Selling tuned N54 for stock M3?

[ee90]

I found a very clean example E90 M3. 6 speed. Would I be dumb to get rid of my N54 for an M car? I know maintenance and overall cost is much more. Plus low end torque is not the best but what are some pros of the s65 over the n54?

I really love the M cars ever since I saw an E92 M3 fly by me on the highway I was hooked. Will I miss the power or are people on the forums just exaggerating?

[Brandoch]

Have you driven one yet? If not, drive one. You'll very quickly tell if this is the car for you or not. Everyone's opinion is different, subjective.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by ee90

I found a very clean example E90 M3. 6 speed. Would I be dumb to get rid of my N54 for an M car? I know maintenance and overall cost is much more. Plus low end torque is not the best but what are some pros of the s65 over the n54?

I really love the M cars ever since I saw an E92 M3 fly by me on the highway I was hooked. Will I miss the power or are people on the forums just exaggerating?

Coming from a 135i to an M3, I don't miss the 135i one bit.
The M3 is a way better car overall even if it is considered "slower".
N54s are also not cheap to maintain, the cost of injectors and all other non-sense related to it makes it equally if not more expensive.

The beauty of buying an M3 now is the majority of the high-ticket maintenance items should have already been done. Not to mention the M3 keeps value much better than a 135i/335i.

I don't care how you look at it, but the truth is that the N54 335i/135i is a $10k car... No matter how clean it is, it will never be an ///M.

[ATLIEN]

I’ve got both and I love my e90 335 as it’s technically faster. However, I gravitate towards my e92 m3 most days. I’ll take the 335 out when I just want to chill and do routine things. But the m3 is the show stopper.

[M3SQRD]

There are very few cars with the linear power band and flat torque curve of the s65 V8 such as the e6x M5/M6 v10, Honda S2000 f20c I4 and f22c I4, and R8/Gallardo/Huracan v10. You can raise the redline of the s65 to 8600 rpm and peak power with a proper tune will be at 8600 rpm.

I would not under any circumstance trade my two s65s for a n54. Stock n54 may feel quicker but it is not. Properly launching a s65 you can hold your own and eventually pull ahead. However, the e9x M3 wasn’t developed to be a drag car, it’s a phenomenal track car. One of my e92s has a 3.62 FD LSD (stock is 3.15 FD) from Diffsonline and the increase in performance is astounding. Best possible mod for the e9x M3 especially if coupled with BimmerWorld headers, forward x-pipe and 292 cams with a CF plenum. If you’re a drag racer, the s65 may not be for you; however, there is absolutely no comparison between an e9x M3 4.0 L v8 and the e9x 3.0 L I6. M3 is a far superior car.

[BimmerMan33]

M3 needs to be revved out to experience its specialness. Driving an M3 in traffic can be underwhelming if unable to rev to 5,000 rpm frequently. M3 motor is designed to excel at higher rpm to suit track use.
N54 has a ton of torque at lower rpm, so more fun & feels powerful in traffic. N54 is designed for street use.
Actually, both of these are too different to compare, apples vs oranges / naturally aspirated vs turbo.
Go test drive it!

[ATLIEN]

Originally Posted by BimmerMan33

M3 needs to be revved out to experience its specialness. Driving an M3 in traffic can be underwhelming if unable to rev to 5,000 rpm frequently. M3 motor is designed to excel at higher rpm to suit track use.
N54 has a ton of torque at lower rpm, so more fun & feels powerful in traffic. N54 is designed for street use.
Actually, both of these are too different to compare, apples vs oranges / naturally aspirated vs turbo.
Go test drive it!

Tell me about it. Driving a stock M3 at low revs is not the business. I took mine out on a 100 mile trip and the 5k+ and up rev band (DCT) is special with the induction and exhaust note.

With that being said, I’m seriously thinking of supercharging to have the best of both worlds.

[E92Bean]

Originally Posted by ee90

I found a very clean example E90 M3. 6 speed. Would I be dumb to get rid of my N54 for an M car? I know maintenance and overall cost is much more. Plus low end torque is not the best but what are some pros of the s65 over the n54?

I really love the M cars ever since I saw an E92 M3 fly by me on the highway I was hooked. Will I miss the power or are people on the forums just exaggerating?

This isn’t a 1:1 comparison, but I had an FBO S550 mustang GT before my e92 m3. It easily made more power and torque, but the m3 chassis is amazing. No regrets at all. I did end up tuning my m3 with a catless x pipe. Livens up the mid range and makes max power at 8600 rpm. Personally I’d never own a n54 so I’d drop it in a second for an m3.

[Soden82]

Have owned an N55 and N54 before my M3. I’ve driven stock ones and a handful of supercharged ones.

With index 12’s ($3000), water pump and thermostat ($400-500), HPFP ($500), valve cover and gasket ($400), walnut blast ($500), I was slowly bleeding money and the sound/driving characteristic of the M3 always called for me.

My advice is to find a car that has had major services done. I purchased mine with RB/TA done, spark plugs, and DCT service done.

Also test drive one to decide if your okay with a slower straight line car.

[Oreo Cat]

honestly my SC'd m3 has not needed even close to the amount of maintenance as either of my 335i cars. it costs more up front but after maintenance and insurance I keep more money driving an m3

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by BimmerMan33

M3 needs to be revved out to experience its specialness. Driving an M3 in traffic can be underwhelming if unable to rev to 5,000 rpm frequently. M3 motor is designed to excel at higher rpm to suit track use.
N54 has a ton of torque at lower rpm, so more fun & feels powerful in traffic. N54 is designed for street use.
Actually, both of these are too different to compare, apples vs oranges / naturally aspirated vs turbo.
Go test drive it!

You’d be amazed by how useable 6th and 7th gears are in traffic and on 25-35 mph roads with a 3.62 FD diff! It also pulls much harder at lower rpm. I have two e92 M3s, one with the 3.62 FD and the other with the stock 3.15 FD. Both have the same stage 2 tune. The 3.15 FD feels lethargic at lower rpm and I constantly hit the rev limiter when trying to extract that last bit of extra pull/power in each gear at 8600 rpm (it was much worse before raising the redline on the stock diff car). I’ve looked for an e9x M3 LSD FD comparison but this e46 M3 comparison shows the difference - 3.62 (stock) vs 3.91 vs 4.10 (which I had on my e46 M3):
https://youtu.be/JGatkOG9XVI?si=K7GHzzvaDhRCdwj1

[fs34]

The sound is intoxicating enough to make up the difference. The s65 is reliable if you maintain it, fewer random gongs and worries IMO. Have experience with both, would never go back to n54 even if it’s “faster”.

[timothy2001]

Leveled up from a full bolt on N55 to my M3 almost eight years ago......never looked back.

Go drive one if you have not already, that will make up your mind quickly.

[Brandoch]

No more imput from the OP?

[ee90]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

No more imput from the OP?

Just reading the responses. Trying to find someone local who will let me test drive one. Then go from there.

The one I originally wanted to buy was too high KM for me almost 250k. Would like to find a low km, manual and preferably blue or red. This is a car I would keep for 5 plus years. Finding a red E90 seems impossible, I have seen only two for sale in a year. Never seen a blue E90. I am not sure if the E90s even came in blue? Just need to be patient and wait. I know the right one will come to me eventually.

What should I expect to pay for an E90 M3? 30-35k CAD?

Would I notice any difference between an E92 and E90? Call me crazy but I just like the look of the E90 over the E92 haha.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

No more imput from the OP?

I guess he decided to stick with the n54. He’ll never know what makes the s65 such a special engine. When the s65 was first released, I couldn’t wait to see what BMW had done to the 2nd gen v8 M3 to improve upon the already phenomenal s65. Something like a NA 4.6 L v8 with 9k rpm redline with ~490-500 hp and ~340-360 lbf-ft (basically match 911 gt3 power level). Then the reports of an I6 TT engine started to trickle out. What a let down. The s55 is a great engine and my ‘16 f82 has the original engine tuning with peak torque < 2k rpm but peak power is > 2k rpm before redline whereas the s65 peak power is almost at redline. The linear pull of the s65 is so intoxicating!

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I guess he decided to stick with the n54. He’ll never know what makes the s65 such a special engine. When the s65 was first released, I couldn’t wait to see what BMW had done to the 2nd gen v8 M3 to improve upon the already phenomenal s65. Something like a NA 4.6 L v8 with 9k rpm redline with ~490-500 hp and ~340-360 lbf-ft (basically match 911 gt3 power level). Then the reports of an I6 TT engine started to trickle out. What a let down. The s55 is a great engine and my ‘16 f82 has the original engine tuning with peak torque < 2k rpm but peak power is > 2k rpm before redline whereas the s65 peak power is almost at redline. The linear pull of the s65 is so intoxicating!

He did just post ^

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

He did just post ^

lol…I was writing my post as he posted to the thread!

OP - test drive an e9x M3 and make sure you go WOT to redline in at least two gears.

[E92Bean]

Originally Posted by ee90

Just reading the responses. Trying to find someone local who will let me test drive one. Then go from there.

The one I originally wanted to buy was too high KM for me almost 250k. Would like to find a low km, manual and preferably blue or red. This is a car I would keep for 5 plus years. Finding a red E90 seems impossible, I have seen only two for sale in a year. Never seen a blue E90. I am not sure if the E90s even came in blue? Just need to be patient and wait. I know the right one will come to me eventually.

What should I expect to pay for an E90 M3? 30-35k CAD?

Would I notice any difference between an E92 and E90? Call me crazy but I just like the look of the E90 over the E92 haha.

A manual e90 is pretty rare, especially in any red or blue. Sub 100k miles will be more expensive. I have a ZCP e92 and drive a friend’s e90 before. No real difference other than 4 doors an asthetics. Sedan is supposedly more rigid, and you can’t get a carbon fiber roof. E90 was produced from 2008-2011, while the e92 was made up to 2013. Higher chance of finding an e92 in the spec you want.
I was looking for over a year for my spec of car (white with fox red 2 tone interior). Just have to be ready to jump on a good deal.

[ee90]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

lol…I was writing my post as he posted to the thread!

OP - test drive an e9x M3 and make sure you go WOT to redline in at least two gears.

Will do that for sure! Just need to find an owner that allows others to drive. Lots of people are scared to let a random test drive which I get, I never let anyone drive my cars either lol.

[ee90]

Originally Posted by E92Bean

A manual e90 is pretty rare, especially in any red or blue. Sub 100k miles will be more expensive. I have a ZCP e92 and drive a friend’s e90 before. No real difference other than 4 doors an asthetics. Sedan is supposedly more rigid, and you can’t get a carbon fiber roof. E90 was produced from 2008-2011, while the e92 was made up to 2013. Higher chance of finding an e92 in the spec you want.
I was looking for over a year for my spec of car (white with fox red 2 tone interior). Just have to be ready to jump on a good deal.

I do love the carbon fiber roof as well. I have been looking on and off for a year now. Saw a red E90 for sale I think in Alberta, it was gone in a couple of days. Can't think about it otherwise someone else will grab it.


If it's a E92 oh well definitely not a deal breaker. I watched Sreten from M539 Restorations rebuilding his E92 and yeah I need one, to say the least.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by ee90

Will do that for sure! Just need to find an owner that allows others to drive. Lots of people are scared to let a random test drive which I get, I never let anyone drive my cars either lol.

Find a used car dealer that has one and go test drive it. I know you want an e90 but, regardless of whether it’s an e90 or e92, you’ll get the same s65 experience during a test drive. Ride quality, steering, etc. also are similar so if you test drove an e92 you can extrapolate it to the e90.