N54 vs. N55. Are the problems with the N54 that bad??? - JB4tech.com

misnelstain5

I'm ready to move on from my E46, and am looking to buy an LCI E9X 335. But the maintenance horror stories of the N54 335 has me worried.

Are the issues with the N54 that bad that I should spend the premium to buy a 335 with the N55 (MY11+)? Or should I give the F30 a chance?

Any advice would be appreciated

BryGuy11 · 05-23-2020, 04:17 PM

I think the general consensus is the N54 is more tune & mod "friendly" but I think both engines have to be looked over for oil leaks & coolant system probs.
I cannot talk about the N55 turbo as I have a N54 & bought the car knowing I was going to have to replace / upgrade 2 turbos.

misnelstain5 · 05-25-2020, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misnelstain5

I'm ready to move on from my E46, and am looking to buy an LCI E9X 335. But the maintenance horror stories of the N54 335 has me worried.

Are the issues with the N54 that bad that I should spend the premium to buy a 335 with the N55 (MY11+)? Or should I give the F30 a chance?

Any advice would be appreciated

Update: My issue has been solved, thank you.
https://19216811.cam/ https://1921681001.id/

CastleBravo · 05-25-2020, 09:59 PM

It's all just 'typical' BMW stuff if you ask me. If you are coming from JDM or something then the BMW engines can seem like they have marshmallow gaskets and cheap plastic everywhere...because they do. Every BMW I've had has had a host of various gaskets and the risk of pins dropping into the cylinders from the intake etc etc.

I think it just goes with the territory. I see nothing substantially worse or better reliability wise on the N54. They are without some of the other horrors that some other engines have. No valvetronic is certainly going to save a few headaches...but then the common failure on valvetronic is only the motor anyway and it's not a terrible job.

For me the only real 'howler' on the N54 is the belt sucking itself into the engine...however if you keep on top of your maintenance that ought not to happen (bar some bad luck on the earlier models).

ToolMaker335xi · 05-26-2020, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misnelstain5

I'm ready to move on from my E46, and am looking to buy an LCI E9X 335. But the maintenance horror stories of the N54 335 has me worried.

Are the issues with the N54 that bad that I should spend the premium to buy a 335 with the N55 (MY11+)? Or should I give the F30 a chance?

Any advice would be appreciated

I would keep the E46 and look for a stock N54, that way you don't have to rush and worry about finishing a big job so you can make it to work on Monday morning.

Make sure to address any maintenance before you start mods. N54's aren't that bad if you're willing to do the work yourself.

I say keep the E46 cause I miss mine all the time, and regret letting it go!

finleyjamessz · 04-28-2021, 01:26 AM

E46 is all time my favourite. But i am not much pretty sure about N54
192.168.100.1

mike_o · 05-05-2021, 12:42 PM

The N54 is a masterpiece of an engine, but it will need a new/upgraded HPFP, a new water pump, index 11 or higher injectors, fresh plugs (and possibly coils) and a new valve cover gasket. Been there, done that (all of it) on my 335isDCT.

There may also be a wastegate rattle issue on high milage cars. But the engine itself seems very strong.

turb0lag · 05-06-2021, 07:45 AM

From my initial reading it does seem that N55s suffer from rod bearing wear and have the potential to need replacing well before N54s. That's not to say that N54s won't have rod bearing failure, but I think the chances are much less than an N55.

But apart from that, I think maintenance wise they both suffer from the same common faults:
VCG, OFHG, Oil Cooler seals, belt suckage, water pump, etc.

I also had an E46 (2000 323Ci w/ 255k miles) and have had my 2009 E90 335i 6MT for about 3 months now and it's been a ton of fun. Definitely more of a maintenance step-up from the E46, but nothing a DIY'er can't do with the abundance of information available for these motors at this point.

generx · 05-17-2021, 12:27 PM

Have had many M54s and if you are used to wrenching on them, the n54 isn't vastly different except for the DI and of course, the two snails and electric water pump. It's a much tighter fit but you'll up your DIY skills by tackling a lot of stuff yourself. As someone mentioned, find one with the basic stuff already fixed, HPFP, injectors, cooling system, etc. Lots of them are beat to hell and leak oil like the pans are made of swiss cheese so beware of ones with no history. Even though I love MTs, the DCT in the 335is is a lot of fun and acceleration seems so easy so that would be my choice if I started a new project..