BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      02-24-2011, 10:10 PM   #67
roo97ss
Captain
66
Rep
920
Posts

Drives: M4, X6M, Tesla Plaid, MYP, Ram
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Delaware

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1SerieStud View Post
Lol correction: stock for stock the n54 is NOT faster than the n55. Also, there is a larger market of mods for the n54 platform which is why most modded n54's are quicker. It's just a matter of time as more parts are becoming available for the new platform.
being a guy with quick turnaround, the n54 makes sense to me, as the products are there for performance now. In another year i'll get an n55 car as the aftermarket support should be good by then (and i can buy used to save initial depreciation).

For mt6 guys the decision to me would be hard, and i'd probably stay n54, but if you're driving a 2 pedal car like me, the n55 is the way to go. I just wasn't forking over 40k or more for my car, so i bought used (6700 mi) for a lot less which isn't an option on the DCT cars yet.
__________________
16 m4 vert, 18 X6M, 22 Tesla MYP, 21 Plaid, 17 Ram
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 04:24 AM   #68
sargetony
Private First Class
sargetony's Avatar
United_States
10
Rep
124
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
1989 BMW 325is  [0.00]
2008 X5 3.0si  [0.00]
Having driven both (I own an 08 135i with the N54 and my best friend has a 10 335i with N55, both 6MT) I think there is an almost imperceptible difference between the two. Both engines rev so quick that it is really hard to notice that 200 rpm difference when power comes on. The N54 feels stronger in mid-range (3k rpm in 3rd gear) but the N55 feels like it comes on sooner. This is especially noticeable at the higher altitudes (I am in Colorado at 6,200 feet altitude), and that altitude makes turbo lag REALLY noticeable in BOTH motors.

The N54 has a ton of after market support because it has been around for quite a while. The N55 will eventually have the same support, it is only a matter of research and development time.

The big advantage that the N55 has over the N54: the DCT transmission. If they had offered that from jump street, I would have that instead of the 6MT. I think that, in itself, makes the biggest improvement over the N54.

The value of a forged vs. cast crank can be debated all day long, bottom line, I don't care about either as I will never be making 800 horsepower on this car (nor do I want to).

As far as twin turbo vs twin scroll turbo and the guys in Supras going to single monster turbos; if you want to make 800 horsepower, go buy a Camaro and put a big ass supercharger on it or a itty bitty Honda and put a turbo bigger than a basketball on it and drag race that, because that is all 800 horsepower is good for. A good friend of mine has a Supra that he put a huge turbo on and is currently make 787 hp with it. The thing is as fast as a raped ape in a straight line, but turns like a lead sled under power.

Bottom line: I say the N54 is better only because I have one. However, I have to ask the question; if the N55 is "better", then why did BMW put the N54 in the 1M?
__________________
Tony
11 E92 ///M3 M-DCT
08 X5 3.0si
89 E30 327is
06 E60 ///M5 (retired), 08 E82 135i (retired), 86 E30 318i (retired)
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 06:31 AM   #69
1SerieStud
Brigadier General
1SerieStud's Avatar
183
Rep
3,939
Posts

Drives: '11 VO 1M (498 of 740)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL

iTrader: (11)

Trust me I'm not here to make 800 hp either and I did not by means imply that the N54 is a bad motor, but the other user's rationalization was pathetic at the very least.

Why is BMW putting the N54 engine on the 1M? Only they could truly answer that question. My guess would be that there is a possible surplus of n54 engines since they were manufactured to be used across multiple platforms. One thing is for sure, and that is that the n54 is being faded out. Don't be surprised when you see the n55 and variations of it being used in the same way the n54 is being used at the moment.

Cheers!

Quote:
Originally Posted by sargetony View Post
Having driven both (I own an 08 135i with the N54 and my best friend has a 10 335i with N55, both 6MT) I think there is an almost imperceptible difference between the two. Both engines rev so quick that it is really hard to notice that 200 rpm difference when power comes on. The N54 feels stronger in mid-range (3k rpm in 3rd gear) but the N55 feels like it comes on sooner. This is especially noticeable at the higher altitudes (I am in Colorado at 6,200 feet altitude), and that altitude makes turbo lag REALLY noticeable in BOTH motors.

The N54 has a ton of after market support because it has been around for quite a while. The N55 will eventually have the same support, it is only a matter of research and development time.

The big advantage that the N55 has over the N54: the DCT transmission. If they had offered that from jump street, I would have that instead of the 6MT. I think that, in itself, makes the biggest improvement over the N54.

The value of a forged vs. cast crank can be debated all day long, bottom line, I don't care about either as I will never be making 800 horsepower on this car (nor do I want to).

As far as twin turbo vs twin scroll turbo and the guys in Supras going to single monster turbos; if you want to make 800 horsepower, go buy a Camaro and put a big ass supercharger on it or a itty bitty Honda and put a turbo bigger than a basketball on it and drag race that, because that is all 800 horsepower is good for. A good friend of mine has a Supra that he put a huge turbo on and is currently make 787 hp with it. The thing is as fast as a raped ape in a straight line, but turns like a lead sled under power.

Bottom line: I say the N54 is better only because I have one. However, I have to ask the question; if the N55 is "better", then why did BMW put the N54 in the 1M?
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 07:15 AM   #70
sargetony
Private First Class
sargetony's Avatar
United_States
10
Rep
124
Posts

Drives: 2011 E92 M3
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
1989 BMW 325is  [0.00]
2008 X5 3.0si  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1SerieStud View Post

Why is BMW putting the N54 engine on the 1M? Only they could truly answer that question. My guess would be that there is a possible surplus of n54 engines since they were manufactured to be used across multiple platforms. One thing is for sure, and that is that the n54 is being faded out. Don't be surprised when you see the n55 and variations of it being used in the same way the n54 is being used at the moment.

Cheers!
That is exactly what I was thinking. They had 5,000 excess N54s lying around in some warehouse in Germany and decided to put them in an ///M car... (mildly sarcastic tone)...lol...

All joking aside, 1SeriesStud, you are probably right though. An alternative explanation could be that the N54 already has a cult following and since they were not making a bespoke engine for the 1M, they opted to use the N54. Furthermore, it could be that the N54 is a proven powerplant while the N55 is still relatively new. I don't know, as you said, only BMW engineers know and I haven't seen anything stating why they were using the N54, only that they were using it in this application.
__________________
Tony
11 E92 ///M3 M-DCT
08 X5 3.0si
89 E30 327is
06 E60 ///M5 (retired), 08 E82 135i (retired), 86 E30 318i (retired)
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 11:19 AM   #71
jwalk135
New Member
0
Rep
5
Posts

Drives: White 135 M Sport Coupe
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

'1Seriestud' I thought it obvious that I was joking when I said the twin sounds better than a single but obviously not. A good point has been made thought that the 1M has the N54 engine, maybe due to the fact that it is the performance and flagship model. The heat has been turned down on the 135 so it is not as close performance wise to the 1M or more to the point it is not as easy or possible at all to now tune a 135 to the same bhp as the 1M? Similar to when the e36 328 came out and they had to make the m3 into the m3 evo.

I think sargetony has it sussed as he has driven both. 200 revs is not really going to be noticeable. The fact is that now for £400 you can't turn a 135 (N55) into something as quick as the M1.
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 11:28 AM   #72
jwalk135
New Member
0
Rep
5
Posts

Drives: White 135 M Sport Coupe
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

This is on Wikipedia about the N54: 'According to the BMW website the 135i Coupé accelerates from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.3 seconds, however Car and Driver magazine recorded 4.7 seconds for 0-60 mph acceleration'

they ran the test several times.
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 11:39 AM   #73
JB135MDCT
I'm just a cook
JB135MDCT's Avatar
United_States
24
Rep
971
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i DCT
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MD

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sargetony View Post
... if the N55 is "better", then why did BMW put the N54 in the 1M?
because it was a drop in "is" from the Z4/335 and no re-certification required, except for the "1M" badge. Parts bin is full too, because of the sluggish economy. The next M2/3 are N55 based.
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 12:12 PM   #74
Alessandro
Major
Alessandro's Avatar
Serbia
109
Rep
1,043
Posts

Drives: Audi RS5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Canada

iTrader: (8)

Garage List
2011 335is  [9.50]
The N54 was developed at the same time as the S65 as they didnt know which one to choose for the M3. BMW Board decided to go with the S65 so the road was clear for the N54 to be used for the 335 etc. of course detuned.
__________________
19 Audi RS5
15 Audi S5 GIAC Stage 2 white
11 E92 335is DCT FBO 441 whp silver
08 E92 335i FBO 6MT 427 whp space grey
05 E46 M3 red
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 12:19 PM   #75
1SerieStud
Brigadier General
1SerieStud's Avatar
183
Rep
3,939
Posts

Drives: '11 VO 1M (498 of 740)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL

iTrader: (11)

You do realize that the 2-3 tunes already available for the n55 puts the car beyond the 1m power specs right?

Do your homework. In fact, most people are disappointed to see that the 1m is not far from the 135 power-wise.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jwalk135 View Post
'1Seriestud' I thought it obvious that I was joking when I said the twin sounds better than a single but obviously not. A good point has been made thought that the 1M has the N54 engine, maybe due to the fact that it is the performance and flagship model. The heat has been turned down on the 135 so it is not as close performance wise to the 1M or more to the point it is not as easy or possible at all to now tune a 135 to the same bhp as the 1M? Similar to when the e36 328 came out and they had to make the m3 into the m3 evo.

I think sargetony has it sussed as he has driven both. 200 revs is not really going to be noticeable. The fact is that now for £400 you can't turn a 135 (N55) into something as quick as the M1.
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 12:22 PM   #76
1SerieStud
Brigadier General
1SerieStud's Avatar
183
Rep
3,939
Posts

Drives: '11 VO 1M (498 of 740)
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL

iTrader: (11)

Lol joke of the day. Dude, historically BMW builds high revving NA engines for their m class. For the first time it is being speculated that the next m3 will be force inducted, and a variation of guess what engine will be used?! Thats right, the n55.

I highly doubt that BMW built 2 engines side by side for the same platform because "they didn't know which one to go with"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alessandro View Post
The N54 was developed at the same time as the S65 as they didnt know which one to choose for the M3. BMW Board decided to go with the S65 so the road was clear for the N54 to be used for the 335 etc. of course detuned.
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2011, 12:29 PM   #77
Alessandro
Major
Alessandro's Avatar
Serbia
109
Rep
1,043
Posts

Drives: Audi RS5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Canada

iTrader: (8)

Garage List
2011 335is  [9.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1SerieStud View Post
Lol joke of the day. Dude, historically BMW builds high revving NA engines for their m class. For the first time it is being speculated that the next m3 will be force inducted, and a variation of guess what engine will be used?! Thats right, the n55.

I highly doubt that BMW built 2 engines side by side for the same platform because "they didn't know which one to go with"

if you know better thats good for you but i still stick with my version not a joke just fact. If your N55 makes you happy i am happy as well
__________________
19 Audi RS5
15 Audi S5 GIAC Stage 2 white
11 E92 335is DCT FBO 441 whp silver
08 E92 335i FBO 6MT 427 whp space grey
05 E46 M3 red
Appreciate 0
      02-26-2011, 01:58 PM   #78
mitch55
First Lieutenant
mitch55's Avatar
21
Rep
374
Posts

Drives: N55 135i
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

N54 for Performance Mods
N55 for DCT
__________________
iCARBON.KW.VMR.COBB.BERK.BMS.CPe.ActiveAutowerke
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:47 PM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST