N54er test drove N55 135i...HOOKED

kingnonis · 09-15-2010, 07:59 PM

Its been a while since I've been active around here, but there seem to be alot of differing opinions between us N54ers and the N55ers regarding our engines (though there shouldnt be, as both are GREAT engines and we're all lucky mofos to have either). Anyway, I thought I'd chime in with my (now-unbiased opinion). Lease is up in October on my '08 135i vert 6AT. I've been a JB+ user, moving to a JB3 back since v1.22, progressing to v1.4, which I currently have on my vert. I've been looking at replacing the car with an '11 z4 35i because i just was completely against going to a car without an N54. Took the 1er in for service work (for the one-millionth time..its in there once every 2mos...

) and talked to my CA about maybe ordering an '11 coupe with DCT, so we priced it out blabla and he threw me keys to a vert they had out back and I took it for a spin. Now...up until today I would never have said this, but damn! It felt like I was driving a completely different car with that DCT. The shifts are amazing, launch control is a blast, punch the sport button and use the shifters and it will COMPLETELY blow away the steptronic which was until today my hero. I lowered the top and took it to an open road and this is were the deal was sealed...the music the N55 makes coupled with the lack of restriction this exhaust has vs the N54 is beautiful. There is no comparing the stock N55 exhaust with the stock exhaust in my 1er, it blows it away. Played around with the DCT, really tested the N55- keep in mind im a long time JBer and have long forgotten what these feel like stock- and it blew me away. Once shiv/terry releases the procede/jb3 for this bad boy, I believe it will be epic to drive, even if its a stage 1 tune. Well, I'm sure by now you know how this ends... I'll be placing my order for an '11 135i coupe (the DCT plus the weight reduction coming from my vert alone will make the change in accl significant for me) with a bmw perf exhaust within the next week or so, tuning it progressively as the items become available, and thinking twice before passing judgement without the necessary knowledge next time.

jhuber · 09-15-2010, 08:02 PM

Interesting I might have to go up to the dealership and check one out for myself

MarkR171 · 09-15-2010, 08:10 PM

Launch control? Was it a demo or something with over 1200 miles?

Glad to hear you like it, almost my thoughts exactly

MOCKBA · 09-15-2010, 08:27 PM

Sure, new engine and new transmission should do the magic. Bravo BMW, nice job. I guess resale value of N54/Step cars dropped significantly. I am glad I am on lease.

sb335is · 09-15-2010, 08:27 PM

wish i waited an extra month. shit

kingnonis · 09-15-2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twoturboz

wish i waited an extra month. shit

Dont get me wrong, if my lease weren't up on my 1er I wouldn't be rushing to find a way out and get into a new lease on an n55; infact, I'm sad we will be parting ways despite all the issues I've had with it, damn we've had some fun and kicked some ass. I guess the stars just lined up at the right time.

DWRAT · 09-15-2010, 10:07 PM

How many miles were on the tester?

kingnonis · 09-16-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWRAT

How many miles were on the tester?

Still in double digits.

MarkR171 · 09-16-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingnonis

Still in double digits.

Then you didn't actually use launch control... It isn't available until 1200 miles.

kingnonis · 09-16-2010, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Then you didn't actually use launch control... It isn't available until 1200 miles.

Then I'm way wrong about the miles on the demo. No wonder he let me abuse it. Im sure it was launch control, M1 with sport button lit and flooring throttle while pressing brake.. it feels like it did on my 04 e46 w/smg (only the engaging procedure differs)..revs up then gooooooo.

MarkR171 · 09-16-2010, 10:25 PM

Did the big checkered flag icon come on on the dash? Need DTC activated for LC also.

1SerieStud · 09-17-2010, 06:21 AM

Congrats...you saw the light!

pleasedeleteme92 · 09-17-2010, 11:00 AM

Drove a new 1 coupe (vert on order) yesterday too! best drive ever.

kingnonis · 09-17-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Did the big checkered flag icon come on on the dash? Need DTC activated for LC also.

Yea I was back at the dealer today to pick up my 08 1er vert from service and redrove the demo, 1476 miles on it. Also decided to just do it....placed my order for the '11 135 coupe, jet black/coral red (like my vert) but w/aluminum trim. Went with DCT, Msport, Premium, and seat warmers, as well as the performance exhaust residualized into the lease to be installed upon arrival (nixed the NAV for it). CA put it straight into production and should be here next month

. My 08 got a software upgrade and now it drives better than ever, hate to see it go soon. Time to reinstall the JB3 and enjoy it before waving goodbye to my baby.

Remonster · 09-17-2010, 06:07 PM

I don't miss nav because I just use my iPhone but the HK sound system is a must have, especially since it's under $900.

I feel the same way about the sound of the N55, the performance is very similar to the N54 but this new, less-restrictive exhaust system is crazy it puts a huge smile on my face every day.

09-15-2010, 07:59 PM	#1
kingnonis 1er Lover 10 Rep 201 Posts Drives: my gf insane Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Far West TX iTrader: (1)	N54er test drove N55 135i...HOOKED Its been a while since I've been active around here, but there seem to be alot of differing opinions between us N54ers and the N55ers regarding our engines (though there shouldnt be, as both are GREAT engines and we're all lucky mofos to have either). Anyway, I thought I'd chime in with my (now-unbiased opinion). Lease is up in October on my '08 135i vert 6AT. I've been a JB+ user, moving to a JB3 back since v1.22, progressing to v1.4, which I currently have on my vert. I've been looking at replacing the car with an '11 z4 35i because i just was completely against going to a car without an N54. Took the 1er in for service work (for the one-millionth time..its in there once every 2mos...) and talked to my CA about maybe ordering an '11 coupe with DCT, so we priced it out blabla and he threw me keys to a vert they had out back and I took it for a spin. Now...up until today I would never have said this, but damn! It felt like I was driving a completely different car with that DCT. The shifts are amazing, launch control is a blast, punch the sport button and use the shifters and it will COMPLETELY blow away the steptronic which was until today my hero. I lowered the top and took it to an open road and this is were the deal was sealed...the music the N55 makes coupled with the lack of restriction this exhaust has vs the N54 is beautiful. There is no comparing the stock N55 exhaust with the stock exhaust in my 1er, it blows it away. Played around with the DCT, really tested the N55- keep in mind im a long time JBer and have long forgotten what these feel like stock- and it blew me away. Once shiv/terry releases the procede/jb3 for this bad boy, I believe it will be epic to drive, even if its a stage 1 tune. Well, I'm sure by now you know how this ends... I'll be placing my order for an '11 135i coupe (the DCT plus the weight reduction coming from my vert alone will make the change in accl significant for me) with a bmw perf exhaust within the next week or so, tuning it progressively as the items become available, and thinking twice before passing judgement without the necessary knowledge next time. __________________ '08 135i vert Jet Black/Coral RedPremium + ///Msport + JB3 + BMS DCI* (retired ) '11 135i dct Le Mans/Black* Premium + ///Msport + JB3 Stg.1 + BMW Perf. Exhaust + HPA Foam Filter Last edited by kingnonis; 09-15-2010 at 08:14 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-15-2010, 08:02 PM	#2
jhuber Lieutenant 66 Rep 448 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Leavenworth, KS iTrader: (2)	Interesting I might have to go up to the dealership and check one out for myself
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-15-2010, 08:10 PM	#3
MarkR171 Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,552 Posts Drives: '19 M2C \| '20 100AE ND2 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phx, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [0.00]	Launch control? Was it a demo or something with over 1200 miles? Glad to hear you like it, almost my thoughts exactly __________________ 2019 M2C - Alpine White - 6MT 2023 Supra 6MT - Deposit and Wait
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-15-2010, 08:27 PM	#4
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	Sure, new engine and new transmission should do the magic. Bravo BMW, nice job. I guess resale value of N54/Step cars dropped significantly. I am glad I am on lease. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-15-2010, 08:27 PM	#5
sb335is Captain 86 Rep 736 Posts Drives: fast Join Date: May 2010 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	wish i waited an extra month. shit __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-15-2010, 10:07 PM	#7
DWRAT Private 2 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0)	How many miles were on the tester? __________________ 2011 135i DCT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-16-2010, 10:25 PM	#11
MarkR171 Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,552 Posts Drives: '19 M2C \| '20 100AE ND2 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phx, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [0.00]	Did the big checkered flag icon come on on the dash? Need DTC activated for LC also. __________________ 2019 M2C - Alpine White - 6MT 2023 Supra 6MT - Deposit and Wait
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-17-2010, 06:21 AM	#12
1SerieStud Brigadier General 184 Rep 3,939 Posts Drives: '11 VO 1M (498 of 740) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (11)	Congrats...you saw the light!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-17-2010, 11:00 AM	#13
pleasedeleteme92 New Member 5 Rep 24 Posts Drives: k Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: s iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i Vert [0.00]	Drove a new 1 coupe (vert on order) yesterday too! best drive ever.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-17-2010, 06:07 PM	#15
Remonster Lieutenant Colonel 824 Rep 1,584 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	I don't miss nav because I just use my iPhone but the HK sound system is a must have, especially since it's under $900. I feel the same way about the sound of the N55, the performance is very similar to the N54 but this new, less-restrictive exhaust system is crazy it puts a huge smile on my face every day.
	Appreciate 0 Quote