parts. The one major thing was, he had replaced both of the turbos. Which probably saved me a lot of trouble. Other than that, the car had all the recalls taken care of (airbag, injectors, blower motor).

I'm planning on doing a full maintenance day for my car soon, including a transmission flush, @100k I just want to be safe.

All in all, I'm just under $1k into this car, and part of that was a JB4 purchase, not a necessity item
This is precisely the feedback I'm looking for. Definitely going to find one that already had the turbos replaced like you mentioned.
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      02-28-2020, 12:47 PM   #13
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What is your maintenance/repairs budget? You say that an N55 car is out of your budget compared to N54, while only a couple issues early on with an N54 will put you into the price of an N55 car.
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      02-28-2020, 02:55 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CTinline-six View Post
What is your maintenance/repairs budget? You say that an N55 car is out of your budget compared to N54, while only a couple issues early on with an N54 will put you into the price of an N55 car.
Yeah, this is precisely the correct question.

If you can't/won't DIY injectors, turbos, fuel pumps then you have to be ready to stomach several $2k+ repairs. They might all happen close to each other, but then again they might not. You're rolling the dice.
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      02-28-2020, 03:04 PM   #15
mooney1184
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CTinline-six View Post
What is your maintenance/repairs budget? You say that an N55 car is out of your budget compared to N54, while only a couple issues early on with an N54 will put you into the price of an N55 car.
This is VERY true and I reconsidered today while searching and looking at other DIY's.

It's easier to make the investment up front on the N55 and just do basic MX up front as well and call it a day. Not looking for crazy power as stock should be fine for a while.

Still interested in feedback from other N54 owners though.
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      02-28-2020, 03:35 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mooney1184 View Post
This is VERY true and I reconsidered today while searching and looking at other DIY's.

It's easier to make the investment up front on the N55 and just do basic MX up front as well and call it a day. Not looking for crazy power as stock should be fine for a while.

Still interested in feedback from other N54 owners though.
Just take a gander at the n54 specific forum...
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      03-01-2020, 06:06 AM   #17
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I can't give you an ownership experience with the N54. But I can with the N52. Great engine and reliable as a rock. The reason I'm commenting is you seem somewhat financially restricted. That tells me the N54 is going to provide a less satisfying ownership experience due to higher maintenance costs vs. the N52.

You can always bump the N52 to 255 hp or a bit more for the cost of a 3-stage intake manifold and free software upload to the ECU.
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      03-01-2020, 12:28 PM   #18
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Out of curiosity, I went and searched on Auto Trader this morning to see what the prices are for an E93. I think you are going to have a hard time finding a 328i for under $10K that is in good shape or will not need a bunch of mechanical restoration. Most sub $10K cars have 120,000 miles or more on them, which is just around the mileage that owners see bills for repairing gasket leaks, serpentine belt/tensioner replacements and tune-ups (plugs and fluids), and dump the cars instead of addressing the issues.

None of the issues are difficult with the N52, and DIY is not expensive, but at shop prices $3K is going to get eaten up pretty quick. E9X cars with the N52 is easily a 250,000-mile car with proper care and feeding; however, there is no need to over-feed it.

Good luck with the search.
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