What To Buy, N54 or N55 135i?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Hairy armpits and legs too?

Hubba-hubba!

[greenthumb]

This thread has really gone off the rails.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by greenthumb

This thread has really gone off the rails.

Haha... we're just having a little fun. Besides, do you want to deny the boys a little eye candy?

[greenthumb]

Originally Posted by Esteban

eye candy

hahahaha

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by greenthumb

hahahaha

Hamana-hamana-hamana!

[ianc]

It has plenty of power and handles great.

I'm with you on the power, but out of the box, the handling is intolerably wretched. It can't come close to handling the power of the stock engine without wibbly-wobbling all over the road. Luckily the M3 bits (and coilovers) can pretty much set that right, but it's not inexpensive...

ianc

[Gray_Panther]

Originally Posted by ianc

I'm with you on the power, but out of the box, the handling is intolerably wretched. It can't come close to handling the power of the stock engine without wibbly-wobbling all over the road. Luckily the M3 bits (and coilovers) can pretty much set that right, but it's not inexpensive...

ianc

Double negatives are being thrown outta nowhere!!

[Pyrat 2]

Recommend 2013 135is with either DCT or manual. The N55 has more reliability than the N54 and the 'is' has an additional radiator that helps keep the temps down. Small amount of incremental overboost over the standard N55 135i. 450 BHP is a big number though for this engine. Suspect you won't be able to build it to that level without getting yourself into perpetual high $ repairs as it won't be reliable.

[hhamd525]

Originally Posted by Pyrat 2

.. 450 BHP is a big number though for this engine. Suspect you won't be able to build it to that level without getting yourself into perpetual high $ repairs as it won't be reliable.

Thats interesting you say that, i hear all the time guys running +400hp on n54s all the time and most of the forms i read on the n55 were from 2012 so i assumed that is why there wasn't much talk about getting it upwards of 400hp, from what i understand if im running meth, FBO, and a solid tune it should get me close to 400whp. As for the repairs again im a fairly experienced mechanic and this is what i love to do, however i do want to get into the tuning world and really learn how to tune... again all down the line

The biggest thing i think im kinda of contemplating is whether to go with the n54 motor which responds better to mods in exchange for the dct transmission and reliability of the n55. The 450whp is more of a goal towards having more fun with the car when the weather is nice, and downtune when the weather is crap. Dont get me wrong 300hp is a fun goal but common, once the boost bug bites you start iching for a little more

Hence the initial post what set up do you prefer and why hahaha im just trying to find the platform for me to really build on.

[hhamd525]

Originally Posted by 1and1

I too came from a Speed6- FBO from air filter to exhaust tip, suspension, brakes... all of it. I posted as TigraySpeed6 on the forums.

Based on your goals, and that you're planning on an extended timeline, I'd encourage going with an N54 and either trans- manual or auto as you prefer since both are good and both can handle your power goals.

I was daily driving 350hp/350tq on pump gas in my Speed, and ~420 on corn. In my 135 I've added an off the shelf tune and a drop in filter and am running ~340 hp & 370tq on just pump using an OTS MHD tune, effectively putting me right where I was before with little to no effort and substantially less expense...

See this is what i mean, my speed6 i felt like i had to give it an arm and a leg to get it close to 300hp at the crank! I got the car with high hopes, found cyl.3 low on compression, thing sounded like a tractor, rebuilt the motor.. put it back together, only for my luck to have it that 2nd gear started to pop out under load..

Dont get me wrong i love mazdas and i want to build a rx7 fc as a drift project in a few years, but for now i want a fun DD .. that also has 400whp.

[inevitab1e]

You only live once, might as well make your dreams come true instead of looking back at life wishing you did.

[hhamd525]

If only you knew how hard iv been working towards this dream man, believe it or not but building a 450Whp car, making it look clean for car shows is all part of the plan. I hope that once i get the car i can also get a gopro and start doing time lapse videos with it via builds, drives and etc haha.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Hubba-hubba!