[nomiS330d]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Oh dear

Exactly but what the d lacks in sound is made up for in shove. I once had an e46 330i which was a great sounding engine but never felt quick. I know the E9x 3.0i is a bit more pokey but still not a match for a mapped 3.0d.

Anyway, going back to the op, I say go for the 330i like I said before. Just less expensive to run and less trouble prone.

[tom_seddon]

Nobody has mentioned that the N53 is often flaky, unreliable, and expensive to fix, so bear that in mind when looking.

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by tom_seddon

Nobody has mentioned that the N53 is often flaky, unreliable, and expensive to fix, so bear that in mind when looking.

Very good point. N53 can be as troublesome as a N54, but obviously no turbo issues.

If budget allows, i would go for a N55. If not an N52 then.

I would only look at a N53 or N54 if the troublesome items have recently been replaced.

[Alpina 91]

Great to hear somebody talking sense about diesels

[Giggss]

Even in the first 2 years of the N55 they didn't fix the HPFP did they? I read that somewhere only after the first 2 years they resolved it.

[rusty0273]

I've owned a 2011 E92 335i N55 with DCT and now run a 2009 E90 330i LCI N53 Manual (plus other E90s along the way). Never took to the E92 335i. Gearbox was great if you want an auto - Few better out there. However, it always felt like a 'heavy' car. Even I'm not sure what I mean by that - it was fast but not much fun. The E90 330i feels lighter on its feet. I much prefer a manual box now having tried some good DCT and regular autos. Both engines good but the N53 is a peach. Creamy smooth and instant response from NA. I get around 34mpg and can push it towards 40 on long trips sitting at 75. Never cracked 30mpg in the 335i.
It may come down to availability though - plenty of N54/55s around but if you want a manual especially, then a N53 330i are quite rare. They were only very marginally cheaper than a 335i when new so of course everyone went turbo route. My LCI model is like hens teeth. One of the reasons I keep hold of it.

[tom_seddon]

I mention the unreliability so that a potential purchaser might go in with their eyes fully open. Anybody wondering whether they want a 330i or a 335i is presumably not specifically looking for an NA engine, so maybe best they get a 335i. Why not get a few more hp, and some lower-RPM meatiness, for the same unreliability?

(I like my N53 330i, for exactly the reasons stated. I did however have a lot of problems with it quite soon after purchase - the usual injector stuff - fortunately, thanks to the the consumer rights act, the dealer I bought it from paid for the repair, but it took a bit of hassle and arguing to get it sorted out - and so I'd hesitate to unreservedly recommend a purchase.)

(Also worth noting if you want an NA car: as well as the reliability, the N52 cars are apparently generally a bit nicer to drive overall. Hydraulic power steering, and none of the N53's low-RPM clatteriness. So if LCI appearance/newer iDrive/lower VED/improved fuel economy aren't factors, this might be worth bearing in mind too.)

[Sir_Dave]

Originally Posted by tom_seddon

the N52 cars are apparently generally a bit nicer to drive overall. Hydraulic power steering, and none of the N53's low-RPM clatteriness. So if LCI appearance/newer iDrive/lower VED/improved fuel economy aren't factors, this might be worth bearing in mind too.

I'm slowly building the Unicorn 330i as it happens.

Started with a non-leather pre-lci manual in order to get the N52 engine, then retrofitted CIC/combox (was non-idrive previously) & "chrome dial" climate panel to modernise the interior. Now just need LCI front bumper/bonnet/lights and rear bootlid/lights to get the outside looking a bit fresher.


Untitled by Sir_Dave, on Flickr

Best of both worlds then

[Giggss]

I'm mainly looking at E92's how can I tell if its N54 or N55 on autotrader, if its a 2009 model since thats the year it was changed?

[-Keith-]

Originally Posted by tom_seddon

Why not get a few more hp, and some lower-RPM meatiness, for the same unreliability

Not quite though, the wastegate and turbos are big ticket items you don’t need to worry about on the N53. It may not be perfect, but the N54 has more opportunity for failures, and much more scope for heavy bills.

[richk84]

Originally Posted by Giggss

I'm mainly looking at E92's how can I tell if its N54 or N55 on autotrader, if its a 2009 model since thats the year it was changed?

I'm fairly confident you need to be looking at 2010+ models for the N55 - basically look for LED lights front and rear.

2009 models saw the introduction of the DCT gearbox but still had the N54

[Chappers 71]

As rich said n55 is 2010 onwards.
The n55 does share a number of the same faults as the n54, apart from all the same gasket issues, hpfp, water pump, vanos there are also plenty of posts about n55 waste gate rattle & turbo failure.
You have to be a certain type of person to own a 35i whether it be a n54 or 55, it will be fairly expensive to own & maintain but for me the smile mine puts on my face every time I drive it makes it worthwhile.
I can get 38 mpg on a long motorway run, traffic permitting & 21-24 around town if I drive it sensibly, although it's usually around 18 mpg. When the missus was working she used it as a dd with an 80 mile a day commute & she would get 28mpg max, although on the odd occasion when I drove her to work I'd consistently get 32mpg

In over six years of ownership & around 60,000 miles I've only had to replace due to failure the....
aircon condenser
Hpfp
Water pump (twice)
Radiator
Water thermostat
6 coils
Exhaust solenoid
Boost pressure pipework
Charge pipe & both turbos, although they did last for over a 109,000 miles. It's still on the original injectors & has now done over 113k.
Then there's the consumables & mods.
I don't know about the n55 but you can spend a mere £1000 on go faster stuff & get around 380bhp & 560nm of torques which makes for a very quick car.

[Giggss]

I've decided to go with the N52, as much as I know the 335i is faster chances are I will never use that much power plus I prefer to have a bit more reliability so I'm going with that. I would get an E90 but it doesn't show engine temp it shows mpg on the instrument cluster which really annoys so looks like I'm getting an E92.

That just leaves one question how can I tell apart N52 and N53 is it the tax bracket of 315 and 230 that I can tell just from auto trader?

[tom_seddon]

I believe that the tax bracket is the only reliable metric, as the N53 has lower CO2 output. (The tax for mine was <£250 this year. I think the N52 is more like £300.)

There are apparently pre-LCI N53s, pre-LCI N52s that have been made up to look like LCIs, and later N52s that are legitimately 200KW, all suggesting bodywork and bhp are not diagnostic.

[Giggss]

In that case for the E92 I think i'm looking at 2006 exclusively, since they started in 2006 and all 2007's seem to be the lower tax bracket.

[Not a Diesel!!!]

I would keep them all in mind.

I had an E91 330i with the N53 engine and had all the usual problems but still thought it was a great engine. I had an N52 130i at same time and liked that better for noise & longterm reliability.

When I had the 330i ( took 9 months to find) I looked at a couple of 335i. But while torquier at bottom end did not feel as urgent as the 330i at the top end. I am sure they were faster just did not feel it because of the power delivery.

So I think my ideal (although I don't think it exists) would be E91 Manual with N52 engine but LCI.... with a BMP Performance back box.

Basically as they are all rare. I would not count out any of them if the right condition car comes up get it.

I would still go back I think the size, performance, style is still a sweet spot in the 3 series history.

[Chappers 71]

N52/53 applications & years in attached link.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...Ve71C-4dKhRtOq

[MattOz]

Interesting one.......

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/163436387...aMIBrbdVD2rMD4

[R3tribut10n]

Originally Posted by Giggss

I would get an E90 but it doesn't show engine temp it shows mpg on the instrument cluster which really annoys

There is a hidden menu on the E series, not sure if you can get it to stay on your instrument cluster or manually do it each time you want!


http://e90.wikifoundry-mobile.com/m/...C+hidden+menus

[Sir_Dave]

Originally Posted by MattOz

Interesting one.......

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/163436387...aMIBrbdVD2rMD4

Saw that on m3cutters earlier on.

Id be all over that if i was looking for an e9* at the mo.

Tempted anyway tbh

[Smokey33]

N54 here coming up on 2 years ownership 3x trips to santa pod on 65k miles running FBO 455bhp and 490lbs/ft torque. Maintainance ive had the cam cover gasket done but that was more preventative, it wasn't leaking, gearbox oil topped up (DCT), 6x plugs and 6x coils a 02 sensor and a ABS sensor. That's it.

If you want performance its not even a comparison. My car has beaten M4's, C63 AMG's, Audi R8's V8 and V10's at santa pod. In gear its rapid. You cant get that from a 330i.

[Giggss]

Damn it, I think you guys plus some of my friends have convinced me to get the 335i for the pure thrill and enjoyment of it.