What year did the N55 start for the 135i?

[sear]

I'm in the market for a 135i, but want an N54 and not an N55. Is 2010 the first year of the N55? If yes are all 2010s N55 or is it a mix? If it is a mix whats the easiest way to tell the difference?

thanks

[Aries932]

Originally Posted by sear

I'm in the market for a 135i, but want an N54 and not an N55. Is 2010 the first year of the N55? If yes are all 2010s N55 or is it a mix? If it is a mix whats the easiest way to tell the difference?

thanks

The easiest way to tell the difference is first the exhaust note...it is much deeper on the N55. The other more simple way is check the engine bay. The engine is completely different.

[SinCalgary]

MY2011 was the start of N55

[alexc93]

only 2011's are N55

[sear]

Awesome, thanks! so TwinPower = N55??

[Freon]

They rebranded all the twin scroll and twin turbo cars to "Twin Power" including the N55. Ex. The twin turbo V8 is also now a "Twin Power" engine.

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by SinCalgary

MY2011 was the start of N55

"easiest way, listen to the exhaust note?"

[kgaler]

Seems to be intentionally vague by BMW's marketing department. "Twinpower", most everybody will assume that it's a twin turbo.

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by kgaler

Seems to be intentionally vague by BMW's marketing department. "Twinpower", most everybody will assume that it's a twin turbo.

Myself, I would call it "intentionally deceptive".

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by SinCalgary

MY2011 was the start of N55

NEGATIVE! That is NOT correct!

Just look at RealOEM.com for build dates to confirm what I am saying bellow. The build also varies on wether you are looking at a USA or ROW (EU) spec car. Seems BMW made some small batches of N55's way before the real production started. I suspect that was to build press and car show cars.


The first N55's were built from Sept/2009 thru Dec/2009. But in very small (limited) numbers. MOST (2010's) were N54's - like my 135i (US spec)was built on Dec/2009. I have a N54.

Basically the N55's were mostly 2011 models. 2011 models started to be built around March 2010. BUT some early 2011 models still had the N54 too!

SO... there is no real solid answer. You HAVE to look at the car you are buying/servicing.


Dackel

[Bimmer-Bob]

If you follow the 1M subforum, BMWNA's M rep says that the "TwinPower" name refers to the combination of turbocharging and direct injection. He acknowledged that, by this definition, the N54 is in fact a "TwinPower" engine although it was not marketed as such. (Although it may be in the case of the 1M?)

Personally I think BMW has really gone off the deep end when it comes to naming things. They really need to simplify. WTF is up with "Z4 sDrive 35is" or "X5 xDrive35i Sport Activity," for example? How did no one at BMW realize how stupid these names sound?

[1on135_deal]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

If you follow the 1M subforum, BMWNA's M rep says that the "TwinPower" name refers to the combination of turbocharging and direct injection. He acknowledged that, by this definition, the N54 is in fact a "TwinPower" engine although it was not marketed as such. (Although it may be in the case of the 1M?)

Personally I think BMW has really gone off the deep end when it comes to naming things. They really need to simplify. WTF is up with "Z4 sDrive 35is" or "X5 xDrive35i Sport Activity," for example? How did no one at BMW realize how stupid these names sound?

bump lol

[Diver]

It's a pretty solid bet that if the car has DCT it also has N55. It would not have made sense to certify the DCT/N54 combination and then only build a handful.

[mose121]

Originally Posted by Diver

It's a pretty solid bet that if the car has DCT it also has N55. It would not have made sense to certify the DCT/N54 combination and then only build a handful.

Nope. 335iS and the Z4 3.5iS both had N54 twin turbo engines with DCT transmissions. Guessing the 135iS was the same, just not positive about that model.

[drover135]

Generally, 2010 and older will be N54, 2011 and newer are N55, but just look in the engine bay to be sure. First image is the N54 - no lettering on the engine cover, two vacuum canisters at the front passenger corner of the bay. Second image is N55 - TwinPower Turbo moniker on engine cover, and air intake behind the engine cover

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by mose121

Nope. 335iS and the Z4 3.5iS both had N54 twin turbo engines with DCT transmissions. Guessing the 135iS was the same, just not positive about that model.

The 135is came exclusively with the N55. A car made better by the Performance exhaust, 313 wheels, and PPK 2. You could add those to a stock 135i and basically have the same car.

I like the 19" 313s on the 335is better; nice concave look to them.

[RealBenM]

Were RHD markets different? Because I have a MY10.5 135i which is an N55/DCT. Build date June 2010 going by the VIN. Redbook here in Aus shows the MY10.5 cars being built from April 2010 onwards.