From 2006 through 2016, BMW developed the N54, a twin-turbocharged straight-six petrol engine. Since the 1986 discontinuation of the BMW M106’s restricted manufacturing, it is BMW’s first turbocharged gasoline engine that is mass produced. The N54 was introduced in the 335i model of the E90/E91/E92/E93 3 Series lineup during the 2006 Geneva Motor Show.
The N54 started to disappear after the 2009 debut of its BMW N55 replacement. The E89 Z4 roadster, which was built until 2016, is the last vehicle to be powered by the N54.
Although the N54 does not exist in a BMW M configuration, it is used in the 1 Series M Coupe, 135iS, Z4 35iS, and 335iS vehicles.
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Which Automobiles Had the N54 Engine?
The 2007 335i was where the N54 engine made its debut. 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque were factory-promised by BMW. 310 lb-ft of torque, although unbiased tests put the power closer to over 310. The fact that later models of the N54 received a factory-quoted 335 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque supports those assertions. found in the BMW Z4 sDr35is and the 335is, respectively.
However, there were numerous distinct body shapes and more than two N54 models to pick from. In fact, the BMW 1M used this engine in its more aggressive form, which it shared with the aforementioned 35is-designated automobiles. This car is frequently acclaimed as one of the best-driving BMWs of all time by publications like Car and Driver.
If you want to buy a N54-powered BMW in the US, you can purchase the following:
Each model was, of course, available with a variety of trims and options. The 535 was available in a touring/wagon variant, and xDrive (BMW’s all-wheel-drive system) was also offered in the 3 and 5 Series.
Notably, the early N54-powered 335i and 535i would typically cost less than $10,000, compared to the 1M mentioned, which will cost you close to $40,000 on the low end. There is a N54 vehicle for practically everyone, regardless of price range or desired body style.
Ultimate Guide for BMW N54
The 2007 E90/E92 335i introduced the BMW N54 engine. Later, it was incorporated into a few further models, including the 135i, 535i, and Z4. At the time, the 3.0L inline-6 direct injection twin turbo engine was a completely new path for BMW. Early on, the new design was also plagued by a number of persistent issues.
The N54 can still be difficult to use even after the early bugs are worked out. The factory’s output of 300hp and 300lb-ft might not seem spectacular. Despite this, the N54 went on to establish itself as a legendary performance and tuning engine. For huge power, tuning and upgrading are almost too simple. This article covers every aspect of the BMW N54 twin turbo engine, such as issues, dependability, tuning and upgrading, specifications, and more.
Comparison of the horsepower, dependability, and tunability of the BMW N54 and N55
It’s crucial to take into account the variations between the N54 and N55 powered BMWs before making a decision on a turbocharged 135i, 335i, or 535i. The BMW 335i was the first vehicle to use the N54, which originally went into production in 2006; the N54 was then debuted in 2008 alongside the 135i and 535i. BMW’s N55 engine started being produced in 2009, and it began to phase out the N54 in 2010. However, the dual turbo N54 was still used in the majority of applications created in 2010. In 2011, the N55 formally superseded the N54 (with the exception of the 1M and Z4 35i). Although there are numerous similarities between the engines, this piece will focus on their main distinctions.
A Synopsis Of The BMW N54’s Past
The BMW N54 was the first mass-produced twin-turbocharged straight-six petrol engine, as we briefly discussed above. It was released between 2006 and 2016, and many secondhand cars still have it now.
The renowned 335i served as the BMW N54’s launch vehicle at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. It made a strong market entry, generating a lot of hype and, inevitably, some criticism. Later on, we’ll discuss both sections in further detail. Let’s just note the N54’s five International Engine of the Year accolades for the time being. In addition, it appeared three times in a row on Ward’s list of the 10 Best Engines.
The best BMW engine for tuners is the N54.
At the 2006 Geneva Auto Show, the BMW N54 engine made its debut. Later that year, it was installed in the E92 335i for the first time. The N55 straight-six engine, which you may recognize from the M2, M3, and M4, has now taken its position (given- the latter two get the overhauled S55 variant).
The N54 cannot, however, be characterized as an old engine. Numerous BMWs have the mill as their primary engine (including our own 1M), and tuning fans prize it as one of the best engines available. Like the Nissan RB26DETT, the N54 has the potential to go down in history, especially among tuners, according to Carbuzz.
The 3.0 liter straight six engine in the N54 has two small-pressure turbochargers and a 10.2:1 compression ratio. The engine has a steel camshaft, iron cylinder lines, and an aluminum crankcase. The pistons are cast, but the crankshaft and connecting rods are forged. It has an air-to-air intercooler, direct injection, and Bi-VANOS technology.
Three variations of the N54 with power outputs ranging from 300 HP to 340 HP have been sold. The 300 HP motor is 187 kg in weight.
As previously indicated, the N54 debuted with the E9X. Later, it was offered in the E60 5 Series, F01 7 Series, X6 and Z4, although the 1M Coupe was its most well-liked implementation.
The N54 was commended by detractors for its smooth power delivery and BMW’s attempts to minimize turbo-lag, including writers from Car & Driver and EVO. Some even preferred it over the N62 and N63 units, which were more potent.
For instance, Jared Gall of Car and Driver noted that despite the V8’s extra oomph, it was only “marginally faster” than the N54-equipped 535i because the N62’s added weight made the front end of the E60 excessively heavy and dampened the driving experience when compared to the N54.
In contrast, Edmunds rated the N54 7 Series as the most enjoyable F01 to drive, beating out the 750i and the 760Li with a V12 engine.
With straightforward Stage 1 upgrades, several owners have improved the power figures by 15% to 30%. According to what we know, the powertrain and internals of the N54 seem to be capable of handling 400–500 WHP without any problems. In reality, after looking through a few forums, we discovered a few instances of the N54 producing more than 700 WHP(!) — for instance, this YouTube user, whose car can produce 753 WHP.
The N54 has its fair share of issues. As a result of the frequent reports of high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures, BMW was forced to recall various models in 2010. In addition, numerous owners have reported turbo failures caused by wastegate issues, and BMW USA has increased the warranty for this condition to eight years. Finally, carbon build-up in the intake valves has been reported frequently, as is typical for direct-port engines.
Although the N54 engine is reliable, modifying the car will place greater strain on the engine, chassis, and other mechanical parts, so you should be prepared to deal with reliability difficulties.
The Ward’s 10 Best Engines of the Year list included the N54 three times. From 2007 through 2011, it also took home eight awards from the UK’s International Engine of the Year Awards, including the best overall engine.
Common Faults, Failures, & Repairs For The BMW N54 Engine: The Complete Guide
The BMW N54 is one of the most powerful and sought-after engines on the market, although it is not without flaws. It is found in vehicles like the BMW E90. Here is a comprehensive explanation explaining why they are so well-liked, what to look for when purchasing one, and potential problems down the road.
What comes to mind when you consider powerful straight-six engines with the capacity to produce a lot of power? Perhaps the first things that come to mind are the Nissan RB26DETT and the Toyota 2JZ. BMW entered this market in 2006 with the introduction of the N54 engine. The N54 engine, which has been a common feature of many BMW vehicles for more than a decade, has grown to be one of BMW’s most well-liked creations.
The N54 is a twin-turbocharged, direct-injection engine that produced 300HP/300TQ at just 8PSI straight out of the factory. Around 380 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque may be produced with a straightforward ECU flash/tune. Because the internals of this motor are forged, a few modifications can unleash incredible power. An N54 can deliver over 700HP to the wheels with an improved twin-scroll turbocharger and a few bolt-on modifications. For a nice illustration of this, take a look at Chad Rose’s driveway-built 335xi, which should be running in the 10s this season.
Nearly all of the frequent problems with the N54 are almost often caused by the accessories rather than the engine itself. Unless the car was operating at extremely high boost levels or was tuned incorrectly, you won’t often read or hear of spun rod bearings or timing chain failure.
- 135i (E82/E88) BMW
- 1M Coupe by BMW (E82)
- BMW 335i (E90, E91, E92) (E90, E91, E92)
- BMW 535i (E60) (E60)
- BMW 740i (F01) (F01)
- BMW X6 (E71) (E71)
- BMW Z4 (E89) (E89)
BMW N54 N55 Background
The N54 engine first made an appearance in the 2006 E92 335i before being made available across the whole BMW lineup over the next three years. The majority of N54-powered cars are equipped with the twin-turbo straight-six, which debuted with 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The F01 740i and US-only E92/3 335is also had a 326 horsepower version of the engine, which also received 332 pound-feet of torque. The most potent models of the engine were the E82 1M Coupe and E89 Z4 sDrive35is, which produced
The power and torque statistics of the N55, which replaced the N54 in 2009, were the same as those of the N54 but peak torque came 100 rpm faster. The N55 also replaced two turbos with a single, bigger turbo. As BMW fitted the N55 to practically every model, there were many more variations of the N55 than there were of the N54. The 320hp version with 332lb ft was sent to the F-range 640i, US-only E82/8 135is, F20/1 M135i, and F01 740i; the 326hp version was delivered to the F22/3 M235i and LCI M135i; and the 340hp N55 was delivered to the F30 ActiveHybrid 3. The F87 M2 had the most potent version of the engine, with 370 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the F26 X4 M40i had a 360 horsepower version with 343 lb-ft of torque.