n54 or m54 turbo

[ettas13]

I previously asked about basic mods for the 330i, so she is a very clean example sending her in soon to remove tiny dents and scratches. As most of us always want more power i`ve been wondering do I turbo my 330i or keep it clean, save up a little and buy a n54. I know n54 "realiblity" issues but my e46 is really clean 277k on the clock full service history she`s a factory m sport so black interior and mtec 1 bumpers totally original except for tint and star spoke 193m wheels. So im stuck between keeping her this nice and maybe pass her on to someone who will enjoy the car for what she is or going mental and push about 300kw out of her. Would like to gather some opinions maybe here something from n54 owners or turbo m54 owners.
Have a lekke evening gents

 

[GravityLee]

I previously asked about basic mods for the 330i, so she is a very clean example sending her in soon to remove tiny dents and scratches. As most of us always want more power i`ve been wondering do I turbo my 330i or keep it clean, save up a little and buy a n54. I know n54 "realiblity" issues but my e46 is really clean 277k on the clock full service history she`s a factory m sport so black interior and mtec 1 bumpers totally original except for tint and star spoke 193m wheels. So im stuck between keeping her this nice and maybe pass her on to someone who will enjoy the car for what she is or going mental and push about 300kw out of her. Would like to gather some opinions maybe here something from n54 owners or turbo m54 owners.
Have a lekke evening gents

Don’t ruin a good E46 330i, those are quite special.

N54 is a fickle bitch, but a pleasure when well sorted. Also enough knowledge and aftermarket fixes by now for all the design flaws. I have a soft spot for a N54 in a E92 chassis, gave me lots of shit (luckily all under MP) but was a lovely car to daily.

 

[ettas13]

Don’t ruin a good E46 330i, those are quite special.

N54 is a fickle bitch, but a pleasure when well sorted. Also enough knowledge and aftermarket fixes by now for all the design flaws. I have a soft spot for a N54 in a E92 chassis, gave me lots of shit (luckily all under MP) but was a lovely car to daily.

Exactly my thought I love the e46 too bits but I'm wanting something with a bit more power, would love a 2door e36 328i but they're so scare and prices are getting ridiculous for them, e92 is what I'd want for a 335i black on red guts would be insane!

 

[Donz135]

Sho, tough one to decide on.
In my own experience, owning an N54, in the E82 chassis, was a pleasure. Once some parts were suitably replaced, it was always a lot of fun to drive. Smooth, quick and shouty when I wanted it to be. However it did always feel a little, tame? Maybe I should have spent more on mods... as far as N54's go it was low-ish power, with only intakes, full pipe, bigger cooler and a tune.
But, I always wanted a turbo charged BM.. my dream then was to do the SAVSpeed turbo conversion on my E36 328i....

There are other clean E46's out there, in collections, etc. I wouldn't say you're doing it any injustice by making loads more power with a turbo. I definitely advocate the build!

 

[ettas13]

Sho, tough one to decide on.
In my own experience, owning an N54, in the E82 chassis, was a pleasure. Once some parts were suitably replaced, it was always a lot of fun to drive. Smooth, quick and shouty when I wanted it to be. However it did always feel a little, tame? Maybe I should have spent more on mods... as far as N54's go it was low-ish power, with only intakes, full pipe, bigger cooler and a tune.
But, I always wanted a turbo charged BM.. my dream then was to do the SAVSpeed turbo conversion on my E36 328i....

There are other clean E46's out there, in collections, etc. I wouldn't say you're doing it any injustice by making loads more power with a turbo. I definitely advocate the build!

What you`re saying is also true, I got the car for a steal so selling it would make me a profit and I do see these e46s going up in value, already people want to buy it off me lol. I know buying a 135/335 wont `t make me a return in profit unless I pick one up for a steal. The e46 is my second car and I know it`s not something I`m going to keep forever. Did you daily the E82 and how was it and fuel consumption? I`m getting 6km/L in down and that`s hammering the car 70% of the time, open road I`m getting up to 15km/L

 

[KarshS]

Keep the 330i stock, you will need a reliable car once you get an N54.

N54 is the e82 and e92 is my favorites.
As mention, N54 will need some proper maintenance in the start but an awesome car once all sorted.
You could probably pick up an N54 for the same price that it would cost to turbo a 330i end to end.

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

Keep the 330i stock, you will need a reliable car once you get an N54.

N54 is the e82 and e92 is my favorites.
As mention, N54 will need some proper maintenance in the start but an awesome car once all sorted.
You could probably pick up an N54 for the same price that it would cost to turbo a 330i end to end.

Good advise

Sent from my SM-S908E using Tapatalk

 

[ettas13]

Keep the 330i stock, you will need a reliable car once you get an N54.

N54 is the e82 and e92 is my favorites.
As mention, N54 will need some proper maintenance in the start but an awesome car once all sorted.
You could probably pick up an N54 for the same price that it would cost to turbo a 330i end to end.

Plan is to either build the m54 or sell it and pick up a n54 in either e82/92, I`m not wanting to build something crazy fast something around 300kw will do. My friend owns a 330d n57 and that thing is fast really pulls you into the seat when he launches it but nothing compares to a petrol.

 

[Donz135]

What you`re saying is also true, I got the car for a steal so selling it would make me a profit and I do see these e46s going up in value, already people want to buy it off me lol. I know buying a 135/335 wont `t make me a return in profit unless I pick one up for a steal. The e46 is my second car and I know it`s not something I`m going to keep forever. Did you daily the E82 and how was it and fuel consumption? I`m getting 6km/L in down and that`s hammering the car 70% of the time, open road I`m getting up to 15km/L

Turning a profit on it would be short lived happiness compared to modding or getting an N54..
I never really used it as a daily, it was a toy, and a thirsty one at that.

 

[ettas13]

Turning a profit on it would be short lived happiness compared to modding or getting an N54..
I never really used it as a daily, it was a toy, and a thirsty one at that.

I`d turn profit on my E46, I don`t need a super reliable car, I only use my 330i really over the weekends so switching over to the n54 won`t really be much of a problem.

 

[KarshS]

Getting an n54 will cost anything from 150k to 250k for the clean ones.
You will need another 100k min to get the first niggles out the way if you abit of a DIY person (You can get lucky were most of the common failure points have been already addressed). I dont even want to know the cost of injectors now.

Fun project though. Good luck.

 

[KarshS]

Just a side note, was also thinking of getting another one and doing a single turbo

 

[ettas13]

Getting an n54 will cost anything from 150k to 250k for the clean ones.
You will need another 100k min to get the first niggles out the way if you abit of a DIY person (You can get lucky were most of the common failure points have been already addressed). I dont even want to know the cost of injectors now.

Fun project though. Good luck.

Found a very clean example for 185k with 87k km on, manual with sunroof but unfortunately pre lci and in e90 so very very ugly from the back🤣🤣

 

[ettas13]

Just a side note, was also thinking of getting another one and doing a single turbo

Just a side note, was also thinking of getting another one and doing a single turbo

and here I am just trying to buy one, a single turbo will be a monster. You have to post build pictures if you go through with the idea!

 

[KarshS]

Found a very clean example for 185k with 87k km on, manual with sunroof but unfortunately pre lci and in e90 so very very ugly from the back🤣🤣

They might not be very good looking in stock form but they can be made to look really cool. Look at Firis and Zubz e90s.... some of the best out there.

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

Found a very clean example for 185k with 87k km on, manual with sunroof but unfortunately pre lci and in e90 so very very ugly from the back

That's why Rennzport is here to help you transform here into a beaut.

Items to keep in mind for N54 that need to be attended to (if previous owner didnt)

1) Injectors- revision 9 or higher
2) waterpump and thermo
3) HPFP Rev 3 or 4
4) oil filter housing gasket
5) Tapout cover and gasket
6) pcv valve

This excludes all the normal stuff that will needs to he checked on ANY car

1) engine mounts
2) control arms, tied rods ends, stabilizer links
3) springs and shocks
4) all belts and pulleys
5) all fluids in the car

If you looking for an N54 that has all this work done already and might be coming up for sale, I'd give @NSH_335i a shout. In terms of cosmetics it's already sorted, and most of the preventative if not all has been carried out.

Here's a pic of his car below.
Hit me up if you want his number

Sent from my SM-S908E using Tapatalk

 

[ettas13]

That's why Rennzport is here to help you transform here into a beaut.

Items to keep in mind for N54 that need to be attended to (if previous owner didnt)

1) Injectors- revision 9 or higher
2) waterpump and thermo
3) HPFP Rev 3 or 4
4) oil filter housing gasket
5) Tapout cover and gasket
6) pcv valve

This excludes all the normal stuff that will needs to he checked on ANY car

1) engine mounts
2) control arms, tied rods ends, stabilizer links
3) springs and shocks
4) all belts and pulleys
5) all fluids in the car

If you looking for an N54 that has all this work done already and might be coming up for sale, I'd give @NSH_335i a shout. In terms of cosmetics it's already sorted, and most of the preventative if not all has been carried out.

Here's a pic of his car below.
Hit me up if you want his number

Sent from my SM-S908E using Tapatalk

Thank you really appreciate the help, so far the BMW community has been so good and I'm so happy to be apart of it🙌🏽 I'd just have to secure a buyer for my e46 first before make a move on a newer one.
This is a very clean looking e90 and exactly the vision I have for one too.