[Lambobimmer]

Over the past 5 years I have owned 2 great N54 cars, a 2008 135i and a 2009 Z435i. My 135i was a 6MT and the Z435i was a DCT. Many people are going to disagree with some things that I am going to post but I don’t care and maybe it will help some people.

The N54 is a fantastic engine and it is even better if it is modded correctly. My 135i and Z4 were both FBO and I ran E50 the majority of the time. I was strictly flashed tuned. I ran Cobb on my 135i and Cobb and MHD on my Z4. I cannot see any benefit in using JB4 when you can flash tune as this point. JB4 was necessary before the DME was cracked but flash tuning has gotten so good over the past few years that it is just much better than JB4. Yes, you can change maps quickly with JB4 and have other features that flash tuning doesn't offer, but I never understood why I would need any of them. JB4 isn't nearly as smooth as a flash tune and what platform still uses a piggyback. None that I am aware of. I personally think that JB4 was the bestselling tuning option for many years because it was cheaper but that is no longer the case with MHD. Blows my mind that this is still being used.

The stock suspension in both of the N54 cars that I owned sucked. None of stock suspension in the N54 cars is capable to handle the type of power that this engine can produce. If you are going to mod your N54 then your first mod should be a suspension. I generally don’t see too many N54 owners upgrading their suspension. This is most likely because it is expensive and it doesn’t give you more power. You are really missing the boat if you are going FBO without doing something with your suspension. I made the mistake in my 135i and only upgraded the shocks but I went all out in my Z4 and used KW V3’s and my car was transformed. It still could not handle the power that hybrids can produce but it was much better.

IMO, upgraded turbos aren’t worth it. I upgraded my turbos prior to deciding that I was going to sell my car and I have to say that I was disappointed. The stock turbos are great and if you can tune them to 450whp pretty easily. You can run them at this level for many, many miles without ever having a problem. They have very little lag and are generally pretty reliable. I installed Pure Stage 2 turbos and VTT Inlets on my Z4 and they made a lot of power. However, these cars just aren’t setup to handle the type of power that these turbos are capable of. Unless you want to throw even more money in the suspension and drive train, your new turbos are basically useless. If you wanted to take the car to the track, not the dragstrip, I am not sure that you could do more than a few laps without going into limp mode with the amount of heat that upgraded turbos will produce. Lastly, you better be able to replace turbos on your own. If you are running hybrids, then you are probably running them hard and they are not known to hold up very well. I haven’t seen any hybrids that have consistently lasted more than 20k miles. Problems are also escalated as well. You have to replace you clutch, upgrade your fuel system to be able to run the turbos to their capacity and then you can’t really use the power unless you are driving in a straight line and only for a short period of time. Keep your stockers, go FBO and tune to the limit. You will be much happier.

BMW’s are great driving cars and are not drag cars. I am not sure how or why it has come to this but I only see threads bragging about a dyno number or a ¼ mile time. These cars are meant to be driven on great driving roads and tracks and not meant drag race. I have to admit that I took my car to a few drag events, but I enjoyed it much more being able to drive it fast on great roads. It is a lot cheaper to go buy a Camaro or Mustang if you want to run in the 10’s. You probably have to drop 10k to run in the 10’s with the N54 and this can be done with some drag tires and NOS with either of these american cars. I guess that I just don’t understand why this is so important with a car that is not setup for drag racing.

I feel sorry for these 3rd and 4th owners of the N54. The first owners of these cars are generally those people that have to money to buy them new or lease them. They don’t really care about the car too much, but these buyers want what is new and improved at the time. The 2nd owner is buying the car when it is about 3 or 4 years old and they are generally an enthusiast and take very good care of these cars but they are almost always going FBO and run their car very hard. They 3rd and 4th owners are getting the leftovers and that is why all of these issues happening with the N54. If you pay attention, most of the oil burning, smoking and other really problematic threads are with the 2007 model year. I personally think that this is because of what I just mentioned. These cars are getting old and these major issues are going to continue to get worse and more common.

Get a custom tune. I used many of the OTS tunes through Cobb and they were okay. I never used the MHD OTS tunes, so I cannot comment on those, but I can tell you that a custom tune is well worth it. I had custom tunes through PTF and Wedge. I personally liked the Wedge (BuraQ) tunes better. The power was smoother, had more power and overall better experience. Nothing against PTF but this is just my opinion.

I have met a lot of great people on this board and I have thoroughly enjoyed owning both of these cars but it was time to move on. I have learned a lot and I helped a lot of people with their mods. Maybe, I will start replacing turbos or renting out my lift as parts break.

[Vitalität]

Originally Posted by Lambobimmer

I feel sorry for these 3rd and 4th owners of the N54...

Just like any make of cars out there, 3rd and 4th owners or sometimes second, you can feel sorry for them. But at the end of the day, it also depends on how one takes care of his car. When my dad got his 2004 ZHP, he was the 5th owner and puts 5K a year and guess what, since he was doing maintenance religiously, it has zero issues up to this date.

Regardless, everything is debatable when it comes to cars.

[ganz]

This is some good advice here. If I had to do everything over again, the very first thing I would have done (besides ditching the RFTs) is go to solid subframe bushings
+ LSD. Even on stock m-sport suspension the car is so much better.

The real question is, after 5 years of modding how do you convince yourself to stop? Modding... it's a helluva drug!

[tc535i]

I'm thinking my subframe or trailing bushings need a refresh. Under a 3rd gear logging run the car definitely wants to pull when squatting. At first I wrote it off to road surface but I'm thinking something is getting soft at 80k

[YRAGAEL]

Thanks for posting, Lambo. I agree with a lot of your points - lack of sufficient stock suspension being number one. I have an E90 M-Sport and have switched over to all M3 bits, including subframe bushings, to get rid of the squishy feeling under acceleration and horrendous understeer and complete lack of front end grip of the stock suspension. Of course now the lack of a LSD is even more apparent, so that's next.

[kong24680]

Very accurate review of the n54. I feel the same way about most of what you discussed. My 2008 335i was my first car, and I am the second owner of the vehicle. First thing I did was jb4+Dci and even that was extremely overwhelming for the stock suspension. I pushed the car hard and lost control a few times (snapped 2 control arms, and a tie rod, very lucky), and decided to dedicate suspension as one of my top priorities, second only to maintenance. I overhauled almost the entire suspension: all m3 arms front/rear, spherical control arm bushings, m3 subframe bushings, solid diff/tranny bushings, h&r front sway, ohlins, Quaife, and pads,rotors, Ss lines. Even though the car is super planted and handles 3x better than stock, it is still fairly easy to reach the cars limits.

Your thoughts on hybrid turbos are interesting as well. My turbos are starting to rattle a bit, and I've been searching for a reliable stage 2 hybrid option since this is my DD (20k miles a year). Both VTT & RB seem to have problems with reliability, and Pure and Hexon are still too new. The only other hybrid option is Dinan, which is most expensive and least powerful option. At this point I am leaning towards the Pure stage 2, but want to see more reviews from owners with high mileage. Hopefully the future will yield good results and I can get my 500whp pump gas daily

[NightStalker]

i concur. very good & accurate thoughts.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Agree with everything you said

[neroneuman]

I'm thinking if you are going to make more power in a good handling car while maintaining its composure and handling characteristics, its going to be only more more enjoyable. I know it will be a challenge to have the same handling with increased power

[Jklad]

Great info in this post.
Lambobimmer what's clutch and fly combo would you recommend for the 450 whp stock turbo build? Seems to be right on the cusp of maxing out the oem dmfw and having to get a smfw

[matthewo]

Let me sum it up in 6 words.

It's all great fun until it breaks.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by matthewo

Let me sum it up in 6 words.

It's all great fun until it breaks.

Hey.......some people like breaking sh!t

[jts1981]

Nice write up Lambo! I wish I could had a chance to take a ride in your car with the turbos lol.

One point I wanted to add, is the the steering feel. This past weekend my buddies and I did a Bear Mountain trip and we had the chance to swap cars. My buddy has a Z4M with full suspension work, 8/6pot Rolloface brakes, basic bolt ons on the motor. While my car had the guts, I was definitely jealous of his steering feel. It was amazing. Too bad there isn't a way to get that feeling on our cars. And the brakes were awesome too. I hate the fact the e-brake limits the e89 options.

[Lambobimmer]

Originally Posted by Jklad

Great info in this post.
Lambobimmer what's clutch and fly combo would you recommend for the 450 whp stock turbo build? Seems to be right on the cusp of maxing out the oem dmfw and having to get a smfw

I certainly don't have all of the answers but I used a Spec 2+ in my 135i and it was great. It drove like the stock clutch but held a lot more torque. This was 4 years ago so there might be better options now. I had a DCT on my Z4 and I didn't have the need to upgrade my clutch at the power levels that I was running.

Originally Posted by jts1981

Nice write up Lambo! I wish I could had a chance to take a ride in your car with the turbos lol.

One point I wanted to add, is the the steering feel. This past weekend my buddies and I did a Bear Mountain trip and we had the chance to swap cars. My buddy has a Z4M with full suspension work, 8/6pot Rolloface brakes, basic bolt ons on the motor. While my car had the guts, I was definitely jealous of his steering feel. It was amazing. Too bad there isn't a way to get that feeling on our cars. And the brakes were awesome too. I hate the fact the e-brake limits the e89 options.

The S54 is a great engine but there is something about the torque that the N54 can make. It is addictive. IMO it wasn't worth it to me to do the entire suspension on my Z4. I never like to mod my car with parts that I can't partout when I decide to sell my car. The KWV3's were great on my Z4 and it handled much better. However, I can tell you that it isn't close to my Z06. I ultimately decided that it was more important to me to have a car that handled and stopped great with a great engine that has a lot of potential. I also wanted a car that could handle the power if I added a few hundred hp with mods. The C6 Z06 was the answer to what I was looking for.

[bradsm87]

I disagree about upgraded turbos. The ideal track setup is to upgrade turbos but keep boost low. That way, you make more power, without generating more heat. Upgraded turbos will generate much less heat for any give power level. It's only when people upgrade turbos then proceed to try and make maximum possible power out of it, that you'll run into heat issues. On the track, you're generally running between 5000 and 7000rpm, where stock turbos are highly overworked, generating lots of heat and backpressure. Stage 2 turbos running 14psi flat with aggressive timing would provide heaps of power for circuit racing. Further improving lap times beyond that is best done with technique/suspension/alignment/tyres. Tuning richer will keep temps under control on the track, but N54 tuners rarely do this.

I agree that it's strange how the N54 community is so drag racing oriented, even though these are great track cars. I just thought is was an American thing.

[matthewo]

I think the key to the N54 for reliability and still a blast, will be upgraded cast manifold stock location upgraded turbos with inlets and outlets pushing around 20lbs and running e40-e50 and making around 525 wheel.

[Taylor M]

I can't really say I agree with all that you said, and i'm surprised others have echoed your thoughts. The disagreement is with the whole track/drag car deal. Look, if everyone here was looking for a track car when they bought their n54 based car they probably got the wrong car.

In this price range their are WAY better cars for track days, just take the E46 M for example. The makings of a good track car is generally considered to be linear power delivery along with a strong chassis. These cars have neither.

I always see the "BMW drivers car" bit repeated. Honestly I think each car within it's brand has it's own niche. I mean not every Chevrolet is a C6 Corvette for example, right? I think the n54 fits in with the other "tuner" platforms like the 4g63, 2jz, WRX, etc...

I agree that these cars were not meant to drag race, but they weren't meant for the track either. I believe the platform has advanced the way it has because of huge noticeable improvements in power from modifications. I mean pretty much every BMW up to this point was N/A and saw very little gains without going FI, which very few people actually did.

It's cool that you got a C6 Z06 though it seems like a way better fit for what you are looking for. I'm a little jealous.

[_ink]

I speak for myself here... But my approach to modification is a process, a process that involves patience, time, and money.

Ofcourse every upgrade is going to expose a weakness, this should be an absolute minimum level of acceptance.

I love my BMW and the N54, it's prestige, understated and different to all the muscle cars or cars built fast from the factory (ala GTR etc).

Every single opportunity I've had to race a car on the street, the opponent is always in shock and amazement...Yes, every single time.

But everyone is different and has different goals. That's what makes the world such a great and crazy place!

[matthewo]

The key to the car is the amount of power, style and luxury for a cheap price.

Purchase a used FBO car and then go buy a 3rd party warranty and your still under 20k . Not many other cars can do all the things right like this one for under 20k

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Funny thing is I got a C6 z06 after my first E92. I then couldn't wait to get my hands on another E92 which is why I got another.

I still play tug of war with the idea of selling the C6 z06, don't get me wrong, it's a great car. I just worry about it too much and it kind of hard to explain but I do know when I put that loud pedal down, I can'st stop but smiling and knowing it can take the beating. I've done some pretty aggressive driving in "Mexico" in the 160-185 MPH range for several minutes and it did not skip a beat and the braking was fully capable as well as everything else.

Its a true platform capable of the power, handling and braking that anyone would need.

It's raw though but it also comes with a love and appreciation that I've never experienced with any other car. No matter where I drive to, no matter who the person is I run into, at least once everytime I drive it, someone compliments the C6 z06. I've owned 15 cars and never found that much appreciation with any other car. I have people wave me down on highways, thumbs up, beeping, random parking lots or stop lights, someone always says something. It's pretty cool.

But I still enjoy me E92, it's easier to drive, especially this one being automatic now. I worry about it less, it's still fun to drive (more so with upgraded suspension and proper braking upgrades). So they each cater to my needs differently.

It really comes down to a car that feeds your needs and wants. Sometimes I don't think I need my C6Z and I'll be happy with just the BMW. But I know I'll be missing a platform that can do everything that's thrown at it from a driving perspective.

[ritzzzzzwik]

Love this review. Completely resonates how I feel about this platform- about the turbos, power, handling. I feel 400-450 is about the right power-chassis balance, I can still play without killing myself. This of-course still needs some suspension upgrade, but not to a point where you're building a new car. I get why some people do 600+ hp, but they are also upgrading a lot of their suspension, at which point its a whole new car which just happens to have an N54.

[Lambobimmer]

Originally Posted by ritzzzzzwik

Love this review. Completely resonates how I feel about this platform- about the turbos, power, handling. I feel 400-450 is about the right power-chassis balance, I can still play without killing myself. This of-course still needs some suspension upgrade, but not to a point where you're building a new car. I get why some people do 600+ hp, but they are also upgrading a lot of their suspension, at which point its a whole new car which just happens to have an N54.

Agreed. You have to pay to play if you are going for that 600 to 700whp number. At that point, I would have to question if it is worth the amount of money it would take to make it all work at that power level.