E92 335i VS Ecoboost Mustang

[foghat]

I had a 335i with n54. I wouldn't call the 1500 for ignition coils and spark plugs a "cure" even with no tune, at WOT I was having misfires in #4 at least once a week. And thats after replacing all plugs and coils. The fact is they are huge in maintenance. Had the car six months. Went through 3 Hpfp's, had to have turbos replaced, (under warranty) the new ones had waste gate rattle like a SOB, and the DME failed. That car was an absolute nightmare to maintain. It was also a tin of fun to drive, but every time I went WOT I was worried it would put s huge dent in my wallet.

Jesus. You paid $1500 for plugs and coils? You can buy plugs for $13 each and coils for $50 each. And you really don't need to replace all the coils, just the cylinder that has the misfire.

You had a bad run of luck if you had that many issues in 6 months. No manufacturer is free of the odd 'problem' vehicle.

I had mine, an '08, for 2.5 years (just getting rid of it last september) and had a grand total of one code. Replaced the vanos solenoids and not an engine related problem since (or before).

In fact, that and a leaky AC evaporator (big labor expense to replace - which I did not do) were the only problems I had with the car in the 2.5 years.

The hpfp was a know issue and big headache, but bmw finally resolved that a few years back and there is extended the warranty on it to boot. Ya, the turbo waste gates have been know to cause problems as well, but again, there is an extended warranty on those as well.

Not trying to claim that the n54 is absolutely problem free, but it is a very solid and reliable engine. And more to my point, modwise, bang for the buck, I'm not sure it can be beat.

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[Nazgul]

Yeah but without upgrades (other then the tune) you can only run about one setting (map) on the tune. So to utilize the others you need tons of upgrades.

And your point is? With our cars you only run one tune until you get a part and then you request a revision. I'm not getting what your saying.

Bmw performance parts really are not that expensive either. The n54 down pipes are cheaper than the current ecoboost downpipe.

 

[Nazgul]

We are talking about the n54 too. The current n55 has very few problems. It's doesn't quiet make the same power but it's dang close.

Beside the hpfp issue which was eventually solved (and under warranty) they had the turbo issue in which the waste gate rattled and caused improper boost, thus causing limp mode. Again this was solved and most have been fixed under warranty. The n54 has been all but cured of most it's major issues. Lots of guys get misfires and tuned cars. When u add 100hp you're gonna burn up your stock plugs fast. As for bad coils packs, all German cars have dodgy coils. Bmw, audi, vw, whoever. Such is life with a German car, it's not n54/55 specific.

As for the sti, psssh that motor and stock tune is garbage. Guys were busting their ringlands and munching motors due to subarus crappy leaned out stock tune. Subaru knew about the problem and didn't due dick. Unfortunately it also presented itself on many base wrx'es too. Plus shitty main seals to boot. I wouldnt touch a wrx unless it's and old ej20 bugeye or new 15.

 

[drabon74]

It's understandable that swapped turbos on t.hose cars are putting down insane power. But those cars are having so many issues. Misfires, the car going into limp mode etc... The N54 isn't built to handle insane amount of boost or huge turbos. it was designed to handle small turbos with moderate boost.

I'm sure if you stuck a big turbo on a EB it would surprise you with how quick it is. Don't forget about the 4 cylinder sti with a single turbo. You can make that car faster then lambos.....

WOW you are clueless! The N54 was overengineered like crazy. It has all forged internals, MUCH stronger than the ecoboost. Those cars get bigger gains from a cheaper tune than does the ecoboost also.

 

[drabon74]

Jesus. You paid $1500 for plugs and coils? You can buy plugs for $13 each and coils for $50 each. And you really don't need to replace all the coils, just the cylinder that has the misfire.

You had a bad run of luck if you had that many issues in 6 months. No manufacturer is free of the odd 'problem' vehicle.

I had mine, an '08, for 2.5 years (just getting rid of it last september) and had a grand total of one code. Replaced the vanos solenoids and not an engine related problem since (or before).

In fact, that and a leaky AC evaporator (big labor expense to replace - which I did not do) were the only problems I had with the car in the 2.5 years.

The hpfp was a know issue and big headache, but bmw finally resolved that a few years back and there is extended the warranty on it to boot. Ya, the turbo waste gates have been know to cause problems as well, but again, there is an extended warranty on those as well.

Not trying to claim that the n54 is absolutely problem free, but it is a very solid and reliable engine. And more to my point, modwise, bang for the buck, I'm not sure it can be beat.

If i could have purchased a Mustang with an N54 i would have done it. My 335i tuned ran 12.8 1/4 mile and got 32 mpg on the highway. I never had any issues with my engine in 5 years of ownership except one coil pack covered under warranty. The torque curve of the N54 is MASSIVE. There is a reason the N54 won 5 consecutive international engine of the year awards. for tuners it had bulletproof internals and had turbos large enough to get some major gains with simple tunes. 70 hp and 80ft lbs tq whereas the same level of tune on the ecoboost is netting 20-30 hp tops and about the same tq. Ford put a small twin scroll turbo on the ecoboost to limit tuning upside, just like BMW did on the N55.

 

[Nazgul]

And on that note, end thread.

 

[lowkeylow]

currently own a e92 335i with jb4, downpipe, charge pipe and bov, dci, and I assume about 430bhp and around 370-380 whp, similar mods have specs those numbers on dyno.. I recently raced a Camaro 1ss or w.e the name is with an exhaust and I had 2 passengers in the car, we were neck to neck he beat me 2 times by 2feet and I wooped him by a car and a half.. he was MT and we were pulling from 40 mph, that's what he wanted but for me 40mph was either high 2nd gear around 5,500 rpm or low 2,300 rpm in 3rd... wasn't good for me but still was neck to neck I was viewing his back window until 140mph..... he didn't want to race from 0 or me in my peek gear! but I am selling the car and looking at the natural 5.0 gt.. hope its a good turn out

 

[lowkeylow]

If i could have purchased a Mustang with an N54 i would have done it. My 335i tuned ran 12.8 1/4 mile and got 32 mpg on the highway. I never had any issues with my engine in 5 years of ownership except one coil pack covered under warranty. The torque curve of the N54 is MASSIVE. There is a reason the N54 won 5 consecutive international engine of the year awards. for tuners it had bulletproof internals and had turbos large enough to get some major gains with simple tunes. 70 hp and 80ft lbs tq whereas the same level of tune on the ecoboost is netting 20-30 hp tops and about the same tq. Ford put a small twin scroll turbo on the ecoboost to limit tuning upside, just like BMW did on the N55.

couldn't of said it any better!

Still love the n54 335i, but I think its time for a change... try some American muscle... down side about 335i once out of warranty and you hit 65k+ problems are bound to start.... majority is oil leaks everywhere.. valve cover, rear main, front main, oil pan.... coils.. vannos .... but I have heard people with 90kmiles or even 100k and they were good..... every car is diff, but majority will have those issues over that milage

 

[EcoSwag1990]

If i could have purchased a Mustang with an N54 i would have done it. My 335i tuned ran 12.8 1/4 mile and got 32 mpg on the highway. I never had any issues with my engine in 5 years of ownership except one coil pack covered under warranty. The torque curve of the N54 is MASSIVE. There is a reason the N54 won 5 consecutive international engine of the year awards. for tuners it had bulletproof internals and had turbos large enough to get some major gains with simple tunes. 70 hp and 80ft lbs tq whereas the same level of tune on the ecoboost is netting 20-30 hp tops and about the same tq. Ford put a small twin scroll turbo on the ecoboost to limit tuning upside, just like BMW did on the N55.

Sooo sounds like you should have gotten an Ecoboost because there are several running 12s and we all get over 30mpg on the hwy

Those tuning numbers are also totally false. Almost all of tuners are adding over 70ft lbs of torque and 40-50hp on stock cars

The link below is to the Livernois tune for the EB. It adds peak 56hp and 87ftlb on a completely stock car

http://www.livernoismotorsports.com/products/2015%252b-Mustang-2.3-Ecoboost-Tuner.html

 

[foghat]

Sooo sounds like you should have gotten an Ecoboost because there are several running 12s and we all get over 30mpg on the hwy

Those tuning numbers are also totally false. Almost all of tuners are adding over 70ft lbs of torque and 40-50hp on stock cars

The link below is to the Livernois tune for the EB. It adds peak 56hp and 87ftlb on a completely stock car

http://www.livernoismotorsports.com/products/2015%252b-Mustang-2.3-Ecoboost-Tuner.html

Obviously it is never going to happen and given the n54 has 2 more cylinders and one more turbo, it is not exactly a fair comparison, but if the n54 were an option for the mustang, I'd take that all day over the ecoboost.

$1500 in mods and you are at 400 whp and 460wtq. And the engine has proven to be pretty much bulletproof.

 

[Shawnski]

but I am selling the car and looking at the natural 5.0 gt.. hope its a good turn out

You will love the charismatic 5.0. I have had N54 and now an N55 and they are simply sweet engines. The 5.0 has a different feel, very visceral and they like to rev.

The one thing that will take getting used to coming from a BMW is the throttle travel; why does it have to be so long Ford?

 

[w3rkn]

Obviously it is never going to happen and given the n54 has 2 more cylinders and one more turbo, it is not exactly a fair comparison, but if the n54 were an option for the mustang, I'd take that all day over the ecoboost.

$1500 in mods and you are at 400 whp and 460wtq. And the engine has proven to be pretty much bulletproof.

You are aware that Ford makes a 2.7 liter V6 EB, right..? And more-than-likely it will be offered in a Mustang, some time in the future.

 

[Dave2013M3]

You are aware that Ford makes a 2.7 liter V6 EB, right..? And more-than-likely it will be offered in a Mustang, some time in the future.

I hope so, this could be a real good sleeper motor.

Dave

 

[foghat]

You are aware that Ford makes a 2.7 liter V6 EB, right..? And more-than-likely it will be offered in a Mustang, some time in the future.

Sure. But as per this discussion, that doesn't really change the fact that if the n54 were an option I'd take it all day over the 4 banger eco.

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