[Kevin_Trxn]

Hello all,
I have been on the f30 platform for awhile now, but new to the n54 and n55 e9x platform.

Looking to get a 335i e92 manual clean title and interior: exterior I plan modding a lot so it can take a back seat, but not sure which year/motor to get.

EDIT: Purpose would be a street car. Not going for insane power.

I have browsed the forum for a bit and know the basic issues with both.

In your opinion would you advocate for n54 over the n55 or vise versa?

Categories:
1 to 10 reliability at high mileage
1 to 10 aftermarket support
1 to 10 performance potential
1 to 10 maintenance costs to keep it reliable (1 being high cost, 10 being low cost)

Healthy positive discussions only

Is there a big difference between LCI and pre-LCI besides the lights?
Also if anyone has any leads on any cars that fit my description I'll give you a shout out on instagram lolllllllllll. Sale price at or below $15k Socal and surrounding preferred, but will travel for a unicorn

[rick100]

it may be better if you respond to this questions

budget ? maintenance budget?
purpose? daily or track or drag or weekend car?
manual or automatic?


the options are many , it all depends on what you really want the car for. For example a 450 whp with no supporting mods is going to be crap at the track , I rather take a bone stock 300 hp car with supporting mods to the track . I ve learned that its not all about HP , seriously go to any local tracks and see what people are driving , maintenance gets crazy expensive ( tires and brakes go fast). There is a reason miatas and brz are very popular. Not many people can afford 800$ tires , 3 times a year ...

To me it really depends on budget and purpose.

80% of the guys here just run a 335 with 400 whp with no supporting mods just to be fast in the streets , light to light traffic .... a bit pointless if you ask me.

[ppointer]

+1 on @rick100. I spent 14 years doing track days on a bike. First was a 996, then a CBR600RR. I fully prepped the CBR, meaning track body work and other things. Except for power commander and full race exhaust, motor was stock. Knocked 30lbs from the bike and was easily able to beat lap times from my 996 by five seconds most tracks. Faster than some competitors on one liter superbikes. Horsepower is only a part of the equation. Focus on brakes and suspension really helped me. Tires were only $550 per year for a bike....

When it comes to tracking a car, anyone can beat you with a checkbook.

[Kevin_Trxn]

Originally Posted by rick100

it may be better if you respond to this questions

budget ? maintenance budget?
purpose? daily or track or drag or weekend car?
manual or automatic?


the options are many , it all depends on what you really want the car for. For example a 450 whp with no supporting mods is going to be crap at the track , I rather take a bone stock 300 hp car with supporting mods to the track . I ve learned that its not all about HP , seriously go to any local tracks and see what people are driving , maintenance gets crazy expensive ( tires and brakes go fast). There is a reason miatas and brz are very popular. Not many people can afford 800$ tires , 3 times a year ...

To me it really depends on budget and purpose.

80% of the guys here just run a 335 with 400 whp with no supporting mods just to be fast in the streets , light to light traffic .... a bit pointless if you ask me.

How'd you know I floor it between lights?

Edited original post

Just a street car with a bit more power no track time haha

[Smgs1992]

It depends what you want out of it. A N54 will be more powerful and is generally cheaper. The consensus is that the N55 is more reliable. However ive never had any serious issue with my N54 except the waterpump and it did not leave me stranded. Otherwise a couple misfires and gaskets.

[Kevin_Trxn]

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

It depends what you want out of it. A N54 will be more powerful and is generally cheaper. The consensus is that the N55 is more reliable. However ive never had any serious issue with my N54 except the waterpump and it did not leave me stranded. Otherwise a couple misfires and gaskets.

For power its the n54 but for longevity n55? Typically

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Trxn

For power its the n54 but for longevity n55? Typically

I wouldnt say longevity as theres a N54 out there with almost 400k miles on it. However less maintenance yes. It really depends though. Do you want something quick or something fast? Is it a daily?

[Kevin_Trxn]

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

I wouldnt say longevity as theres a N54 out there with almost 400k miles on it. However less maintenance yes. It really depends though. Do you want something quick or something fast? Is it a daily?

In a sense, each motor has a preference.
I was wondering if anyone would clearly go one way or the other.
It seems its down to the intent of the car
Im hoping to make it a daily car

[Smgs1992]

If youre looking for a daily id probably recommend a N55 less to worry about and given the car will be newer(unless its a 335is) it’ll probably be slightly nicer with a newer nav and being LCI

[rick100]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Trxn

How'd you know I floor it between lights?

Edited original post

Just a street car with a bit more power no track time haha

@15k you may be able to get a 335IS. Best of both worlds.n54 engine with revised parts and is somewhat unique and reliable

If its street power 335is with a stage 1 should be more than enough...
I ll be honest a car with more than that would be a little boring on the streets. You ll be in second gear and already pass speed limit. Just look at all those guys driver very fast cars, they cant even explored half the cars potential because they dont want to go to jail. Thej whats the point of driving a 500 hp car on the streets

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by rick100

@15k you may be able to get a 335IS. Best of both worlds.n54 engine with revised parts and is somewhat unique and reliable

If its street power 335is with a stage 1 should be more than enough...
I ll be honest a car with more than that would be a little boring on the streets. You ll be in second gear and already pass speed limit. Just look at all those guys driver very fast cars, they cant even explored half the cars potential because they dont want to go to jail. Thej whats the point of driving a 500 hp car on the streets

Depends where you live. On the highway or populated areas of course you cant really open them up. However atleast where i live there is plenty of country backroads with little to no traffic and no one around where you can open these cars up to 4th and 5th gear without much worry except for yourself.
If i wanted a car that would feel quick and id rip through the gears without hitting too crazy of speeds id get something else like an EVO with much shorter gearing

[rick100]

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

Depends where you live. On the highway or populated areas of course you cant really open them up. However atleast where i live there is plenty of country backroads with little to no traffic and no one around where you can open these cars up to 4th and 5th gear without much worry except for yourself.
If i wanted a car that would feel quick and id rip through the gears without hitting too crazy of speeds id get something else like an EVO with much shorter gearing

i wouldn't do over 100 mph on a country road. Those back roads are not meant to go over 100 mph, they are usually one way roads, with up/down hills , unexpected stop signs , farmers , hidden curves , uneven pavement , road kill , animals crossing out of nowhere , the unexpected cop hidden . Its an accident waiting to happen , and most times you got out of the road the only thing stopping you will be a tree ... I much rather take the risk and speed on the highway on a long stretch

actually small HP cars are perfect for these back roads because you can really explored the cars potential . I've driven really fast cars on the track ( 400 whp +) and your regular 200-300 whp cars.. and to be honest , I had more fun in the 200-300 whp range with a nice suspension setup . I actually felt somewhat in control and I didnt feel like it was too much .

again you just need to visit the track and see what most regular people are driving out there. Civics, miatas, s2000s , e46, e30 , gti's , integras, sti, brz, mr2, mazdas, all these cars in the 150-300 whp ranger you can still go over 100 mph easily on those cars too....

[srey]

Originally Posted by rick100

@15k you may be able to get a 335IS. Best of both worlds.n54 engine with revised parts and is somewhat unique and reliable

If its street power 335is with a stage 1 should be more than enough...
I ll be honest a car with more than that would be a little boring on the streets. You ll be in second gear and already pass speed limit. Just look at all those guys driver very fast cars, they cant even explored half the cars potential because they dont want to go to jail. Thej whats the point of driving a 500 hp car on the streets

I totally get what you say about having high HP on a daily driver. I'm MHD stage 2+ with full bolt-ons on my n54. I don't get too many chances to stretch the car's legs, though I live reasonably close to some great mountain passes.

I want upgraded turbos; not because I want to chase a specific HP number, but becauseI live at elevation where ambient atmospheric pressure is around 12.3 psi. My twin snails take almost 900 rpm from flooring it to spool up and start dying after 5500 rpm. If I'm going to have lag anyway I may as well make mods to maintain boost to redline. The car is plenty fast, but I want more area under the curve. Other than that I just want to focus on chassis and handling improvements.

Addressing the newer vs. older model point in this thread, I wish I had an LCI model because they look better, IMO. I say that because I have an e90. If I had an e92 (shoulda bought the coupe, dangit) I wouldn't care. The technology stuff doesn't bug me at all. I'd prefer no idrive to be honest. I hate the emphasis on "tech" (which means infotainment) in new cars. In five years that killer 10" touchscreen in your Ford is going to look dated and crude, and using it as such a dominating feature in the cockpit bugs me. /pointless rant

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by rick100

i wouldn't do over 100 mph on a country road. Those back roads are not meant to go over 100 mph, they are usually one way roads, with up/down hills , unexpected stop signs , farmers , hidden curves , uneven pavement , road kill , animals crossing out of nowhere , the unexpected cop hidden . Its an accident waiting to happen , and most times you got out of the road the only thing stopping you will be a tree ... I much rather take the risk and speed on the highway on a long stretch

actually small HP cars are perfect for these back roads because you can really explored the cars potential . I've driven really fast cars on the track ( 400 whp +) and your regular 200-300 whp cars.. and to be honest , I had more fun in the 200-300 whp range with a nice suspension setup . I actually felt somewhat in control and I didnt feel like it was too much .

again you just need to visit the track and see what most regular people are driving out there. Civics, miatas, s2000s , e46, e30 , gti's , integras, sti, brz, mr2, mazdas, all these cars in the 150-300 whp ranger you can still go over 100 mph easily on those cars too....

Again that all depends on where you live. That may be how it is where you are but where i am its mostly straight roads and farmland. I am not talking about going on unknown roads.
Id rather risk going off into an open field than lose my license for a decade and thousands of dollars in court costs for going 150+ on the highway where there is a high likelihood of cops and families that could potentially get hit.
There is also a difference between highway cops and cops out in an empty country road where theyre far more lenient and understanding.
Honestly it sounds like youre in the wrong platform if youd rather have a 200-300hp car or just leave it stock.

[rick100]

As far as i know bmw platform is around 250-350 hp... so not sure if im in the wrong platform..

I mean if i wanted a 400 hp -500 hp car, i would probably be in a different platform ... at that power level you want a platform that already has supporting mods ( brakes, tires, suspension )

Its easy and cheap to put a chip/ tune on ur car. But its not that easy or cheap to upgrade that rest of the car to handle. I mean if u want to do it properly. Problem is 90% of guys have no idea and all they think is HP HP HP.

[Smgs1992]

Originally Posted by rick100

As far as i know bmw platform is around 250-350 hp... so not sure if im in the wrong platform..

I mean if i wanted a 400 hp -500 hp car, i would probably be in a different platform ... at that power level you want a platform that already has supporting mods ( brakes, tires, suspension )

Its easy and cheap to put a chip/ tune on ur car. But its not that easy or cheap to upgrade that rest of the car to handle. I mean if u want to do it properly. Problem is 90% of guys have no idea and all they think is HP HP HP.

Plenty of stock turbo N54s are over 400whp some stock turbo cars are in the 470-500whp level
I have upgraded pads rotors and fluid that stop just fine. Also have 275 rear tires that again handle it just fine. Stock msport suspension is holding up as well.

You do realize that the chassis is still essentially the same that the M3 uses that comes with over 400hp stock and plenty of guys are running 600-700whp with upgraded turbos right?

[srey]

Yup. The e90 stock sports package brakes are plenty good enough for spirited road driving. Not all powertrains with the same output numbers behave the same either. A fbo n54/5 car is comfortable with stock chassis and braking equipment.

[rick100]

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

Plenty of stock turbo N54s are over 400whp some stock turbo cars are in the 470-500whp level
I have upgraded pads rotors and fluid that stop just fine. Also have 275 rear tires that again handle it just fine. Stock msport suspension is holding up as well.

You do realize that the chassis is still essentially the same that the M3 uses that comes with over 400hp stock and plenty of guys are running 600-700whp with upgraded turbos right?

i m not arguing that 335 can make over 400 whp at all...

I disagree that you are saying the chassis of the e90 m3 is basically the same as the 335 , I mean the m3 is on a different level , its engineer to be a track performance car, its actually more track ready. Then again you can go online and see videos of the m3 on the track and even the m3 is not really as track ready as I thought it was

Im sure a 400 whp 335 can handle great on the streets, but you are missing out my point. Do you really need a 450 whp car on a regular street? ... If that is your thing , perfect . I honestly do not find it as much fun as I thought I would. I had a 500 hp charger srt for a couple of weeks and sure it was fun the first few days, then it just became a pain in the butt. I purposely had to drive it "slowly" because the car was just too damn fast for the street. Half throttle was already putting me in jail territory. I would rather drive a stock m235 or sti on the streets than that, i can at least have some fun ....
so that left me thinking, why would i want a 450 whp car for? , track? it would be pretty expensive , drag racing? that ll be nice but I would need a somewhat reliable car to take to the drag , I dont want my car to break on the first run
But personally I enjoy track more than drag racing. So I would have to buy a car that can take track days. .


I personally do not see the point of modding a 335 to have 450-500 whp car without supporting suspension upgrades or supporting mods. And that is where it can get expensive .Thats why I said I would rather take a perfectly fast car ( 0-60 in 5 seconds) , maybe put a stage 1 on 91 , have plenty of power and put the rest of my hard earn money on supporting mods. If money was unlimited sure I ll go 450 whp with all the supporting mods. But then again if money was unlimited a Porsche would be my personal choice

thats just my personal opinion ...

[solo118]

IMHO the N55 is known to be a bit more reliable then the N54. That is all I need to hear.

Having driven both, when they were closer to new they are both stupid fast and the N55 should have no problem satisfying nearly any driver. Then again, I am one that thinks 300hp is overkill for the streets (cough, cough, these cars did not put out 300hp)

[Smgs1992]

What major differences are on the M3? Control arms, steering rack, brakes and LSD. Besides the engine of course. Otherwise the biggest component of those that allows it to handle more of the power is the LSD.
Not everyone is looking for an all out track car and a 450whp “drag car” is not impressive nor is it worth investing the dedicated drag parts.
Do i need 450whp on the street? No but why do you need 300hp on the street? A 100hp corolla will get you from A to B just fine and if we’re gonna go with that argument it’ll do alot better on fuel and the FWD will handle poor weather such as snow much better. The cloth seats are plenty adequate and why do you need a premium sound system when you can play music just as easily in the corolla.

A FBO N54 is far faster than a SRT8 challenger/charger i know personally.
Idk how the roads are in canada but i can absolutely get on my car with over 400whp

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

What major differences are on the M3? Control arms, steering rack, brakes and LSD. Besides the engine of course. Otherwise the biggest component of those that allows it to handle more of the power is the LSD.
Not everyone is looking for an all out track car and a 450whp “drag car” is not impressive nor is it worth investing the dedicated drag parts.
Do i need 450whp on the street? No but why do you need 300hp on the street? A 100hp corolla will get you from A to B just fine and if we’re gonna go with that argument it’ll do alot better on fuel and the FWD will handle poor weather such as snow much better. The cloth seats are plenty adequate and why do you need a premium sound system when you can play music just as easily in the corolla.

A FBO N54 is far faster than a SRT8 challenger/charger i know personally.
Idk how the roads are in canada but i can absolutely get on my car with over 400whp

If you dig deeper you’ll find there’s a ton of chassis bracing the M3 has that the normal 3’s don’t. Plus different spring ratios, sway bars , dampeners, dry sump, different bumper carriers, etc etc.

I know because I’ve been doing the digging lol

Putting some M3 control arms onto your 3 isn’t going to prepare it like the engineers in Bavaria prepped the M3. And the M3’s are notoriously underbraked as well and still have shortcomings.

I say if you want 400hp go for it. I just wanted to point out the M3 is substantially different from the other 3 series cars, but it is also still not a track car. It’s a street car with some track capability and is built to handle its power output safely/reliably for the street. (Except for the rod bearings hehe).

[rsyed07]

I've had two N54s so far. One was a 2011 335is owned it from 45k miles to 77k miles then it got totaled. On my 2nd one now which is a 2013. Owned it since 47k miles and I know have 73k miles on it. First car had a chargepipe and a mild stage 1 tune. Never had issues except for leaking oil filter housing gasket, bad upper radiator hose, and a couple bad coils. I changed brakes, rotors, water pump, tstat, plugs, coils, (regular maintenance). I do all the maintenance on it myself so labor is out the question unless its something I don't have the proper setup for. Current N54 has been full bolt on for 15K miles and counting. Also same scenario, no major issues besides oil filter housing gasket as well. From what I have seen low mileage N54s (75k miles or less)have been trouble free. I think problems start when they reach closer to 100k miles as more maintenance upkeep is required to keep it healthy and trouble free. I prefer smaller twins over a twin scroll single. The car is lots of fun with 441whp on e30 fuel with lots of down low power. Plenty of room where I live to stretch it's legs and now with the XHP dct tunes coming out I plan to do more with it. Hope that helps a little with the view on the N54 side of things.