My N54 Journey - 335i LCI

[Kyle]

Finally have some time to post a thread on this car,

After selling my F30, and owning a few cars that I can't even remember, I decided it was time for something a little more exciting. After considering various options, I found myself drawn towards an N54 (Seem to enjoy punishment). A few reasons that were valid to me, I've pretty much owned an E90 with every other engine. Also owned an N55 in my ex F20 so I wanted to see what the hype was about, being a firm believer in experiencing it first hand before drawing conclusions.

There weren't many available, and even less that I would actually consider buying... Eventually came across a car that was owned by a "friend of a friend". He had owned the car for 5 years, the car itself was well specced with the added benefit of being a "known" car.

Details:

'09 LCI Manual
Pretty much as fully specced as you would realistically find an E90 in SA

I bought the car with an FBO build, meth and JB4.
All mods had been tastefully done, with quality parts being used.
Currently on a set of Cobra coilovers and V710s with some tasty F series calipers up front.



To be continued...

 

[YasserIsmail]

Been waiting for this thread!!! Masha Allah.

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

Congrats on the new car bro.

Many happy miles and smiles

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[tdi_stig]

Nice car bro. Cant seem to stay away from the E90's hey.

 

[Riaad]

N54 manual ...puts all the wrong thoughts in one's head

 

[Kyle]

Thanks guys,

So continuing on from my previous post, the car was owned by another enthusiast before me which was a new experience. Ordered a bunch of parts only to find out that whatever I removed to replace seemed to be quite new (OEM or better). In fact, most of the usual E90 preventative maintenance had been performed.

Luckily there were still a few odds and ends to take care of..

First up were the sticky door pull handles, managed to find a replacement A/M set locally for R350... Really good quality and looks OEM.







After this, the interior received a good clean (It's much less shiny in reality)




Engine maintenance wise, I bought a new set of the Bosch "N55" coil packs, only to learn that the car already had a set fitted... The age was unknown so I fitted the new ones anyway... Also went through and inspected / cleaned all sensors, wiring etc... The vanos solenoids seemed to be brand new OEM, along with the vanos check valves which were spotless.

Finally found something that was subpar, these were replaced with a set of OEM plugs



The engine cover went "missing" from a hydrodipping shop, so I bought a new 1M cover from ABM



Lots of neatening up still to come in here...



I had done some research on carbon cleaning almost immediately after buying the car. Unfortunately a few trusted friends had bad experiences with the local Carbon Doctor branch, so I decided to take it myself. This was actually pretty easy although quite time consuming... Overall happy with the result for a DIY job. From the before pics, it was definitely done at some point in the car's life..



The rest of the gunk above was softened substantially, and judging by the amount of junk that came through the exhaust after the first start.. it was definitely burned off...

I don't have many process pics etc, my intention was always just to enjoy the process... I felt like we are too obsessed with documenting our lives online, so much so that we focus more on that aspect and forget to enjoy the process. I have enjoyed going back to basics with this car, wrenching in my garage without distractions, or the requirement to spend time taking pics for a thread...

 

[Kyle]

Some random pics...





Considering a few options with the aesthetics, also need to get rid of the stock exhaust... It sounds great with the A/M downpipes, but just needs a little more aggression.

 

[AshG108]

Firstly, congrats on yet another buy...ha ha ha! When you cannot remember, please refer to your signature LOL!

Have been waiting to see this as well...this is a unicorn by far!

 

[Kyle]

Firstly, congrats on yet another buy...ha ha ha! When you cannot remember, please refer to your signature LOL!

Have been waiting to see this as well...this is a unicorn by far!

Thank you sir... Although there are probably 5 or so cars missing from my signature 😂

 

[Riaad]

Thank you sir... Although there are probably 5 or so cars missing from my signature 😂

I'm sure its more than 5

 

[Kyle]

I'm sure its more than 5

Likely 🙈

 

[KPM3_30]

What a beast and really excellent spec, with a manual box to boot, none of that slush-box/torque converter to numb the feeling of the N54. Wishing you many miles of happy smiles. Great work as always with the wrenching, OEM+ for the win.

We should definitely do a E9x meet up.

 

[KPM3_30]

Thank you sir... Although there are probably 5 or so cars missing from my signature 😂

Guess you need to update your signature as well then

 

[Cornel]

Congrats on the new car. Looks like you found a proper clean E90

 

[KarshS]

Congrats bud.... Looks like a very clean example. Enjoy it

 

[Diesel]

Congrats Kyle. Wishing you many safe miles.

 

[Yulz9081]

Congrats bro! Looks very clean and more so it’s in the best colour

Also, Glws!


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[Kyle]

Congrats bro! Looks very clean and more so it’s in the best colour

Also, Glws!


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Always had a soft spot for SG E90s 😂

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

N54 manual ...puts all the wrong thoughts in one's head

Go drive an E82 135i manual and then a 1M. Your bucket list of cars will change

You will want them on there.

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[CK4LIFE]

Thanks guys,

So continuing on from my previous post, the car was owned by another enthusiast before me which was a new experience. Ordered a bunch of parts only to find out that whatever I removed to replace seemed to be quite new (OEM or better). In fact, most of the usual E90 preventative maintenance had been performed.

Luckily there were still a few odds and ends to take care of..

First up were the sticky door pull handles, managed to find a replacement A/M set locally for R350... Really good quality and looks OEM.

View attachment 9440


View attachment 9439
View attachment 9441

After this, the interior received a good clean (It's much less shiny in reality)

View attachment 9442
View attachment 9443

Engine maintenance wise, I bought a new set of the Bosch "N55" coil packs, only to learn that the car already had a set fitted... The age was unknown so I fitted the new ones anyway... Also went through and inspected / cleaned all sensors, wiring etc... The vanos solenoids seemed to be brand new OEM, along with the vanos check valves which were spotless.

Finally found something that was subpar, these were replaced with a set of OEM plugs

View attachment 9444

The engine cover went "missing" from a hydrodipping shop, so I bought a new 1M cover from ABM

View attachment 9445

Lots of neatening up still to come in here...

View attachment 9447

I had done some research on carbon cleaning almost immediately after buying the car. Unfortunately a few trusted friends had bad experiences with the local Carbon Doctor branch, so I decided to take it myself. This was actually pretty easy although quite time consuming... Overall happy with the result for a DIY job. From the before pics, it was definitely done at some point in the car's life..

View attachment 9448

The rest of the gunk above was softened substantially, and judging by the amount of junk that came through the exhaust after the first start.. it was definitely burned off...

I don't have many process pics etc, my intention was always just to enjoy the process... I felt like we are too obsessed with documenting our lives online, so much so that we focus more on that aspect and forget to enjoy the process. I have enjoyed going back to basics with this car, wrenching in my garage without distractions, or the requirement to spend time taking pics for a thread...

Congrats indeed are in order... hopefully this one will enjoy your garage much longer..lol