[BooSSted]

So, I'm getting a 335 with the N54. This is my first BMW, so I'm looking for some advice from people with experience.

My plan is to mod the car. Likely FBO and JB4 with a possibly to upgrading the turbo's in the future. I don't see myself ever going crazy, but the 500whp mark may be a future goal.

I know the things to look for as far as problem areas on the cars with 100,000+ miles on them. I haven't decided on RWD or AWD though...

The option of using the xDelete makes the decision to go with the AWD a little easier, but is there anything that I am missing?

Are there any known problems with the AWD systems that I may not have read about? How limiting is it as far as modding the car goes? I wouldn't say that I'm hard on cars, but I do plan on driving this thing! I will be taking it the the drag strip.

Any advice will help steer me in the right direction!

Thanks
Matt

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Personally I would get RWD because simpler and easier to work on the car up front buuut if you want the best drag times AWD will definitely be the way to go.

I also like to slide around in the winter and at some car meets so why I prefer RWD.

[Antetokounmpo]

RWD x1000, xi's are much tougher to work on for turbos, downpipes, waterpump, etc.

[banglenot]

Definitely RWD. AWD is much more complex and gets in the way of a lot of mechanics you may want to do. Unless you absolutely need it (you list Niagara Falls), it should be avoided.

[type-dRew]

Unless you want off the line traction and year round capability, go rear wheel drive.

They are far lighter, like nearly 300lbs. But I like being able to launch from any speed on the street all the time. Plus I want to drive it in winter easily. So the only compromise for me is the fact that it weighs more and complicates things when working on it.

Xdelete imo, unless for temporary enjoyment, is NOT the same as a rwd car. The front suspension is phoned in on the xdrive car, the rwd is properly built and well designed. Making your xdrive rwd is fun for a minute but then it doesnt make any sense long term because you are hauling around all that extra weight. So you have massive compromise on multiple parts of the car and then you have a bunch of dead weight being hauled around.

[Volasko]

RWD is what BMW is known for, X-drive was just to compete with Audi. If its your first BMW get what made them famous. Make sure you get a decent winter set and you'll be fine.

[John 070]

I prefer RWD if you don't need AWD. But I won't go so far as to say RWD > AWD in the snow, when both cars have snow tires.

Me personally? I have a hunch RWD with snows, is still not as good as AWD with A/S tires. Not for taking off at least.

No proof, just a hunch. But on dry pavement? RWD ftw!

[Rmtt]

BMW....RWD.

Sleeper Car that you want to make some money with would be the AWD. I had a friend that had an old 2006 AWD Jeep Cherokee SRT that he had slapped a supercharger on that he took off of one of his Camaro's.

We only have 1/8 mile tracks here..so he hurt a lot of feelings!

Let's face it, a lot of people don't realize the potential of the N54 platform. I ask my brother who is a Sheriff's Deputy all the time why I get profiled in my Corvette when there are 4 door sedans on the road that are just as fast?

[BooSSted]

Sorry, forgot to add. This is just going to be a second vehicle and a summer car. I'll never drive it in the snow. I have a truck for my daily.

The AWD launches are tempting, but if it's just going to end up being a weak point, there isn't much sense in getting it.

[type-dRew]

Originally Posted by BooSSted

Sorry, forgot to add. This is just going to be a second vehicle and a summer car. I'll never drive it in the snow. I have a truck for my daily.

The AWD launches are tempting, but if it's just going to end up being a weak point, there isn't much sense in getting it.

it isn't a weak point specifically, i doubt ill ever break anything driveline related(unless from lack or maint or neglect), its just a lot of extra weight and a poorly designed front suspension.

A rwd car will handle and ride far better stock for stock.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by type-dRew

it isn't a weak point specifically, i doubt ill ever break anything driveline related(unless from lack or maint or neglect), its just a lot of extra weight and a poorly designed front suspension.

A rwd car will handle and ride far better stock for stock.

Agreed, if never going to be driven in foul weather, RWD. Nowadays an argument can be made, well the car puts out 604 HP and 730 ft. lbs. so even on dry pavement you want AWD. Yes. But this vehicle is 300/300.

I personally prefer RWD always...

[mweisdorfer]

Unless you live in a state that has "Extreme Winters", get RWD. It's way easier to work on. The front differential & transfer case will be a PITA to work around and or take out just to get to things like the turbos, engine mounts, oil pan gasket etc.

I live in Michigan where snow & ice are very real here in most winters & I have RWD. I do have a dedicated set of snow tires, on separate set of rims, which are 225/45/17 square. The car's weight distribution of 50/50 works for you. I don't ever feel unsafe, in the dead of winter, with snow tires etc.

The AWD systems do not have a problem & are not problematic as far as I know.

If you want more traction at the track or in the winter months, you can always put an LSD differential in. This is a viable solution vs having/ needing AWD, and you still retain the benefits of having a car that is WAY EASIER to work on.

[oVeRdOsE.]

I think saying xdelete is far away from a OEM RWD is exaggerated.

I've finally able to compare both, and unless you're a bmw enthusiast in the soul and periodically track your car, the fun factor will remain the same.

I had a miata a while back, and xdelete my E91 bring the same fun drift wise.

A member mentioned that the xdrive was a conception /addon to compete the quattro. This is indeed the fact, the transmission build is about the same but with a transfert case, drive shaft and front diff SEPARATED from the transmission (not like the quattro).

E90 Xdrive is designed for traction, while quattro is, with the torsen mechanical principle, a curve magnet.

So the RWD and AWD (x delete mode) will be as reliable. The weak points is the transfer case on AWD mode.
Didnt see much issue on a well maintained diff.
Disable the transfert case, and the steering feeling and acceleration will be noticeable better.

AWD will be be a lot heavier, center mass is not the same. But once again, this is not an issue on a DD.
Now for a maintenance perspective : front axle; ujoint for drive shaft, diff oil, tc oil. All this in less space.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by BooSSted

Sorry, forgot to add. This is just going to be a second vehicle and a summer car. I'll never drive it in the snow. I have a truck for my daily.

The AWD launches are tempting, but if it's just going to end up being a weak point, there isn't much sense in getting it.

2nd vehicle/summer car? Echoing above, go for the RWD. Have you decided between a 6MT or the auto?

[KnighTT]

I picked up a 6sp MT AWD n54. I say that as I was actually more after the n54 as a platform vs caring about it was in a BMW.

I was not interested in AWD. What I was after was a e92 with a manual transmission. I had a 135i but I just couldn't quite get comfortable with it. Now, when I just happen to come by a post for a random 6spd coupe, and it happened to actually be a 335xi, it kind of dawned on me.

6speed + straight 6 twin turbo + coupe + AWD = what else does that remind me of? A few platforms I have followed my entire live but have just never been able to afford. RB26DETT.

I talked to a guy on here that put down 700ft lbs on his 335 xdrive when I asked him how durable the xdrive system was. I wouldn't run it at that level for what I need, but that did at least hint at the fact that it's not a garbage AWD system.

I'm building mine for the twists and the turns, so I am all for the AWD and xDelete if I ever need to do just RWD.

100% TRUTH - IT IS A PITA TO WORK ON. You have to drop the entire subframe, which is more than the RWD, before you can even get DPs in.

[BooSSted]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

2nd vehicle/summer car? Echoing above, go for the RWD. Have you decided between a 6MT or the auto?

Manual, without question

[BooSSted]

Originally Posted by KnighTT

I picked up a 6sp MT AWD n54. I say that as I was actually more after the n54 as a platform vs caring about it was in a BMW.

I was not interested in AWD. What I was after was a e92 with a manual transmission. I had a 135i but I just couldn't quite get comfortable with it. Now, when I just happen to come by a post for a random 6spd coupe, and it happened to actually be a 335xi, it kind of dawned on me.

6speed + straight 6 twin turbo + coupe + AWD = what else does that remind me of? A few platforms I have followed my entire live but have just never been able to afford. RB26DETT.

I talked to a guy on here that put down 700ft lbs on his 335 xdrive when I asked him how durable the xdrive system was. I wouldn't run it at that level for what I need, but that did at least hint at the fact that it's not a garbage AWD system.

I'm building mine for the twists and the turns, so I am all for the AWD and xDelete if I ever need to do just RWD.

100% TRUTH - IT IS A PITA TO WORK ON. You have to drop the entire subframe, which is more than the RWD, before you can even get DPs in.

This is the problem that I am having... A RWD 6MT Coupe is damn near impossible to find. Then add in the fact that I'd like to find one that's completely stock and unmolested, and here I am with my thumb up my ass looking for a unicorn.

I've found a couple with 100,000km (60,000 miles), but they're demanding a premium price. There are 2 with around 100,000 miles, but then I'm getting into the mileage range where the expensive repairs will start showing up if they weren't already done.

The struggle is real....

[KnighTT]

I picked up mine, bone stock, in great condition, for $6,500.

160k miles though. Already being a n54 veteran, I knew what to look for and how/what would need replaced right off the bat. I knew what I was getting into.

Things to consider. The 335xi is less expensive due to their demand. Most people aren't looking for one.

What you said is true entirely. I spent 4+ hours a day, 7 days a week, for 2 months looking for a cash purchase 335i 6MT e92 under $10k. I found that 335xi 4 hours after it was posted and only noticed it because my eyes were like "Hey, that one doesn't look familiar" as I had looked at every......single...... 335i available the entire east coast. It took me 5 minutes to realize what I had found, AWD added bonus, and I called and said I was on my way.

[BooSSted]

I've found something similar, but can't decide if the AWD is a blessing or a curse. I see both sides of the debate. I just can't decide. It's $2000 cheaper than the comparable RWD models I'm seeing.

It's a 2009 E92, Black on Black (cheap seats) with 100,000 miles for $8500 CAD ($6500 USD). Appears to be in great shape but I haven't seen it in person.

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by BooSSted

I've found something similar, but can't decide if the AWD is a blessing or a curse. I see both sides of the debate. I just can't decide. It's $2000 cheaper than the comparable RWD models I'm seeing.

It's a 2009 E92, Black on Black (cheap seats) with 100,000 miles for $8500 CAD ($6500 USD). Appears to be in great shape but I haven't seen it in person.

You'll want sport seats. Regular seats are crap.

[KnighTT]

See it in person. Watch some videos on what to look for. Drive it and feel/listen for issues.

The truth is, there is a list of things I would do to any n54 car I picked up no matter what the mileage, immediately. If you are a good DIYr, and have tools, none are hard.

[BooSSted]

Originally Posted by KnighTT

See it in person. Watch some videos on what to look for. Drive it and feel/listen for issues.

The truth is, there is a list of things I would do to any n54 car I picked up no matter what the mileage, immediately. If you are a good DIYr, and have tools, none are hard.

I can do most stuff and my buddy is a mechanic, so I have access to him and his shop anytime I need it. He's been coming with me to look at them as well. He's owned a couple 328's in the past, so he knows the cars fairly well.

I think I'm going to wait it out and find a RWD car. I've got a couple months to find one, so I don't want to settle.