N54 vs. N55

[stangman]

Looking to buy a used 135i ( 2010 - N54 or 2011- N55) 6SP Man.

Could I ask for input as to which way I should go? Any significant difference in the engines, mod-ability, reliability, etc?

[Mega Man]

It seems to be the overall consensus on the forums that N54 has more mod-ability with less reliability.

Though, from personal experience, I haven't had any problems with my N54. It's a daily driven car that's seen some track time.

My dealership has been pretty good to me though; it proactively replaced my HPFP before any kind of failure two different times while in for a servicing.

[vertebra]

They both feel different to me. Test drive both and see what you like.


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[ilikebmxbikes]

not to sound rude, but if you search the forum and e90post there is a wealth of information on N55 vs N54s.

[phobic]

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

not to sound rude, but if you search the forum and e90post there is a wealth of information on N55 vs N54s.

why is it that it always sounds rude when you start a sentence like that?


I like my n55 a lot, but I wish I could get a DCI, they just look so much cooler.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Pure stock the N54 is stronger than the N55 even thought BMW rates them the same. The N54 also reacts better to mods than the N55. Finally the N54 got its act together around 2010 & has been reliable since.

Other extras. Outside of the 335is, 1M & similar the very early N54's are stronger than later versions, but have more reliability issues with supporting hardware.

[alpinewhiteone]

one less turbo and supporting hardware to worry about with the N55. you are buying a manual so it does not matter but the DCT is much better than the SMG like N54 tranny. both feel linear to me. i have never driven a turbocharged car with so little lag.

[vertebra]

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[DNG]

Originally Posted by vertebra

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Makes me want to trade my 128 for a 35

[1Pirate]

Originally Posted by DNG

Makes me want to trade my 128 for a 35

Makes me glad I have an N54!

[brusk]

Guess it depends on how much power you'd be happy with. I think Meth or E85 N55's have pushed near 400HP range where the N54's will be able to get to 430-460 on factory turbo's and then you look into turbo upgrades. I'm sure there's companies out there working on turbo upgrades for the N55 that should push them even further. It also depends on what you want to do with the car, if you want to drag race then you might want to stay away from the 6MT the Auto or DCT cars are faster at the track. They also have a lower HP limit but still seem to be reliable in the 400-450 range.

[ptack]

I think BMW sort of answered that when they put an N54 in the 1M after they had moved to the N55 in the 135i. At that time they clearly thought they could get higher output from the N54 at lower cost or risk than with the N55.

[TwinTurboed]

Everyone always says, oh the N55 has a single turbo compared to the twins on the N54 so it will be cheaper to replace/repair. You have to remember, there are twin scrolls in that single turbo assemble, so it is a complex design as well.

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by vertebra

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I think I'm missing something. The technical merits of the N54 and N55 aside, how does this video represent a valid comparison if one car has a Cobb piggyback tune and the other doesn't? Cost aside, wouldn't the N55 win the performance comparison if it had the Cobb tune and the N54 didn't? Not looking to start an argument, just hoping to learn something.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by rikMsport

I think I'm missing something. The technical merits of the N54 and N55 aside, how does this video represent a valid comparison if one car has a Cobb piggyback tune and the other doesn't? Cost aside, wouldn't the N55 win the performance comparison if it had the Cobb tune and the N54 didn't? Not looking to start an argument, just hoping to learn something.

comparing a stock car to a modded car is always a lame comparison unless you are evaluating based on price and value. i.e. Stock New at $30k vs a Used $20k car with $10k mods etc. but even that comparison usually doesnt warrant a video.

[stangman]

Originally Posted by ptack

I think BMW sort of answered that when they put an N54 in the 1M after they had moved to the N55 in the 135i. At that time they clearly thought they could get higher output from the N54 at lower cost or risk than with the N55.

This thought does have merit !

[Andrewcoja]

The N54 was already proven and the N55 was new. The M division sticks with what they know works to enhance performance. Plus it's a way to make the car unique. Where else will you get an LCI 1er with an N54? Only in a 1M. They've been known to use previous technology when making their cars while waiting to figure out what to do with the new stuff.

[Bob Z.]

Always buy the newest you can afford...99.9% of the time the newer the better.

[vertebra]

Originally Posted by Andrewcoja

The N54 was already proven and the N55 was new. The M division sticks with what they know works to enhance performance. Plus it's a way to make the car unique. Where else will you get an LCI 1er with an N54? Only in a 1M. They've been known to use previous technology when making their cars while waiting to figure out what to do with the new stuff.

I didn't think the M Division had experience with either the N54 or the N55.

[Tiny Chainsaw]

Originally Posted by alpinewhiteone

one less turbo and supporting hardware to worry about with the N55. you are buying a manual so it does not matter but the DCT is much better than the SMG like N54 tranny. both feel linear to me. i have never driven a turbocharged car with so little lag.

I don't even know what turbo lag is since the 135i n54 was the first turbocharged car I've owned/driven LOLOLOLOLOL.

To OP:

There's a trade off. Do you want slightly improved reliability or performance? I chose the n54 because I felt that if anything went wrong I could fix it and you pay to play. If money is an issue or you want a more reliable car the n55 is the way to go. On the other hand going to ~400hp/400tq from a n54 with tune/downpipes/fmic (~1500$) is much more attractive to me lol. You could reach those numbers too with the n55, but that would mean going meth, and meth would make the n55 just as unreliable as a stock n54 if not even more.

[TwinTurboed]

I have the N54 and the engine sounds raw and more like an M54. The only encounter I had with an N55 was in a 2013 535i and it whined like an electric motor up until 4000 RPM, then it started sounding slightly good. But, nowhere near how my N54 sounded.

I am guessing it's due to the insulation in that car. Still, a BMW should not sound like a damn Lexus. I hope that's not how it sounds in the new 135is. The more next gen BMWs
I drive, the more depressed I get about their future products.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboed

I am guessing it's due to the insulation in that car. Still, a BMW should not sound like a damn Lexus. I hope that's not how it sounds in the new 135is. The more next gen BMWs
I drive, the more depressed I get about their future products.

i can assure you the 135is sounds FANTASTIC.