[backerman78]

My older brother gave me his 2011 328i E90 w/216k miles and it needs some work that I'm doing myself. The links to the BMW standard Tools and ISTA no longer work, would anyone be able to share those with me? Many thanks!

[watchout-everyone]

SULV cars have the N51 which is a modified N52. N51 cars have more emissions BS.

Is that a good, bad, or neutral thing lol? I would assume maybe less power but more emission efficient BS?

Just wanted more insights because i have N51 lol. sorry

[BiHT4]

Awesome post, learned what the "is" meant behind 335.

[spaniard216]

Thanks for the advice

[Podunk]

Originally Posted by lomon98

Thank you very much for the answer. Taking into account that it would be my daily and that I don´t want to tune it (300 hp for my first car is more than enough IMO), maybe I am better off with a N55. I have read it is way more reliable and adequate for cases like mine, again I wouldn´t want to spend more than 15-16k. On the other hand, in regards to the N54, I would probably need to take the car to the mechanic as I don´t have a garage where I can work on the car, and I have been told, every 3 months something new brakes in a N54 so maybe mechanic bills could really eat me alive as you said. Anyway, I guess I will keep looking...

actually, what i've seen is the N55 rod bearings are more prone to failure due to tighter tolerances then the N54, but for true reliability, a 440i with a B58 may be best bet if that is what you're going after, replace the oil filter unit under the intake and everything from the plastic turd to an aluminum one, and good to go.

with that said, my N54 is at 182,000 Almost 183,000 miles, and she still scoots, do a lot of highway driving, i'm more scared of the other drivers on the road breaking her then a part failing.. peopel are crazy these days and don't care if they cram their bumper up your tail pipe it seems.

[SelfMadeSebas]

Thanks for putting this together! Just created an account to hopefully find a LCI E90 335i- fingers crossed

[emr300]

thanks for the info

[Bigcam77]

This post was informative and eye opening.

[RFChas]

Originally Posted by Podunk

actually, what i've seen is the N55 rod bearings are more prone to failure due to tighter tolerances then the N54, but for true reliability, a 440i with a B58 may be best bet if that is what you're going after, replace the oil filter unit under the intake and everything from the plastic turd to an aluminum one, and good to go.

with that said, my N54 is at 182,000 Almost 183,000 miles, and she still scoots, do a lot of highway driving, i'm more scared of the other drivers on the road breaking her then a part failing.. peopel are crazy these days and don't care if they cram their bumper up your tail pipe it seems.

We have a couple of N55's at 120k and 178k and they're running strong. But yes, they need TLC and $$$ to keep em going has been our experience. I do not have experience with an N54 yet I know plenty of folks running up the miles on 'em. I've always been so tempted but then remind myself, it's two damn turbos, not just one!

We have a B58 at 98k miles and other than cooling hose connection this one has been solid. B58's are proving to be much improved over N54/55 I believe. Great motors and I've seen some good deals for buyers go down on BaT and CaB with older low mileage 340's and 440's.

But... after my experience with the turbos my last two car purchases have been low mileage N52's. And I am really digging these vehicles. Very much. Not turbo power nor marvelous ZF 8 sp but there is something about 'em (probably me being cheap) that makes me wanna see how far I'll be able to push these motors and vehicles. Reliable, super smooth, great riding, inexpensive to register, insure, and maintain and operate. And no I-drive screen.

Cheers!

[Podunk]

Originally Posted by RFChas

We have a couple of N55's at 120k and 178k and they're running strong. But yes, they need TLC and $$$ to keep em going has been our experience. I do not have experience with an N54 yet I know plenty of folks running up the miles on 'em. I've always been so tempted but then remind myself, it's two damn turbos, not just one!

We have a B58 at 98k miles and other than cooling hose connection this one has been solid. B58's are proving to be much improved over N54/55 I believe. Great motors and I've seen some good deals for buyers go down on BaT and CaB with older low mileage 340's and 440's.

But... after my experience with the turbos my last two car purchases have been low mileage N52's. And I am really digging these vehicles. Very much. Not turbo power nor marvelous ZF 8 sp but there is something about 'em (probably me being cheap) that makes me wanna see how far I'll be able to push these motors and vehicles. Reliable, super smooth, great riding, inexpensive to register, insure, and maintain and operate. And no I-drive screen.

Cheers!

i actually like my I Drive screen...

the N52 is a great motor, and they are super smooth. we had a customer with a 328i with the non turbo I 6, smooth as butter, but leaked like a harley LOL left a little puddle everywhere it went, only thing we ever replaced on that car was fluids, some coolant hoses, and brakes after about 4 years the leak was almost gone from grease build up.