My brave pill: E92 BMW 335i with the infamous N54 engine
Discussion
84Reasons said:
This looks great mate! When I eventually get an M sport rear, I was going to get a gloss black diffuser as well, the grey was always a strange choice to me also as nothing else on the car was even that colour!
Nice one on the vacuum canister bracket also, mine is just as rusty, really upsets the look of the engine bay imo,
Thanks. No ideas why they used that colour and it’s a weird finish thy doesn’t age well at all. Nice one on the vacuum canister bracket also, mine is just as rusty, really upsets the look of the engine bay imo,
That bracket seems to rust. Again not sure why because it’s not in contact with anything. At least it’s only £35 or so.
84Reasons said:
Looks great!
Yeah the Beemers always seem to, frustrating. I lowered my previous one which ended up being a nightmare for humps and car parks, so I would only recommend a very small amount.
The Eibach’s that I’ve bought won’t lower it off much (based on my experiences on my other half’s 125i) but will do just enough to get rid of the 4x4 front arch gap!Yeah the Beemers always seem to, frustrating. I lowered my previous one which ended up being a nightmare for humps and car parks, so I would only recommend a very small amount.
roadie said:
I may be biased, but I think Sparking Graphite is a really interesting colour for a grey. I sure you will keep bringing the best out of it!
I do too. Sometimes it has a slight purple / blue hue to it.It makes my other half’s space gray metallic 125i look a bit flat and uninteresting.
84Reasons said:
What's the front drop on m sport models do you know? I think it's slightly less than the advertised amount. I was considering just buying the front springs and doing those only as the back is fine imo.
It’s 35mm for an SE so supposed to be 25mm but is usually a bit less. I’ll be fitting M3 LCA’s at the same time which will drop it a bit more but the camber plates will cancel that out. If it ends up about the same as my 130i, I’ll be happy. They sat really nicely and was fine over speed bumps etc.
I’ve had an intermittent starting issues over the last few weeks, normally when the car is semi warm (i.e. sat for a few hours after reaching operating temperature). There would be a really really long crank and then the car would splutter into life. No warning lights or error codes. Very odd.
Dan B wondered if the crankshaft position sensor could be dying and having researched it a bit bit more, a long crank is a symptom of a dying sensor along with poor fuel economy and feeling down on power.
The part isn’t that expensive and a chunk less than BMW’s fee to investigate or the excess for my warranty so I figured have change it. Technically the intake manifold is supposed to be removed for access but having watched a few YT vids you can just about access it without doing so….
The little sucker is buried down here:
Yup, it’s the little black egg shaped sensor that I needed to get to.
With a bit of swearing I managed the get the old one out…
I bought a VDO sensor from other sources for half the price BMW wanted. The new one arrived with the BMW logo and part number sanded off.
Getting it back in was a tricky because it was done by feel mostly. I didn’t drop the bottle though which was a result. I’m 99% sure it’s seated properly but will check in a week or so that it’s not weeping oil.
The car started without issue, no warning lights etc so I can’t have made it any worse! It’ll be interesting to see if I have any more starting issues
Dan B wondered if the crankshaft position sensor could be dying and having researched it a bit bit more, a long crank is a symptom of a dying sensor along with poor fuel economy and feeling down on power.
The part isn’t that expensive and a chunk less than BMW’s fee to investigate or the excess for my warranty so I figured have change it. Technically the intake manifold is supposed to be removed for access but having watched a few YT vids you can just about access it without doing so….
The little sucker is buried down here:
Yup, it’s the little black egg shaped sensor that I needed to get to.
With a bit of swearing I managed the get the old one out…
I bought a VDO sensor from other sources for half the price BMW wanted. The new one arrived with the BMW logo and part number sanded off.
Getting it back in was a tricky because it was done by feel mostly. I didn’t drop the bottle though which was a result. I’m 99% sure it’s seated properly but will check in a week or so that it’s not weeping oil.
The car started without issue, no warning lights etc so I can’t have made it any worse! It’ll be interesting to see if I have any more starting issues
roadie said:
I'm sure it is frustrating that another issue has appeared, but hopefully this relatively simple fix fully addresses it.
It was it is. If this solves it then I won’t stress too much. At the end of the day it’s an old BMW with a complex engine. It’s booked in with Rybrook on the 13th June so if it keeps playing up this week hopefully they can sort it.
mholt1995 said:
Been keeping up-to-date with your threads as ever Sam, you've gone through three main cars whilst I've been in the same M135i!
I've observed a lot of comparisons to your 130i (recency helps with that I suppose), but how does it compare to the M140i? Would have to assume power is mostly similar but with a difference in how it's delivered (when I had a Z4 35i, the power delivery definitely felt more linear than my M135i does).
I'm probably selling up the M135i after this summer as it's a bit surplus to requirements now. Too impractical for an all-rounder, not fun enough for a weekender. Want to get some good last few drives out of it but not really sure on what I'll be replacing it with (if anything for now) now that I've got a Volvo S60 to handle pretty much all of my driving as it's just much more refined an experience and the loss of power isn't feeling as bad as I expected.
An E9x (though possibly as a touring, but your own discovery made that seem a bit on the difficult side. A quick check of AT reveals bizarre pricing too!) generation of 3 appeals as a future option for an all-in-one after I get bored of the Volvo until I'm comfortable with spending 'big' money on a car again so keen to hear your comparison..
I do seem to suffer from itchy feet!I've observed a lot of comparisons to your 130i (recency helps with that I suppose), but how does it compare to the M140i? Would have to assume power is mostly similar but with a difference in how it's delivered (when I had a Z4 35i, the power delivery definitely felt more linear than my M135i does).
I'm probably selling up the M135i after this summer as it's a bit surplus to requirements now. Too impractical for an all-rounder, not fun enough for a weekender. Want to get some good last few drives out of it but not really sure on what I'll be replacing it with (if anything for now) now that I've got a Volvo S60 to handle pretty much all of my driving as it's just much more refined an experience and the loss of power isn't feeling as bad as I expected.
An E9x (though possibly as a touring, but your own discovery made that seem a bit on the difficult side. A quick check of AT reveals bizarre pricing too!) generation of 3 appeals as a future option for an all-in-one after I get bored of the Volvo until I'm comfortable with spending 'big' money on a car again so keen to hear your comparison..
The 130i was a lot of fun and was much more interactive than the M140i; I loved having to get up the rev range, heel and toeing etc. it sounded fab and rode much albeit on Birds B1 springs and dampers. Don’t get me wrong it was still a quick little car, but not in the same vein as the 140i but that only felt exciting a very naughty speeds.
My issue with the 130i was that it was a bit frantic; great fun when I was going for a hoon but a bit frustrating on my commute to the office. If I had the cash / room to keep it, I’d definitely have done so.
The E9x seems to be a sweet spot for me; still fun but better for the boring stuff. There are good cars out there. My friend Andy bought a nice 330 touring with a good spec for sensible cash. The tricky part is sorting the good cars from the s
t, plenty have been run on a shoestring now but there are good cars, owned by enthusiasts. Judging prices is a bit trickier though in the current market.roadie said:
I completed the purchase of a manual N55 335i yesterday so now have 6L of BMW in the car park and many, many questions!
Firstly the car has the phone dock in the arm rest, which I would like to get rid of for more storage. Do you have a part number for the pictured part and any instructions for replacement?
I'd also welcome recommendations for code reading etc. For my 130i I have a Creator C310, but I don't think this works on the E92 and am yet to test it.
Congrats on the new car.Firstly the car has the phone dock in the arm rest, which I would like to get rid of for more storage. Do you have a part number for the pictured part and any instructions for replacement?
I'd also welcome recommendations for code reading etc. For my 130i I have a Creator C310, but I don't think this works on the E92 and am yet to test it.
The part number is 5516711806.
Fitting is really easy; the cradle pops out with a trim removal tool and then it’s a case of unplugging two connections under the handbrake gaiter.
As for code readers etc, I use Carly.
roadie said:
Thanks for the info! I am looking forward to getting to know the car - your thread is great inspiration.
No worries….glad my waffling has been useful! 
The lowering of my car had been delayed courtesy of Autodoc. I ordered B4 rear dampers but they decided to send me Sachs without letting me know until they arrived today. Returns were to be at my expense, so after having a tantrum they agreed to send me a free returns label.
Not ideal, so I’ll just have to be patient.
After a riding trip to the Forest of Dean on Saturday, I took advantage of the long evening to give the car a quick clean and a top up coat of wax. The Soft99 wax that I used when I detailed it gives a lovely deep gloss but it’s not the longest lasting wax in the world.
It scrubs up pretty well for an old girl and I’m still loving the CSL wheels despite being sods to clean.
Sparkling Graphite is an interesting colour for a grey and it changes hue depending on the light. Sometimes it’s very purple, other times a deep, dark grey. The metallic flake really pops in the sun.
Since I’ve had the car there’s been a really annoying, intermittent rattle from the rear passenger seats. Since the light was still good, I whipped out the rear bench seats and found this….
It wasn’t too grubby under there other than an old starburst, a gummy bear and crumbs etc.
It scrubs up pretty well for an old girl and I’m still loving the CSL wheels despite being sods to clean.
Sparkling Graphite is an interesting colour for a grey and it changes hue depending on the light. Sometimes it’s very purple, other times a deep, dark grey. The metallic flake really pops in the sun.
Since I’ve had the car there’s been a really annoying, intermittent rattle from the rear passenger seats. Since the light was still good, I whipped out the rear bench seats and found this….
It wasn’t too grubby under there other than an old starburst, a gummy bear and crumbs etc.
roadie said:
Your posts make me feel guilty as I really, really, really need to give my car a clean and do a post for it. It is covered in dust from rain a few days back!
I'm getting on well with it. Of course with a new to me car I'm starting to notice a few minor issues, which I hope I can solve easily. Annoyingly the DRLs don't work unless the headlights are on. The fog lights come on and off with the headlights and can't be turned on or off independently. Also the windows need to be fully lowered before being raised and vice versa.
If anyone has any ideas please shout!
Sounds like the previous owner had been fiddling with the coding! My angel eyes are on regardless of the headlights as they were in my 130i.I'm getting on well with it. Of course with a new to me car I'm starting to notice a few minor issues, which I hope I can solve easily. Annoyingly the DRLs don't work unless the headlights are on. The fog lights come on and off with the headlights and can't be turned on or off independently. Also the windows need to be fully lowered before being raised and vice versa.
If anyone has any ideas please shout!
The fog lights have been coded too by the sounds of. Not sure about the windows though.
d_a_n1979 said:
Such a great colour and works well with the silver CSLs 
I reckon it'll be one of those colours, like silver; that's great for looking clean even when it's filthy
Any plans for winter alloys/tyres for when the bad weather hits us?
Cheers Dan. But it looks utterly sI reckon it'll be one of those colours, like silver; that's great for looking clean even when it's filthy
Any plans for winter alloys/tyres for when the bad weather hits us?
te when dirty, just horrible. My other half’s 125i in Space Grey hides the dirt better.I’m getting more tempted by the idea of some winter alloys, possibly some MV3’s mainly because the CSL’s are a pain to clean. They collected a lot of dirt in Saturday.
d_a_n1979 said:
Ah that's tits!
This is another reason why I really like titan silver; always looks clean haha
Yup; I always go for another set of alloys for winter tyres; I've got these stty Style 66s for mine, so will get them refurbed and will get winter tyres fitted in the next month or so; good to buy them now as their prices are that bit better than closer to winter etc!
Thought about DIY refurbing them; but the time & faff, c£50+ on primer/paint/lacquer and then another £30 or so on the other materials etc and they still look like a DIY job; makes more sense to take them to my pal and have them done professionally & powdercoated for £180!
Tyres fitted & balanced too...!
It’s a bit annoying but it doesn’t look as and as my 130i did when that was dirty. Carbon Black literally only looked good when spotless. My E46 was titan silver and always looked clean unless really really dirty. This is another reason why I really like titan silver; always looks clean haha
Yup; I always go for another set of alloys for winter tyres; I've got these s
tty Style 66s for mine, so will get them refurbed and will get winter tyres fitted in the next month or so; good to buy them now as their prices are that bit better than closer to winter etc!Thought about DIY refurbing them; but the time & faff, c£50+ on primer/paint/lacquer and then another £30 or so on the other materials etc and they still look like a DIY job; makes more sense to take them to my pal and have them done professionally & powdercoated for £180!
Tyres fitted & balanced too...!
I’ll start keeping an eye out for some cheapish Mv3’s. There’s a place locally that will returb four wheels for £140.
Mr Tidy said:
After looking at your photo I'm feeling really guilty as my Sparkling Graphite E90 still has a coat of Sahara dust on it. 
But it isn't as noticeable on my Silver Grey Z4. That came with CSL Reps fitted and I loved them - well until they needed cleaning - but every other Z4 I saw had some sort of CSL wheels so I went back to OE with Style 224s.
A simpler wheel design certainly sounds like a good idea for winters.
The CSL wheels have been done to death but there is a reason for that; they look the tits but they are sods to clean even with a ceramic coat applied. But it isn't as noticeable on my Silver Grey Z4. That came with CSL Reps fitted and I loved them - well until they needed cleaning - but every other Z4 I saw had some sort of CSL wheels so I went back to OE with Style 224s.
A simpler wheel design certainly sounds like a good idea for winters.
The saga of the intermittent, semi-hot start continues….
It has been better since I changed the crankshaft position sensor but it has done it once or twice since. The car was booked into Rybrook Warwick who sold the car to the previous owner and have serviced it for its life as well as undertaking the warranty work over the years.
Sod’s law that when they had the car it was good as gold. Usually if left for three or four hours, it gets the long metallic crank bit it was fine. They popped it on their diagnostics and everything was good; no error codes, fuel pressure was hunky dory as was everything that they checked.
Rybrook were really good and certainly lived up to their reputation for customer service having not charged me after they failed to find the fault and giving myna courtesy car for the day (an X1 which was pretty ste).
They had sone lovely cars on display though; an E30 M3, Z8, 850 and a 630 CSL. These were the owners personal cars which he keeps there. The 850 on M Parallels was particularly lovely.
It has been better since I changed the crankshaft position sensor but it has done it once or twice since. The car was booked into Rybrook Warwick who sold the car to the previous owner and have serviced it for its life as well as undertaking the warranty work over the years.
Sod’s law that when they had the car it was good as gold. Usually if left for three or four hours, it gets the long metallic crank bit it was fine. They popped it on their diagnostics and everything was good; no error codes, fuel pressure was hunky dory as was everything that they checked.
Rybrook were really good and certainly lived up to their reputation for customer service having not charged me after they failed to find the fault and giving myna courtesy car for the day (an X1 which was pretty s
te).They had sone lovely cars on display though; an E30 M3, Z8, 850 and a 630 CSL. These were the owners personal cars which he keeps there. The 850 on M Parallels was particularly lovely.
helix402 said:
Imho there are three common causes of what you describe: hpfp, leaking injector/s, low pressure rail sensor.
Afraid I forget if any of these have been changed before you bought the car. E9x twin turbos are rather good (my dugga dugga one now works consistently)
In its time it’s had a new HPFP by Rybrook and one (possibly both but the old records are not detailed enough to confirm the exact details) turbos done by them. The injectors were given a clean bill of health when it was recalled some time ago.Afraid I forget if any of these have been changed before you bought the car. E9x twin turbos are rather good (my dugga dugga one now works consistently)
The tech who I spoke to / showed the video of what it does when it plays up instantly thought that it was a fuel pressure issue, but according to the diagnostics they ran it was all good (high and low pressure).
The injectors are my big concern given how much the Index 12 ones are, but it starts fine when properly cold. My understanding is that a leaking injector affects cold starts because fuel leaks as it sits.
The fault is there, but there doesn’t really appear to be any rhythm or reason as to when it plats up.
I still like the car though….a day in the X1 made me appreciate mine a whole more.
cerb4.5lee said:
That is so frustrating Sam and I feel for you mate. As you say it always seems to end up being sod's law when you're trying to sort something out/find a fix for something annoyingly. 
It is what it is. Hopeful can get to the bottom of it over time.A day in a brand new X1 though made me forget about it….what an awful car. Lifeless steering that is way too light, massively over servo’d brakes, rubbery gear change, wobbly. An absolute blancmange of a car to drive. It wasn’t even very economical on the motorway, even compared to my car. Progress.
I drive it a bit harder than I have done for weeks tonight which made me forgive it too!
The old girl gets a wriggle on when pushed and makes a pretty good noise to boot.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff