[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.