[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

Yup, it's because people are stupid and can't do their own research. I knew of all the potential problems with both platforms before I ever test drove either of them.

ahhh still not bad on this forums, only what? about 10% of threads are about n52 power mod, and the rest is about bmw reliability?

On facebook is wayyyyyyyy worst.

[stewbets]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

So in other words those of us that can appreciate lasting a long time vs someone who likes to be a flash in the pan?

I'm sure your girlfriend/boyfriend can explain the difference to you.

Sure, there have been more than a few flashes in the pan in sixteen years of marriage. After all, we do have six kids. Regardless, that is a strange analogy.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by stewbets

At the risk of sounding too serious for my own joke of a thread, I've got to say that comparing stock times is a little silly when one of these engines is a novice tuner's dream. A couple bolt-ons and a tune will significantly widen the gap for not a significant amount of cash. That's the sole reason I bought mine. To me, a stock N54 is so much wasted potential.

Well, your joke was reliability vs. power output. While it's obvious a factory turbocharged engine can easily be tuned for more power via ECU code and larger turbos and fuel injectors, the reliability signature changes for the engine (same goes when a NA engine is force-inducted). While the N52 sits detuned in the 325/328, and puts out 255-265 HP in dual-DISA form, the reliability doesn't necessarily change. I have both versions of the N52 BTW.

Which is why speed trap data with stock engines is relevant. Based on the slight difference in acceleration of the two drivetrains, the N54 had far more reliability issues than the N52, making the 800 millisecond acceleration to 60 not worth the PIA. That's what my joke was referencing.

But you started this panty-wadding thread

[stewbets]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Well, your joke was reliability vs. power output. While it's obvious a factory turbocharged engine can easily be tuned for more power via ECU code and larger turbos and fuel injectors, the reliability signature changes for the engine (same goes when a NA engine is force-inducted). While the N52 sits detuned in the 325/328, and puts out 255-265 HP in dual-DISA form, the reliability doesn't necessarily change. I have both versions of the N52 BTW.

Which is why speed trap data with stock engines is relevant. Based on the slight difference in acceleration of the two drivetrains, the N54 had far more reliability issues than the N52, making the 800 millisecond acceleration to 60 not worth the PIA. That's what my joke was referencing.

But you started this panty-wadding thread

It's just that your joke wasn't funny because it misses the point of buying an old N54 (OK, maybe it's good for a cheap laugh). Not all of us are aiming for 400k miles. I'd be good with 40k myself (well, 140k total), as it will likely take me 7 years to get there. And as far as the extra power not being worth the hassle, tell that to the Top Fuel guys. The fact of the matter is we're all at a different spot on the performance/reliability spectrum, and you just landed on a decidedly girlier part of it. No big deal!

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Well, your joke was reliability vs. power output. While it's obvious a factory turbocharged engine can easily be tuned for more power via ECU code and larger turbos and fuel injectors, the reliability signature changes for the engine (same goes when a NA engine is force-inducted). While the N52 sits detuned in the 325/328, and puts out 255-265 HP in dual-DISA form, the reliability doesn't necessarily change. I have both versions of the N52 BTW.

Which is why speed trap data with stock engines is relevant. Based on the slight difference in acceleration of the two drivetrains, the N54 had far more reliability issues than the N52, making the 800 millisecond acceleration to 60 not worth the PIA. That's what my joke was referencing.

But you started this panty-wadding thread

If you want to start on that though lets remember 0-60 is only one measurement of performance. 1/4 mile the 335i is way faster running a 13.1 vs a 15.8 for 330i according to fastest laps

Also lets not forget that the N54 is severely underrated from the factory putting down 280hp at the wheels

All i could find in regards to a 330i is 224hp at the wheels for a full bolt on N52

In comparison 450hp at the wheels is common for a N54 while the record i believe is somewhere around 520hp at the wheel on stock turbos. Of course with a bigger turbo N54 is capable of 800+ stock internals and 1100+ with a built engine

[Torgus]

My n54 makes more HP than 3 N52s combined. Should be over 4 this spring when I up the boost.

The n52 should remain stock, the $/whp is horrendous on the platform. Enjoy it for what it is a commuter engine. It's so people can say they drive a BMW but have none of the performance. BMW and others have been doing this for ever.

[tcphoto]

I laugh at the 1/4 mile times, BMW designs cars to perform on the track not drag strip. If you want a fast straight line car then perhaps a Mustang is better suited for you. If you just want to add gas and oil then drive, a Camry or Accord may fit your needs.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by stewbets

It's just that your joke wasn't funny because it misses the point of buying an old N54 (OK, maybe it's good for a cheap laugh). Not all of us are aiming for 400k miles. I'd be good with 40k myself (well, 140k total), as it will likely take me 7 years to get there. And as far as the extra power not being worth the hassle, tell that to the Top Fuel guys. The fact of the matter is we're all at a different spot on the performance/reliability spectrum, and you just landed on a decidedly girlier part of it. No big deal!

Based on my pandemic driving habits my 335i will probably decompose back into it's constituent ores and compounds before I reach 40k miles...

[John 070]

How do I tell if my 335i is a N54 or an N52? Should I email BMWNA?!

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I was originally going to cite the difference as 800 milliseconds, but I thought that might confuse you.

800 million seconds sounds like a more accurate 0-60 for an N52

[JonOhh]

Originally Posted by stewbets

At the risk of sounding too serious for my own joke of a thread, I've got to say that comparing stock times is a little silly when one of these engines is a novice tuner's dream. A couple bolt-ons and a tune will significantly widen the gap for not a significant amount of cash. That's the sole reason I bought mine. To me, a stock N54 is so much wasted potential.

In stock form there's so much of a trade-off for the fairly uneventful performance...it surprises me how many people leave them stock, since you can have almost the same maintenance and reliability at significantly higher power levels.

A tune and a few hours of work later and the downsides to having a more complex powerplant begin to really pay off.

[gT-BMW]

Interesting. Never thought of a n52 owner to be jealous of a 335i. cause there so cheap to own now just go get one. I thought n52 owners would be more jealous of other n52 owners with 6speed manual, 3 stage intake mani, headers, BL330i tune and 3.73 diff because you should be, its alot of fun with no headaches

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by John 070

How do I tell if my 335i is a N54 or an N52? Should I email BMWNA?!

Easy! If it starts and keeps running it’s a n52

[stewbets]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Easy! If it starts and keeps running it’s a n52

Overrated.

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Easy! If it starts and keeps running it’s a n52

The 15 threads a day on here about N52 problems say otherwise

[lowrydr310]

If anyone read the first post they'd realize this thread is a joke. I'm going to turn the joke around with a made up story.

I bought a 335 because I'm not a pu55y and wouldn't be caught dead in one of those weak ass 328s. I don't have any friends but if I did they would make fun of me for driving a naturally aspirated car with an exhaust pipe on only one side.

My parents still let me live at home so I have a lot of money to spend on mods. I'm at Stage 2 bro with only 500HP but not for long. I don't race on a track or drag strip, but whenever I'm driving even just to the vape shop to buy some Juul pods I still stomp any car that stands in my path. I'm constantly racing everyone just because I can, and I win every day. Burnouts are sick too but for some reason the ladies aren't impressed, with either the burnouts or the car or me for that matter, but lots of car dudes like it. This car is fun.

[stewbets]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I bought a 335 because I'm not a pu55y and wouldn't be caught dead in one of those weak ass 328s. I don't have any friends but if I did they would make fun of me for driving a naturally aspirated car with an exhaust pipe on only one side.

My parents still let me live at home so I have a lot of money to spend on mods. I'm at Stage 2 bro with only 500HP but not for long. I don't race on a track or drag strip, but whenever I'm driving even just to the vape shop to buy some Juul pods I still stomp any car that stands in my path. I'm constantly racing everyone just because I can, and I win every day. Burnouts are sick too but for some reason the ladies aren't impressed, with either the burnouts or the car or me for that matter, but lots of car dudes like it. This car is fun.

Bro, mad respect.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Torgus

My n54 makes more HP than 3 N52s combined. Should be over 4 this spring when I up the boost.

The n52 should remain stock, the $/whp is horrendous on the platform. Enjoy it for what it is a commuter engine. It's so people can say they drive a BMW but have none of the performance. BMW and others have been doing this for ever.

Doing what forever? Outside of a few M variants in the late 1980s BMWs were dog-slow momentum cars with low HP engines. The majority of BMWs since they became popular with YUPPIES in the mid '80s were nice-handling commuter cars that were expensive to buy and operate. And before that BMWs were for car guys in the USA who liked to wrench on them. The N54 was pretty much BMWs return to gasoline forced induction since the demise of the tii Turbo. Their recent M performance NA engines can't keep bottom end bearings past 60,000 miles.

And the company now makes computer-stability-controlled SUVs for Christ's sake.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by stewbets

It's just that your joke wasn't funny because it misses the point of buying an old N54 (OK, maybe it's good for a cheap laugh). Not all of us are aiming for 400k miles. I'd be good with 40k myself (well, 140k total), as it will likely take me 7 years to get there. And as far as the extra power not being worth the hassle, tell that to the Top Fuel guys. The fact of the matter is we're all at a different spot on the performance/reliability spectrum, and you just landed on a decidedly girlier part of it. No big deal!

Not all of us need a pretend fast car. Some owned liter-class sportbikes that were running 0-60 in 3.5 to 3.8 secs. 30 years ago. Perhaps those guys look at boosted cage drivers as the girliest "pussies" of all.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

It’s become clear to me after 3 years on this board that there’s an epidemic of little dicks and the cure is... Turbochargers!

Sorry guys, I drive a n52 cause my dick is already big

I think you nailed it. Little dicks and low IQs.

A whole heaping helping of stupid in this thread. I think I will stop here.

This place was a lot nicer a decade ago when the dumbass kids could not afford the price of entry.

[stewbets]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Not all of us need a pretend fast car. Some owned liter-class sportbikes that were running 0-60 in 3.5 to 3.8 secs. 30 years ago. Perhaps those guys look at boosted cage drivers as the girliest "pussies" of all.

Reliving the glory days, eh?

I used to ride, but it didn't sit well with my wife, and once the babies started coming it didn't sit well with me either.

To be abundantly clear, any insult I make in this thread is only a joke. However, my feelings are genuinely hurt that you think my car is only pretend fast.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Not all of us need a pretend fast car. Some owned liter-class sportbikes that were running 0-60 in 3.5 to 3.8 secs. 30 years ago. Perhaps those guys look at boosted cage drivers as the girliest "pussies" of all.

This is precisely why I didn't buy a C5 Vette from a friend who was selling it. I had been riding a 1000cc sport tourer and when I test drove the Vette I was like "that's it?"

I did a "Porsche Experience" with a Carrera S and the guy had been hyping the launch control demo all morning saying I'd be so excited! Same reaction. I was like meh, he seemed annoyed that I was unimpressed.