[doofus2]

My 2007 e90 335i lease is up in May, which puts me in the awkward position of choosing between the 2011 335i with the N55 motor and the 335iS with the good, ol' N54.

The new N55 335i has these nice attributes:

• tuners committed to development
• single turbo outlet, for simpler DPs
• maximum torque available earlier
• minimal, if any, price increase

The 335iS has these benefits:

• proven platform for big tuning gains
• large existing vendor base, I can jump right in
• BMW performance bits already in the mix (exhaust, power pack, etc.)

You can probably tell that I want another N54...

The crux:
I just can't get over the big premium BMW wants to charge me to step sideways (performance wise) into the 335iS. For even money, I'm arguably taking a step down with the N55 package, at least initially.

My "solution": hurry up and buy a 2010.

There's a pretty good selection of 2010s currently on lots across the country, as well as a few unspoken-for production slots.

Turns out that BMW dealers seem to be having a fire sale on the 2010s, even ones just entering production. By the time my 2010 is on the lot, there might even be marketing support on 'em, given the 2011's start production in March.

What are your thoughts?

[JayKay335i]

If you want an N55 than go for it. But you dont know what kind of tuning is possible and it may or may not give us great gains. They may come soon but they may also be months and months away.

If you want the iS, go for it. Its a glorified n54.

If you plan on modding, then just grab up a 2010 n54 and enjoy the sh*t out of it. You've already got the product base and its ready to go and enjoy.

[hun77777]

if you already have done lot of modification to your car, i'd keep N54 platform, especially with new styling and DCT, it'd be more fun.

both terry and shiv already confirmed that they are working on tune for N55 so i don't think it will take much longer if you do go N55 platform. intake and IC should remain same so should LSD, suspension, braking parts or Meth so you can still start moding quite a bit.

[cstavaru]

Be careful, I am having many problems with tuning because I have the BMW Performance Power Kit installed (the PK hardware is also installed on the 335is). Burger Tuning and Vishnu don't really care about it and don't create customized maps based on the modified software which has higher boost, so you risk your engine using current tunes. With the Overboost function of the 335is, you really cannot use the current piggybacks with current maps. GIAC (or other flashes) don't work either, because their software (based on an older 335i software) overwrite the PK software which drives an additional fan relay and the radiator fan would not work. Many intakes like Dinan don't fit because some relay and an additional water cooler is blocking them.

So with the 335is, you will be stuck for a while. BUT given the DCT gearbox, I would still consider one and patiently wait for tuner support, while at the same time enjoying the overboost and added power from factory And you can lower it's price: it comes with $4000 BMW Performance wheels which are useless. You just get $700 CSL wheels from VMR which look very nice, sell the 335is wheels and get about $3000 back.

A magazine tested the N55 engine in the new 5-series and they said "it doesn't have quite the low-end of the N54". However, the mileage is better by 7%.

The safest bet if you want really big power is to get a 2010 335i.

If you want higher resale value, you should get the 2011 model. But I suspect you will be stuck with stock power for a long time, due to the presence of the Valvetronic in the engine.

[doofus2]

An update: I went ahead and ordered the 2010. It arrived in March, by which time the Spring Sales discount applied (an additional $2500 off) and the lease rates had improved.

[stimpy]

Originally Posted by doofus2

An update: I went ahead and ordered the 2010. It arrived in March, by which time the Spring Sales discount applied (an additional $2500 off) and the lease rates had improved.

[pellinore]

+ we don't now what measures BMW went to detect tunes and flashes. They do seem to want to make sure the current models are not tuned so I'm certain they will have way better ways of detecting them with the n55 platform.

BMS is tuning it right now but I'm really curious if it's throwing any codes or if it's storing any info.

[coolgee6]

BMW will secretly void your warranty. Read the fine print, "Contract void if customer gets sarcastic about poor service and 'No Cost' maintenance scam.

[jwzimm]

holy old thread Batman!