My thoughts on the N54 during my 5 years of ownership.

Jklad · 03-25-2016, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by einserM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ritzzzzzwik

See people like you need to post more about your positive experiences. I remember there was thread not too long ago where someone was trying to get some answers from people with upgraded, and almost none of you replied. Here you are telling us about it, and how you have 40K + on em. Not beating on you, but such is the norm of internet forums, and it needs to change. I am not sure I agree about JB4, but your update about RBs were certainly useful, although a bit late for me haha. I just had my dying turbos replaced with OEM ones. Of all the time I spent here I could barely find people who were on upgraded turbos and managed to do over 30K miles. This was important to me, and I am sure others, who cant afford/dont want to pay for labor 3 times a year to have their turbos replaced. Some of the numbers were ludicrous. Overall this forum would have you belive that the N54 brakes down constantly, but there are plenty good reviews as well. Wish thats how it was with regards to aftermarket turbo reviews. We need more people telling us how their new turbos are NOT smoking/blowing up/spewing oil/stealing cookies/eating baby owls LOL

I agree with the need for more positive reviews of the N54 and of upgraded hybrids. My 1M has been rock solid for 44,000kms. I am looking at upgrading to smaller hybrids (450-500whp on pump would be my ideal). I read so much about the N54 being flaky, but from my experience and others, if maintained well they're really solid. I also read a lot about hybrid turbos failing, almost exclusively RB's and VTT's. Now we have more guys on Hexon's and Pure's I'm hoping the mood changes and we start seeing more 20K + mile positive reports.

44km is nothing, there should be zero problems at that point. Talk to us when you near 100k miles (whatever that converts to in km lol)

Jeef · 03-25-2016, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lambobimmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by prelude2perfect

So much bad information from the OP it's mind boggling. I've owned two N54's for over 6 years. FBO and RB's and inlets. Been beating the piss outta my RB's for over 40k miles now with absolutely no issue. Also, the JB4 isn't a waste. It has many features that flash tuning cannot provide. Having a JB4 stacked with a backend flash is superior to flash only for those that are true enthusiasts. You're right about them not being drag cars and have a hard time putting power down though. However, it's not suspension that should be first, it's an LSD and upgraded bushings. The stock suspension really isn't that bad.

You are the only one that has gotten that many miles out of your RB's. lol I am sure that you have read the daily smoking RB posts that seem to pop up weekly.

I didn't say that the JB4 didn't work but flash tuning is much better. For the benefit of everyone, what exactly are the features that most people cannot live without.

I had an LSD on my 135i and you cannot put down the power that the N54 is capable of making with hybrids, with an LSD or not. IMO, more than 450 is basically useless unless you are roll racing. The only way to do it is to put a much wider tire on the rear which just isn't possible.

315 on my rears

Torgus · 03-25-2016, 11:53 AM

I think your post is pretty much spot on.

ritzzzzzwik · 03-25-2016, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by einserM

I agree with the need for more positive reviews of the N54 and of upgraded hybrids. My 1M has been rock solid for 44,000kms. I am looking at upgrading to smaller hybrids (450-500whp on pump would be my ideal). I read so much about the N54 being flaky, but from my experience and others, if maintained well they're really solid. I also read a lot about hybrid turbos failing, almost exclusively RB's and VTT's. Now we have more guys on Hexon's and Pure's I'm hoping the mood changes and we start seeing more 20K + mile positive reports.

I'm really liking the looks of Hexons. Unfortunately they came almost too late for me, and by the time I think of replacing my current ones, I'll probably be looking at upgrading the whole car. at 44K Kms You're way off anything major.
Mine help up flawless till 110KMiles, then all of a sudden
DME
Water Pump
Injectors
Gaskets
Turbos
all withing a 1000 miles. Good thing I somehow decided to get an extended warranty a couple of years ago, more than paid for itself.

Envy you guys with 1Ms. I wish I could find one without costing an arm and a leg..lol

DailyN54 · 03-26-2016, 03:20 PM

Thanks for the update OP. I agree that the suspension is lacking. However, that is easily fixed. I had a 07 335i with over 100k miles that car had a tune, FBO, KW V3, UUC Sways, Quaif LSD. I did track that car and I really enjoyed the way it handled a lot more then the current stock suspension 335xi.

Recently, I blew the motor on the 335xi at only 89K miles. Since the stock turbos seem to go out at 100k miles. I decided to save some money and buy upgraded turbos (probably going with Hexon) and inlets and outlets. My goal is to be around 500whp but after reading your thread I am afraid of the longevity of the turbos. I hope with the supporting mods the car will last me.

Lambobimmer · 08-07-2016, 12:07 PM

To all of those new guys out there, read my first post. If you are in search for 600whp plus, you will have a total bill of about 8k to 10k, once you include the necessary fuel and complete suspension to deal with your new power and this is assuming that you are doing the install yourself. Don't be fooled that you can drop 3k and have 600whp without consequences.

hellokitty · 08-07-2016, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lambobimmer

To all of those new guys out there, read my first post. If you in search for 600whp plus you will have a total bill of about 8k to 10k once you include the necessary fuel and complete suspension to deal with your new power and this is assuming that you are doing the install yourself. Don't be fooled that you can drop 3k and have 600whp without consequences.

Thanks for your post. What suspension upgrades did you do and would you recommend for FBO and E50?

nanceman · 08-07-2016, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lambobimmer

To all of those new guys out there, read my first post. If you are in search for 600whp plus, you will have a total bill of about 8k to 10k, once you include the necessary fuel and complete suspension to deal with your new power and this is assuming that you are doing the install yourself. Don't be fooled that you can drop 3k and have 600whp without consequences.

Your post was 100% spot on. Truly speaking every platform where you double the intended power you will have massive problems because the car has a balance of grip. This platform with FBO, LSD, RSFB's, struts/shocks or coil overs, and a few other supporting mods and it is fantastic, I really don't understand why people don't appreciate that and see the envelope the car was designed for. I also don't get the need for so much more power or where you're possibly going to use it, but I'm not a power junky (400-450whp is a great balance for me for actual usability, lord knows how few can truly drive a car close to the limit with much more power than that). I want to corner, that's what this car is designed for, highlight the strengths, the biggest of which for this platform is the strength of its balance.

I'll likely add another car to my garage at some point rather than selling my 335is (already a second car I plan to keep as its PERFECT for driving for fun and also taking to work when I want or even to golf). I'll add a Cayman perhaps purely for the drive, but for the balance this car is unbelievably hard to beat.

03-25-2016, 11:53 AM	#47
Torgus Slow. 3798 Rep 7,160 Posts Drives: N54 6466 100% E85 + Meth Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 [10.00] 2007 BMW E90 [0.00] 2006 BMW E91 [0.00]	I think your post is pretty much spot on. __________________ E92 6466 E85 + Meth/ E70 #1 fully deleted 2.8 race flash / E70 #2 JBD / E90 & E91 both tuned & retired Psalm 144
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03-26-2016, 03:20 PM	#49
DailyN54 Private First Class 79 Rep 154 Posts Drives: 08 335xi, 08 335i Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the update OP. I agree that the suspension is lacking. However, that is easily fixed. I had a 07 335i with over 100k miles that car had a tune, FBO, KW V3, UUC Sways, Quaif LSD. I did track that car and I really enjoyed the way it handled a lot more then the current stock suspension 335xi. Recently, I blew the motor on the 335xi at only 89K miles. Since the stock turbos seem to go out at 100k miles. I decided to save some money and buy upgraded turbos (probably going with Hexon) and inlets and outlets. My goal is to be around 500whp but after reading your thread I am afraid of the longevity of the turbos. I hope with the supporting mods the car will last me.
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08-07-2016, 12:07 PM	#50
Lambobimmer Major 303 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i, 2018 TTRS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tarheel iTrader: (14)	To all of those new guys out there, read my first post. If you are in search for 600whp plus, you will have a total bill of about 8k to 10k, once you include the necessary fuel and complete suspension to deal with your new power and this is assuming that you are doing the install yourself. Don't be fooled that you can drop 3k and have 600whp without consequences. Last edited by Lambobimmer; 08-07-2016 at 12:19 PM..
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