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BMW N54 Exhaust and Downpipe (335i E90 / E92, 135i, 1M, Z4 35i / 35is)

Valved exhaust systems and downpipes for the N54 twin-turbo straight six: 335i E90 / E91 / E92 / E93, 135i, BMW 1M and Z4 sDrive35i / 35is. Made to order from your VIN, with free delivery.

BMW N54

The N54 at a glance.

The N54 is the 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight six that made its debut in 2006 under the hood of the 335i Coupé E92. It displaces 2,979 cc and uses two turbos, one for each group of three cylinders, with direct injection through piezo injectors. It won its class (2.5 to 3 liters) at the International Engine of the Year awards in both 2007 and 2008. More than fifteen years on, it is still one of the most sought-after six-cylinder engines among enthusiasts, for its pull and its tuning headroom.

BMW quotes 306 hp and 400 Nm for the 335i, 135i and Z4 sDrive35i, and 340 hp and 450 Nm (500 Nm on overboost) for the BMW 1M and Z4 sDrive35is. In 2009-2010, the single-turbo N55 took over on most models; the 1M and Z4 35is kept the N54 right to the end.

Models covered.

Rog makes a system for each of these N54 versions:

Each model also has its own page, with all its versions: the 1 Series E82 / E88, the 3 Series E90 / E91 / E92 / E93 and the Z4 E89. Is your 335i from after 2010? Then it has the N55: see our BMW N55 page.

The sound of the N54.

The N54 has the voice of a straight six from the golden era, but its two turbos and the heavily muffled standard exhaust keep it subdued. With the valves closed, a Rog system stays close to standard and the cabin stays quiet on the highway. With the valves open, the engine regains volume and texture: deep at low revs, raspier in the mid-range, with a crisp climb through the revs and the whoosh of the turbos easier to hear.

What the Rog system changes.

The Rog system replaces everything after the catalytic converters, right up to the tailpipes (the cat-back):

  • Adjustable sound: valves closed for everyday driving and long journeys, open when you want to hear it. The system takes your original valves or comes with the Rog valve system and its remote control.
  • Two materials: 304 stainless steel, or titanium, around 40 % lighter for the same design, in a brushed, gold or purple finish.
  • The character of the sound: straight pipe, or resonator for a rounder, slightly softer voice that is just as sporty.
  • The original ECU: on an N54, the cat-back alone needs no remap.

What the downpipe changes.

On the N54, each turbo has its own downpipe, the pipe that leaves the turbo and carries an original catalytic converter. It is the part that restricts the exhaust gases the most: replacing it makes the engine more present and the turbos more audible, and it is what opens the way to power gains, with a remap. Without a remap, it brings sound and less weight, not extra horsepower.

On the 135i, 1M and 335i, Rog offers it in three versions: 200-cell sports catalytic converter, 100-cell sports catalytic converter, or decat. The 200-cell version keeps emissions control; the 100-cell and decat versions do not. You can order it with the system, in the configuration on your product page, or on its own when it appears in the list on this page.

Made for your car.

Every Rog system and downpipe is made to order from your car's VIN: on these models, the N54 and N55 followed one another, and the VIN confirms the engine and compatibility before production. Allow 20 working days from confirmation to delivery, with free delivery and a 3-year warranty on parts and workmanship. Fitting is done at the workshop of your choice. We have been producing for more than 15 years.

Sound, options and fitting in detail: our BMW 335i N54 guide and our BMW 1M guide.

Frequently asked questions.

Which cars have the N54 engine?

Among the models Rog covers: 335i E90 / E91 / E92 / E93 from 2007 to 2010, early 135i E82 / E88, BMW 1M E82, and Z4 sDrive35i and sDrive35is E89. Your VIN, given when you order, confirms the engine.

N54 or N55: how can I tell?

The N54 has two turbos, the N55 just one, a twin-scroll unit. On the 335i E90 / E92 / E93, the N55 arrived in 2010; on the 135i, both exist, and our product page covers both. The VIN settles it.

Does an N54 need a remap after an exhaust or a downpipe?

Not for the cat-back alone: the engine keeps its original ECU. With the downpipe, a remap is recommended: it is what unlocks the power, and it stops a sports catalytic converter from triggering the engine warning light.

200-cell, 100-cell or decat: which should I choose?

The 200-cell version keeps emissions control and already gives a more present sound. The 100-cell version lets the gases flow more freely. The decat version is the freest flowing and the loudest of the three.

Is the sound still easy to live with every day?

Yes. With the valves closed, the sound stays close to standard, with no drone at a steady cruise. You open the valves whenever you decide.

Your model is not in this list? Write to us