[Emilime75]

It's a 2010 with 50k miles. I've owned it for 3 months. The only thing that doesn't seem right is an occasional stutter while engine cranking/starting, but running smooth as soon as it fires up. No CELs, no noticeable misfires or weirdness.

Maybe I was just expecting more, based on what I've read about the gobs of torque these engines have at low RPMs. However, revving it out to 4-5k it seems to really come alive.

Is this normal, or do I need to be looking into possible causes.

Don't know it's full maintenance history, but I'm gathering parts for a pretty extensive service to include valve cleaning.

Any thoughts?

[parksjm7]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

It's a 2010 with 50k miles. I've owned it for 3 months. The only thing that doesn't seem right is an occasional stutter while engine cranking/starting, but running smooth as soon as it fires up. No CELs, no noticeable misfires or weirdness.

Maybe I was just expecting more, based on what I've read about the gobs of torque these engines have at low RPMs. However, revving it out to 4-5k it seems to really come alive.

Is this normal, or do I need to be looking into possible causes.

Don't know it's full maintenance history, but I'm gathering parts for a pretty extensive service to include valve cleaning.

Any thoughts?

I recently cleaned the vanos solenoids and low end before 3k rpm seems noticeably smoother and responsive. 2 10mm bolts and they come right out - soak em in carb cleaner then blow out with compressed air then reinstall.

[Emilime75]

You know, I remember coming across mentions of this and completely forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder. Going to dig for info on that now.

[Andrew9682]

I have noticed lack of power sub 2k RPM compared to my old e36 M3. I will check this out as well.

[Emilime75]

Haven't been able to find much that is directly relevant to what I'm talking about. Most who talk about Vanos problems on the N54 are talking about codes, limp modes, running/drivability issues... Either way, I ordered new solenoid seals and will clean them. I'll update if it makes any kind of difference.

[dsjr2006]

Are you sure you don't have a boost leak? Is your car AWD?

Even stock you should be able to get the traction control light during a full throttle launch. If not, you either have really good traction or something is wrong.

[Emilime75]

Not sure what you mean, the car will break traction. I'm not saying there is no power at all, it's just not what I expected at lower RPMs. From a roll, down shift to bring RPM up above about 3500, hit the gas and the thing feels great.

If there was a boost leak, I'd expect to either hear it or get a code...would I not?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Andrew9682

I have noticed lack of power sub 2k RPM compared to my old e36 M3. I will check this out as well.

n54 will destroy the s50/52 at any RPM range.

[Emilime75]

Yeah, wasn't sure what the relevency was there, so I just left it alone.

[MysticRob]

OP, how many dead hookers in the trunk?
Scientific fact, each hooker will add a tenth 0-60 and in the 1/4.
Otherwise, you likely have an issue since all N54s I've ever driven have mass torque right off the line. Since you bought it used I wonder if someone has a jacked up tune on it or something else you're not aware of.

[Emilime75]

There are 3, currently, but they're all midgets...excuse me, I mean little people hookers.

I don't think there's any aftermarket tune on it, but it's possible, I guess. The car is 100% stock from what I can see.

I should probably find another one for sale and go test drive it to compare. Maybe I just expected more from the reading I've done prior to purchasing it. The few others I test drove before buying this one were all in rainy or snowy weather, so off the line acceleration tests weren't really possible.

Like I said, I'll start with the Vanos solenoid cleaning, then do all of the other maintenance stuff that I'm gathering parts for. So far it's valve cover(slow leak so I'm replacing the cover as well), plugs, coils, wallnut blast, RB external PCV, OFHG, OCG... My original plan was to do it all in one weekend, but I'm thinking I may want to break it up a bit and see if any one thing makes a difference.

[dsjr2006]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

Not sure what you mean, the car will break traction. I'm not saying there is no power at all, it's just not what I expected at lower RPMs. From a roll, down shift to bring RPM up above about 3500, hit the gas and the thing feels great.

If there was a boost leak, I'd expect to either hear it or get a code...would I not?

I've had my chargepipe loose at the intercooler. No codes and couldn't really hear it either. I only knew to check because the car didn't feel right.

[MysticRob]

Do some pulls and take some logs so the more knowledgeable gurus can sleuth out what potential problems they're seeing.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

I'll start with the Vanos solenoid cleaning.

Cleaning from what and what do you expect to gain from doing that? Hot oil that will scald your skin flows through them at 70-80psi. Dirt, bebries, what ever... it won't be there

[TemjinX2]

sounds like leaky injectors. id verfiy you have index 12 injectors. if not, replace them asap

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

Not sure what you mean, the car will break traction. I'm not saying there is no power at all, it's just not what I expected at lower RPMs. From a roll, down shift to bring RPM up above about 3500, hit the gas and the thing feels great.

If there was a boost leak, I'd expect to either hear it or get a code...would I not?

A small boost leak won't throw a code or make a noise.

Also depending on your tune, wastegate settings and physical wastegate tolerances, they can induce more "lag" or "response".

As far as expectations, perhaps your expectations are too high or maybe there is something a little off.

If your car is bone stock they are "pretty slow" to me personally and yea I'd expect more.

They really shine with a tune though and if you've been reading up on people loving the low end torque, they likely have a tune.

[Emilime75]

Originally Posted by feuer

Cleaning from what and what do you expect to gain from doing that? Hot oil that will scald your skin flows through them at 70-80psi. Dirt, bebries, what ever... it won't be there

Don't know, I've just read about it on the internet, so it has to be true. Either way, it's a cheap and easy thing to do, so I will.

[Emilime75]

Originally Posted by MysticRob

Do some pulls and take some logs so the more knowledgeable gurus can sleuth out what potential problems they're seeing.

Haven't quite gotten there yet, but it's on the list.

[Emilime75]

Originally Posted by TemjinX2

sounds like leaky injectors. id verfiy you have index 12 injectors. if not, replace them asap

I will look when I do valve cover gasket... Hoping not, they're pricy.

[Emilime75]

Originally Posted by dsjr2006

I've had my chargepipe loose at the intercooler. No codes and couldn't really hear it either. I only knew to check because the car didn't feel right.

Good to know, I'll look into it.

[Emilime75]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

A small boost leak won't throw a code or make a noise.
I'll look into this.
Also depending on your tune, wastegate settings and physical wastegate tolerances, they can induce more "lag" or "response".
Stock tune.
As far as expectations, perhaps your expectations are too high or maybe there is something a little off.

If your car is bone stock they are "pretty slow" to me personally and yea I'd expect more.
Bummer.
They really shine with a tune though and if you've been reading up on people loving the low end torque, they likely have a tune.

I'll get there, after all of the maintenance stuff and suspension is handled.

[Antetokounmpo]

The startup issue definitely sounds like a leaky injector. If you can take a log w/MHD we'd know a lot more about a possible boost leak.