increase power on E90 325i Auto

540buddy

New member
Good evening

I have a 2009 325i E90, 3ltr 6cyl. Auto - 180 000km

The cars revs nicely, accelerates but feels sluggish.

What kind of mods can I apply to the vehicle to make it more response and increase Kw?

Thanks
 

Skywalker325i

New member
I added a full decat exhaust and K&N filter to my E92 325i and helped with throttle response and pulls cleanly through the rev range, plus it sounds awesome. As for actual HP increases, its tough to say, but the drive is a lot more pleasurable. There are also software options available.
 

Dirtydeedsman

Active member
There was a thread here somewhere with a guy who has a 325i and he was adding power to it via exhaust and intake changes and recording the power gain along the way... does anyone have the link? last i remember from it he was complaining that after the xhaust work it has a tin sound like a e46 M3
 

akash

Well-known member
The N52 engine were never built for power, you going to waste your money for minimal gains.

If you want a free mod that will make your car respond a whole lot better, then try cleaning your inlet and outlet Vanos solenoids.

Trust me I did this over the weekend and the difference it’s made to the car was eye opening, it feels as response as the day I picked up our 323I.

You have a bit of mileage on the car and the clean should help.

PS: I believe only the USA variant of the 325i came with the 3L motor. You can verify this on Real OEM site.
 

Lostboy

New member
akash said:
The N52 engine were never built for power, you going to waste your money for minimal gains.

If you want a free mod that will make your car respond a whole lot better, then try cleaning your inlet and outlet Vanos solenoids.

Trust me I did this over the weekend and the difference it’s made to the car was eye opening, it feels as response as the day I picked up our 323I.

You have a bit of mileage on the car and the clean should help.

PS: I believe only the USA variant of the 325i came with the 3L motor. You can verify this on Real OEM site.

Would like to give this a go ahead on my e90.

May i ask what products you used to clean the vanos solenoids?
 

akash

Well-known member
Lostboy said:
akash said:
The N52 engine were never built for power, you going to waste your money for minimal gains.

If you want a free mod that will make your car respond a whole lot better, then try cleaning your inlet and outlet Vanos solenoids.

Trust me I did this over the weekend and the difference it’s made to the car was eye opening, it feels as response as the day I picked up our 323I.

You have a bit of mileage on the car and the clean should help.

PS: I believe only the USA variant of the 325i came with the 3L motor. You can verify this on Real OEM site.

Would like to give this a go ahead on my e90.

May i ask what products you used to clean the vanos solenoids?


Some use compressed air or carb cleaner or petrol.

If you going to use petrol or carb cleaner make sure that the solenoids are completely dry before re-installing
 

FerdiBotha

Well-known member
Dirtydeedsman said:
There was a thread here somewhere with a guy who has a 325i and he was adding power to it via exhaust and intake changes and recording the power gain along the way... does anyone have the link? last i remember from it he was complaining that after the xhaust work it has a tin sound like a e46 M3

IIRC this guy was going to dyno it an post results. He amped this whole story up and we have heard nothing since. Makes me believe there were no real power gains.
 

AdiS

Well-known member
I really wouldn't bother trying to get extra power out of this car. By all means, add an intake, exhaust and software - it will likely alter the throttle response, and the character (sound) of the car which can add value to the driving experience, but the difference in power will be minimal.

If want a noticeable improvement on power, buy a 330i or 335i.
 

husaindindar

///Member
Would you define sluggish?
If you could drive another identical car and feel the difference, then obviously you have an issue with your motor.

+1 on the vanos solenoids. It does make a difference.

Another one to look out for, is the Disa flaps. Mine was shot since I bought the car and never knew. Once I replaced them, the car totally transformed. Mid range became much more alive, fuel consumption went down and for some odd reason, it solved an oil consumption issue I had.
Felt like a different car altogether.
 

Steph745

Member
Try driving downhill strictly :rollsmile:

Otherwise there is no more juice to be squeezed out of an n52 (any variant),BUT it sounds awesome and will run forever (very little if anything to go badly wrong). BMW performance intake plus BMW performance exhaust to make for a much nicer experience and call it a day. :thumbs:
 

Peter@AEW

BMWFanatics Advertiser
Official Advertiser
Steph745 said:
Try driving downhill strictly :rollsmile:

Otherwise there is no more juice to be squeezed out of an n52 (any variant),

Funny but true
 
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