N51 vs N52 Compatibility

So far, this is what I've concluded:

N51 (SULEV):

-3-stage intake manifold

N52 (ULEV)

-doesn't have 3-stage intake manifold


are there any other performance parts (exhaust,intake,etc) that aren't compatible from n52 to n51?

Only the 2006 E90 330i had the 3 stage intake system. No 328s have that intake system.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Only the 2006 E90 330i had the 3 stage intake system. No 328s have that intake system.

All 328i's with N51 have the 3-stage intake manifold. If someone can verify this, that would be great.

Originally Posted by drewski554

All 328i's with N51 have the 3-stage intake manifold. If someone can verify this, that would be great.

You got this information where?

Plenty more where this came from:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=575805

Originally Posted by drewski554

All 328i's with N51 have the 3-stage intake manifold. If someone can verify this, that would be great.

Well, I'm not going to argue with you.....but I'll tell you I didn't just fall off the BMW turnip truck. I've been at this for a while. I guess we'll just wait for the verification you're looking for.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52608

third response has a chart
according to the chart no 3 stage on any n51 and the 3 stage is
only on the high output version of the n52 meaning 330 or maybe x3 , z4

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Well, I'm not going to argue with you.....but I'll tell you I didn't just fall off the BMW turnip truck. I've been at this for a while. I guess we'll just wait for the verification you're looking for.

the forum reasoning has been:


Here's the parts for the N52 330i, the N51 328i and N52 328i, both the n52 330i and the n51 has the adjuster component associated with the 3-stage intake manifold, the n52 does not have this (the picture is the same but part #2 and #3 does not show up in the n52 list). You can also verify this visually by checking under your hood when you have an n51 and n52 next to each other. there are a lot of people who have swapped in a 330 3-stage manifold into a n52 which has this additional component.

n52 330i: http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...56&hg=11&fg=40

N51 328i: http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...56&hg=11&fg=40

N52 328i: http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...56&hg=11&fg=40

OP, you do realize that after all the mods you seem to want to do, 3 stage intakes, tunes, etc, that you will see, at most, a grand total of 25-30 hp after spending a few thousand dollars. you'll also completely void your factory warranty (the three stage intake plus the flash tune to support it is not easily reversible)

you cant get large gains on a NA engine, short of adding forced induction. might as well start with a 335i and for a few hundred, get gains of 50-60 hp

Originally Posted by drewski554

So far, this is what I've concluded:

N51 (SULEV):

-3-stage intake manifold

N52 (ULEV)

-doesn't have 3-stage intake manifold


are there any other performance parts (exhaust,intake,etc) that aren't compatible from n52 to n51?

Drewski, looks like you want to greatly increase your 328i power.

Are you serious?

Return on investment definitely lacking. Why would you bother? N54 had for much less if you sell your ride now; buy 335i.

Suspension's where performance mods should be made....

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

Drewski, looks like you want to greatly increase your 328i power.

Are you serious?

Return on investment definitely lacking. Why would you bother? N54 had for much less if you sell your ride now; buy 335i.

Suspension's where performance mods should be made....

335i has plenty of its own issues:

*more expensive
*twin turbo = not my thing. definitely prefer naturally aspirated engines
*not as reliable as 328i

besides, i don't want my 328i to be as powerful as you might think. 260HP (my ideal hp) is significantly less than a STOCK 335i, let alone a modded 335i.

ANYWAYS,

so does N51 328i come with the 3-stage intake manifold? i took a look at the chart and it says it doesn't, but i've also read from 5+ members on e90post that their n51 328i does indeed have the 3-stage.