[N54wayne]

Hello everyone, I currently own a 2009 335i X-Drive, and I am ready to start with bolt-on's. Unfortunately, I sinned and got the auto trans thinking I'd like it because I live in the DMV with tons of traffic. I heavily regret it, especially now that I want to mod it. I am strongly considering trading it for another N54 335i with 6MT before I mod it.

My question for you great people is WHAT IS THE BEST YEAR OF THE N54 335I?
I want to know performance wise as well as in all other areas because it is my daily.

I hear some people say 07-08 because of the forged internals, but I've heard others say every year of the N54 has them. I also hear people say that 09+ is best because of the iDrive, NAV, stereo system w/ AMP, and exterior aesthetics.

PLEASE HELP!!!

[dreyo27]

2013 335is
I would recommend a DCT so you have the best of both worlds, Auto and Manual

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by dreyo27

2013 335is
I would recommend a DCT so you have the best of both worlds, Auto and Manual

no manual clutch = automatic.

[E9TOU]

Last year of the engine is probably going to be the best. As mentioned the 335is was built up to 2013. Otherwise, 2010 for regular 335's.

[sirdaft1]

Originally Posted by Harambe

no manual clutch = automatic.

^^^ Hahahaha... we're starting that on this forum now. Love it.

OP - you're going to get HEAVY bias from this forum to get an MT #becauseracecarbro. I own a big twin turbo 2007 6AT 335 and love. it. I track it, I daily drive it. (I also own a 5MT e30 racecar, so I get the MT perspective). Your biggest issue with a 6AT is the power limitations at this point in time. It's good to hold up to 600whp without experiencing issues. Whereas the MT has been known to see 700-800whp+ with upgraded clutch/fw. That said, without question AT's are faster than MT's.

All that to say, if you personally prefer an MT, get one. But I personally love my AT.

[e36power]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

All that to say, if you personally prefer an MT, get one. But I personally love my AT.

I think this is some good analysis. I love the MT. Had a 1992 E36 325i MT back in the day. Loved that car. Couple MTs after that. Then when I bought the 335i, I was having a hard time finding a MT with the options I wanted (admittedly I was a little impatient). Took an AT for a test drive and pulled the trigger. I have been happy with it. Especially driving in Atlanta traffic. Don't get me wrong, I love the MT. I am in the process of hunting down an E36 M3 sedan with an MT. Would never even consider getting it in the AT. But the AT in the 335i is not a mid 90s auto. It is a good transmission. Automatic or not. Toss it in "manual ( )" mode and enjoy. That's what I do. 95% of the time I am content.

As far as the OPs question, if you really want to trade out to a MT, I would just steer clear of 2007. They generally lack a factory oil cooler. If you are going to track the thing at all, it is my understanding that you are much much more likely to run into oil temp issues. Can obviously install one, but might as well just have it from the outset.

Good luck with the decision. Either way, you have a great car.

[bigdnno98]

2010 is the best year for a 335i. 2011-2013 335is also have an n54. trans choice is up to you. IS only come in DCT or MT. plenty of single turbo AT guys out there. If you're going to be drag racing the car, AT is not going to like it over 550tq.

[d21spike]

Originally Posted by e36power

I think this is some good analysis. I love the MT. Had a 1992 E36 325i MT back in the day. Loved that car. Couple MTs after that. Then when I bought the 335i, I was having a hard time finding a MT with the options I wanted (admittedly I was a little impatient). Took an AT for a test drive and pulled the trigger. I have been happy with it. Especially driving in Atlanta traffic. Don't get me wrong, I love the MT. I am in the process of hunting down an E36 M3 sedan with an MT. Would never even consider getting it in the AT. But the AT in the 335i is not a mid 90s auto. It is a good transmission. Automatic or not. Toss it in "manual ( )" mode and enjoy. That's what I do. 95% of the time I am content.

As far as the OPs question, if you really want to trade out to a MT, I would just steer clear of 2007. They generally lack a factory oil cooler. If you are going to track the thing at all, it is my understanding that you are much much more likely to run into oil temp issues. Can obviously install one, but might as well just have it from the outset.

Good luck with the decision. Either way, you have a great car.

07 checking in with factory oil cooler, catch is it had to have sports package ... Then again I wouldn't buy one without it, the seats alone are worth it.

[TemjinX2]

i agree...i would get a 335is in manual. You get the m sport kit, n54 engine and the new lci look and it'll have less chance of issues. The 335is's are pretty cheap....if i were in the market today i would've opted for the 335is

there pretty much a unicorn in manual so you'll probably have to look nation wide.

here's a pretty decent one with low mileage

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...01956757&Log=0

[bradsm87]

If the 335is was available here in Australia, it would me a no-brainer - a late model 335is DCT.

Having said that, now that bootmod3 is available, an F32 435i N55 8AT + Pure Stage 2 turbo would be verrry nice!

[N54wayne]

Originally Posted by sirdaft1

^^^ Hahahaha... we're starting that on this forum now. Love it.

OP - you're going to get HEAVY bias from this forum to get an MT #becauseracecarbro. I own a big twin turbo 2007 6AT 335 and love. it. I track it, I daily drive it. (I also own a 5MT e30 racecar, so I get the MT perspective). Your biggest issue with a 6AT is the power limitations at this point in time. It's good to hold up to 600whp without experiencing issues. Whereas the MT has been known to see 700-800whp+ with upgraded clutch/fw. That said, without question AT's are faster than MT's.

All that to say, if you personally prefer an MT, get one. But I personally love my AT.

awesome thank you

[N54wayne]

Originally Posted by e36power

I think this is some good analysis. I love the MT. Had a 1992 E36 325i MT back in the day. Loved that car. Couple MTs after that. Then when I bought the 335i, I was having a hard time finding a MT with the options I wanted (admittedly I was a little impatient). Took an AT for a test drive and pulled the trigger. I have been happy with it. Especially driving in Atlanta traffic. Don't get me wrong, I love the MT. I am in the process of hunting down an E36 M3 sedan with an MT. Would never even consider getting it in the AT. But the AT in the 335i is not a mid 90s auto. It is a good transmission. Automatic or not. Toss it in "manual ( )" mode and enjoy. That's what I do. 95% of the time I am content.

As far as the OPs question, if you really want to trade out to a MT, I would just steer clear of 2007. They generally lack a factory oil cooler. If you are going to track the thing at all, it is my understanding that you are much much more likely to run into oil temp issues. Can obviously install one, but might as well just have it from the outset.

Good luck with the decision. Either way, you have a great car.

thank you

[N54wayne]

Originally Posted by TemjinX2

i agree...i would get a 335is in manual. You get the m sport kit, n54 engine and the new lci look and it'll have less chance of issues. The 335is's are pretty cheap....if i were in the market today i would've opted for the 335is

there pretty much a unicorn in manual so you'll probably have to look nation wide.

here's a pretty decent one with low mileage

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...01956757&Log=0

Doesn't the 335is have the n55 engine? I hear that the n54 is better, would you agree?

[AlpineBoost]

^ The 335is only has the n54

[TemjinX2]

Originally Posted by N54wayne

Doesn't the 335is have the n55 engine? I hear that the n54 is better, would you agree?

like said above 335is was always n54

the 2011-2013 e92 335i is n55

[Fundguy1]

N54 is n54. Internals are the same. Get the lowest mile newest one you can. 335is is the pinnacle. 2009 and newer better idrive. 2007 was worst, especially early production.

[Milan]

Getting a 335is manual defeats the purpose of the 335is almost entirely. At that point just get a 335i with M-sport package.

All of the years are good in their own ways. If you take the DME out of the equation there is nothing more reliable about the 09+ cars. They seem to have less issues because they have less miles. Any 07-08 is bound to have a later fuel pump and injectors.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Get the newest N54 with the least miles.

[r4dr]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

N54 is n54. Internals are the same. Get the lowest mile newest one you can. 335is is the pinnacle. 2009 and newer better idrive. 2007 was worst, especially early production.

They made some changes in the wastegate at some point for later builds. Possibly some other fixes too.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by r4dr

They made some changes in the wastegate at some point for later builds. Possibly some other fixes too.

No, just the turbo shaft (bigger diameter) is different and ECU parameters. Wastegates are the same.

[CoffeeBean]

Originally Posted by d21spike

07 checking in with factory oil cooler, catch is it had to have sports package ... Then again I wouldn't buy one without it, the seats alone are worth it.

Early 07 didn't have one, later 07 usually did..sports package or not. I've got a 12/06 production date with sports package, but without oil cooler.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by RossTheBoss

Early 07 didn't have one, later 07 usually did..sports package or not. I've got a 12/06 production date with sports package, but without oil cooler.

I'm not sure with 07 early or later production but on the later models I know the oil cooler comes with the 18's and performance tires. You can have a sport package and 17's (typically all season) which would be no oil cooler.