[AWPower]

Hello.

I am currently looking into getting either an e90 335i or 355d.

The current cars im looking at is the all time battle between a N54 with 56K miles and a N55 with 45K miles.

I want to tune the vehicle and know the N54 is the tuner motor. Which has my eye and wallet moving in that direction right now.

My issue is the reliability because I will be commuting about 60 miles per day. Are the issues with the N54 and N55 similar and does the 335i make for a great commuter car or does the D favor take that title?

Thanks.

[MrSlickk]

I say go for the N55

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by AWPower

...Are the issues with the N54 and N55 similar and does the 335i make for a great commuter car or does the D favor take that title?

335d FTW for commuter - about 5 mpg better and diesel is usually about the same price as premium. Going to have to put up with CBU and DEF/SCR issues however. Rest of engine is dead reliable.

N55 is a bit more reliable and gets better mileage than N54. Single turbo seems a bit more reliable, wastegates are not as much a problem. Of course it has the added problems with the valvetronic system.

[Delta0311]

Daily driver; go with the N55.

[Efini]

N55

[m9bm]

M57 for commuter

[belcom]

not sure about reliability just yet but my n55 pulls strong with a 6MT. I got it with 53k on the odo and so far put about 8k on top. Definitely does not lack power bone stock. Tunes are available and I am sure its going to be just as fun as n54.

Just make sure you get one with an oil cooler. It costs quite a bit to retrofit one and you do need one if you will do some engine tuning/modding. I was not aware and ended up without one. No m-sport and no cooler. I was going for an Xi though and it was hard to find a 6MT to begin with so it was a choice between lower mileage N55 non-msport or 335is N54 xi with about 75K. Concerned about reliability just like you I went for lower mileage N55 with 3 year/160k all-inclusive CPO (very close to factory warranty with some minor exclusions).

[335NJ]

E90 6MT N54

[MORTON]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

E90 6MT N54

THANK YOU! Extremely similar engines but two is better than one

[Sgop335]

Yea twin turbo, sounds good doesnt it...

Dont they also say n54 has forged pistons etc.?

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

Yea twin turbo, sounds good doesnt it...

Dont they also say n54 has forged pistons etc.?

I believe the verdict is cast pistons, forged rods + forged crankshaft.

There haven't been too many N54's torn down and documented during the process, but I think that info came from Terry's build at BMS from somewhere in the thread. Hopefully someone can confirm this.

[MORTON]

n54 = forged internals

n55 = cast internals

(Pistons, Rods, Crank)

[Sgop335]

Thank you Sir...i thought it was forged pistons

[MORTON]

Bmw did this to cut costs I'm assuming but there has been numerous T/D's (tear downs) that have shown this to be fact.

To the haters:
Is it bullshit bmw went this route? Yes, so I'm not knocking n55ers in any way but it is what it is. Call BMWNA and ask yourself.

[MORTON]

To the OP I would go with whichever has less miles and a tad more warranty. In this case it's the n55. It's a great vehicle and produces just under what the n54 produces stock and if you're modding anyways then who cares right?

What are the colors? And transmissions?

[AWPower]

Thanks for everyones input.

Originally Posted by MORTON

To the OP I would go with whichever has less miles and a tad more warranty. In this case it's the n55. It's a great vehicle and produces just under what the n54 produces stock and if you're modding anyways then who cares right?

What are the colors? And transmissions?

N54 - Silver
N55 - Black
M57 - White

The N55 and M57 are CPO cars
All are Auto. Havent found a MT sedan yet.

[Blindside_137]

N55

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by MORTON

n54 = forged internals

n55 = cast internals

(Pistons, Rods, Crank)

Slight correction, the pistons in the N54 are hypereutectic which is a higher quality cast but not forged. Believe it was confirmed that only the rods and crank are forged.

[MORTON]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

Slight correction, the pistons in the N54 are hypereutectic which is a higher quality cast but not forged. Believe it was confirmed that only the rods and crank are forged.

I know it's been up to quite a debate over the years lol I don't want this guy thread to get jacked but call BMWNA on this cause the old threads both here and other sites go one way or the other I wouldn't use them as a guide lol

[MORTON]

Originally Posted by AWPower

Thanks for everyones input.


N54 - Silver
N55 - Black
M57 - White

The N55 and M57 are CPO cars
All are Auto. Havent found a MT sedan yet.

No problem man. I like black cars so I'm biased on this one and going to say n55 cause it's black, however, I personally would wait for a 6mt to pop up. You may have to expand your search radius quite a bit but it will be worth it. I searched for 5 years for a black on black 6mt n54 and finally find one last OCT. It was worth the wait. Of course out of those 5 years only the last 2 I was searching super hard haha try and stick with CPO cars man you'll pay a little extra but it's well worth it's weight in gold..

[bvanlieu]

I happen to have both an M57 and a N55 in the stable.

They are both fun for their own reasons but the driving style is completely different as you may expect. Hopping between them takes a bit of getting used to.

If you have a decent amount of HWY commute, the D is just perfect. The torque and ease at which you cruise/pass is hard compare against without going into a 540. The stock N5x is not slow by any means but it feels so soft when coming from the D.

Modifying a N5x to 400 ft-lbs is not hard but its still not the same in terms of how it drives as the gear rations are different.

If you enjoy winding out a smooth I6, the D is not for you. Power curve will cause you to quick shift at 4K and the N5x is just waking up and wants to go to 6K quickly.

Both of our cars are M-sport with 6AT and paddles, which I used most of the time as well.

As already mentioned, the emissions system of the D is very complex and the only thing I am very much concerned about long term as I tend to keep cars for 10+y, 150K+ miles.

NOX sensor went out at 56K. Out of warranty its a $500 part alone. WTF BMW...WTF. CPO if you can here.

HWY commute the X1 gets mid 20's, where as I pull mid 30's in the D for the same trip.

- b

[MORTON]

Totally agree if you have the $$ go CPO what ever you decision may end up being! In the past here Ive plainly stated that warranties are your hands however if your not as mechanically sound and don't have large pockets stay CPO. Plus it won't hurt to have the big ticket items replaced under warranty before you begin your modding