Officially announced changes to the 135i for 2011 (+ wallpapers)

[luv135i]

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

I'm kind of upset about this. I ordered a 2010 and got mine in september, had i known they were going to change to DCT / just for the harmon kardon i would have waited.... oh well i love my 1 either ways...

Ha i take delivery of mine in the next two weeks....Wish i would have known...oh well...ill still love it

[numba1guju]

so this must mean that the M1 must be taking the twin turbos(crossing fingers)

[BrokenVert]

I wonder how the N55 DCT combo will effect resale of the N54 Step cars a couple of years down the road.

[bdardashti]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

I wonder how the N55 DCT combo will effect resale of the N54 Step cars a couple of years down the road.

It won't affect it much. The DCT might, but as far as the typical consumer is concerned, 300hp = 300hp, and therefore N54 = N55.

[anthony @ eas]

DCT will be pretty cool on this car.

[HappyNDing]

Any price increase? They didn't really add new standard stuff, just a new engine with the same output but one less turbo. I do like the DCT and hopefully having the N55 means the HPFP problems are gone like the wind.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by Mark M

Just a thought....I am by no means an engineer, but could using a single turbo result in the power falling off relatively quick? I know with the twin turbo N54 the car is able to hold its power curve fairly well to redline.

Would a single turbo N55 contribute to a sharper power curve decrease towards redline due to lack of flow?

Thoughts?

I'm not sure if this was posted before, but here's a comparison between both engines. The first graph shows power graphs, the second graph the response time.






Best regards,
south

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by Monterra

Ah- so you're saying they are treating the 335Ci like a cheap model because it retains the N54- at least for now? N55 with one turbo I would bet saves $. I'm not saying it will be a completely bad thing- 20kg loss is one clear positive, 10% greater efficiency is another. I do find it odd that some keep the N54, some get the N55. I'd venture to say the N55 will feel more like a boosted motor than the N54- ie it will have more lag- not a good thing. But if they fix the FP issues it will likely be an 'upgrade' that many N54ers would probably welcome.

Your logic is in this case incorrect. The N55 has better response and spools quicker, while being lighter and more fuel efficient it is a better product for the mainstream consumer. The 1 will premier the DCT in an N55 application.

The N54 Twin Turbo will only remain in performance models- "iS" cars, the reason is that they have already successfully tuned it reliably, the 1 ///M version will be the first tuned N55 and feature two-dual scroll turbos.

It is funny to me writing these posts as people doubted the 1 would get the DCT last week when many of us new it was coming now some are doubting that the 3er will see the DCT with the N54 only.... trust us people!!

[turner23]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

I am PO'd since I was under the impression that the upgraded sound system in the 1er IS Harmon Kardon.

The upgraded 'hi-fi' system in 2008's (and I assume throgh 2010) is a Harmon Kardon system, it doesn't say HK on the head unit, but HK makes the system.

[turner23]

I can't tell if the wall papers are photoshoped...is the white car a hard top vert? Or a coupe with NO sunroof? Any ideas?

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by turner23

I can't tell if the wall papers are photoshoped...is the white car a hard top vert? Or a coupe with NO sunroof? Any ideas?

Its a coupe with the sunroof delete option. Its an option thats availible everywhere except the US.

[DBFIU]

You are all forgetting, the biggest advantage that the N55 will have over the N54 is not the turbocharger, it's the VALVETRONIC.

Take the perfect valve lift and cam timing and factor that into the equation at every RPM and you have an OPTIMUM design. The turbos are the least of our worries, whats the turbo gonna do? Just boost air pressure, been there done that with the N54.

The valvetronic is the winner in all this, forget about the turbos already.

[Monterra]

Why change the 135 to N55 if they've- "already tuned the N54 reliably"? Cost and CAFE regulations- those are the reasons, don't kid yourself. If you're buying what BMW is selling- that it will have better response that's your right. Stock to stock 6MT 135i- I would bet the N54 car will walk away (or at least edge out) on the N55. I could be wrong, but why would BMW reserve the N54 for the 'performance models' if that weren't the case?

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by DBFIU

You are all forgetting, the biggest advantage that the N55 will have over the N54 is not the turbocharger, it's the VALVETRONIC.

Take the perfect valve lift and cam timing and factor that into the equation at every RPM and you have an OPTIMUM design. The turbos are the least of our worries, whats the turbo gonna do? Just boost air pressure, been there done that with the N54.

The valvetronic is the winner in all this, forget about the turbos already.

+1000

I have been trying to explain that to people as they say Valvetronic has no benefit on forced induction!

[amdmaxx]

N55 looks like a winner here.

Originally Posted by southlight

I'm not sure if this was posted before, but here's a comparison between both engines. The first graph shows power graphs, the second graph the response time.

Attachment 340547

Attachment 340548


Best regards,
south

[bmwzone]

The entire reason I bought my car was the N54.

BMW realized this and now will make you pay for a 335i to get this 3-time engine of the year.

The N55 is a cheaper, lighter motor that will fit the 1 series application well. Glad I got the 1 with the better engine

[bmwzone]

Originally Posted by Monterra

Why change the 135 to N55 if they've- "already tuned the N54 reliably"? Cost and CAFE regulations- those are the reasons, don't kid yourself. If you're buying what BMW is selling- that it will have better response that's your right. Stock to stock 6MT 135i- I would bet the N54 car will walk away (or at least edge out) on the N55. I could be wrong, but why would BMW reserve the N54 for the 'performance models' if that weren't the case?

Yep. As if BMW would actually put a better motor in a 135 than a 335. Gimmie a break.

[DBFIU]

The N54 stock for stock may be the better engine, that is only speculation.

But from a tuning perspective, now that the chip tuners have the opportunity to tune for valve lift, you can kiss the N54 advantage goodbye. You now have complete control over the engine with the valvetronic, there is the advantage.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by mapezzul

The N54 Twin Turbo will only remain in performance models- "iS" cars, the reason is that they have already successfully tuned it reliably, the 1 ///M version will be the first tuned N55 and feature two-dual scroll turbos.

That's interesting. There's some discussion on this in the M1 engine thread. I've been wondering how they're routing 6 exhaust channels into 4 scrolls. Have a look at the other thread for my and other's best guess.

Originally Posted by mapezzul

It is funny to me writing these posts as people doubted the 1 would get the DCT last week when many of us new it was coming now some are doubting that the 3er will see the DCT with the N54 only.... trust us people!!

You're talking about the US market, aren't you?


Best regards,
south

[530i-2002]

Damn, my 2010 135i is on order and should get built the last week of January...Should I drop this order (if I still can) and get the N55 or keep it and get the N54?? I don't care about DCT option - another purist here.

Can someone confirm that 2010 Hi-Fi audio system is built by HK? That might be one option worth waiting for...

P.S. I was considering Dinan (or BMW Performance kit) upgrade at some point down the line, if I feel I need more power.

[bdardashti]

Originally Posted by Monterra

Why change the 135 to N55 if they've- "already tuned the N54 reliably"? Cost and CAFE regulations- those are the reasons, don't kid yourself. If you're buying what BMW is selling- that it will have better response that's your right. Stock to stock 6MT 135i- I would bet the N54 car will walk away (or at least edge out) on the N55. I could be wrong, but why would BMW reserve the N54 for the 'performance models' if that weren't the case?

Do you really think VALVETRONIC is cheap to produce? CAFE? Yes, definitely. Putting a better engine/tranny combo together to reduce fuel consumption by up to 10% is for sure an advantage for CAFE and for BMW marketing and communication. But cost, I highly doubt it. And stock for stock, these two engines are almost the exact same.

Also, if you think cost is the reason, why would BMW keep the N54 in the new 740i? The explanation makes sense; BNW us keeping the N54 for high-performance applications (740i (not high-performance car, but high-performance application), 335iS, Z4 iS).

I don't see why you think mapezzul's explanation is untrue.

[Monterra]

Originally Posted by 530i-2002

Damn, my 2010 135i is on order and should get built the last week of January...Should I drop this order (if I still can) and get the N55 or keep it and get the N54?? I don't care about DCT option - another purist here.

Can someone confirm that 2010 Hi-Fi audio system is built by HK? That might be one option worth waiting for...

P.S. I was considering Dinan (or BMW Performance kit) upgrade at some point down the line, if I feel I need more power.

Based on what BMW is doing rather than what people are saying- common sense tells you that the N54 engine is the one to get if you value performance over efficiency.