[vmqxdv]

Hi I'm looking for buying a e92, and I really really like the look of the non LCI version, but I want the N55 because I've read that is more reliable and the maintenance is cheaper. So I was wondering: Can I buy a LCI model and fit the front/rear lights of the pre-facelift on it?

Thanks in advance!

[ptpending]

sure
the coding of the frm might be required

[whyzee125]

I've never been convinced the N55 is more reliable. Maintenance might be slightly lower but IMO it's no more reliable--I've owned both and my experience was better than a lot of others' with the N55.

You can retrofit the lights but you need to do a full front end conversion. Hood, headlights, grilles, bumpers and likely associated fender liners, brake ducts, etc.

I agree the pre LCI coupe looks way better though.

[oVeRdOsE.]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

I've never been convinced the N55 is more reliable. Maintenance might be slightly lower but IMO it's no more reliable--I've owned both and my experience was better than a lot of others' with the N55.

You can retrofit the lights but you need to do a full front end conversion. Hood, headlights, grilles, bumpers and likely associated fender liners, brake ducts, etc.

I agree the pre LCI coupe looks way better though.

reliability for 99% of people is how many time the check engine light pop out and how many time they had to go to the dealer/shop.

And this is for sure a win for the N55.

N55 wins on :

- waste gate
- single fuelling, with less O2 senors
- 1 boost controller
- vacuum leaks ( less complex)
- turbo
- pcv system
- carbon built
- hpfp
- injectors
- coil packs
- heat management
- power steering (electric for those on F series), no engine related, but came with it on most n55 equipped chassis.

Issue that remains :

- oil leaks
- charge pipe
- serpentine belt sucked by the crank
- crank spin (very rare tho)
- rod bearing


For OP question, it should work with coding, I suggest to get bimmercode with Veepeak BLE dungle.

The only item Im not sure, if the system is properly sized to accommodate halogen buld, it should. Ive compared my LCI and pre-LCI and they are the same.

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

reliability for 99% of people is how many time the check engine light pop out and how many time they had to go to the dealer/shop.

And this is for sure a win for the N55.

N55 wins on :

- waste gate
- single fuelling, with less O2 senors
- 1 boost controller
- vacuum leaks ( less complex)
- turbo
- pcv system
- carbon built
- hpfp
- injectors
- coil packs
- heat management
- power steering (electric for those on F series), no engine related, but came with it on most n55 equipped chassis.

Issue that remains :

- oil leaks
- charge pipe
- serpentine belt sucked by the crank
- crank spin (very rare tho)
- rod bearing


For OP question, it should work with coding, I suggest to get bimmercode with Veepeak BLE dungle.

The only item Im not sure, if the system is properly sized to accommodate halogen buld, it should. Ive compared my LCI and pre-LCI and they are the same.

He's still talking e9x so power steering, coils, HPFP are no less problematic vs N54. N55 also has the additional problem points of:

- valvetronic
- a PCV that loves to squeal and take out the front main seal every 70k miles
- way more rod bearing failures
- VANOS bolts that shear off
- harmonic balancer

Not to mention the fact that their injectors seem to fail just as often as N54 though they are way cheaper.

I realize one case is completely anecdotal, but I had more problems with my N55 in 15k miles than I've had with my 3 N54's in over 100k miles combined. I did absolutely love the additional space in the engine bay to work on the N55 though.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

reliability for 99% of people is how many time the check engine light pop out and how many time they had to go to the dealer/shop.

And this is for sure a win for the N55.

N55 wins on :

- waste gate
- single fuelling, with less O2 senors
- 1 boost controller
- vacuum leaks ( less complex)
- turbo
- pcv system
- carbon built
- hpfp
- injectors
- coil packs
- heat management
- power steering (electric for those on F series), no engine related, but came with it on most n55 equipped chassis.

Once the turbos, HPFP, and injectors got replaced by the most current revisions, they're really not a problem. Sure they could still fail, but I think all these N54 problems got overblown by people who bought the cars new and had to suffer while BMW figured things out.

I personally wouldn't mind an N54 or N55, find the car with the best maintenance history and the best condition and buy that.

Doing a pre-LCI conversion is not a good use of funds for the marginal improvement in look. As a pre-LCI E93 owner I agree they look better, but there are a lot of bumper options for LCI models that look good. LCI tail lights definitely look better though.

[vmqxdv]

First of all SORRY for late reply I didn't receive email about the comments!!

Originally Posted by whyzee125

You can retrofit the lights but you need to do a full front end conversion. Hood, headlights, grilles, bumpers and likely associated fender liners, brake ducts, etc.

Sounds like a lot of work, do you think is it wort it?

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

For OP question, it should work with coding, I suggest to get bimmercode with Veepeak BLE dungle.

The only item Im not sure, if the system is properly sized to accommodate halogen buld, it should. Ive compared my LCI and pre-LCI and they are the same.

Yeah I've seen lots of video and read about maintenance things to do and I'm already adding 5k (euro) on the loan to do everything to make sure is perfect! I also want to tune it a bit, my goal is 500whp

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by vmqxdv

Sounds like a lot of work, do you think is it wort it?

In my opinion: no. That being said, a lot of the things I've spent money on for my car wouldn't make sense to others but it makes me happy.

If it were me, I'd just get the cheaper car which is the pre LCI N54 and use the extra funds to catch up any deferred maintenance items. IMO that's the best of both worlds.

If you want N55, I'd get an M sport or an M sport bumper and call it a day.

[vmqxdv]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

If it were me, I'd just get the cheaper car which is the pre LCI N54 and use the extra funds to catch up any deferred maintenance items. IMO that's the best of both worlds.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing, since I’ve seen that there are a bunch of thing that are needed before even thinking of tuning it. Thanks for the advice!!