N55 Are we there yet?

[dh58]

I haven't kept track of the N55 mod updates but are they closing the gap on the potential between n54 and n55?

If they aren't can it be solved by upgrading the turbos?

[pcockley]

With all the talk of a single turbo for the n54 and as yet no workable solution, I am surprised they haven't looked at a single turbo upgrade for the n55 which is already a single turbo???

[UR25IO]

why do they call it a Twin powered turbo of there is on one turbo for N55? im so confused

[dh58]

Originally Posted by UR25IO

why do they call it a Twin powered turbo of there is on one turbo for N55? im so confused

twin scrolls.. two smaller powered turbos inside the turbo manifold (is this right people?)

[AndrewCowley]

The N55 is a twin scroll turbo, hence their use of the term TwinPower. My 7 year old Subaru has the same type of turbo so I think BMW are flogging a dead in horse in giving it a schmick marketing name. Just all it a 'turbo' for the sake of simplicity.

[UR25IO]

Cheers guys.. and wow thanks ianf2002 good job!
so will this be the new generation of turbo's or is this just an experiment for BMW

[DTNJNQ]

Originally Posted by ianf2002

IMO a twin scroll only makes sense on a in-line 6, not sure if they use it on the new 4 cylinder turbo engines in the F20 & F30...I think that they do? The N55 is used in the 335i F30.
Don't think that ///M models would ever use twin scrolls....next M3 rumored to be a tri-turbo 6 cylinder.

///M models already use twin Scroll. The X6M has 2 twin Scroll turbos

Not sure why you say the twin scroll only make sense on inline 6. Subaru have been using them on 4 cylinder engines for years. Got a twin scroll on my Subaru Liberty GT.

[BBK]

All M cars are 'M' cars. M division just take a standard bmw and make it faster. That's all they ever did. So why not an X5/6? Just because they only ever did the 3/5 series doesn't mean any other series can't have the same treatment...

[DTNJNQ]

Originally Posted by ianf2002

X6M & X5M aren't ///M cars in my book...epic fail by BMW.

re the 4 cylinders... I said I wasn't sure dude!!.. was referring to BMW engines

New M5 also uses twin Scroll turbo. I consider the M5 a real ///M car.

[BBK]

If M stands for motorsport and M cars are for the track then an M5 isn't a real M car either. Only the quickest, most track oriented car should be an M. So really, now the M3 is not even a real M...

[BBK]

From all reports, the X5/6M's handle pretty darn well! Would put my money on an X6M beating an E46 M3 :-D Or giving it a good run for its money

[MrBlonde]

Bold call! I think an E46 M3 would get the job done, but the X6M and X5M are remarkable pieces of engineering. And slightly insane.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

now we just need:

- e46 m3
- X6M
- racetrack

[pcockley]

definately depend on the track and no# laps IMHO. Those tanks may defy gravity but the Laws of physics will catch their brakes and tyres much quicker than the 3.

[DTNJNQ]

Interesting


http://www.fastestlaps.com/compariso...-bmw_x5_m.html


http://www.fastestlaps.com/compariso...-bmw_x6_m.html

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Well according to the lap times set by topgear:

BMW M3 E46 - 1min 31.8s
BMW X5M - 1min 28.2s (wet)

and a few more for reference

Z4 sDrive 35i - 1min 28.2s
M3 CSL - 1min 28.0s (wet)
M3 (E92) - 1min 26.5
Z4M - 1min 26.0
M3 (E90) 1min 25.3
BMW 1M - 1min 25.0 (damp)

[pcockley]

All in all pretty close, would be nice to see different tracks for the x5m/3 comparison like the x6m/3.

do you have the same but for e92 m3? edit ignore that I just worked out how to do it!!!!

[pcockley]

Track M3 1 Series M Coupe
Top Gear Track 1:26.50 d 1:25.00 d
Nordschleife 8:05.00 8:15.00
Hockenheim Short 1:14.00 1:14.10
Laguna Seca 1:42.96 1:43.31
Autozeitung test track 1:40.10 1:39.40
Contidrom 1:35.11 1:35.76
SportAuto wet handling test 1:32.40 1:38.20
Bedford Autodrome 1:27.00 1:25.90
Sachsenring 1:40.67 1:40.68
Fuji Speedway (post 2005) 2:02.90 2:03.70
Circuit de Nevers Club 1:27.40 1:26.50
Megara 1:10.35 1:09.81

Just goes to show how close these two are and very track (and possibly driver) dependant.

sorry I did try to make it look better.

[choppedliver]

Evo magazine (UK rag) has these. I trust them a lot more than top gear.

Bedford Autodrome West Circuit - The times seem consistent but I'm a little surprised at how close the 330i is to the 335i. The track layout doesn't seem to have changed in the last 3 years of issues so I assume they are comparable. No X6M or X5M

M6 - 1.26.4
M3 coupe - 1.25.6
1M - 1.25.9
E90 M3 - 1.26.2
Z4M Coupe - 1.27.1
e46 M3 CSL - 1.27.8
M3 CS - 1.29.8
BMW 335i Coupe - 1.29.9
M5 (not sure which one) - 1.29.95
330i M Sport - 1.30.0
ML63 - 1.30.05
Z4 3.0si Coupe - 1.30.8
130i M Sport - 1.31.7
E30 M3 - 1.33.3

Vauxhall VCR8 Bathurst S - 1.27.8
370 - 1.28.7
C63 - 1.28.8

Fastest 4.4 - Cayenne Turbo - 1.26.9

Byron

[MrBlonde]

I'd challenge that E30 M3 time. Is it apples to apples?

[choppedliver]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

I'd challenge that E30 M3 time. Is it apples to apples?

To the best knowledge it is. Those older times are from an 08 mag which means the test could have anytime in the previous 3-4 years I guess. Same track, same layout. Not sure if there were changes.

B

[MrBlonde]

Yeah but race suspension, race rubber, etc? I'd say an E30 M3 would be absolutely flying to pull that time.