Please tell me it is a bad idea

wanna325i · 10-10-2018, 09:57 AM

Hello everyone,

It has been long from my last post. Had N54 E92 which I love, sold it cause need money for a house and got myself Honda insight

. 3 years later, while i enjoy the MPG and money isn't so tight. I want to get back to E92. Looking at E92 with N55 this time. Had F30 335i for short run but did not enjoy it.

So my question am I stupid getting back to E92 335i with N55? What are the new found problems from N55? Still the same water pump/oil filter gasket/oil pan gasket, fuel pump?

Thank you

C2YT · 10-10-2018, 10:01 AM

I love my N55! Great power, reliability, and MPG. I usually see ~30 highway and average 25+ on regular pump. Even on E30-E40 I see 28 highway and 23 average.

I have done nothing but change the oil in mine. Coming up on spark plugs and coils here soon but no signs of issues. Currently JB4 BEF + E30.

As far as known issues, the most common is water pump. OFHG follows, and probably oil pan gasket as well. I would say that the N55 is known for being less maintenance-heavy, but obviously this is case by case. A lot of it comes down to mileage and PO.

TemjinX2 · 10-10-2018, 10:21 AM

All the new part versions for the N54 addressed all the issues the N54 including the hpfp. The n55 didn't have the injector issues like the N54 but they still leak like all BMW's. The OFHG will still have to be changed eventually.

Since N54's and N55's are stupid cheap...i say just find the lowest mileage manual you can find. But i would recommend a N54 if your going to mod.

trotsky · 10-10-2018, 10:50 AM

I have had my 2013 N55 e93 for over a year, had to fix bad oil leak only so far, about 15K miles on it.

Running MHD stage 1+ /XHP stage 3, with upgraded FMIC/Charge pipe, car runs great as a highway commuter and I have had no issues with it besides the one time bad oil leak.

Its a really fun car and I think an amazing value these days, especially with the tunes available for such a low price that totally transform the car.

9krpmrx8 · 10-10-2018, 10:57 AM

I have 97,000 on my N55 E90, it's been very reliable aside from a few cooling issues in the past year but that is pretty normal in South Texas as plastic cooling components just don't tend to last. I purposely got an N55 car because friends have/had N54 335i's and I am glad I did. I am FBO, stage 2+ at 22psi average or so, and I love it.

Pladi · 10-10-2018, 11:43 AM

N55 all day any day every day .. for many reasons

Fritzer · 10-10-2018, 11:48 AM

I'm biased but if I was looking for a new to me car I would get an E91 N51/2.

9krpmrx8 · 10-10-2018, 01:16 PM

Why anyone would choose and N52 car is beyond me. Unless it's just dirt cheap and price is the most important factor.

Fritzer · 10-10-2018, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

Why anyone would choose and N52 car is beyond me. Unless it's just dirt cheap and price is the most important factor.

Natural Aspiration fans. I'm not crazy about forced induction vehicles, unless it's diesel.

I can appreciate them for sure though, just not for me. Pricing wise I don't think that there is much of a premium anymore.

wanna325i · 10-10-2018, 02:06 PM

Thank you everyone for their options. I see there is a 2009 E90 with less then 60000 miles for sale, asking 12000 with sport/navi package. I might go take a look at it in the weekend and how much would they give my Honda insight for.

As for 328i or 335i. I can see pro's and con's. I had E36 and E46 and I can totally understand where are you coming from. But i'm pretty set getting a N55 car.

Fritzer · 10-10-2018, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanna325i

Thank you everyone for their options. I see there is a 2009 E90 with less then 60000 miles for sale, asking 12000 with sport/navi package. I might go take a look at it in the weekend and how much would they give my Honda insight for.

Trade that Honda in son! Might be already done, but you should be able to find some cheap Honda parts from a dismantler or eBay and give the whole car a refresh to increase the value of the trade-in. Probably only worth it if you could profit $1k or more, so you'd have to do the math. But give it a good buff if you have the tools and clean up the headlights, etc. Squeeze as much as you can out of it, from what I hear they do hold value!

Going to have to throw the pricing out to the rest of the jury, $12,000 for 60,000 miles doesn't seem too outrageous, but I feel like I've seen cheaper or better deals. Although 60,000 is pretty low for an '09.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanna325i

As for 328i or 335i. I can see pro's and con's. I had E36 and E46 and I can totally understand where are you coming from. But i'm pretty set getting a N55 car.

They are pretty fantastic cars if you have some know-how and practice proper maintenance. I would look at Dinan or Manhart if you want to tune it or add any serious upgrades into the future.

wanna325i · 10-10-2018, 02:49 PM

Yeah, going to give the Honda a wash and some tire shine. They better give me more then 1k on it, it is 2014 with 33000miles.

12k might sound little bit high, buy carfax show it is dealer maintenance record. So there might give me a piece of mind, car has been maint.

wdb · 10-10-2018, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

Why anyone would choose and N52 car is beyond me. Unless it's just dirt cheap and price is the most important factor.

Because it is a sweet sweet motor, the very essence of BMW inline 6 greatness. Happy to rev, sings like a angel, runs forever.

ryan stewart · 10-10-2018, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

Why anyone would choose and N52 car is beyond me. Unless it's just dirt cheap and price is the most important factor.

Because its a pure pussy wagon?

Seriously though, my N52K E91 has been my Swiss army knife. Long road trips, cleans up for date night, loads up the back for camping trip or to the beach, fits my giant dog, takes a surfboard/bike/trunk on the roof, tows a track bike, etc/.

DYOOS · 10-11-2018, 01:08 AM

Picked up my 2011 E90 over a year ago now and I still love driving that thing around. Since ownership I've had to replace or repair the OFHG, battery and water pump/thermostat/coolant. I will be repairing the oil cooler gasket with o rings and getting a new cabin air filter replaced.

I've upgrade by my choice the chargepipe and spark plugs. My car has about 76k miles.

wanna325i · 10-12-2018, 01:56 PM

Thank you for all the information. I might go look at 09 this week from owner. Only thing i'm worry the car has couple mod on it.

BryGuy11 · 10-13-2018, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanna325i

Hello everyone,

It has been long from my last post. Had N54 E92 which I love, sold it cause need money for a house and got myself Honda insight

. 3 years later, while i enjoy the MPG and money isn't so tight. I want to get back to E92. Looking at E92 with N55 this time. Had F30 335i for short run but did not enjoy it.

So my question am I stupid getting back to E92 335i with N55? What are the new found problems from N55? Still the same water pump/oil filter gasket/oil pan gasket, fuel pump?

Thank you

Ok, it's a bad idea.

wanna325i · 10-13-2018, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryGuy11

Ok, it's a bad idea.

Knew it was

Anyhow, went to see the 09, ofcause it was sold even i text and call the salesman before i went. Back to drawing board

BryGuy11 · 10-14-2018, 12:09 AM

It's very clear you want a N55 E90 so, if you simply settle on anything else you will kick yourself in the ass. There are so many for sale it really is a buyer's market. Take your time & find one that has everything you want, it's out there. I love my car but, the only thing it didn't have that I really wanted was the "BITCH WHORE RED" interior.

wanna325i · 10-15-2018, 09:09 AM

Updated

I am picking up a 2011 E92 later today at local BMW dealership. M-sport Mineral White with oyster interior. 68000 miles. 10/11 build hoping without vanos issues. Will post picture tomorrow. Happy to be back!!!

wsouthb2 · 10-15-2018, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9krpmrx8

I have 97,000 on my N55 E90, it's been very reliable aside from a few cooling issues in the past year but that is pretty normal in South Texas as plastic cooling components just don't tend to last. I purposely got an N55 car because friends have/had N54 335i's and I am glad I did. I am FBO, stage 2+ at 22psi average or so, and I love it.

What cooling issues did you have if you don't mind me asking? Ive got a real head scrambler going on at the moment

wsouthb2 · 10-15-2018, 09:23 AM

Help please!!

My 2012 E93 335i N55 shows an overheat problem after about 20 miles of motorway driving. When it does this, the bottom radiator hose is stone cold. So i initially thought it must be the thermostat, so resigned my self to replacing the waterpump and thermostat. However, I then noticed that even from cold, the cooling fan was acting erratically various speeds etc...I've now found that if I start and drive the car with the heater control panel off, I do not get any issues and the bottom radiator hose gets nice and hot. Everytime it shows an over heat problem, I get a code "ECU has requested the electric water switched off due to blockage" I assume the blockage is the thermostat being shut? The most obvious question is has anybody come across this? Is it possible its the software in the heater panel corrupt? How does the heater panel interact with the thermostat? and any other answers you may be able to throw up. Car has done 70k miles and not sure if it's ever had water pump or stat. I should add, that with the heater panel on, although i know it will eventually go into limp mode, the heater and aircon all work fine.

10-10-2018, 09:57 AM	#1
wanna325i Private First Class 24 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (2)	Please tell me it is a bad idea Hello everyone, It has been long from my last post. Had N54 E92 which I love, sold it cause need money for a house and got myself Honda insight. 3 years later, while i enjoy the MPG and money isn't so tight. I want to get back to E92. Looking at E92 with N55 this time. Had F30 335i for short run but did not enjoy it. So my question am I stupid getting back to E92 335i with N55? What are the new found problems from N55? Still the same water pump/oil filter gasket/oil pan gasket, fuel pump? Thank you
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10-10-2018, 10:01 AM	#2
C2YT Private First Class 68 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 335i Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Taylor, MI iTrader: (0)	I love my N55! Great power, reliability, and MPG. I usually see ~30 highway and average 25+ on regular pump. Even on E30-E40 I see 28 highway and 23 average. I have done nothing but change the oil in mine. Coming up on spark plugs and coils here soon but no signs of issues. Currently JB4 BEF + E30. As far as known issues, the most common is water pump. OFHG follows, and probably oil pan gasket as well. I would say that the N55 is known for being less maintenance-heavy, but obviously this is case by case. A lot of it comes down to mileage and PO.
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10-10-2018, 10:21 AM	#3
TemjinX2 Major 521 Rep 1,485 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi e92 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Socal OC iTrader: (0)	All the new part versions for the N54 addressed all the issues the N54 including the hpfp. The n55 didn't have the injector issues like the N54 but they still leak like all BMW's. The OFHG will still have to be changed eventually. Since N54's and N55's are stupid cheap...i say just find the lowest mileage manual you can find. But i would recommend a N54 if your going to mod.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2018, 10:50 AM	#4
trotsky New Member 8 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2016 x5 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 e93 [0.00]	I have had my 2013 N55 e93 for over a year, had to fix bad oil leak only so far, about 15K miles on it. Running MHD stage 1+ /XHP stage 3, with upgraded FMIC/Charge pipe, car runs great as a highway commuter and I have had no issues with it besides the one time bad oil leak. Its a really fun car and I think an amazing value these days, especially with the tunes available for such a low price that totally transform the car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2018, 10:57 AM	#5
9krpmrx8 Clean is the new cool, keep it that way. 808 Rep 1,685 Posts Drives: 11' Alpine White 335i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: San Antonio, Texas iTrader: (0)	I have 97,000 on my N55 E90, it's been very reliable aside from a few cooling issues in the past year but that is pretty normal in South Texas as plastic cooling components just don't tend to last. I purposely got an N55 car because friends have/had N54 335i's and I am glad I did. I am FBO, stage 2+ at 22psi average or so, and I love it. __________________ 2011 335i, FBO, N55+ Turbo, full E85, S55 intercooler, etc. 2015 X5 35i Xdrive
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10-10-2018, 11:43 AM	#6
Pladi Lieutenant Colonel 718 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Waterloo, ON Canada iTrader: (0)	N55 all day any day every day .. for many reasons
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10-10-2018, 11:48 AM	#7
Fritzer No one sleep in Tokyo 945 Rep 1,507 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 328i//1995 E34 530i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: San Diego, California -> Austin, Texas iTrader: (3)	I'm biased but if I was looking for a new to me car I would get an E91 N51/2. __________________ 2011 E90 328i, 1995 E34 530i, 1992 E32 740i, 1991 E34 525i
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10-10-2018, 01:16 PM	#8
9krpmrx8 Clean is the new cool, keep it that way. 808 Rep 1,685 Posts Drives: 11' Alpine White 335i Sedan Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: San Antonio, Texas iTrader: (0)	Why anyone would choose and N52 car is beyond me. Unless it's just dirt cheap and price is the most important factor. __________________ 2011 335i, FBO, N55+ Turbo, full E85, S55 intercooler, etc. 2015 X5 35i Xdrive
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10-10-2018, 02:06 PM	#10
wanna325i Private First Class 24 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (2)	Thank you everyone for their options. I see there is a 2009 E90 with less then 60000 miles for sale, asking 12000 with sport/navi package. I might go take a look at it in the weekend and how much would they give my Honda insight for. As for 328i or 335i. I can see pro's and con's. I had E36 and E46 and I can totally understand where are you coming from. But i'm pretty set getting a N55 car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2018, 02:49 PM	#12
wanna325i Private First Class 24 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (2)	Yeah, going to give the Honda a wash and some tire shine. They better give me more then 1k on it, it is 2014 with 33000miles. 12k might sound little bit high, buy carfax show it is dealer maintenance record. So there might give me a piece of mind, car has been maint.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-11-2018, 01:08 AM	#15
DYOOS First Lieutenant 88 Rep 325 Posts Drives: 335i E90 N55 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Picked up my 2011 E90 over a year ago now and I still love driving that thing around. Since ownership I've had to replace or repair the OFHG, battery and water pump/thermostat/coolant. I will be repairing the oil cooler gasket with o rings and getting a new cabin air filter replaced. I've upgrade by my choice the chargepipe and spark plugs. My car has about 76k miles. __________________ IG: @dyoos335i
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10-12-2018, 01:56 PM	#16
wanna325i Private First Class 24 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (2)	Thank you for all the information. I might go look at 09 this week from owner. Only thing i'm worry the car has couple mod on it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2018, 12:09 AM	#19
BryGuy11 Banned 43 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 335i coupe 6sp Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Shithole NH iTrader: (0)	It's very clear you want a N55 E90 so, if you simply settle on anything else you will kick yourself in the ass. There are so many for sale it really is a buyer's market. Take your time & find one that has everything you want, it's out there. I love my car but, the only thing it didn't have that I really wanted was the "BITCH WHORE RED" interior.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2018, 09:09 AM	#20
wanna325i Private First Class 24 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (2)	Updated I am picking up a 2011 E92 later today at local BMW dealership. M-sport Mineral White with oyster interior. 68000 miles. 10/11 build hoping without vanos issues. Will post picture tomorrow. Happy to be back!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2018, 09:23 AM	#22
wsouthb2 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW E93 335i DCT Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Essex, UK iTrader: (0)	2012 E93 335i Overheating....weird Help please!! My 2012 E93 335i N55 shows an overheat problem after about 20 miles of motorway driving. When it does this, the bottom radiator hose is stone cold. So i initially thought it must be the thermostat, so resigned my self to replacing the waterpump and thermostat. However, I then noticed that even from cold, the cooling fan was acting erratically various speeds etc...I've now found that if I start and drive the car with the heater control panel off, I do not get any issues and the bottom radiator hose gets nice and hot. Everytime it shows an over heat problem, I get a code "ECU has requested the electric water switched off due to blockage" I assume the blockage is the thermostat being shut? The most obvious question is has anybody come across this? Is it possible its the software in the heater panel corrupt? How does the heater panel interact with the thermostat? and any other answers you may be able to throw up. Car has done 70k miles and not sure if it's ever had water pump or stat. I should add, that with the heater panel on, although i know it will eventually go into limp mode, the heater and aircon all work fine.
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