[boostd92]

I've been searching for a nice used N54 6MT coupe for the last year. I'm really kinda set on a CPO car but working at a dealership I suppose my view is tainted as all I see are the broken ones, and maintenance cars.

Seeing non-enthusiasts wait until 19k to get their first oil service is disheartening when in the market for one of these used vehicles.

That being said, I think I'm going to lease a 2011 6MT E92. I've never had a new car in my life, and I think I'd like to see what it's like. I can afford the lease payment as it comes out to roughly the same monthly as me taking out a 60 month loan on a ~$28k used car.

If I end up loving it and not wanting to give it up, I'll buy it out when the lease is up. If not, I figure by that point a 2010/2011 335is will be in my price range (used), and I can be a little less skeptical about the upkeep on the IS model as mostly people "in the know" would purchase those.

TO THE POINT:

If fuel and turbo choice are not a problem (big *if*), where does the N55's MAF resolution end? Is there a point where it won't matter if I have a 500whp turbo on the car because the MAF only reads enough airflow to support 375-400whp?

This affects my purchase decision as I really *HOPE* to love the car and keep it (for once) for a long time. I know "me," and if I can't continually upgrade it over time (my hobby and passion), I'll regret the purchase... though that may be 3-5 years down the line.

I was gonna PM Shiv as perhaps this question requires SPECIFIC experience with the hardware, but I doubt he has the time. Anyone?

[Jake@MOTIV]

Most of the time it isn't the MAF resolution in question (well it is but its more round about). The big question will be whether the tuning companies develope MAF calibrations to use the stock sensor on larger diameter maf housings. For example - a MAF in a 3" (ID) MAF housing scaled from factory may start to clip at 4.9x volts around lets say 400-425whp. Going to a 3.25 or 3.5" (ID) MAF housing will solve that problem using the same stock MAF sensor as long as the tuning solutions properly calibrate the MAF for that size MAF housing - which will raise the ceiling on where MAF's are going to clip.

[boostd92]

^^ but also make part throttle and regular drive-ability a pain in the ass (unless the calibrations are spot on). I'm curious if there are bigger fish to fry... the fuel pump and injectors are different part numbers than N54 cars... that begs the question if Shiv's upcoming fuel upgrades will apply...

Turbo hardware is the easiest part. Any reasonable fabricator can weld up a manifold and hang an OTS Garrett/BW/Precision/etc turbo and make lines/pipes. And were the N55 a speed density/MAP application like the N54 I'd be a whole lot more confident but I've seen other OEM MAF cars have a difficult time when the wick is turned up. I need a crystal ball

[OpenFlash]

There is no realistic MAF sensor limit

[boostd92]

?? Does that mean you lie to the ECU to think it's just before the end of the range? Does that mean there is no dynamic control above that resolution limit (computer just dumps fuel?)

Also, since you're here do you think the upcoming N54 fuel research will port over at all to the N55 cars?

[FrankiE90]

what u don't like 2011 6MT E90?

[Jake@MOTIV]

I know what you mean about MAF cars. I've tuned upwards of 100+ MAF cars and probably close to 80-90% of those were DI as well. A good calibration will resolve all of it. Lying only "kinda" fixes it. Being able to calculate it at all of the trim breakdown points will make it have no ceiling. I know the cobb unit will be able to do it. I've never seen a piggy successfully do it. It will be interesting. If the procede could flash the maf recal and still run everything else the same that would work. I've seen that done on other platforms a few times.

[boostd92]

I had a 2003 330i ZHP 6MT and I loved the four door for it's practicality but I just don't like the looks as much. I don't like the bug-eyed-ness of the taller headlamps and chunky tail lamps of the E90.

You can make them look really nice with wheels, msport aero, and a drop, but I would kick myself everytime I saw a nice coupe go by.

I think the E92 is one of the most beautiful "practical" daily driver coupe designs in a long long time.

[FrankiE90]

if ur in luv with the E92 then get it.
if ur worry bout the N55 get the N54.

the n55 has some more time to figure out it's potentials and problems.
The N54 engine has been proven, get'n a CPO one is not a bad idea.

if u lease that 2011, u have the option to buy it or return it.
At that point, u can make ur decision on what legacy bimmer u
want to keep for the long haul. They'll be plenty of N54 E9x in 3 years
than say an S52 E36M3.

get ur coupe and drive happy.

[boostd92]

Yea, I'm already to that point

Where I'm stuck is on the "new car" deal. I've never had a new one (I've had over 20 cars in my life but as a wrench turner, never bought new to save the money) and I'm perfectly happy with an N55 for the lease term. I'm afraid that I'll be spoiled by having a car that NOBODY BUT ME has farted in the seats or wiped boogers on the carpet, hidden gum under the seats, etc etc.

I know there is no way to know if the N55 will have N54-like potential at this point but any knowledge about the bottlenecks would help me sleep better

It'd be nice to know if the F30 335 is going to get the N55 or not. If BMW abandons the N55 after only 1-2 years I doubt we'll see any aftermarket like the N54.

[FrankiE90]

the f30 will have an option for a four banger turbo.
it should also see an N55 in them as well.

N55 is making great progress in performance mods.
There's a good handful of us (n55 owners) being the guinea pigs
for power mods.

check out this link.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=494316

[boostd92]

Gah... got the figures for my 2011 E92 335 lease.... I'd need to put down $3,000 to get the monthly where I want it. I wouldn't have any problem with that if the residual was realistic... it's like 62%!! After 3 years and 45,000 miles they'll want $31,000 for the car.

Right now I can get a 3 year old 45k mile 2008, CPO'd for under $30k all day so I just can't justify putting $3k down unless I was getting a killer deal when the lease was up. Guess my N54 search will continue.

Still interested in hearing about N55 tuning though

[IancoleTX]

Originally Posted by boostd92

Gah... got the figures for my 2011 E92 335 lease.... I'd need to put down $3,000 to get the monthly where I want it. I wouldn't have any problem with that if the residual was realistic... it's like 62%!! After 3 years and 45,000 miles they'll want $31,000 for the car.

Right now I can get a 3 year old 45k mile 2008, CPO'd for under $30k all day so I just can't justify putting $3k down unless I was getting a killer deal when the lease was up. Guess my N54 search will continue.

Still interested in hearing about N55 tuning though

Go talk to GOLFRR about your lease, unless you have already chances are you're not getting the best deal you could. Also may want to look into Euro delivery...

[boostd92]

Got some better news recently... turns out the higher the residual value, the more likely the actual dealership cost on the vehicle will be lower when the lease ends.

So for instance, if my residual is $31,000 the actual cost to my dealership to buy the car from BMW Financial is more like $27,000 which is a bit more in my range.

Also, being a 2011 model, it is the last model of this body style. When the F30's come out, resale of the E92's will go down, so it may even be cheaper than that. I think I might just do the lease after all.