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

[and 1]

has anyone noticed that the diffuser now looks like it's got a shadowline finish, as opposed to the matte gray plastic on the 08-10s?

anyone know for sure?

edit: maybe only on the coupe? the vert's diffuser definitely looks like the same old gray plastic

[530i-2002]

Has anyone noticed that the IDrive screen is half the size of 2009-2010 MY? WTF??

[infinite b]

Originally Posted by 530i-2002

Has anyone noticed that the IDrive screen is half the size of 2009-2010 MY? WTF??

Yeah. I noticed this as well but I can't imagine why this would make sense. I will be looking for confirmation on this as I am in line to place an order for a MY2011 with idrive. It seems like shrinking the screen size would greatly diminish idrive/nav functionality.

[530i-2002]

Agreed.

[Blader]

The rest of the world has 2 Nav options, Business and Professional. There is a difference in the screen sizes among other things

[530i-2002]

Originally Posted by Blader

The rest of the world has 2 Nav options, Business and Professional. There is a difference in the screen sizes among other things

So NA gets Professional with a larger screen size? Thanks.

[Ash83]

Originally Posted by 530i-2002

Has anyone noticed that the IDrive screen is half the size of 2009-2010 MY? WTF??

Where did you get this??? if this is true it will be dumbest move ever by BMW(beside not bringing the M3 M3 CSL to the US) ...

you should always upgrade in the new year model NOT DOWNGRADE..

[530i-2002]

Wallpaper photos (top of this thread), interior view...

[Ash83]

Originally Posted by 530i-2002

Wallpaper photos (top of this thread), interior view...

WTF this is a show stopper for me...

[Blader]

Originally Posted by Ash83

WTF this is a show stopper for me...

As in my post above it is the Business Nav screen not the Professional Nav screen. I assume by your level of outrage that you don't get the Business Nav option in the States so you don't worry about it. The cars in the pics are not US spec

[oz125]

blader any news on your delivery yet?

[Blader]

My current lease finishes on the 19th of June so that will be the date I pick the 125 up.

The only revision to my car with the March production changes is the sound system changing to Harmon Kardon. Hopefully it will be more than a name change as the Hi-Fi Professional system is not as good as my current Dynaudio setup

[530i-2002]

335is is officially released with N54 upgraded to 332 lb/ft torque and unlike previously assumed 6 speed manual transmission (bimmerfile.com)...does it mean they figured out a transmission upgrade for 2011? Will 1 series get the same one?

[Ash83]

Originally Posted by Blader

As in my post above it is the Business Nav screen not the Professional Nav screen. I assume by your level of outrage that you don't get the Business Nav option in the States so you don't worry about it. The cars in the pics are not US spec

Thanks for the info u just made my day

I am planning to go to the dealer once they release the price info next month..

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Monterra

Hey RPM- never said it was a bad thing- my assumption is its saving them money- maybe not but I bet its not costing them more. The R&D costs for valvetronic tech are long in the past- it debuted in 2001 btw. They did evidently have to develop a new compact version of valvetronic to work in conjunction with the direct injected engine. I'm not a current TT owner- no axe to grind or pride to stroke. Having not yet driven the N55 endowed 1er vs. N54 I can't say what will be better or worse about it. My guess is that the N55 while weighing less, burning less gas will display more lag. If not maybe I'll consider one next time around- or will it be the M1

True, until we or tester get a chance to drive it in a 1 or 3 we won't know for sure. But, in the GT the N55 has been proven to be excellent.

Given twin scroll technology and how it works, speculating more lag is inconsistent with it's technology. The manifold needed is more complex and is so that the turbo can spool quickly at low rpm and then have capability at higher rpm that is greater than a traditional turbo.

In the world of turbo tech a larger single turbo can actually be better at producing added boost at higher rpm than 2 smaller turbos.
Flow rate is more important not the number of turbo's. The N55 turbo is bigger.

To address the question of how a double twin scroll can work in a 6 cylinder set up: .
In the single TS turbo N55 the whole manifold is designed to feed the turbo. The manifold is important as it's designed to help draw the exhaust pulses into the manifold more efficiently by not allowing individual cylinder pulses to interfere with each other, thus allowing for a great and more even exhaust flow into the turbo. That will result in smoother boost delivery and greater efficiency. The twin scroll manifold is like a "header" for NA engines, with tuned length ports into the turbo.
For a dual TS setup the manifold will have to be tuned to use 3 cylinders per TS turbo where the exhaust pulses are optimized. I would think the setup will simply use dual "header" like manifolds each feeding a TS turbo.
Very cool.

So even though we may not know exactly what the new setup will feel like, we certainly can have an idea by understanding the technology and how the new setup will work. It would be very UN-likely that the new N55 will not perform better than the N54 in every way. It should have smoother, more consistent power delivery, better efficiency, same near 0 lag and have better high rpm power, which is what I REALLY want. Modern turbo's are great for low rpm torque, but that has been at the expense of high rpm power.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Robert

I wish BMW addresses that sharp torque decline after 5000. It's like heaven before 5,000 then car feels like someone dropped an anchor yet there's still 2000 more rpm before redline.

The TS setup should help give a greater high rpm power, keeping power going stronger and smoother. But, it doesn't look like it will be immensely more power all the way to redline, but we can hope.
People want greater low rpm torque for better off the line performance without having to have higher engine revs to get it, but that sacrifices high and higher rpm power.

My 135i doesn't have the issue you're describing though. Granted the strong torque up until about 5500rpm is very strong and then tapers, but I go well into 6500k will good pull before the next shift. My 1 accelerates to 60 or 100 extremely fast. There isn't much hard pull past that though.

I've got a manual, and I don't know if maybe that drop off of hard pull feel is more pronounced in a auto trans.

Our TT engines have plenty of torque past 5000k rpm. It's just that the torque is so strong and builds to a strong peak quite early, that I think a lot of people think there isn't much there as it tapers. But, take a look at dyno graphs and you'll see there is still quite a bit of torque at 5k an into the 6k range, it's just softer.

My expectation is that the tuners will have greater ability to get higher rpm torque with the smoother TS-T, thus extending the torque band.
I'd be happy with a bit less torque peak, but extend the torque band to a higher rpm to take advantage of trannys gearing. In that regard, accel numbers should be better with the N55 even if the rated power numbers are the same; stock or tuned.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Monterra

Thanks for posting that Bimmerboy- Edmunds agrees with what I've been saying. Its a win/win for them- better EPA numbers, cheaper with one less turbo and the plumbing that goes with it, and maintains the all important output figures on the spec sheet. The consolation prize (and clearly they felt compelled to roll those out ASAP) for the hard core fans who don't just look at numbers before buying but actually drive the thing is the new Z4is and 335is models that keep the N54 albeit tweaked for more output. For the 1, the new M variant is the bone we're thrown (N54/N55- whatever it ends up being)- I'm sure I'll want it if its worthy of the badge.

Being less costly to make doesn't make it "cheaper" in the sense that it's a "cheap" engine, which is how many on this forum seem to be interpreting it.
"Premium" gas is not better than "regular" or "mid grade", it simply is a higher octane rated fuel.

The lower overall cost could very well be the result of valvetronic being in production for some time and thus economy of scale brings a lower cost per unit.

The N55 simply IS a higher tech engine with modern engine controls and higher tech turbo design, and harder to make and superior manifold to feed it. "Cheap" is not a word to be used for this engine. It might be less costly to manufacture, but even that is speculation on Edmunds part.
Until production ramps up to cover more models, like the N54 did, it might cost as much if not a bit more.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Monterra

I said the changes can't be written off as insignificant (that's where bolt ons would come in). Oh right, those images are to show their engineers the inner workings of the new N55- come on dude, really? You can stop trying to convince me now because you obviously a strong buyer of whatever they're selling. I'm more of a skeptic and I'm skeptical this engine will be the performance equal of its forebear despite what the numbers say.

You can be skeptical if you like, it's your right.

It's seeming clear, to me anyway, that you don't understand the technology, so you then state how much you are right that it's just marketing, and that you are justified cause you are a skeptic, but those of us who understand the technology more must somehow be simpletons who simply accept the marketing.
Really? Cause you're wrong.

I've spent time looking into as much tech information about this engine as you've spent into looking for the negative things.
I haven't even seen or paid attention to BMW marketing of this engine.
Actually, there hasn't been much general public marketing of this engine at all in the first place.

I don't get your obsession with negativity about the N55.
Please explain the technological and mechanical reasons for why you think the N55 is somehow a lesser engine, and/or why it's just marketing?

[Jason]

Here's full invoice and msrp pricing for the 2011 1-series

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=347072

[rfitzge6@fau.edu]

you are 100% right about this engine. Its the next generation all new tech electronic diverter valve, valvetronic twin scroll and better plumbing for the boost. Its going to be an improvement in terms of smoother power delivery and economy. But performance will be equal or just slightly better.

[BMW269]

I hate it when people make judgement without knowing anything. But time will prouve that the N55 is better than N54.