Buy older n54? or newer slower n55? opinoins

1slowbmw · 01-08-2016, 05:36 PM

so its time for me to move into an e92 335, i know the n54 is a stronger and potentially faster, but id also like a newer car so then it brings me to an n55.

Question is:

Would you go for an older, pre LCI car just to have the n54?

Or would you sacrifice some performance to have a newer LCI car?

I dont want a big n54 vs n55 debate, its just the fact that an n54 car is now 7 years old, whereas id be looking at a 2012 n55 car

dannyhavok · 01-08-2016, 05:40 PM

I'd buy the newer car. LCI looks better, and of course, it's newer and has less wear and tear on it. You should also have a little warranty left.

5tony · 01-08-2016, 05:47 PM

I think the 2011 models with the n55 have proven to be fairly reliable, and most of the bugs of the e9x have been taken care of.

NOITALL · 01-08-2016, 05:49 PM

I would not.

tlow98 · 01-08-2016, 05:49 PM

nOOb status:

What's the real current and potential power differences actually at play here? If 20hp, then get the newer car.

FL335 · 01-08-2016, 05:52 PM

335is has the n54

CookMaster · 01-08-2016, 05:57 PM

Go for the newer model. The N55 has proved more reliable with less maintenance than the N54. It also is much less prone to valve gumming because of it's newer design. The tech upgrades spanning the difference in 7 years make a big difference. Also, the mileage in the N55 will probably be significantly lower than the N55. Look for the car with the lower maintenance unless you are an avid tuner and don't care how much time you spend maintaining an older car.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 01-08-2016, 06:02 PM

It depends on what you are looking for? Modding and tuning potential? Reliability?

N54 will come with many head aches when they get older, especially with regards to fuel injectors, valve cover, and other things leaking or needing replacing because they get tired.

That being said I still bought my second E92 N54 knowing all that. I just prefer the nature of the N54 from a tuning and modding standpoint.

If you want less to worry about, buying a new car under a CPO warranty makes the most sense.

Nitrousbird · 01-08-2016, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL335

335is has the n54

Exactly. You get a newer car AND the N54; even get the option of a DCT transmission.

So now you can have your cake and eat it too.

E46driver · 01-08-2016, 06:05 PM

Spend more money and get a 335is

Bent_remy · 01-08-2016, 06:49 PM

Get an F82

BSM n54iS · 01-08-2016, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL335

335is has the n54

+1

Miller335 · 01-08-2016, 08:15 PM

Why not a low miles well cared for N54 335?

1slowbmw · 01-08-2016, 08:29 PM

i do plan on being FBO and tuning, id like to be over the 400hp mark.

NOITALL · 01-08-2016, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1slowbmw

i do plan on being FBO and tuning, id like to be over the 400hp mark.

WHP or BHP?

1slowbmw · 01-08-2016, 08:33 PM

im between an 09 with around 45k miles and an 11 with around 45k miles, both pretty loaded. They are both within $2k of each other so for argument sake they are the same lol. So it really boils down to which one to choose

I know PURE makes a turbo upgrade for the n55 so thats an option

as i side note, i do almost all work myself since i actually enjoy it, but id rather not be stuck in the side of the road either lol, i like doing work on cars when i want to, not because i HAVE to or else i cant get to work lmao

Game · 01-08-2016, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent_remy

Get an F82

Fuck it might as well get a GTR.

1slowbmw · 01-08-2016, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I'm wrong

WHP or BHP?

id say wheel if possible

NOITALL · 01-08-2016, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1slowbmw

id say wheel if possible

You'd be better off with a 335is. Newer and with the N54. More of a special car than the regular 335i.

Out of budget or too hard to find?

FL335 · 01-08-2016, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1slowbmw

im between an 09 with around 45k miles and an 11 with around 45k miles, both pretty loaded. They are both within $2k of each other so for argument sake they are the same lol. So it really boils down to which one to choose

I know PURE makes a turbo upgrade for the n55 so thats an option

as i side note, i do almost all work myself since i actually enjoy it, but id rather not be stuck in the side of the road either lol, i like doing work on cars when i want to, not because i HAVE to or else i cant get to work lmao

Don't buy the 11 with an n55....the n54 is a much better/raw motor. Better tuning and can handle a lot of power.

The 335is is your best bet but an 09 with "reasonable" mileage is great. I have an 09, well maintained with plenty of power.

meehowhow · 01-08-2016, 08:42 PM

I have owned both. Go with the n55 imo

FL335 · 01-08-2016, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meehowhow

I have owned both. Go with the n55 imo

Enlighten us....

Sorry, man but N55<N54....thats pretty much a fact....ask virtually any tuner...

01-08-2016, 05:36 PM	#1
1slowbmw Private First Class 25 Rep 150 Posts Drives: BMW e90 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	Buy older n54? or newer slower n55? opinoins so its time for me to move into an e92 335, i know the n54 is a stronger and potentially faster, but id also like a newer car so then it brings me to an n55. Question is: Would you go for an older, pre LCI car just to have the n54? Or would you sacrifice some performance to have a newer LCI car? I dont want a big n54 vs n55 debate, its just the fact that an n54 car is now 7 years old, whereas id be looking at a 2012 n55 car
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01-08-2016, 05:40 PM	#2
dannyhavok Lieutenant 133 Rep 514 Posts Drives: '11 E90 328xi 6MT Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Victoria, BC iTrader: (0)	I'd buy the newer car. LCI looks better, and of course, it's newer and has less wear and tear on it. You should also have a little warranty left.
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01-08-2016, 05:47 PM	#3
5tony Lieutenant 152 Rep 501 Posts Drives: '21 M5/'15 X5 35i/'88 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	I think the 2011 models with the n55 have proven to be fairly reliable, and most of the bugs of the e9x have been taken care of. __________________
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01-08-2016, 05:49 PM	#4
NOITALL Banned 158 Rep 687 Posts Drives: 4 wheels Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Interwebs iTrader: (0)	I would not.
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01-08-2016, 05:49 PM	#5
tlow98 Major General 2193 Rep 5,016 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	nOOb status: What's the real current and potential power differences actually at play here? If 20hp, then get the newer car.
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01-08-2016, 05:52 PM	#6
FL335 Banned 85 Rep 707 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida Beaches iTrader: (0)	335is has the n54
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01-08-2016, 05:57 PM	#7
CookMaster Second Lieutenant 42 Rep 213 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 TB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0)	Go for the newer model. The N55 has proved more reliable with less maintenance than the N54. It also is much less prone to valve gumming because of it's newer design. The tech upgrades spanning the difference in 7 years make a big difference. Also, the mileage in the N55 will probably be significantly lower than the N55. Look for the car with the lower maintenance unless you are an avid tuner and don't care how much time you spend maintaining an older car. __________________ 2015 M4 Tanzanite Blue / Exec pkg / Driver Assist Pkg / LED Light Pkg /Blk 19" Wheels
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01-08-2016, 06:02 PM	#8
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3442 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	It depends on what you are looking for? Modding and tuning potential? Reliability? N54 will come with many head aches when they get older, especially with regards to fuel injectors, valve cover, and other things leaking or needing replacing because they get tired. That being said I still bought my second E92 N54 knowing all that. I just prefer the nature of the N54 from a tuning and modding standpoint. If you want less to worry about, buying a new car under a CPO warranty makes the most sense.
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01-08-2016, 06:05 PM	#10
E46driver Captain 78 Rep 739 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 N51 328i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Rowland Heights iTrader: (4)	Spend more money and get a 335is __________________ 2009 Alpine White E92 N51 328i Automagic \| Premium & Sport Pkg. \| Coral Red/Black Dakota Leather Interior \| M-Spor \| BMW Performance Exhaust \| Active Autowerke Headers \| BBS CH-R \| CPS Front Lip \| Performance Front Grills \| 888Concepts Custom Headlights (GONE) 2011 Alpine White E90 N55 335i Automagic
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01-08-2016, 06:49 PM	#11
Bent_remy Enemy of viscosity and thermal breakdown 138 Rep 278 Posts Drives: N54 E93 6MT Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: North Texas iTrader: (1)	Get an F82 __________________ 02' E46 S54 M3 6MT OEM+, Apex FL-5, RIP 09' E93 N54 6MT, Smarttop, Lux V5, JB4 G5 ISO, BMS DCI, Black ER CP, Tial BOV
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01-08-2016, 08:15 PM	#13
Miller335 Colonel 291 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Why not a low miles well cared for N54 335? __________________ 2007 E92 335 6MT w/335is clutch FBO MHD E60 Wedge map 49k miles
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01-08-2016, 08:29 PM	#14
1slowbmw Private First Class 25 Rep 150 Posts Drives: BMW e90 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	i do plan on being FBO and tuning, id like to be over the 400hp mark.
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01-08-2016, 08:33 PM	#16
1slowbmw Private First Class 25 Rep 150 Posts Drives: BMW e90 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	im between an 09 with around 45k miles and an 11 with around 45k miles, both pretty loaded. They are both within $2k of each other so for argument sake they are the same lol. So it really boils down to which one to choose I know PURE makes a turbo upgrade for the n55 so thats an option as i side note, i do almost all work myself since i actually enjoy it, but id rather not be stuck in the side of the road either lol, i like doing work on cars when i want to, not because i HAVE to or else i cant get to work lmao
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01-08-2016, 08:42 PM	#21
meehowhow BMW Enthusiast 66 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i e90 Msport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I have owned both. Go with the n55 imo __________________ 2014 VW Golf TDI 2011 BMW 335i e90 - Sold 1990 BMW 535i e34 - Sold 2008 BMW 335i e92 - Sold
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