Best 335 Coupe Model Year Performance Wise

335M_PR · 10-20-2011, 12:24 AM

I'm a newby to the BMW world, I currently own a 370z. But being that the family might be growing in the near future I've started looking for a sports coupe with at least a small back seat. The 335 coupe is at the top pf my list because of how friendly it is to minor tuning and the outstanding Hp gains.

If I'm not mistaken the original 335's were twin turbo (which I guess those are what you call N54) and somewhere down the road they changed to a single turbo (N55). To get to the point I'm looking for a used one as we speak and I would like to get insight from you guys which have been around in the bimmer world for a long time. Which is the best model year performance and reliability wise? Finally, when adding Hp are the manual and automatic gearbox able to withstand it reliably? Which one is better? I'm familiar with the BMG SMG gearbox, does the 335 coupe come with it?

Any guidance that you provide me will be more than appreciated and please excuse me if I'm posting in the wrong forum section.

boostd92 · 10-20-2011, 08:10 AM

IMO, the best E92 for reliability, looks, and performance potential would be a 2011 LCI 335is with the 6MT. That way you get the LCI upgrades, mtech body kit, and the N54 (currently more ultimate power protection on stock turbos than the N55).

The IS DCT trans (along with the 135i DCT trans) has shown to have clutches a bit on the weak side. Get a manual and there are clutch upgrade options that don't break the bank.

htoudiee · 10-20-2011, 09:58 AM

Having had a 2010 E92 335i (N54 engine) and a 2011 335i (N55), I'd agree with boostd92. 2011 E92 335iS hands down. I love the DCT so I'd get that but that's just me.

335M_PR · 10-20-2011, 12:20 PM

Can someone explain what is an N54 vs an N55... I'm still confused about this.

Thanks!

madmanhiker · 10-20-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335M_PR

Can someone explain what is an N54 vs an N55... I'm still confused about this.

Thanks!

different engines.

n54 twin turbo - great "tuneability" 400+ rwhp

n55 single "twin-scroll" turbo - torque monster - still working kinks out to struggle to 375+ rwhp

AndyzDad · 10-20-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335M_PR

Can someone explain what is an N54 vs an N55... I'm still confused about this.

Thanks!

Simply stated:

2007 - 2009: 335i came with the N54 - twin turbo 3.0lt I6
2011 - onwards: only the 335is - comes with the above engine

2010 - onwards: 335i comes with the N55 - single turbo 3.0lt I6

Hope that helps.

RnmEvo9 · 10-20-2011, 02:57 PM

In before N54 vs N55 war! LOL

Keik E92 M3 · 10-20-2011, 03:10 PM

N54 all day.. get a IS.

Q4P · 10-20-2011, 03:31 PM

with the exception of Terry and Shiv, how many people have reliably dyno'd above 350 WHP with an N55?

sti959 · 10-20-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Questforpower

with the exception of Terry and Shiv, how many people have reliably dyno'd above 350 WHP with an N55?

I think that I have more than 350 whp .My 3738 lbs n55 e90 ran the quarter mile on 12.625@108.47 with just a tune and downpipe (
look at the n55 drag times). A 3738 lbs car needs more than 350 WHP to do 12.626@108.47.
360 WHP to 372WHP depending in which formula you use

Q4P · 10-20-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sti959

I think that I have more than 350 whp .My 3738 lbs n55 e90 ran the quarter mile on 12.625@108.47 with just a tune and downpipe (look at the n55 drag times). A 3738 lbs car needs more than 350 WHP to do 12.626@108.47.

Remember that u have AWD, that makes it easier time wise but harder speed wise.

sti959 · 10-20-2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Questforpower

Remember that u have AWD, that makes it easier time wise but harder speed wise.

no i dont... my car is RWD

Q4P · 10-20-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sti959

no i dont... my car is RWD

My bad, I thought u were the AWD guy. Don't use formulas, they are generally not very accurate; there is too many factors involved... just dyno the car on a dynojet. If u don't have meth; I will be shocked if u dyno anywhere over 350.

Shiv and Terry dynod 360-370 WHP with FBO and meth.

sti959 · 10-20-2011, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Questforpower

My bad, I thought u were the AWD guy. Don't use formulas, they are generally not very accurate; there is too many factors involved... just dyno the car on a dynojet. If u don't have meth; I will be shocked if u dyno anywhere over 350.

Shiv and Terry dynod 360-370 WHP with FBO and meth.

I would be shoked if i dyno only 350 ... lol. I'm not going to spend money on the dyno, I'm saving for meth... next spring i hope

335M_PR · 10-20-2011, 07:12 PM

Thanks to all for the valuable info. It seems that the N54 is the way to go then... good because the 2008 was my target year.

Now gearbox wise I heard that AT are faster than the MT... are they capable of handling the extra power obtained by tuning reliably? That is one of the issues with the 370z... once you go upwards of 400 WHP the AT isn't too reliable.

Q4P · 10-20-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335M_PR

Thanks to all for the valuable info. It seems that the N54 is the way to go then... good because the 2008 was my target year.

Now gearbox wise I heard that AT are faster than the MT... are they capable of handling the extra power obtained by tuning reliably? That is one of the issues with the 370z... once you go upwards of 400 WHP the AT isn't too reliable.

400 WHP in a 370z? Hows that possible without spraying or a turbo kit which costs more than is worth investing in a 370?

335M_PR · 10-20-2011, 07:47 PM

Stillen or GTM Supercharger Kits or Greedy TT Kit... There are several options to get a 370z there. Investment typically is around 6K... which depending on which Z you start with might be justifiable.

RnmEvo9 · 10-20-2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sti959

I would be shoked if i dyno only 350 ... lol. I'm not going to spend money on the dyno, I'm saving for meth... next spring i hope

Wait for a dyno day near your area.

cwg · 10-21-2011, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sti959

I think that I have more than 350 whp .My 3738 lbs n55 e90 ran the quarter mile on 12.625@108.47 with just a tune and downpipe (
look at the n55 drag times). A 3738 lbs car needs more than 350 WHP to do 12.626@108.47.
360 WHP to 372WHP depending in which formula you use

Which tune do you have?

tibra1 · 10-21-2011, 12:04 AM

Earliest n54

dmist199 · 10-21-2011, 11:42 AM

im pretty new to this forum myself. I been searching everyday for a 2009-2010 e92 x-drive 6mt, because i want the n54 (wanting to hit 350 whp). After all the searching, it seems 2011 is easier to find (lease transfer). So my question is, can the N55 X-Drive hit 350 whp??

Q4P · 10-21-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmist199

im pretty new to this forum myself. I been searching everyday for a 2009-2010 e92 x-drive 6mt, because i want the n54 (wanting to hit 350 whp). After all the searching, it seems 2011 is easier to find (lease transfer). So my question is, can the N55 X-Drive hit 350 whp??

Yes, but not with ease, I don't think it can be done without meth.

10-20-2011, 12:24 AM	#1
335M_PR Got Boost? 7 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E93 M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: San Juan, PR iTrader: (0)	Best 335 Coupe Model Year Performance Wise I'm a newby to the BMW world, I currently own a 370z. But being that the family might be growing in the near future I've started looking for a sports coupe with at least a small back seat. The 335 coupe is at the top pf my list because of how friendly it is to minor tuning and the outstanding Hp gains. If I'm not mistaken the original 335's were twin turbo (which I guess those are what you call N54) and somewhere down the road they changed to a single turbo (N55). To get to the point I'm looking for a used one as we speak and I would like to get insight from you guys which have been around in the bimmer world for a long time. Which is the best model year performance and reliability wise? Finally, when adding Hp are the manual and automatic gearbox able to withstand it reliably? Which one is better? I'm familiar with the BMG SMG gearbox, does the 335 coupe come with it? Any guidance that you provide me will be more than appreciated and please excuse me if I'm posting in the wrong forum section.
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10-20-2011, 08:10 AM	#2
boostd92 Captain 62 Rep 759 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i M-Spo ... [7.26]	IMO, the best E92 for reliability, looks, and performance potential would be a 2011 LCI 335is with the 6MT. That way you get the LCI upgrades, mtech body kit, and the N54 (currently more ultimate power protection on stock turbos than the N55). The IS DCT trans (along with the 135i DCT trans) has shown to have clutches a bit on the weak side. Get a manual and there are clutch upgrade options that don't break the bank.
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10-20-2011, 09:58 AM	#3
htoudiee HT 15 Rep 388 Posts Drives: BMW, AMG Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Having had a 2010 E92 335i (N54 engine) and a 2011 335i (N55), I'd agree with boostd92. 2011 E92 335iS hands down. I love the DCT so I'd get that but that's just me.
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10-20-2011, 12:20 PM	#4
335M_PR Got Boost? 7 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E93 M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: San Juan, PR iTrader: (0)	Can someone explain what is an N54 vs an N55... I'm still confused about this. Thanks!
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10-20-2011, 02:57 PM	#7
RnmEvo9 Banned 247 Rep 1,827 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pembroke Pines, FL iTrader: (2)	In before N54 vs N55 war! LOL
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10-20-2011, 03:10 PM	#8
Keik E92 M3 Banned 173 Rep 1,343 Posts Drives: BMW M3 DCT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 BMW [9.00] 2011 BMW 335i [6.80]	N54 all day.. get a IS.
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10-20-2011, 03:31 PM	#9
Q4P Colonel 83 Rep 2,291 Posts Drives: Too Much Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: World iTrader: (0)	with the exception of Terry and Shiv, how many people have reliably dyno'd above 350 WHP with an N55? __________________ 2jZ + RB26 + 4G63 + LS9 + N54 =
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10-20-2011, 07:12 PM	#15
335M_PR Got Boost? 7 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E93 M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: San Juan, PR iTrader: (0)	Thanks to all for the valuable info. It seems that the N54 is the way to go then... good because the 2008 was my target year. Now gearbox wise I heard that AT are faster than the MT... are they capable of handling the extra power obtained by tuning reliably? That is one of the issues with the 370z... once you go upwards of 400 WHP the AT isn't too reliable.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 07:47 PM	#17
335M_PR Got Boost? 7 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E93 M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: San Juan, PR iTrader: (0)	Stillen or GTM Supercharger Kits or Greedy TT Kit... There are several options to get a 370z there. Investment typically is around 6K... which depending on which Z you start with might be justifiable.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-21-2011, 12:04 AM	#20
tibra1 Banned 127 Rep 6,773 Posts Drives: 2011 ZCP M3 - 2007 335i crashd Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (4)	Best 335 Coupe Model Year Performance Earliest n54
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10-21-2011, 11:42 AM	#21
dmist199 Banned 5 Rep 184 Posts Drives: 2005 E46 M3, 16 X5 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	im pretty new to this forum myself. I been searching everyday for a 2009-2010 e92 x-drive 6mt, because i want the n54 (wanting to hit 350 whp). After all the searching, it seems 2011 is easier to find (lease transfer). So my question is, can the N55 X-Drive hit 350 whp??
	Appreciate 0 Quote