Should I trade my 5.0 Mustang for an N55 135i?

[50shadesofhockenheim]

From 2010-2014 I had an auto 328i E90 LCI (too slow)
In 2014 I got a 14 Mustang GT, manual trans.
Some mods I did are wheels, koni yellow shocks, eibach springs, corsa axleback, resonator delete, and some other cosmetic stuff

Now I kinda have an itch to get an N55 135i with DCT, Tech Pack, Premium, as my mustang is completely base with cloth seats.

I've been looking at a few 12-13 135i cars and they'd be about 2-3k more than my current trade in.

If I got the 135i I'd probably do Tune, Downpipes, intercooler maybe and possibly other performance stuff after having it for a while.

Can anyone weigh-in and give me any advice on whether or not they recommend the change? Does your N55 with bolt-ons like I mentioned put a smile on your face (lol), do you win races if you ever do 1/4 mile or a casual street race? Are you happy with your N55 is basically what I am asking.

I've had this in the back of my mind for a while. But what I think really pushed me over the edge was doing the BMW M track day at homestead last weekend and driving all the M cars around the road course. Obviously a 135i wouldn't be as fast as an M2 or M3 but it just made me miss BMW even more.

Thanks guys

[kprocivic]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

From 2010-2014 I had an auto 328i E90 LCI (too slow)
In 2014 I got a 14 Mustang GT, manual trans.
Some mods I did are wheels, koni yellow shocks, eibach springs, corsa axleback, resonator delete, and some other cosmetic stuff

Now I kinda have an itch to get an N55 135i with DCT, Tech Pack, Premium, as my mustang is completely base with cloth seats.

I've been looking at a few 12-13 135i cars and they'd be about 2-3k more than my current trade in.

If I got the 135i I'd probably do Tune, Downpipes, intercooler maybe and possibly other performance stuff after having it for a while.

Can anyone weigh-in and give me any advice on whether or not they recommend the change? Does your N55 with bolt-ons like I mentioned put a smile on your face (lol), do you win races if you ever do 1/4 mile or a casual street race? Are you happy with your N55 is basically what I am asking.

Thanks guys

I'd keep the gt and put go fast parts on it.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by kprocivic

I'd keep the gt and put go fast parts on it.

Is there much else you can do to the Coyote besides cam and tune it? I don't follow mustangs at all lol.

I vote get the 1, if you're looking to mod, a turbo engine is the way to go.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Is there much else you can do to the Coyote besides cam and tune it? I don't follow mustangs at all lol.

I vote get the 1, if you're looking to mod, a turbo engine is the way to go.

Catless midpipe, Headers, Tune are the best bolt ons. Cams dont make much power in 5.0s and cost a few grand so no one really does them

Midpipe and tune combo add about 45rwhp making it about 405-410

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

From 2010-2014 I had an auto 328i E90 LCI (too slow)
In 2014 I got a 14 Mustang GT, manual trans.
Some mods I did are wheels, koni yellow shocks, eibach springs, corsa axleback, resonator delete, and some other cosmetic stuff

Now I kinda have an itch to get an N55 135i with DCT, Tech Pack, Premium, as my mustang is completely base with cloth seats.

I've been looking at a few 12-13 135i cars and they'd be about 2-3k more than my current trade in.

If I got the 135i I'd probably do Tune, Downpipes, intercooler maybe and possibly other performance stuff after having it for a while.

Can anyone weigh-in and give me any advice on whether or not they recommend the change? Does your N55 with bolt-ons like I mentioned put a smile on your face (lol), do you win races if you ever do 1/4 mile or a casual street race? Are you happy with your N55 is basically what I am asking.

I've had this in the back of my mind for a while. But what I think really pushed me over the edge was doing the BMW M track day at homestead last weekend and driving all the M cars around the road course. Obviously a 135i wouldn't be as fast as an M2 or M3 but it just made me miss BMW even more.

Thanks guys

I've had two Mustang GT's and driven every iteration of them, including my favorite which was an 03 Cobra with 500whp. I've also now had two N55 135's, the first one in more basic trim, and the current one is a loaded '13. All of these cars have been manual transmissions if that interests you.

Anyway after owning/driving all of them my general consensus is:

Mustang GT for:

• Smiles per gallon - super cheap to mod/repair and even buy
• Sideways fun/elevenses - the true mechanical posi rear is always nice
• Sound - those 5.0 coyotes sound amazing
• Reliability - they're built like tanks and will take a beating

N55 135i for:

• All around performance - great handling and power, still less than the mustang at stock. A jb4 stage 2 alone gets you to around 350rwhp/400rwtq
• Comforts - the sport seats are great and the steeringwheel is awesome
• Tech/features - more crap than I can remember, auto-highbeams, auto-wipers, aiming headlights, auto-recirculation that closes exterior vents if the car "smells" something bad, the list goes on
• Uniqueness - 135's are super rare, it's an event whenever I see one. My fiance loves to give me the look every time I point one out

The 135 will cost you a lot more than your Mustang in maintenance too so keep that in mind. I did my brakes recently and it was close to a grand for rotors, pads, and sensors. Still, I never regret getting this car. It's an absolute blast to drive and it stands out. The only thing that would make it "perfect" to me would be a mechanical diff, which can be done down the road if I choose to dump the cash into it.

[Dylanize]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

Does your N55 with bolt-ons like I mentioned put a smile on your face (lol), do you win races if you ever do 1/4 mile or a casual street race? Are you happy with your N55 is basically what I am asking.


Thanks guys

I love driving my N55. It always makes me smile.(Especially with half a tank of E85 )

I have not raced anyone, but with 50% E85 I'd say it's gotta be mid-low 4 second 0-60.

Torque is a helluva drug

[Dat Aus]

This video is really good for showing what a bolt-on 135i can do. That being said, the car in this video is the N54 which is a bit more responsive to tuning than the N55. It also shows him running against a 335i (N54) with upgraded turbos etc and you can see the difference there.

[rob24ert]

Funny I raced a 5.0 mustang with exhaust. I am n55 with intake, jb4 map 2 and downpipe.

I was in 4th gear, I could hear him downshift, went from 60mph to 130mph, we were literally side by side entire way. So they are close, in map 5 or with meth, the 135 would be quicker.

Just thought I'd share.

Also, NA vs BOOSTED Feels very different in the throttle pedal

[lowbudgethero]

I feel like it's more of a lateral move in terms of speed/performance mod for mod.

the 135i feels a lot smaller and rides better, but will not have lsd standard.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

So I'm seeing the N54s make a bunch of power. But how fast do you N55 owners trap in the 1/4 if you've done it before?

How is the DCT in the N55s?

Acquaintance of mine has an 335i N55 making 500tq/350hp

[davis449]

No question, from a 2014 Mustang, I would get into a 135i. I enjoy the hell out of mine with just PPK so much more than the 5th gen 5.0's I've driven. Now, if you had a '15...well I just don't think you'd even be in here asking such a question.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Here's a clip of my current car

[suspenceful]

Originally Posted by Dat Aus

This video is really good for showing what a bolt-on 135i can do. That being said, the car in this video is the N54 which is a bit more responsive to tuning than the N55. It also shows him running against a 335i (N54) with upgraded turbos etc and you can see the difference there.

Hey, that's me!

My car is balls out on stock turbos right now. Running about 22psi on the street and it takes it like a champ. I'm signed up to go back to the 1/2 mile roll racing event again in September.

As far as the 135i vs 5.0L Mustang comparison...

I obviously own a N54 135i, but have driven my friend's manual 2013 supercharged 5.0L. His car feels great and has awesome power. No lag and tons of power down low, unlike my N54. In my opinion, the interior and exterior are beautiful. A stock 135i will not compare in the looks department. Again, this is just my opinion. Both can have awesome features, packages, options, etc.

Here is a little clip. He has short gears and by the time we hit 100mph, I let off and he flew past. We recently did two rematches after he put longer gears in. Both from 60-130mph. By the end, I was at his rear bumper. One of the closest races I've had.

Obviously this isn't apples to apples, and I have an N54, not an N55. I would be happy with either car, but only if the BMW was modded.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

So I found a 2012 135i Black on lemon interior (I think it's called?), DCT, M sport pack, Tech pack, Premium pack for $24,000 out the door. Good deal?

[kprocivic]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

So I found a 2012 135i Black on lemon interior (I think it's called?), DCT, M sport pack, Tech pack, Premium pack for $24,000 out the door. Good deal?

mileage?

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Originally Posted by kprocivic

mileage?

29.1k

[Esteban]

You could always add a supercharger to your Mustang. I had an 06 Mustang GT (4.6 liter 300hp) and had a supercharger installed for a total of 475hp. That car was fast and fun. I'm sure you'd get much more hp from your 5.0.

Would probably still be driving my Mustang today if it wasn't for a hiking accident that left me with a permanent injury to my left ankle, so I can't safely work a clutch anymore, and I would always prefer a manual. With that said, love my DCT!

[VRG_135]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

29.1k

Not a bad deal. I spent $20014 on my 2012 135 DCT with 52k. But it was listed at $26k. But most 2012's were going for $22k to $24k, but they had more miles on them.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by E90 LCI

So I found a 2012 135i Black on lemon interior (I think it's called?), DCT, M sport pack, Tech pack, Premium pack for $24,000 out the door. Good deal?

Not a bad deal, would try to talk down a bit or ask for $24k OTD.

One other thing to keep in mind is that the N54 engine has forged internals and can handle A TON of power, some guys are nearing the quad digits on stock N54 internals. If you want to stay safe with an N55 you're not going to want to push it past 400hp on the stock cast internals.

[Vigilante375]

I'd keep the 5.0 and do a proper supercharger install with some better suspension upgrades or trade in for a Camaro 1LE....but thats just me.

[50shadesofhockenheim]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Not a bad deal, would try to talk down a bit or ask for $24k OTD.

One other thing to keep in mind is that the N54 engine has forged internals and can handle A TON of power, some guys are nearing the quad digits on stock N54 internals. If you want to stay safe with an N55 you're not going to want to push it past 400hp on the stock cast internals.

Yea, it's $24 OTD

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

I'd keep the 5.0 and do a proper supercharger install with some better suspension upgrades or trade in for a Camaro 1LE....but thats just me.

My trans would blow up. It's too fragile for that much power IMO

[50shadesofhockenheim]

How's the launch control in the N55 DCTs?