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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics N55 (M235i) Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Tuning N55 Bulletproofing

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      05-16-2023, 03:21 PM   #1
Ddwk21
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N55 Bulletproofing

After a lot of shopping and considering about every option under the sun, I just got my first BMW in the form of a 2016 m235i.

The thing is bone stock and I'm wondering about preventative maintenance and hoping to hear about experience anyone has doing Downpipe/chargepipe/intercooler.

Equally important, I'm wondering if there are any superior options vs the OEM VCG and OFHG. It sounds like the stock BMW ones use some inferior materials and I'm curious whether there are aftermarket options for the N55 that are less likely to fail in the long run.

Just planning to DIY all of this stuff over the course of a few months before even sniffing a super conservative tune.

As an afterthought -- I've heard some people find improved steering response by swapping front control arms. Just going to keep my eyes open for some pieces off of a salvaged m4, or an m4 part out.

Note on the steering response: I am running xdrive(already shopping high quality snow tires as well) as I live in the mountains and this is my only vehicle. Gotta be able to go skiing in a snowstorm if I want.

Basically - hoping to build my N55 out to be as durable as possible by squashing the most common failure points to the best of my ability early on.
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      05-16-2023, 10:32 PM   #2
jb-slow
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Charge pipe first, might already be done though since the car has been around a few years already.

Last edited by jb-slow; 07-14-2023 at 05:28 PM..
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      05-17-2023, 02:02 AM   #3
Ddwk21
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It's bone stock. I looked for one without any aftermarket work intentionally as I didn't want anything that had been running an aggressive tune, or beaten up on a track.
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      05-17-2023, 09:15 AM   #4
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I don’t know any upgrades to the gaskets. I actually replaced the OFHG myself last week. One upgrade though is getting the Mosselman thermostat. They’ll give you new gaskets, but that’ll help keep oil temps down which *may* help not replace the gaskets as often.
Also, find all the known plastic parts and replace with aluminum or another durable part (e.g. Mickey Mouse flange - get the aluminum part).
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      05-17-2023, 12:35 PM   #5
aerodavew
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If you are looking for snow tires, check out the tire rack.
They have test results and a customer survey with great info
I have used them for years and have had great results.
discount tire direct is another option but look at TR for real testing
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      05-28-2023, 09:31 PM   #6
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Charge pipe and the reservoir coolant pipe (hard plastic one)

I’m like you, I bought a stock car and I’m only doing reliability mods these cars are fast enough

If you have no oil leaks don’t worry, when they fail BMW upgraded their gaskets but apparently so has Elring
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      05-30-2023, 09:15 AM   #7
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I also have a 2016 M235i XDrive. I bought it in 2017 with 11,000 km on it and I'm now at 145,000 km.
Charge Pipe, Intercooler and sport cat downpipe have all been done, running BM3 OTS Multimap 93. No problems. Changed injectors, plugs and coils at 80,000 km. OFHG has not leaked yet, but I do have a new one (and the belt, tensioner and pulley kit) to change shortly. Love this car!

Chris
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      06-10-2023, 09:19 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Efftooto View Post
I also have a 2016 M235i XDrive. I bought it in 2017 with 11,000 km on it and I'm now at 145,000 km.
Charge Pipe, Intercooler and sport cat downpipe have all been done, running BM3 OTS Multimap 93. No problems. Changed injectors, plugs and coils at 80,000 km. OFHG has not leaked yet, but I do have a new one (and the belt, tensioner and pulley kit) to change shortly. Love this car!

Chris
Why did you have to change your injectors?
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      07-13-2023, 10:45 PM   #9
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I’m still using stock coils at 218,000 kms. Fbo. Change your transmission and brake fluids. Valve cover gasket. Just upgraded my suspension and going to replace my clutch but it’s been awesome so far. 2014
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      07-18-2023, 06:06 PM   #10
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I have a 2016 M235i 6MT, love my car. Fritz Ramos on YouTube has some good videos about these cars, he actually has a 2015. I've done a lot of the preventative mods, and normal maintenance. Getting rid of alot of the plastic failure points. Coolant return hose is known to get brittle and fail on the N55. Done the following

VRSF Charge Pipe
FTP Boost Pipe
MST Turbo Inlet
Larger VRSF Intercooler
ECS Coolant outlet hose and aluminum Mickey Mouse flange
Clutch delay valve delete
Clutch pedal stop

Coded a bunch of stuff with Bimmercode and did normal maintenance just hit 63k miles. I just got 1 step colder plugs (NGK 97506) but thinking I may not need them. Was looking at the BMS piggyback tune but now looking at the MHD Stage 1 tune instead. I only have access to 91 octane in SoCal. ///M lite serves my needs just fine for now, I'll replace it with an M2 eventually.
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      07-30-2023, 06:34 PM   #11
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2016 m235i XDrive 8AT, bought CPO @ ~30k miles and now around 67k.

- Preemptively replaced the chargepipe at ~55k when I installed my Stage 1 BMS, but given everything I’ve read I would have replaced even if I left it stock
- Valve cover gasket leak was fixed in warranty
- Rear differential leak fixed in warranty
- Had the awful rattle in the stock exhaust valve actuator that would intermittently sound like a chainsaw on cold start; no fixes that worked for anyone else worked for me and two shops agreed probably wasn’t repairable without major exhaust cuts/welds. Replaced with a catted Remus Sport Exhaust and very happy with that.

As a note re: snow ties, I was very happy with my Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4’s when I was in a cold climate. Amazing performance with this car.
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      07-31-2023, 11:04 AM   #12
USVIJIM
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I had that same actuator rattle in my 2016 M235i. I replaced the metal spring and that rattle came back. I ended up disconnecting in the open position and just wrapping in plastic and ziptying it securely. No more rattle, I replaced the charge pipe, boost pipe and intercooler right after getting it with 49k on the odometer. Love my car
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      07-31-2023, 07:00 PM   #13
dnaiel
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Quote:
Clutch pedal stop
Is this a longevity mod or more of a feel/quality of life kind of thing?
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      08-08-2023, 10:09 AM   #14
USVIJIM
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The clutch pedal stop is strictly for feel. It simply lessens the dead zone ofter the clutch engages. Your foot doesn't go down as far.
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