"hangus77" (hangus77)
10/23/2014 at 10:39 • Filed to: None
0
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"hangus77" (hangus77)
10/23/2014 at 10:39 • Filed to: None | 0
| 39 |
Hello Friends and Esteemed Colleagues,
As some of you know, I am selling my 2012 A5 (message me if you want it) and I am trying to decide what I want to get next. I am looking at three different cars currently. Two of them have the N55 single turbo I-6 and one has the older but more souped up N54 twin turbo I-6. I am considering the 535i and 335i, but I noticed that the 335is with the N54 is roughly the same price. I have heard some moanings from people that have had those engines and I don't want to buy something that I am going to have to constantly pour money into, so please, if you wouldn't mind, divulge all of the things good and bad about the N54 and N55 that you know. I want to make the correct decision here.
N54 = 320HP 370 Torque (overboost mode)
N55 = 300HP 300 Torque (no overboost)
Have a lovely day.
Sam
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 10:43 |
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MOAR POWAHHHH
So basically, I have nothing constructive to add.
Mattbob
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 10:46 |
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I would go with the N55 after reading this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N55
seems like the N54 may have better peak power, but the N55 is better at delivery.
Party-vi
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 10:47 |
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"I don't want to buy something that I am going to have to constantly pour money into"
Don't buy a used BMW if you cannot afford to fix shit that breaks. Shit breaks. It happens. Another Opponaut just found out his water pump shit the bed on his 335xi and now he's out $1,700 for repairs. If for any reason at all you're worried about paying for maintenance do not buy a used German luxury car goddammit . These are performance vehicles and were more than likely driven as such. Hard driving by the previous owner won't do you any favors.
/rant
/nothelping
Battery Tender Unnecessary
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 10:50 |
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Neither, get something with port injection ;)
N54 with 40k-ish miles...you should see them at 60k
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hangus77
> Party-vi
10/23/2014 at 10:50 |
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You miss-interpret my statement slightly. I say CONSTANTLY. I realize shit breakz. I am no stranger to this. I would absolutely purchase a warranty to cover these sorts of unfortunate occurrences as well. Goddammit.
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Party-vi
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 10:53 |
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IF YOU BUY A USED BMW SHIT WILL CONSTANTLY BREAK IT IS THE UNIVERSES WAY OF TELLING YOU THAT YOU DONE FUCKED UP
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hangus77
> Battery Tender Unnecessary
10/23/2014 at 10:56 |
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Jeezus effin C, man. Is there any way to fix all that DI soot build up without pulling the head?
Tripper
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 11:03 |
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Get the 3er unless your are a a middle aged woman who has just recently divorced;) As for the motor(s) I'm afraid I can't be much help. I was "kind of" considering a 135 for a short while when I realized that I would not be able to get my hands on a 1M nor could I afford one if I did.
I asked my mechanic what the common issues are on the turbo motors (he's got a 135 making 400 some odd hp, I think its the N54). He mentioned something about carbon build up, but went on to say that it would not be any worse (cost wise) and probably better than my E46 M3 (which was expensive but not outrageous).
Are you going to try to get a car that is BMW CPO or no?
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hangus77
> Tripper
10/23/2014 at 11:09 |
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I guess I don't care if it is CPO or not. I just want one with a clean record and title. 30-40 thousand miles and no accidents seems right. BMW charges a shit load extra for that three letter designation too.
I am really starting to lean more towards 335xi with 6spd manual. That seems to maybe be the better fit for Minnesota winters. ( I have been spoiled by the quattro.)
You can tune the N55 just the same as the N54 right? The only difference would be the running gear on the 335is vs the 335i or xi, i.e. tires, wheels, brakes, cooling, etc. I know the 335is has an extra radiator to aid in cooling and such... Details, details...
Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 11:15 |
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Perhaps a catch can helps?
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Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
> Mattbob
10/23/2014 at 11:16 |
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But this one goes up to eleven.
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Tripper
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 11:26 |
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Yea the pricing on BMW CPO is a little nuts but so are some of the repair costs, especially on M cars (I think it was something like $3000 to extend my CPO for two years on an E90 M3). However a throttle actuator went a week after I extended the warranty and that would have been $1200 to fix otherwise, so if that happens once more (common problem) I will chalk up the extra warranty as a success.
I have only owned two bimmers both M3's and both naturally aspirated, so I'm no help with tuning. I am also not that familiar with the details on the xi models, perhaps someone else will chime in.
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hangus77
> Tripper
10/23/2014 at 11:29 |
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Pardon my ignorance, the CPO adds a warranty on top of regular manufacturer warranty? What could I expect to pay for a warranty if it was not CPO, do you think?
Also, this is the 335i xdrive I'm looking at:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
Pretty!
CAAD2
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 11:33 |
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335xi N55 with a manual is exactly what I got this last January. I had heard a few bad stories about the N54 motors so I stuck with '11 or newer in my search. Are you leaning towards coupe or sedan? That can really limit whats available. If you want CPO the BMW site has a really nice search tool where you can plug in exactly what you want and see whats available in the us.
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hangus77
> CAAD2
10/23/2014 at 11:38 |
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I'm looking for a coupe for sure. I'll check out the BMW CPO search. Those are certainly few and far between with the 6-speed. Thanks for the tip!
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Mattbob
> Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
10/23/2014 at 11:39 |
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http://blog.modbargains.com/5-ways-to-fbo-… please see the first sentence of the first google result I pulled up.
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hangus77
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 11:41 |
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I found one close by!
http://cpo.bmwusa.com/certified/BMW/…
djmanila
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 11:42 |
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N54 is more tuner friendly and would make more power. As far as reliability N55 as far as more power N54.
The N54 would have the extended warranty on the high pressure fuel pump and some special warranty on "emissions control devices" which could include the turbos and wastegates.
Jon-o
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 11:43 |
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Just thought I'd chime in. My parents both drive 2007 335i's. The cabrio was a CPO car and it does indeed add warranty on top of the regular one. Which proved to be a good thing since the top on the cabrio required some adjustments that were covered. (the top was slamming down and not latching perfectly)
My dads 6 speed coupe has the stage 3 Dinan tune done and the thing absolutely hauls and produces close to 380 HP it is a monster. It has had a few issues that were replaced during warranty so check that the high pressure fuel pump has been replaced and probably a set of turbos. The coupe has had them replaced not sure if the tune makes internals wear out a bit faster. EDIT: the N54 tunes much easier than the N55, that's the major difference.
Try driving the Xdrive and compare it to the RWD only car. The Xdrive deletes the sport suspension which allows for that beautiful flat cornering. The X drive makes it lose some of the magic. We live in Alberta Canada so while AWD is nice the car will still become a snow plow in deep snow anyways, just get a set of winters and studded rears and you'll be fine.
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Tripper
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 11:49 |
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I bought the car with 1 year left on the original CPO warranty. I had the option to extend the BMW CPO warranty, go with an aftermarket warranty for $800 less than the BMW warranty, or do nothing. I chose the BMW warranty as the aftermarket warranty had a page full of exclusions that I didn't even care to read for the extra $800.
As far as the price of the car, I have not noticed too much difference in the price of a CPO car compared to an non CPO car, unless the car was at a BMW dealer, then then CPO cars seem to be 3-4k more, but I just assume that's something that can be haggled on when I get there haha.
As for the car. I LOVE the red, and the car seems to be in fantastic shape. I tried to explain to my friend who bought a brand new WRX for the same price as the car you are looking at, that he could have had a 335. He didn't want to hear it, and now he spends his days searching for a 335 lol.
drunkenup4
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 12:11 |
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So here's the rundown on known major failures between the two engines, the N55 being arguably the more reliable engine
Both suffer from: Shitty HPFPs (yes, still. Same part #'s), Water pumps (same part), and sometimes injectors
N55 problems: VANOS bolts (recall active), some intake valve carbon buildup (apparently less severe than the N54 cause of a better PCV system)
N54 problems: turbocharger wastegate rattle (2009+ revised turbos are less prone/severe), oil filter and valve cover gasket failure (surely will become more common on the N55), carbon buildup
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Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
> Mattbob
10/23/2014 at 12:51 |
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One does not simply read the first sentence of a car-modding article :P
Anyways, that's hilarious!
n54 & s38
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 12:55 |
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That's what I drive daily (the M5 is not gonna be a DD in Canadian winters). A 2008 335xi 6MT. Only problem is that it can be hard to find with a manual. I bought my car CPO, which I'm glad about even it cost more, because it covered a bunch of stuff that I wouldn't have wanted to pay for. Of course, my water pump just died yesterday and the CPO coverage is now expired, so now isn;t the best time to ask me about how I feel about BMW. Your water pump WILL die with no warning at some point.
TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW!
> Battery Tender Unnecessary
10/23/2014 at 13:04 |
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Soooo.. your saying I shouldn't get a 335i, which I have been saving for...
.. and use the cash for a down payment on a 2015 mustang 5.0?
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TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW!
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 13:10 |
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Look for the M-sport pack. I am looking for that exact car, 335i x drive, manual with the M-sport. Hell of a good looking car.
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CAAD2
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 14:20 |
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Awesome. That is a nice car. not much more money then the red one you posted earlier.
Good luck!
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hangus77
> CAAD2
10/23/2014 at 15:14 |
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I just went and drove it and while it is plenty powerful and quite the looker, I think that I expected more from the interior. It also doesn't have a very nice sound system... I may have to look for a more highly optioned model. Also, it only has summer rubber so I'll have to get new tires. Crap.
Saracen
> Battery Tender Unnecessary
10/23/2014 at 18:35 |
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I'm not looking forward to doing a carbon clean on my Golf R.
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Battery Tender Unnecessary
> Saracen
10/23/2014 at 18:37 |
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Yeah, I'm curious about the Fiesta. And you should have heard my sigh of relief when I realized the M159 engine is port injected. I would hate to pay to have it opened up just to clean it out some carbon.
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Saracen
> Battery Tender Unnecessary
10/23/2014 at 18:54 |
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I'm at 55k on the R, so a cleaning is overdue. Just haven't had time to go without a car, and don't have a space for multiple cars..yet.
Yeah, the M159 would be bad. Still considering an E90 M3 next, and I'm glad it is port injected as well.
Could you imagine doing a carbon clean on the M178? that would be even worse!
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Battery Tender Unnecessary
> Saracen
10/23/2014 at 19:16 |
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Yeah, I'm not so excited about the idea of a long-term AMG GT. You have that "Hot-V" turbo configuration and all the plumbing that goes with it to get out of the way if you need to take the head off. I really hope the combined "best of both worlds" idea of port and direct injection takes off...or service shops are going to have dedicated areas for carbon removal in a few years. I know the local BMW shop is making GOOD money just cleaning carbon on higher mileage DI turbo motors.
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Saracen
> Battery Tender Unnecessary
10/23/2014 at 19:27 |
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Agreed. The FA20 has supplemental port injection...I have not heard about any carbon buildup issues with that engine.
twinturbobmw
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 20:15 |
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In simple terms, the N55 will be more reliable and less expensive to maintain, but the N54 is much easier to get power out of. Both are going to have the HPFP problems, so be aware of that.
bob and john
> hangus77
10/23/2014 at 22:25 |
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from what I understand, the N54 is seriously underrated from the factory. Those motors were putting 300 hp AT THE WHEEL, so closer to 340 at the crank.
Textured Soy Protein
> hangus77
10/24/2014 at 12:26 |
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Here's some confusion for ya.
Both the N54 and N55 start out at 300 hp.
The 1M, Z4 35is and 335is all use the N54 in different states of tune. They make 340, 335, and 320 hp, respectively.
The 135is, M135i and M235i have a tuned N55 that, like the 335is, makes 320 hp.
Petfrog
> hangus77
10/24/2014 at 14:04 |
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Bro, they are both very good engines- provide you take care of them. Read: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthr…
The only problem you might run into is the fuel pump, but there is an aftermarket work around. I would highly recommend a catch can.
RemyXD
> hangus77
10/24/2014 at 14:40 |
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I've had my 08 335i (n54) for about 6 months now and I really love it! when I was doing research it seems there's more out there for the n54 and can get more power out of it. I've already done intake, jb4, catless downpipes, and run 1/3 e85 mix. made 400whp on a dynojet so I'm very pleased with the car
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RemyXD
> RemyXD
10/24/2014 at 14:46 |
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oh, and I did opt to get a warranty through my credit union. I've seen outrageous bills on these cars from a close friend blowing his turbo seals. the fuel pump died at my house when I got home from the dealership on THE DAY i bought the car. They towed it back, gave me a nice loaner TL, and replaced it no charge. Haven't had any trouble since.
Parts are actually not too expensive for this car. Replaced the brake pads/ sensors myself for under $250. Might need to replace the low pressure fuel sensor since I'm running an e85 mix but thats only ~$75
When I bought the car it was clean only 60k miles and 100% bone stock. I will never again buy a modded used vehicle after what I went through with some other past vehicles.
gabdere
> hangus77
10/24/2014 at 17:21 |
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I know that Canadians BMWs (and Audis) certified used cars get an 8 years 160 000 kms warranty. If you go with a car that has the N54, try to find a certified one with that warranty or go with the N55