[Phoenixg]

Hi all,

Looking for advice. Ive owned my 2007 E92 335i (6mt) for about 6-7 years now. Got it at 70K, stock with replaced turbos/hpfp recall done from previous owner, with documentation, figured i'd be dumb to pass up the opportunity. Car was perfect until I decided to throw some mods on recently (which isnt the issue). Im okay with the occasional headache of things that may break etc, but for the most part, ive addressed the weaknesses and its been pretty good to me.

The other night I lined up with a M340i, and it proved superior. Ive been having thoughts about moving into the new platform but the lack of hydraulic steering is a big factor for me. I love the amount of feedback I get from my car, I know what is spinning, or what is losing grip from the steering wheel, its fantastic.

With that being said, I was looking for feedback from anyone that went from E9x generation into the G20 generation. Are you happy? Things you miss?

Im wondering if I want to keep my car and just purchase the G20, or just get rid of the e92 and let someone else enjoy it.

Ive put a lot of money and effort into it, pre-lci into lci, stripped interior to install all red w/ black headliner and CIC nav w/ individual audio etc.

Id really like to go single turbo but then I think to myself, is it worth it? The B58 platform is stout as well.

Anyways, looking for feedback from those who have gone towards the B58 platform.

[ppointer]

I currently own five BMWs, the reasons why are not important. I have an S54, N52, N54, N55 and B58. The N54 has a DCT in a 2012 335is. The N55 is a 2012 e92 with MT. The B58 is a '22 G30. I love all of these cars.

If I had to pick a favorite, I would probably go with the e92 with the N55. It is a solid chassis, great steering, great noises, excellent ride, perfect brakes, fun to row the gears. Even gets good MPGs. If I could make one improvement to it, I wish the shifter throws were tighter like in my M Roadster.

Unfortunately for this discussion, I have no G20 experience. But the B58 is every bit as nice a motor as the N55, in my opinion, and should be more reliable. I should add I prefer the N55 over the N54 ....

[akk]

Originally Posted by ppointer

I currently own five BMWs, the reasons why are not important. I have an S54, N52, N54, N55 and B58. The N54 has a DCT in a 2012 335is. The N55 is a 2012 e92 with MT. The B58 is a '22 G30. I love all of these cars.

If I had to pick a favorite, I would probably go with the e92 with the N55. It is a solid chassis, great steering, great noises, excellent ride, perfect brakes, fun to row the gears. Even gets good MPGs. If I could make one improvement to it, I wish the shifter throws were tighter like in my M Roadster.

Unfortunately for this discussion, I have no G20 experience. But the B58 is every bit as nice a motor as the N55, in my opinion, and should be more reliable. I should add I prefer the N55 over the N54 ....

Why the n55 over the 335is? Is it the transmission? Or something more?

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by akk

Why the n55 over the 335is? Is it the transmission? Or something more?

From my butt, the N55 develops torque much earlier in the rev range than the N54. I also think the N55 sounds better, which is saying something since the 335is comes with a performance exhaust from the factory, while my 335i has a stock exhaust. Those are the main reasons for me the N55 is preferable around town. Differences in having the MT versus DCT I am ignoring for this comparison.

All of that being said, the DCT is a very cool tranny. My wife thinks it is just like any other AT when she drives it. I drive it exclusively in manual mode, and love its crisp shifts.

The N54 in my 335is is noticeably quicker than my N55, as it should be with its extra hp and torque, as long as I rev it out. Both of the motors in my e92s are completely stock.

Lastly, these differences are really subtle. I am very fortunate to be in the position to have one of each. If I were 30 years younger I might have a different set of priorities (and would not have two e92s). You really cannot go wrong with either the N54 or N55, in my opinion, if you have to make a choice.

[akk]

Originally Posted by ppointer

From my butt, the N55 develops torque much earlier in the rev range than the N54. I also think the N55 sounds better, which is saying something since the 335is comes with a performance exhaust from the factory, while my 335i has a stock exhaust. Those are the main reasons for me the N55 is preferable around town. Differences in having the MT versus DCT I am ignoring for this comparison.

All of that being said, the DCT is a very cool tranny. My wife thinks it is just like any other AT when she drives it. I drive it exclusively in manual mode, and love its crisp shifts.

The N54 in my 335is is noticeably quicker than my N55, as it should be with its extra hp and torque, as long as I rev it out. Both of the motors in my e92s are completely stock.

Lastly, these differences are really subtle. I am very fortunate to be in the position to have one of each. If I were 30 years younger I might have a different set of priorities (and would not have two e92s). You really cannot go wrong with either the N54 or N55, in my opinion, if you have to make a choice.

Thanks for replying to such an old thread!

I had an n55 e92 drive 6mt which I had to sell because I didn't want to deal with replacing the trans (previous owner raced it and I got the car with 2nd gear synchro on its way out - stupid me ignored the symptoms on the test drive).
Even though I loved this car, drove it 70k km over 2 years, it always felt a bit slow for what it was(MHD 1+), especially when compared to a buddy's e92 n54 rwd I rode in. I'm wondering now if the xdrive makes the car feel sluggish, and not the n55.

Looking to buy another n54/n55 e9x now and can't find anything with decently low km with n55 which is making me consider the n54 now (same buddy I rode with is selling his car which I know has been maintained very well), so now I'm reading forums to figure out if ill regret the n54

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by akk

Thanks for replying to such an old thread!

I had an n55 e92 drive 6mt which I had to sell because I didn't want to deal with replacing the trans (previous owner raced it and I got the car with 2nd gear synchro on its way out - stupid me ignored the symptoms on the test drive).
Even though I loved this car, drove it 70k km over 2 years, it always felt a bit slow for what it was(MHD 1+), especially when compared to a buddy's e92 n54 rwd I rode in. I'm wondering now if the xdrive makes the car feel sluggish, and not the n55.

Looking to buy another n54/n55 e9x now and can't find anything with decently low km with n55 which is making me consider the n54 now (same buddy I rode with is selling his car which I know has been maintained very well), so now I'm reading forums to figure out if ill regret the n54

You can set alerts in Autotrader and BringATrailer. Also check bmwcca.org. If you can be patient, you'll find something good that meets your requirements. Just be ready to move immediately before someone else snaps it up.

[R3dLeader]

Originally Posted by akk

Thanks for replying to such an old thread!

I had an n55 e92 drive 6mt which I had to sell because I didn't want to deal with replacing the trans (previous owner raced it and I got the car with 2nd gear synchro on its way out - stupid me ignored the symptoms on the test drive).
Even though I loved this car, drove it 70k km over 2 years, it always felt a bit slow for what it was(MHD 1+), especially when compared to a buddy's e92 n54 rwd I rode in. I'm wondering now if the xdrive makes the car feel sluggish, and not the n55.

The xdrive adds a few hundred pounds which definitely makes a difference in terms of quickness. However, off the line, the xdrive will launch harder. From a roll, RWD will feel faster. Generally handling and nimbleness of the car will feel better with RWD, and less maintenance/easier maintenance on RWD.

[akk]

Originally Posted by ppointer

You can set alerts in Autotrader and BringATrailer. Also check bmwcca.org. If you can be patient, you'll find something good that meets your requirements. Just be ready to move immediately before someone else snaps it up.

Ive been looking for about a year now, autotrader, kijiji, FB marketplace - everything that isn't clapped is selling for way too high (25-30k maple leafs)

I know there are lots of options in the US but importing a car would end up costing the same as just buying one here.

As an owner of both n55 and n54, would you regret getting the 54 over the 55?

[akk]

Originally Posted by R3dLeader

The xdrive adds a few hundred pounds which definitely makes a difference in terms of quickness. However, off the line, the xdrive will launch harder. From a roll, RWD will feel faster. Generally handling and nimbleness of the car will feel better with RWD, and less maintenance/easier maintenance on RWD.

I loved the xdrive in the Canadian winters lol, but doing any work on it was a pain due to the extra fwd components.

I don't launch the car to avoid breaking anything anyways so that isn't as much a factor for me. Im going to try to find a rwd n55 car to test drive I think

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by akk

Ive been looking for about a year now, autotrader, kijiji, FB marketplace - everything that isn't clapped is selling for way too high (25-30k maple leafs)

I know there are lots of options in the US but importing a car would end up costing the same as just buying one here.

As an owner of both n55 and n54, would you regret getting the 54 over the 55?

I would be fine with the N54. They are great motors. They respond well to modification if that is something you want to do.