[CFA]

So to preface, I'm looking for a fun sporty coupe that can make decent power. Specifically the 135i with the N54. Now I know about the cars downfals, injectors, leaks, coils, wg rattle.

Though as I do more research, I begin to see that for starters, wg rattle doesn't really affect performance, its more of an annoyance. I read there are many people on MHD stage 2+ on original turbos that are rattling yet they hold a good 18-19psi still. Spoke to Ken @ Wedge and he basically said they just keep on trucking along....

More so the thing that scares me the most is the cooling. After doing lots of research, it seems that the DME targets quite high temps at stock, around 104c on coolant if I remember correctly.

I read that many people end up not tracking the 135i N54 due to cooling, and that, even with dual oil coolers and a csf radiator they still enter limp mode on the track.

Now I'm not looking for a track car here, I just want a fun sporty daily that I can carve canyons with. Say on 400whp stock turbo FBO power, is canyon carging going to overheat the coolant/oil? I don't want to beat on the car and won't as it will be my daily, but I want it to take SOME abuse for when I do end up taking it to the backroads.

Anyone who has experience in their ownership regarding spirited driving and temps let me know.

[BMW Guy]

No way the stock turbo can hold 18-19 PSI.

[E93Dude]

If you are looking for a fun weekend car to do some spirited driving on twisty roads, I don't think you need to worry about cooling on the 135i too much. Of course, there are a lot of variables, like HOW spirited we are talking about, the ambient air temperature, humidity, altitude, etc. As long as you are not a maniac I don't think there would be a problem. One suggestion if you are getting an older 135i, have the radiator FLUSHED - not just replace coolant, FLUSH with a specialty product. The coolant on my 2007 had been replaced over the years, but the engine ran noticeably cooler after I had it FLUSHED last year. 17 years of crud being dissolved and flushed out improved radiator efficiency. I was usually at 240ish, now I am around 230 at full operating temperatures.

Another suggestion is to drive with the plastic engine beauty cover removed. You N54 may get a little dusty, but its easy to clean that off.

Lastly, an upgraded front mounted inter-cooler might also give you some extra power, and help keep engine temps down. I do not have a FMIC myself, but that is my understanding about their plus sides.

[Cloverdale]

I've owned my two 07 335's (a manual and an auto) with 500hp pkg's on stock turbo's for many years and tens of thousands of km's w/out issue (as have many other forum members). There's not a more economical way to reach this level of enjoyment in a car due to it's all round performance quality and styling. With the exception of the parts included in the performance pkg's (see Burger and Arm) I'm on original cooling system components and several original injectors. You can get to this place for $1500 in parts.

[CFA]

Originally Posted by E93Dude

If you are looking for a fun weekend car to do some spirited driving on twisty roads, I don't think you need to worry about cooling on the 135i too much. Of course, there are a lot of variables, like HOW spirited we are talking about, the ambient air temperature, humidity, altitude, etc. As long as you are not a maniac I don't think there would be a problem. One suggestion if you are getting an older 135i, have the radiator FLUSHED - not just replace coolant, FLUSH with a specialty product. The coolant on my 2007 had been replaced over the years, but the engine ran noticeably cooler after I had it FLUSHED last year. 17 years of crud being dissolved and flushed out improved radiator efficiency. I was usually at 240ish, now I am around 230 at full operating temperatures.

Another suggestion is to drive with the plastic engine beauty cover removed. You N54 may get a little dusty, but its easy to clean that off.

Lastly, an upgraded front mounted inter-cooler might also give you some extra power, and help keep engine temps down. I do not have a FMIC myself, but that is my understanding about their plus sides.

Is driving with the beauty cover off an issue for rain/water getting on the fuel rails and electrical components? Considering it will be my sole daily.

[CFA]

Originally Posted by BMW Guy

No way the stock turbo can hold 18-19 PSI.

How?

[tcphoto]

It sounds like you’ve made the argument for not buying an N54, why not an N52? No matter which one you pick I think a PPI is smart. If cooling is the main concern, an upgraded intercooler is a simple DIY.

[CFA]

Originally Posted by tcphoto

It sounds like you’ve made the argument for not buying an N54, why not an N52? No matter which one you pick I think a PPI is smart. If cooling is the main concern, an upgraded intercooler is a simple DIY.

I would want more power.

[BMW Guy]

Originally Posted by CFA

How?

These turbos won't go past 8-12PSI if they aren't modded or tuned. I'm FBO on a n55 with stage 2+ and I run around 16PSI.

[CFA]

Originally Posted by BMW Guy

These turbos won't go past 8-12PSI if they aren't modded or tuned. I'm FBO on a n55 with stage 2+ and I run around 16PSI.

I know... eventually I'll end up going fbo + inlets with a custom tune from cd919 targeting under 20psi