Should i get a E90 N54 car?

[GJM120]

Oil pan gaskets can and will develop leaks. Usually slow leaks and can be tolerated for awhile.
The N54 is more prone to intake valve carbon buildup than the successor N55. Walnut blasting is needed. Sounds like you're handy enough to consider doing it yourself. If not find a local indie shop nearby. Not terribly expensive from what I've read.

 

[bowlofturtle]

Oil pan gaskets can and will develop leaks. Usually slow leaks and can be tolerated for awhile.
The N54 is more prone to intake valve carbon buildup than the successor N55. Walnut blasting is needed. Sounds like you're handy enough to consider doing it yourself. If not find a local indie shop nearby. Not terribly expensive from what I've read.

I've never done a walnut blast,nor have the tools for it.

This might be something i rather watch someone do the first time before i can repeat it.

Hopefully oil pan gaskets is straght forward and not needed me to drop a frame or anything.

 

[RooflessVW]

I've never done a walnut blast,nor have the tools for it.

This might be something i rather watch someone do the first time before i can repeat it.

Hopefully oil pan gaskets is straght forward and not needed me to drop a frame or anything.

You can get a 3D printed adapter for cheap and use the harbor freight blaster.

You can also just chuck a bunch of zip-ties in a drill and use B12 Chemtool.

 

[The Critic]

I've never done a walnut blast,nor have the tools for it.

This might be something i rather watch someone do the first time before i can repeat it.

Hopefully oil pan gaskets is straght forward and not needed me to drop a frame or anything.

https://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Machine-Cleaning-Valvetronic-Deposit/dp/B0BFWNPKT2?th=1

Oil pan reseal requires for subframe to be dropped.

 

[wavinwayne]

...Ebay is a great source for inexpensive quality Blackhawk Torx/Etorx socket sets that you will need.

I don't have anything specific to add to the N54 discussion, just wanted to say I bought a set of "MIXPOWER" E-Torx sockets on Amazon, and they have worked well for the limited amount of wrenching I do on my N57 535d. I also recommend getting the Bimmerlink app and a corresponding OBDII BT adapter (I use OBDlink CX) so you can scan codes, easily do service resets, new battery registration, etc.

 

[drtyler]

Buy it now!! That sounds like a great car, so long rust isn't a problem.

I’ve been given a chance to buy a friend’s grandpa car. The guy is going to a retirement home soon.

Its a 2008 or 2009 BMW 335i Sedan. Black on black leather. Automatic RWD with 82k. I don’t know what option/packages were available but I don’t think it has any. I think they car was complete babied its whole life. He is the orginal owner, garage kept for like the first 10 years and the last 5 it sat in the driveway because garage was converted into storage. Car is overall clean and accident free. He does keep to a 10k OCI last time we talked. He takes to a local shop.

I’ve worked on this car and from what I can its mostly clean car. I did the waterpump and theromstat housing maybe at 70k because it was leaking. Somehow his moonroof shattered and I’ve replaced with junkyard glass. Around 80k he has a pinhole leak in the radiator. So I did that for him, all hoses and the mickey mouse pipe. All FCPeuro parts but sadly on his name/account.

I did recommend him do the valve cover gaskets and spark plugs because I saw a minor leak in the back corner. I think he was battling some medical stuff and just forgot about it.

I drove it a few times post repairs, call pulls NICE and strong. All stock. Definately has most if not all 300ish HP it came with from factory.

How bad are these N54 turbo engines? I’ve seen injector prices like $600 per, I’m assuming it was never done and will need it at somepoint. I think these turbo replaces are 16 hour job. I’m OK with a wrench following DIY guides but that seems scary. Suspension was tight on the car but I think wear and tear will get to it soon.

The friend told me he is going to list it for $6500 but the grandpa said if I wanted it, he would give me a “Special price”, I’m guessing $4-5k.

Honestly, I’m tempted get it as a weekend toy. If it was AWD and $4k, I can talk myself into this but RWD and maybe $5k, I’m not sure. The other side is could this be a money pit? I’m familiar with euros mainly VW MK4 but not E90s. I’m OK with spending $2k a year on maintenance/repair. But maybe not $3-5k. Should I stay away or go for it?