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

[oasis3582]

Originally Posted by Mark M

Oasis....I think what BMWzone was saying is that it is well known here that the N54 really makes more than 300hp even in stock trim. Meaning that BMW purposely underrated the N54 engine. Believe he is speculating that the N55 may be rated at an actual 300hp, thus potentially a lower hp engine than the N54. However, until we get an N54 and an N55 on an independent dyno, this is all just lunchtime conjecture.

Why assume one would be underrated and the other wouldn't be? I would bet the opposite.

[vladberca]

The N55 can t be inferior to N54 (even in their stock form) due to the fact that this new engine is put in the newest BMW models: 5GT and 5 sedan..
When we' re looking to bmw main competitors in this class (a6/ future a7 and e class/ future cls) we can think that bmw thrown in the "game" a high class engine!

[Cosmo335i]

In BMW's dealer monthy news cast. they said the N55 was replacing all N54 Engines. It will also be in the LCI X5

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by oasis3582

Why assume one would be underrated and the other wouldn't be? I would bet the opposite.

Thats wishful thinking I guess. It pissed me of when the 08 Corvette came out with the LS3 making my LS2 powered car kind of yesterdays news.

[oasis3582]

Originally Posted by NYC6

Thats wishful thinking I guess. It pissed me of when the 08 Corvette came out with the LS3 making my LS2 powered car kind of yesterdays news.

True, but you get better gas mileage!

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by oasis3582

True, but you get better gas mileage!

Not for long I didn't. A Super Charger went on my car pretty quick. Just like warfare, its one-upmanship.

[oasis3582]

Originally Posted by NYC6

Not for long I didn't. A Super Charger went on my car pretty quick. Just like warfare, its one-upmanship.

A fine choice, my friend.

[bimmerboy]

from edmunds.com straightline :

BMW's N55 engine, a direct-injected 3.0-liter straight six with a single, twin-scroll turbocharger, will eventually supersede its twin-turbo N54 engine, and the 2011 BMW 1 Series is next in line to get it. It's going into the 135i coupe and convertible.

Don't expect any additional horsepower or torque from the new engine -- they're still rated 300/300 -- but look for that torque peak to hit 200 rpm sooner at just 1,200 rpm. The primary advantage of the N55 engine over the N54, though, is almost certainly that it's cheaper for BMW to manufacture.

The other big change in the 2011 135i is the availability of BMW's seven-speed, dual-clutch automated manual gearbox as an option. We're expecting that BMW has toned down the shift aggressiveness compared to the M3 version, and most likely, slimmed down the selection of shift programs. It appears that the dual-clutch box will replace the conventional six-speed automatic on the option sheet (the traditional 6-speed manual remains standard).

They are saying that the N55 is cheaper to make. And we all have heard the main reason for the change, reduced emissions due to the single turbo+valvetronic...

[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.

[atr_hugo]

Here's a peek inside the cylinder head of the N55:

[SlickShift]

I'll have to test out the HK sound system in the 2011's. I had the HK option in my past bimmer and it sounded better than the Hi-Fi in my current 1er. Not significantly better, not still. I'm interested to see how the tuning for the single-turbo will develop too...

I hope all the tuners don't turn their cheek to the twin-turbo.

[emtrey]

some comments from an engineer friend who also builds engines (also long time BMW owner--currently driving 335i)..

I certainly do not see the N55 as a ‘downgrade’. The torque curve is even broader, and the whole throttle-less intake sounds very interesting.

I’m willing to bet the change was made for economy reasons more than anything else. Usually, a broader torque curve on a forced induction motor indicates that they are capable of more boost [and torque] than before, but the peak is controlled thru boost regulation. That is why I say the engine should have more potential for peak hp and torque, once the restriction in the ECU is lifted.

[mapezzul]

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.

I still don't get how Edmunds or anyone can say that the single turbo is cheaper now. The dual scroll costs more than a single scroll (fact) and the replacement cost of Valvetronic costs more than a single scroll (fact). So how is that cheaper? I understand that in 3 years it will as the engine will have hit the break even point for development and the economies of scale will decrease the cost of Valvetronic but it makes 0 sense otherwise.

To design and build a new engine R&D costs a ton of money and even if it was cheaper to build it would take years to recoup the costs.

[Monterra]

Despite your supposed facts the truth is that none of us here that I'm aware are BMW executives that are privy to the information. I do know that going from N54 to N55 while the changes can't be written off as insignificant- they're more evolutionary than revolutionary that is to say the R&D wasn't 'a ton' because its not like they started from scratch. And if they thought the N55 was that much better and could please everyone why are they keeping the N54s around at all? Why not just offer 2 levels of tune in the N55?

[guydude]

Guys....HIFI ISSS harmon Kardon!! They just are going back to calling it Harmon Cardon, vs the actual speaker models which were the logic 7. (HiFi). Sound system isn't changing.

[NYC6]

Any talk yet of a price increase on the N55 Powered 135? Trying to decide whether to buy now or wait it out for the new engine. A small increase I'll wait but a large bump up I'll be very happy with a current version.

[infinite b]

Originally Posted by NYC6

Any talk yet of a price increase on the N55 Powered 135? Trying to decide whether to buy now or wait it out for the new engine. A small increase I'll wait but a large bump up I'll be very happy with a current version.

Most dealers are telling me that they hope to have 2011 pricing next week or the week after. My best guess is we should know here within a week.

[Monterra]

Right so that pretty much proves my point that the changes are EVOLUTIONary- its in their marketing! If I were buying a x35i now I'd make sure I was getting the twins. We'll see how the loyalists respond but I'm thinking S4 sales will tick up as there won't be an is sedan offering-yet.

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by infinite b

Most dealers are telling me that they hope to have 2011 pricing next week or the week after. My best guess is we should know here within a week.

Thanks

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by Monterra

Right so that pretty much proves my point that the changes are EVOLUTIONary- its in their marketing! If I were buying a x35i now I'd make sure I was getting the twins. We'll see how the loyalists respond but I'm thinking S4 sales will tick up as there won't be an is sedan offering-yet.

Your use of evolution is making it seem like they bolted stuff on- that is not what happened they had to create a new system based on the old theory- that is an evolution. Revolution would be an entire new concept, that is common sense.

[530i-2002]

Originally Posted by guydude

Guys....HIFI ISSS harmon Kardon!! They just are going back to calling it Harmon Cardon, vs the actual speaker models which were the logic 7. (HiFi). Sound system isn't changing.

Are you saying HiFI systems in 2009 and 2010 1 series are HK with Logic 7 speakers?? How come it does not say HK anywhere on the box? My CA was not sure about the actual manufacturer but he was under impression it was Alpine...

[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.