[F45turbo]

Hey, guys! New member here. I'm currently a MK VI GTi driver, and want something that delivers more driving pleasure than the GTi. I'm also planning on tuning the car, aiming to get around 400hp on wheels. Looks like the E90 3 series is the way out. I did some research on the N54 motor, it seems that the problems of this engine is never gonna be fully resolved? Due to this reliability issue, I'm hesitating on whether to get a N54 335 or the later N55 version. Can anyone give me some advice? Or is there anything drives like the E90 3 series?

[6ixSpd]

If you want the absolute best everyday reliability while still being some fun, get a 328i. If you prioritize power and tuning, get the N54. If you want a slightly more reliable platform while still offering good power, get the N55.

[F45turbo]

Thank you for your advice! I guess there is not much to like about the N55 then.

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by F45turbo

Thank you for your advice! I guess there is not much to like about the N55 then.

lol, there is... My previous post didn't suggest the N55 is not desirable. Its more reliable than the N54 but a little less tuning potential. If I didn't have a 328, I would absolutely look for a N55 335i

[E7J3F3]

Originally Posted by F45turbo

Thank you for your advice! I guess there is not much to like about the N55 then.

400hp is easily doable with an N55. It's also a more reliable motor.

[rick100]

if you are on a budget and you are already stretching it by buying a used BMW , I would advice to get a N52

However if your budget allows you for an extra 2000-3000 maintenance out of nowhere go with n54 or n55 ( probably the latest)

Also if you are just buying a bmw to go from point A to B and some street fun , nothing wrong with any of the 3. However if you want drag or track use, probably N54.

However once you start modding a used car, reliability becomes an issue , so I hope you can wrench and you have a spare car

[F45turbo]

Originally Posted by E7J3F3

400hp is easily doable with an N55. It's also a more reliable motor.

Do you have to go stage 3 to achieve 400whp on N55?

[F45turbo]

Originally Posted by rick100

if you are on a budget and you are already stretching it by buying a used BMW , I would advice to get a N52

However if your budget allows you for an extra 2000-3000 maintenance out of nowhere go with n54 or n55 ( probably the latest)

Also if you are just buying a bmw to go from point A to B and some street fun , nothing wrong with any of the 3. However if you want drag or track use, probably N54.

However once you start modding a used car, reliability becomes an issue , so I hope you can wrench and you have a spare car

well, if N54/N55 are not moded or just flashed the chip, would reliability be an issue?

[E7J3F3]

Originally Posted by F45turbo

Do you have to go stage 3 to achieve 400whp on N55?

You can get there and then some with bolt ons, meth, and a tune.

[rick100]

Originally Posted by F45turbo

well, if N54/N55 are not moded or just flashed the chip, would reliability be an issue?

its hard to say , a lot of n54 have been messed with already. Running more PSI than stock on any turbo car is already putting more stress on various components, I think engine and tranny can take it , but it probably shortens the life of everything else around it...

N55 should be safer, if you just want a little more power, however keep in mind those cars are already getting old so they still need regular maintenance.

Just to give you an idea for the non turbo n52 , regular maintenance at around 60 000- 85 000 miles is water pump ( 500-800 $) , coils and plugs ( 600 $ ), brakes/ rotors ( 600 $) , fluids ( 600$) , suspension ( 300-500)

those are very very rough numbers, but it gives you an idea of what a non turbo maintenance is already like , now on a turbo car is those items I already mentioned plus the turbo components ( injectors, walnut blasting, turbos , hpfp ) . I mean , you ll be very unlucky to get all those at the sametime , but you ll probably get a few ... Thats why I said if you can wrench , you could save a lot of money ...

I would personally keep 2-3k in the bank just for maintenance . So if your budget is 15k , get a car for 12k and keep 3 k for unexpected maintenance.

The trick with these cars is being ahead in the maintenance to avoid big bills. So if you buy a used car, change all the fluids , replace the plugs and coils , etc ,etc etc

[F45turbo]

Originally Posted by rick100

its hard to say , a lot of n54 have been messed with already. Running more PSI than stock on any turbo car is already putting more stress on various components, I think engine and tranny can take it , but it probably shortens the life of everything else around it...

N55 should be safer, if you just want a little more power, however keep in mind those cars are already getting old so they still need regular maintenance.

Just to give you an idea for the non turbo n52 , regular maintenance at around 60 000- 85 000 miles is water pump ( 500-800 $) , coils and plugs ( 600 $ ), brakes/ rotors ( 600 $) , fluids ( 600$) , suspension ( 300-500)

those are very very rough numbers, but it gives you an idea of what a non turbo maintenance is already like , now on a turbo car is those items I already mentioned plus the turbo components ( injectors, walnut blasting, turbos , hpfp ) . I mean , you ll be very unlucky to get all those at the sametime , but you ll probably get a few ... Thats why I said if you can wrench , you could save a lot of money ...

I would personally keep 2-3k in the bank just for maintenance . So if your budget is 15k , get a car for 12k and keep 3 k for unexpected maintenance.

The trick with these cars is being ahead in the maintenance to avoid big bills. So if you buy a used car, change all the fluids , replace the plugs and coils , etc ,etc etc

thank you so much, that was very helpful!

[Volasko]

Originally Posted by rick100

suspension ( 300-500)

Hey rick can I get a contact for your suspension guy? I can't even buy springs for less than 300. Refreshing an E90 suspension can get up there especially if you start to look closely at all the bushings and control arms that naturally start to wear out.

[zort]

Also I would listen to the n55 exhaust vs the n54 Any way I can only speak to the n54 platform through experience. The best mod you will ever do is tune. Not only from the performance aspect but the code reading. With out the JB4 / MHD setup I really would have been chasing too many issues in an attempt to fix things. Just finished the an o2 sensor this weekend which started at a misfires etc etc etc. Being able to delete codes and continuously read codes really helps track things.

There is tons of support for both platforms and every bolt on is about $450 cad or thereabouts on the used market.

My biggest grip is not adding power but planting power. You will get fast quickly. I am hoping that m3 suspension bits will solve that. If it does not it I will move on. No point having 380 or what ever and afraid to punch it... That being said my car is a moderately fast marshmallow which hopefully will be fixed soon.

So I would say get something with at least the sports suspension to start and go from there suspension wise. Power wise would just be the patch to FBO.

Happy hunting !

-B

[marcvtec]

If you want to achieve 400 hp, both platforms N54/N55 are ok.
Personally I drove my N54 to 200K+ in KM milage and just had the regular issues.
Water pump, oil gaskets spark plugs etc. clutch changed 3 times, walnut blasting.

So just realize the car needs maintenance, the more you give back to the engine the better it treat you.

I actually sold my 355i N54 to my mechanic and bought the M5, so yes he liked it that much cause my car ran great! budget 2K a year to cover worries - you'll be fine.

[rick100]

Originally Posted by Volasko

Hey rick can I get a contact for your suspension guy? I can't even buy springs for less than 300. Refreshing an E90 suspension can get up there especially if you start to look closely at all the bushings and control arms that naturally start to wear out.

did I ever say refresh?

why would you need springs at 60-85 000 miles?


At that mileage you ll probably be ok with most of the suspension components.

300-500 bucks can get you a nice wheel alignment , maybe a control arm . Which are probably what you would need if you were to buy a used car that

Very rarely someone is going to buy/sell a car that is not driving straight , has a crooked wheel , or is making noises.

most of the guys getting full suspension refresh below 85 000 miles are guys doing it because they just want to upgrade handling , not because they actually need it . Most people are not even going to bother selling their cars if it has a bad suspension component that requires intimidate attention, unless they want to waste their time or get low ball hard

I got coilovers on my car at 68 000 miles, only thing they replaced was the front control arms just because they had some played , but even the mechanic told me you could still be ok for another year . I just told him to change it . And I drove the car year round , hitting big pot holes in the canadian winter. Heck I even blew a tire and crack rim badly last year. Suspension on these cars are rock solid for the most part

My wheel alignment was 120 dollars , just because some bolts seize and the mechanic had to spend more time on it.

[dublin14]

I bought my one owner e92 n54 335i with 70k miles on it over a year ago. In 8k of ownership...

So far I have replaced... hpfp ( 2nd one)

Shocks ( they started to leak) now have CO's

Had the valves blasted ( they were caked in sludge)

TC sensor

Now my clutch is done and the oil pan gasket is leaking.

Plus a head light error.

These cars are a PITA in your wallet for an out of warranty car.

[F45turbo]

Originally Posted by dublin14

I bought my one owner e92 n54 335i with 70k miles on it over a year ago. In 8k of ownership...

So far I have replaced... hpfp ( 2nd one)

Shocks ( they started to leak) now have CO's

Had the valves blasted ( they were caked in sludge)

TC sensor

Now my clutch is done and the oil pan gasket is leaking.

Plus a head light error.

These cars are a PITA in your wallet for an out of warranty car.

Wow! Sounds like lots for work LOL

[CurtisR]

Hey
I have a 2011 335is (n54), I absolutely love the car. Ive owned it for about 3 years now and I have zero complaints. In my ownership Ive only had to change spark plugs and coil packs. I'm currently at 110k KM and making 427whp 479wtq.

My previous 07 335xi 6MT was fbo and I sold it at 210k km with zero problems, I say if you're slightly mechanically inclined go with the n54.

[iScramble]

Originally Posted by CurtisR

Hey
I have a 2011 335is (n54), I absolutely love the car. Ive owned it for about 3 years now and I have zero complaints. In my ownership Ive only had to change spark plugs and coil packs. I'm currently at 110k KM and making 427whp 479wtq.

My previous 07 335xi 6MT was fbo and I sold it at 210k km with zero problems, I say if you're slightly mechanically inclined go with the n54.

That's the fun part! Diagnosing and fixing the N54! I just purchased a N54 a few months ago and I've replaced/upgraded: sparks, coil packs, coolant expansion tank, water pump, thermostat, dci's and MHD. I wouldn't have it any other way, still in love with it!

[F45turbo]

Originally Posted by CurtisR

Hey
I have a 2011 335is (n54), I absolutely love the car. Ive owned it for about 3 years now and I have zero complaints. In my ownership Ive only had to change spark plugs and coil packs. I'm currently at 110k KM and making 427whp 479wtq.

My previous 07 335xi 6MT was fbo and I sold it at 210k km with zero problems, I say if you're slightly mechanically inclined go with the n54.

Wow! Is there any trick of looking for good bimmers? What should I look for or avoid when searching used N54?

[F45turbo]

Originally Posted by iScramble

That's the fun part! Diagnosing and fixing the N54! I just purchased a N54 a few months ago and I've replaced/upgraded: sparks, coil packs, coolant expansion tank, water pump, thermostat, dci's and MHD. I wouldn't have it any other way, still in love with it!

So how do you diagnose N54 or any other engine problems? Any tricks on keeping track of things?

[iScramble]

Originally Posted by F45turbo

So how do you diagnose N54 or any other engine problems? Any tricks on keeping track of things?

So far the search button has been my best friend and guys on the forum have very helpful with all the diy's.