Most of what we’re going to do is just give a brief summary and some further resources. The changes between the N54 and N55 engines have been covered in a couple of our articles. Both the 2011–2013 335is and the 2007–2010 335i vehicles contain the N54. The 2011–2015 BMW models use the N55 engine.
The presence of turbochargers is one of the most obvious changes. While the N55 receives a single twin-scroll turbo, the N54 has a real twin turbo arrangement. It is generally acknowledged that the N55’s performance decreased from that of the N54. Comparing the N55 to the N54, reliability did increase. Many of the N54’s early problems have been overcome as of 2020. Both the N54 and N55 are not thought to be dependable vehicles. The N55, however, tends to be more dependable.
With the N55 engine alone, there is one more obvious distinction. Pneumatic wastegates (PWGs) are a feature of the early N55 versions (2011–2013). This indicates that ALL N55 335i E-chassis vehicles are PWG. BMW switched to an electronic wastegate (EWG) system in the middle of 2013. The EWG variants have a little bigger turbo and an all-around superior wastegate design. The EWG N55s are therefore more appropriate for mods than the PWG N55. To learn more about EWG vs. PWG, go here. According to potential for performance:
- N54
- N55 EWG
- N55 PWG
The N54 is probably your best option if you’re buying a 335i primarily for tuning and modding. The N55 PWG models are often the least capable, followed by the N55 EWG models.
In This Article...
Years with Reliable BMW 335i Models
A few strong model years are available if you want a more dependable BMW 335i. These models have fixed the errors and inconsistencies in the first design. Additionally, they have no difficulties with any of the modifications and other design advances.
The following is a list of the most dependable BMW 335i model years:
2010\s\s 2012\s\s 2015\s\s 2016
Four models may not seem like much for a car that has been manufactured since 2007, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from purchasing a BMW 335i, especially if you can do it in the current model year.
This is so because all of these model years have exceptionally low complaint rates and frequently enjoy high consumer favorability. In general, they perform better than many rival vehicles, which is fantastic news for BMW devotees.
You’re looking to buy a used car, then. We have already prepared a list of crucial inquiries to make while purchasing a secondhand car.
Which should you choose?
Your needs will determine what happens. The E90 N54 is the clear choice if you want a tuner automobile. The N55-equipped vehicles are excellent for daily drivers. The E90 and F30 generations both offered the 335i. The E90 came in sedan, coupe, and convertible body styles. The sedan is the classic sleeper, while the coupe and convertible are more subdued versions of its V8 cousin the M3. Both have nearly equal measurements, equivalent power outputs, and comparable driving dynamics. The F30 is only available as a sedan; at the time, BMW split off coupes as the 4 Series.
Therefore, the choice of car on which to spend your money depends on personal preference. However, we want to bring up the 335is. It was produced for only two brief years, but in our perspective, it had the ideal balance of power and tunability. It has a N54 twin-turbo engine that produced 322 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, which is 20 more than the standard. Launch control, improved suspension tuning, and a lower center of gravity are all included. Last but not least, given that it was manufactured until 2013, all of the pricey parts would still be covered by a 3-year warranty. Whether you keep it stock or tweak it up, the 335is is unquestionably a consideration.
a background on the BMW 335i
It’s a good idea to brush up on your knowledge of the BMW 335i unless you’re already an authority on the vehicle. Knowing a little bit about the history of the BMW 335i will make it more difficult for a cunning salesperson or private owner to mislead you about the vehicle they are attempting to sell you. A BMW of the fifth generation, the 335i debuted in 2006. 2015 saw the production of the final 335i model. The inline 6-cylinder Twin Power Turbo engine was the first of its kind. The engine was capable of producing 300 lb-ft of torque and 306 horsepower. Fast was the automobile. According to BMW UX, it sped down the road, reaching 60 mph from a complete stop in less than 5 seconds. The 335 has a 6-cylinder Twin Power Turbo engine option in 2011. The 4-cylinder engine was released for the 328i.
Which BMW 335i can you trust?
With a 2.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, the BMW 335i is ranked 28th out of 31 premium midsize automobiles. Its bad ownership costs result from the $1,030 average yearly repair expense.
How long is a 335i good for?
When properly maintained and driven cautiously, the BMW 3 Series can endure between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. It will last roughly 13 to 17 years if you drive 15,000 miles per year before needing expensive and unnecessary repairs.
What vehicle is superior to a BMW 335i?
We’ll look at cars that debuted within five years of the E90’s first sale, giving preference to rivals from the same era (assuming you’re looking for a fast car from the 2000s or early 2010s).
The 2002 Alfa Romeo 147 GTA boasts a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds, which just just fits inside our timetable. In terms of its top speed, horsepower, and torque, the 147 GTA likewise falls short.
The 2006 Dodge Charger 5.7 V8 R/T, with a zero to sixty time of 5.6 seconds, is one contender that approaches the 2013 E90 in terms of performance. Even though its highest speed is slower at 145 mph, it boasts more horsepower and 30% greater torque. The 2006 Infiniti M45 V8 Sport, which can reach 60 mph from a complete stop in under 5.3 seconds, is one rival that surpasses the 335i E90.
Other competitors to the E90 that can almost match it include:
- Hawkeye 5.3-second Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK from 2006
- 5.3 seconds for the 2009 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6
- 5.3 seconds for the 2004 Ford Mustang GT’s 4.6 V8
But don’t let these few examples fool you; the majority of vehicles that resemble the E90 on the market from the 2000s to the early 2010s fall short of the BMW. In light of such, it is worthwhile to contrast this sedan with BMWs of the same vintage that are comparable.
The 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport 2 can reach 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, as can the 2006 BMW 3 Series 335i M-Sport 2D E90, however the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d can reach that speed in just 5.1 seconds, while the more recent 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive F30 LCI can do it in just 4.7 seconds.
Which 335i year is the most dependable?
The BMW 335i years to avoid are mostly in the start of the vehicle’s release, like many recently produced vehicles. Thus, the initial years of a new model usually invariably experience more issues than subsequent iterations. Like any car, the initial release cannot be fully evaluated for all the pressures of actual road driving and consumer needs.
The BMW 335i exactly fits that trend, with the majority of serious issues and customer complaints occurring right after the vehicle’s debut.
Here is a list of the BMW 335i years to steer clear of:
2007\s\s 2008\s\s 2009\s\s 2011\s\s 2013
Although there are some concerns about the 2010, 2012, and 2014 models, they aren’t as many or serious as the 5 model years we’ve described above. Nevertheless, those model years almost made our list.
The 2007 model is consistently the worst-performing of these years and receives the most consumer complaints. Although it has other issues as well, running a temperature and overheating are its main issues.
Up until the 2010 model year, both the 2008 and 2009 models fix the issues from the prior model year’s release. Even though it’s one of the BMW 335i model years to stay away from, the 2011 model is just marginally poorer than the 2010 and 2012 models.
Although there was a modest uptick in concerns with the 335i in 2013 and 2014, they were still less frequent and generally less serious than those with the models released in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
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Is 335i superior to M3?
Given that the word “better” is a personal judgment, we promised to attempt to minimize its use. However, the M3 is a lot better car right out of the factory if you’re looking for a fun, sporty vehicle. There are many more differences between an M3 and a 335i than just the engine. The entire package is available with an E9x or F80 M3. Better brakes, wheels, oil supply, suspension, transmissions, and suspension are a few examples that come to mind. The M3 also includes a restricted slip differential as standard equipment. All of this is not meant to imply that the 335i is a subpar performance vehicle out of the gate. Simply put, it is inferior to the M3. However, if you want top-notch performance and are looking for a stock BMW and have the money to buy an M3, that is the obvious decision.
However, if you’re willing and able to modify a 335i, the comparison becomes more fascinating. The cost won’t be low. It’s likely that you won’t be able to afford to create a 335i that is equal if you can’t buy an M3. Yes, you can spend more money and get a 335i that travels faster. But once more, the M3 offers everything. The differential, suspension, engine, brakes, and other systems must all be addressed if you want a 335i to be as well-rounded as an M3.
How durable are 335i turbos?
The BMW N54 engine’s OEM turbochargers have a number of somewhat frequent modes of failure. It is essential to replace your failed turbos with new OE units the first time because doing so is not a simple operation.
The BMW N54’s turbochargers typically survive for roughly 100,000 miles before needing to be refurbished or replaced. It is typical to hear of automobiles with original turbos that have over 200,000 miles on them and are still operating as intended. However, the BMW N54’s turbo failure is so common that class-action lawsuits and service advisories have been published by BMW as a result of the failures. Unfortunately, the solutions to these problems—whether extended warranty replacement or other—do not apply because the product is now over twelve years old.
There are a few indicators that your BMW 335i/xi/is with the N54 engine needs new turbochargers. The first and most typical symptom is a loss of power or misfiring caused by a defective wastegate. The wastegate eventually gets so flimsy that boost leaks are possible. You will usually hear a distinct rattling or chatter when things get extremely bad.
If you’re burning oil and seeing white smoke coming from your exhaust, it’s another indication that your turbochargers need to be replaced. Because the seals on these Mitsubishi turbochargers are oil-lubricated and coolant-cooled, you will notice coolant or oil burning if the seals start to fail. If that’s the case, either the cooling or lubrication of the turbo is insufficient, which will eventually lead to total failure of that turbo.
We sell the brand-new OE replacements for the front and rear turbos for your BMW 335i/xi/is rather than the remanufactured units from BMW if you’re in the market for new turbos. Due to the effort needed to get access to them, we advise replacing the second turbo at the same time that you replace the first. We offer a complete installation kit to make the process even simpler. The kit includes everything you’ll want to change when you swap out the two turbochargers.
Our BMW Catalog Manager, Gareth Foley, guides us through typical failures, symptoms, and why it’s crucial to replace the turbos if you notice failure signals in the video down below. If you enjoyed this Really Quick Product Review, subscribe and come back soon for new episodes.