Need Advice

Nick54 · 07-30-2018, 07:43 AM

Hello all,

I'll try to keep this as short as possible.

I know this subject has been beaten to death but it hasn't answered my specific question.

I'm looking to buy a 335i/xi, and I'm debating between the n54/55 platforms.

I'm looking to make around 400-450hp with a few mods and I know the n54 is easier to do this with but I'm also planning to daily this car and use it in the winter in Montreal and we get a lot of snow.

So my question is, with that kind of hp and keeping reliability in mind, which engine am I best off with? And I know there's problems with the crankcase not being able to hold much power on the xi models so should I have any issues with those types of numbers? Or is the 335i a good option for winter and power?

Thanks!

Antetokounmpo · 07-30-2018, 08:26 AM

you'll be perfectly fine with xi if you're only gonna be on the stock turbo(s), which is what it sounds like.

e90yyc · 07-30-2018, 10:01 AM

I would highly recommend xDrive.

Some may say rear drive is just fine for winters. They obviously have never lived in Montreal, or experienced what a Canadian winter is like during a bad year.

Sorry I don't have anything to offer besides that! Others certainly will.

wahooooman · 07-30-2018, 10:30 AM

I would say X-Drive is mandatory we get a decent amount of snow where i live and i would be stuck several times without it.

As far as the weak points in the system it would be the front diff, front driveshaft and transfer case in that order and if your going just FBO you should be perfectly fine.

With the N54 you can make that power easier but being its older Im sure clean unmolested ones will be hard to find.
The N55 will be generally more reliable and a better daily IMO

I would say if your mechanically inclined the n54 could be a good daily as well, just know with the greatness of the motor comes the quirks.

rick100 · 07-30-2018, 11:02 AM

if you are going to mod a 10 year old car do not complaint about cost of maintenance. That is just the way it is.

If you leave the car unmolested, driving stock , then you have a better chance to keep the car reliable.

All wheel drive much better for the snow , specially the snow you get in montreal.

Pladi · 07-30-2018, 11:54 AM

For mods go with N54.. it has more support.. You will have to be on top of it if you are modding it for that type of power.

Nick54 · 07-30-2018, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahooooman

I would say X-Drive is mandatory we get a decent amount of snow where i live and i would be stuck several times without it.

As far as the weak points in the system it would be the front diff, front driveshaft and transfer case in that order and if your going just FBO you should be perfectly fine.

With the N54 you can make that power easier but being its older Im sure clean unmolested ones will be hard to find.
The N55 will be generally more reliable and a better daily IMO

I would say if your mechanically inclined the n54 could be a good daily as well, just know with the greatness of the motor comes the quirks.

alright it seems like the n55 would be the better choice because it could still make that kind of hp without any issues. is there anything i should maybe look out for or upgrade before modding?

Nick54 · 07-30-2018, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pladi

For mods go with N54.. it has more support.. You will have to be on top of it if you are modding it for that type of power.

would it still be possible to safely make 400-450 safely with the n55? i feel like it would just fit my needs better. the car is already at the higher end of my budget but I'm looking for something a little lower mileage that i could mod but not have to replace a bunch of expensive things like the turbos

Pladi · 07-30-2018, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickshiftm3

would it still be possible to safely make 400-450 safely with the n55? i feel like it would just fit my needs better. the car is already at the higher end of my budget but I'm looking for something a little lower mileage that i could mod but not have to replace a bunch of expensive things like the turbos

With good fuel or water injection you can safely make 400 but get a manual transmission.. 400-450 HP on automatic transmission your pushing it.. You will also come to the limit of our OEM turbo at that power.

Nick54 · 07-30-2018, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pladi

With good fuel or water injection you can safely make 400 but get a manual transmission.. 400-450 HP on automatic transmission your pushing it.. You will also come to the limit of our OEM turbo at that power.

yeah im definitely getting a manual, and coming from an automatic civic i think 400HP should be a real nice upgrade lol. thanks for the advice

summilux · 07-31-2018, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Some may say rear drive is just fine for winters. They obviously have never lived in Montreal, or experienced what a Canadian winter is like during a bad year.

Montreal does not have a monopoly on winter. I'm in Ottawa and RWD is just fine. Yes, yes AWD > RWD in winter but for the remainder of the time, RWD > AWD. If you want a Volvo, buy a Volvo. If you want fun, get RWD with Sport Suspension.

WatchWolf34 · 07-31-2018, 01:14 PM

I'll offer the other side of the XI vs RWD debate. I live in Minnesota and see very similar severity of winters as those in the North East and Canada. I drive my RWD N54 E90 year round at close to 400 WHP.

Set of solid snow tires for winter and it's never once been a problem.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 07-31-2018, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90yyc

I would highly recommend xDrive.

Some may say rear drive is just fine for winters. They obviously have never lived in Montreal, or experienced what a Canadian winter is like during a bad year.

Sorry I don't have anything to offer besides that! Others certainly will.

I live in Gatineau/Ottawa and I went with a IS I guess we'll see... but I do go by the philosophy of good winter tires and moderate speed is all you need.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 07-31-2018, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WatchWolf34

I'll offer the other side of the XI vs RWD debate. I live in Minnesota and see very similar severity of winters as those in the North East and Canada. I drive my RWD N54 E90 year round at close to 400 WHP.

Set of solid snow tires for winter and it's never once been a problem.

+ 1

TheMidnightNarwhal · 07-31-2018, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summilux

Montreal does not have a monopoly on winter. I'm in Ottawa and RWD is just fine. Yes, yes AWD > RWD in winter but for the remainder of the time, RWD > AWD. If you want a Volvo, buy a Volvo. If you want fun, get RWD with Sport Suspension.

This. My car was an all in one fun car so for the few winter months out of the whole year and a good set of winter tires should be fine.

Like yeah of course we won't plow through un-plowed snow, but on plowed streets and with snow falling, it's gonna be fine.

Pladi · 07-31-2018, 01:40 PM

I have the XI and you know i wish i had the RWD because its easier to work on and less things to go wrong.. I wish i had looked at this forum before i bought my car..

That being said, driving the XI on full snow.. its fun.

e90yyc · 07-31-2018, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I live in Gatineau/Ottawa and I went with a IS I guess we'll see... but I do go by the philosophy of good winter tires and moderate speed is all you need.

I’m sure you won’t regret the IS!

catcher22 · 07-31-2018, 01:50 PM

In Montreal, you'll want an XI

Slap some snow tires on, and you'll be passing trucks in the snow (believe me)

Go with the N54, better gains, more support, and several folks are already doing 400-450 easy.

However, there is just no such thing as a reliable 400-450hp N54. Just doesn't exist lol, those words don't belong in the same sentence. There is typically something big to fix or maintain every 20-30k in addition to your regular maintenance intervals. You really need a few thousand to throw down when something goes very wrong, or spend a weekend DIY and fixing it yourself, especially if this is your daily driver.

This is one of the better posts I've seen on buying a 3 series:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...2Fowners+guide

TheMidnightNarwhal · 07-31-2018, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catcher22

Slap some snow tires on, and you'll be passing trucks in the snow (believe me)t=1347098&highlight=a+buyer%2Fowners+guide[/url]

Snow tires are law in Quebec for winter.

catcher22 · 07-31-2018, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Quote:

Originally Posted by catcher22

Slap some snow tires on, and you'll be passing trucks in the snow (believe me)t=1347098&highlight=a+buyer%2Fowners+guide

Snow tires are law in Quebec for winter.

hah, thanks I totally forgot that. Then he should be good!

Didn't they also have a wicked winter last year? I vaguely remember constant news reports of several feet of snow up there last season, while of course we got nothin here in the DMV

TheMidnightNarwhal · 07-31-2018, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catcher22

hah, thanks I totally forgot that. Then he should be good!

Didn't they also have a wicked winter last year? I vaguely remember constant news reports of several feet of snow up there last season, while of course we got nothin here in the DMV

Hmm it wasn't to bad. I can't wait to try out my IS in the winter though lol.

Nick54 · 08-02-2018, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90yyc

I’m sure you won’t regret the IS!

agreed! i just spotted one on sale! its so tempting but way out of budget

07-30-2018, 07:43 AM	#1
Nick54 Private 10 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 2010 e92 335i xdrive manual Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	Need Advice - looking to buy a 335 Hello all, I'll try to keep this as short as possible. I know this subject has been beaten to death but it hasn't answered my specific question. I'm looking to buy a 335i/xi, and I'm debating between the n54/55 platforms. I'm looking to make around 400-450hp with a few mods and I know the n54 is easier to do this with but I'm also planning to daily this car and use it in the winter in Montreal and we get a lot of snow. So my question is, with that kind of hp and keeping reliability in mind, which engine am I best off with? And I know there's problems with the crankcase not being able to hold much power on the xi models so should I have any issues with those types of numbers? Or is the 335i a good option for winter and power? Thanks!
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07-30-2018, 08:26 AM	#2
Antetokounmpo Brigadier General 1552 Rep 3,475 Posts Drives: E90 6MT FBO; '18 F150 Platinum Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: WI iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 Ford F-150 Pla ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	you'll be perfectly fine with xi if you're only gonna be on the stock turbo(s), which is what it sounds like. __________________ 2008 335xi 6MT \| VRSF Catless DP \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| VRSF CP \| TIAL BOV \| DCI \| MHD 2+ BC Racing BR \| Stoptech 600 \| Firehawk Indy 500 255 Square \| Atric Altimax 225 Sq. 2018 F-150 Platinum 701A \| FX4 \| 3.5 EcoBeast
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07-30-2018, 10:01 AM	#3
e90yyc Art Collector 2425 Rep 3,448 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I would highly recommend xDrive. Some may say rear drive is just fine for winters. They obviously have never lived in Montreal, or experienced what a Canadian winter is like during a bad year. Sorry I don't have anything to offer besides that! Others certainly will.
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07-30-2018, 10:30 AM	#4
wahooooman Lieutenant 65 Rep 507 Posts Drives: 2010 Atlantis M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: NORTH SHORE Ma iTrader: (4)	I would say X-Drive is mandatory we get a decent amount of snow where i live and i would be stuck several times without it. As far as the weak points in the system it would be the front diff, front driveshaft and transfer case in that order and if your going just FBO you should be perfectly fine. With the N54 you can make that power easier but being its older Im sure clean unmolested ones will be hard to find. The N55 will be generally more reliable and a better daily IMO I would say if your mechanically inclined the n54 could be a good daily as well, just know with the greatness of the motor comes the quirks. __________________ 07 e90 335xi- Sold, 09 X5- Sold, 12 e92 335 xdrive - Sold 11 e92 M3- Sold, 15 M235-Sold,07 e90 335xi (current daily), 10 Atlantis e92 M3 (current) Way to many mods to list
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07-30-2018, 11:02 AM	#5
rick100 Colonel 551 Rep 2,293 Posts Drives: 328 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: canada iTrader: (0)	if you are going to mod a 10 year old car do not complaint about cost of maintenance. That is just the way it is. If you leave the car unmolested, driving stock , then you have a better chance to keep the car reliable. All wheel drive much better for the snow , specially the snow you get in montreal.
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07-30-2018, 11:54 AM	#6
Pladi Lieutenant Colonel 718 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Waterloo, ON Canada iTrader: (0)	For mods go with N54.. it has more support.. You will have to be on top of it if you are modding it for that type of power.
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07-31-2018, 01:14 PM	#12
WatchWolf34 Because Racecar 126 Rep 266 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (1)	I'll offer the other side of the XI vs RWD debate. I live in Minnesota and see very similar severity of winters as those in the North East and Canada. I drive my RWD N54 E90 year round at close to 400 WHP. Set of solid snow tires for winter and it's never once been a problem. __________________
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07-31-2018, 01:40 PM	#16
Pladi Lieutenant Colonel 718 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xdrive Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Waterloo, ON Canada iTrader: (0)	I have the XI and you know i wish i had the RWD because its easier to work on and less things to go wrong.. I wish i had looked at this forum before i bought my car.. That being said, driving the XI on full snow.. its fun.
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07-31-2018, 01:50 PM	#18
catcher22 Captain 294 Rep 922 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (2)	In Montreal, you'll want an XI Slap some snow tires on, and you'll be passing trucks in the snow (believe me) Go with the N54, better gains, more support, and several folks are already doing 400-450 easy. However, there is just no such thing as a reliable 400-450hp N54. Just doesn't exist lol, those words don't belong in the same sentence. There is typically something big to fix or maintain every 20-30k in addition to your regular maintenance intervals. You really need a few thousand to throw down when something goes very wrong, or spend a weekend DIY and fixing it yourself, especially if this is your daily driver. This is one of the better posts I've seen on buying a 3 series: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...2Fowners+guide Last edited by catcher22; 07-31-2018 at 02:28 PM..
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