Would you rather have an N52 or N54?

"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty) 04/12/2014 at 10:11 • Filed to: None

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Just wondering whether people would choose power or slight sound and reliability edge. I think there are few things better than a N/A BMW I6, but most people tend to go for the revolutionary turbocharged engine. Here's a lesser-considered E89 Z4.

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/12/2014 at 10:17

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The N54 was the one that was absurdly unreliable so it was replaced with the N55, right?

drunkenup4 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/12/2014 at 10:26

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N54.. a different world in terms of power, sounds much better stock and modded, and returns better highway mileage in practice.

twinturbobmw > Brian Silvestro 04/12/2014 at 10:40

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Pretty much.

twinturbobmw > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/12/2014 at 10:41

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N54, because torque. I would be willing to sacrifice reliability for the power.

Textured Soy Protein > Brian Silvestro 04/12/2014 at 10:45

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I don't know about absurdly unreliable, but the N54 did have some issues. Mostly high pressure fuel pump problems, on cars made through the 2010 model year.

The N55 started showing up in the 2010 model year, but the N54 carried over in various models for a few years afterward. Namely the 2011-2012 Z4, 2011 1M, 2011 740i, and 2011-2013 335is. These cars have a redesigned fuel pump.

Textured Soy Protein > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/12/2014 at 10:48

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I love the N55 in my 135is. Z4 had the N54 through the 2012 model year but with revised fuel pump that supposedly is less troublesome.

AM3R > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/12/2014 at 11:28

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Well, I have an N52 E90 and it keeps me more than satisfied.

I would still love an N54/N55, regardless of the "horrid" reliability.

Brian Silvestro > twinturbobmw 04/12/2014 at 11:45

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N52 all day bro.

Brian Silvestro > Textured Soy Protein 04/12/2014 at 11:46

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So basically anything with the N54 before 2011 didn't have the redesigned fuel pumps and should not be bought?

Textured Soy Protein > Brian Silvestro 04/12/2014 at 11:50

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I think there was a recall on the 2010 and older ones where they can get an upgraded pump. BMW also extended the warranty on the pump to 10 years.

Brian Silvestro > Textured Soy Protein 04/12/2014 at 11:54

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Wow really? I never knew that. Interesting information....

*looks on cars.com for every BMW*

Textured Soy Protein > Brian Silvestro 04/12/2014 at 13:27

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Warranty: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthr…

Recall: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthr…

BKRM3 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/12/2014 at 16:11

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I had an N54 and wouldn't own it for one minute out of warranty. It was a nightmare. N52 all the way. (Although what I actually did was buy an S65, which is the real right answer, if it's a possibility)

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro 04/12/2014 at 22:34

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Some people say so, and the N52 felt better anyways.

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/12/2014 at 22:38

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Really..

I really want to drive both now....

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/13/2014 at 02:52

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If it helps the N52 weighs all of 162kg fully dressed whereas the N54 weighs 195kg.

2tonic > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/13/2014 at 07:49

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N52. It's the farthest evolution of BMW's classic straight six.

I prefer simple, elegant design and I've been driving and riding in BMW's during the last five decades.

Forced induction has never appealed to me. Why hang a snail off the side of a beautiful engine like a DOHC inline 6? It changes the sound, look, and character of the engine. I don't care if it's faster.

When I started looking at 1-Series, the salesman insisted that I drive the 135i/N54 first. I knew it would be quicker, and it's a very powerful car. But to me, the 135i just didn't appeal to me; a turbo motor just isn't the traditional BMW experience. The 135i may be faster, but's it's not more fun - to me. If you're more concerned with power and less with aesthetics, tradition, and mechanical elegance, the N54/55 is your motor. It's not for me.

I picked a lightly optioned 128i 6MT with Sports and Cold Weather packages, sun roof, a crappy base radio I never listen to (the motor is the music), and vinyl seats. It's the most old-school new-ish BMW you can get. The journos write this, and the North American head of BMW sales has said it too.

The 128i/N52 is "plenty fast" and very enjoyable to drive - with ample torque off the line and gorgeous sounds as it winds it way up the rev range. Vintage BMW. And, you can use more of its power more of the time compared to the 135i.

The N52 can be made faster with the factory variable DISA intake and aftermarket engine software. BMW uses with this engine and intake combo on heavier models, and it's quicker still with a SuperSprint header.

At this point, BMW doesn't offer a naturally aspirated, straight six "classic" BMW engine in the US. What a pity. At least I have one, and I intend to keep it for the rest of my years.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/14/2014 at 14:43

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I put my money where my mouth is. I bought an E85 Z4 3.0si Jalopnik Edition.

No power seats, No power top, No Premium Package.

Has the M Suspension, M Seats, N52 N/A Inline 6 and a 6 speed manual gearbox.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 04/15/2014 at 17:43

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Thank you for supporting the cause, man. I just put my mom in a car I definitely couldn't afford in the next 10 yrs, an E89 30si M Sport 6MT. Fantastic car, and hopefully one she'll cut me a deal on down the road! Your car sounds like heaps of fun, though (and is much lighter).

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > 2tonic 04/15/2014 at 17:48

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This is so true. Your taste is impeccable — screw DCT and turbos, just give me a beautiful, classic BMW N/A six in a tight package. That's definitely a car you'll be able to enjoy for many years. I test drove a 128 just to get the feel of it, and boy was that thing the perfect car. Simple, lively, and pleasing as BMWs of old.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 04/15/2014 at 17:52

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Very true. Weight is the too often ignored factor when it comes to engines.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Textured Soy Protein 04/15/2014 at 17:54

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You have made a fantastic decision in the 135! The fuel pump really is a money pit on N54-equipped cars...

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > AM3R 04/15/2014 at 17:58

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The N52 really feels "just right," especially in 30i cars. The 328 that had it was lovely as well. It screams BMW all the way to 7k, which is what makes it preferable to even the N54 IMO. That and the fact it won't leave you broke!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > BKRM3 04/15/2014 at 17:59

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I've heard they are problematic. It must be really nice to be able to have the roar of an S65 at your beckoning call!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Brian Silvestro 04/15/2014 at 18:04

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It's more of a feel vs power thing. When I drove the N52 cars I felt all of the feels. The BMW feels. The same naturally aspirated feels a yuppie from the 80s/90s would have felt. Yuppie feels.

Brian Silvestro > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/15/2014 at 18:06

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I've driven the N52 A LOT, so I understand all the feels that are gotten.

BKRM3 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/15/2014 at 19:40

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It is indeed the bomb =)

AM3R > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/15/2014 at 20:16

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the sound from inside the car when you floor it is just orgasmic... My non car friends don't believe it's stock, although you barely hear anything from the outside. It's so smooth. I looooove my 328i. My only regret is going with an auto :(. I'm planning on driving this E90 til it dies, then picking up another E9x. Probably an M3 :D. Maybe it's best for me to stay NA. My knowledge of turbos is very limited.

EP05 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/15/2014 at 23:13

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ive had a N54 and an N52. Both with a manual transmission, and i always wished my N54 felt like the N52 as far as power delivery goes. The N54 has more power but it just doesnt put it to the ground like the n/a motor does. And the sound it makes also. My N52 was the 330i so it was the high output version.

Manuél Ferrari > 2tonic 04/16/2014 at 18:33

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The N52 will last forever if you maintain it.

I was talking to a BMW service tech recently. A customer of his already has 250,000 miles on her E90 with the N52. No rebuild, just regular maintenance.

SlickMcRick > 2tonic 08/23/2015 at 13:42

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I’m looking into getting a 128i myself. How will I know if the model has the Sport Package?

2tonic > SlickMcRick 08/25/2015 at 16:53

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Sorry for the late response, just saw this. I would hope that the seller would have the original window sticker. If not, you can look up the VIN with this website:

http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-de…

Good luck!