Nowadays, turbocharged engines pop up wherever we look. At least one trim of every lineup (regardless of the manufacturer) has a turbocharger. It's no wonder why. Since 1962, turbocharged engines were known to be more efficient and deliver greater power. They even got twin-turbo configurations to seize more power.
Naturally, BMW was at the forefront of turbocharged-engine development from early on. Would anyone expect less from the famous German brand? No, we agree. BMW started with the turbo in 1973, but it wasn't until 2006 that the manufacturer got one for mass production. The BMW N54 became the first turbocharged petrol engine of the German giant.
The chances are, you already know a thing or two about the BMW N54. Today, we are here to refresh your memory and help you find out even more details about this famous turbocharged engine. Read on for more detailed history about the N54, its applications, and specs.
A Brief History Behind The BMW N54
As we briefly mentioned above, the BMW N54 was the first twin-turbocharged straight-six petrol engine produced at a mass scale. It was out between 2006 and 2016, and it can still be found in many used vehicles out there.
The BMW N54 debuted at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show in the famous 335i. It made quite an entrance to the market, causing huge hype and, naturally, some critics. We'll get to both parts in more detail later on. For now, let's mention that the N54 won five International Engine of the Year awards. As if that wasn't enough, it also got on Ward's list of the 10 Best Engines three times in a row.
What We Love About The BMW N54
It goes without saying, the BMW N54 drew a lot of attention to itself. Some people became fanatic promoters, and others became disappointed detractors. Without a doubt, the N54 had the power to reach the top of its class, but it also struggled with reliability in some cases. That leads us to both love and criticize the BMW engine.
Today, we are not here to claim the N54 is the best engine ever produced. That would be an overstatement. However, we do have a liking for it, despite a couple of issues found on the way. Here are the reasons to love the N54:
Performance, Tunning, And Upgrades
The biggest advantage of the BMW N54 is its power and potential. Sure, the twin-turbocharged petrol engine provides enough power as it is. Still, what truly makes it special is the ability to boost the output even more with a couple of aftermarket upgrades. Without much effort (or money, for that matter), you could really get the N54 to deliver some serious ponies.
Now, think about making things even more interesting with alternative fuels. If you have some extra cash to spend, the N54 is a perfect engine to get you above 600-hp in no time. Either way, the beauty of this BMW engine is in its versatility. We love the fact this engine can be super-fast whether you're on a budget or not.
Various Applications
The N54 engine first saw the light of the day together with the 2007 BMW 335i. It put out about 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, although many claim the engine exceeded these specs. Naturally, many versions of the same engine and different bodywork came over the years.
The BMW Z4 sDr35is got an engine improvement to jump from 300 hp to 335 hp, which speaks for itself. However, the most praised model with the N54 is the BMW 1 Series M, dating from 2011. Others include but are not limited to: the 335i, 535i, 135i, X6 xDrive35i, 740i, and more.
Of course, within every mentioned model, buyers could choose a variation or two of the bodywork with the same engine. Therefore, you shouldn't be surprised to see the BMW N54 more spread on the used car market than you initially thought.
Reliability (With Some Exceptions)
The BMW N54 wouldn't receive any award without its reliability, so we have to give it some credit. However, we can't neglect that this engine had quite a few issues along the way. For instance, BMW received recalls about the high-pressure fuel pump and the fuel injector. There were also problems with the premature component deterioration, which requires more common maintenance.
To be fair, BMW addressed some of these issues. So, for the most part, the N54 is highly reliable. Drivers just need to run more frequent inspections, especially before buying a vehicle with the N54.
What Is The Best N54-Powered BMW?
If we had to pick one of the best vehicles with the N54 engine, it would be the BMW 1 Series M. We already mentioned this vehicle scored high on all lists in 2011, and much of that fame lingers today. The 1M is a capable and stylish car that perfectly goes with the N54. The trouble is, it could get a little pricey.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option but like the idea of having the N54, explore the other models we mentioned above. You can get some older BMWs well under $10,000 that still look good and perform well, thanks to the N54.