n54 / n55 engine sound?

chester22 · 12-09-2018, 08:48 AM

Can someone who has heard both describe the difference in engine sound? And which do you like better?

low135 · 12-09-2018, 09:18 AM

Pretty subjective. You're going to have many people just voting for what they have lol

YearOneOne · 12-09-2018, 09:45 AM

I think most people in this forum would give there honest opinion

Gangplank · 12-09-2018, 10:06 AM

Is there much of a difference? Exhaust sure but engine sounds, dunno?

chester22 · 12-09-2018, 10:41 AM

One reason they could sound different is the n55 is single turbo and n54 has two turbos. Hopefully someone who has experienced both can chime in.

low135 · 12-09-2018, 11:38 AM

Lots of clips on youtube

________ · 12-09-2018, 03:41 PM

Is this a serious question? LOL
There's no comparison. N55 FTW

tock172 · 12-09-2018, 06:00 PM

There's no comparison, the N55 sounds better.

The N54 135i exhaust system has two catalytic converters, while system of N55 135i's uses just one. Prior to the B58 replacing it, the N55 was one of the loudest and best sounding modern BMW engines, specifically in a 135i because the car has a short wheelbase and overall length, and the exhaust system itself is nice and open, even with the factory M Sport muffler. Almost every other N55 application had an individual dual exhaust with an individual tailpipe on each side of the rear bumper. The 135i is compact and uses a single pipe for a few portions, making it one of the loudest BMWs in factory form. Add the BMW Performance exhaust with the Y-pipe to take it to its full potential.

DarthFader · 12-10-2018, 08:51 AM

I've owned both. The N55 definitely sounds better for sure. It's louder and has a more V8ish tone than the N54 - at least inside the cabin. However, the N54 doesn't sound bad at all.

I still miss the N54 though. It had a fun power delivery that brought out your inner hooligan. Don't miss the maintenance though lol.

Matticus91 · 12-10-2018, 10:42 AM

Stock for stock N55 all day. Modified the N54 has some easy bonuses like the ability to put a real BOV on it.

However my favorite combo with either, since at the end of the day they'll sound identical, would be a full sing top-mount turbo swap with full exhaust.

mfindigital · 12-12-2018, 11:09 AM

both cars sound wicked with catless dp(s) and upgraded pipes back from there. I'd assume stock it's n55 easily since n54 guys use our mids. My vrsf catless dp with stock mids and a berk street axleback sounds crazy at wot, reminiscent of a 1JZ.

chris_flies · 12-13-2018, 07:56 AM

Since this isn't in the N54/N55-specific forum, I'll say stock, the turbo cars sound better, but modified (correctly) the N52 sounds best. More pure, raw, zingy sound than the turbo cars, but lacks the utter brutality.

Zombie_Head · 12-13-2018, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_flies

Since this isn't in the N54/N55-specific forum, I'll say stock, the turbo cars sound better, but modified (correctly) the N52 sounds best. More pure, raw, zingy sound than the turbo cars, but lacks the utter brutality.

N54/N55 with performance exhaust sounds like a mini v12 if you ask me, especially with aftermarket turbos (for some reason).

Cavpilot2k · 12-13-2018, 09:00 AM

Not sure what the point of this thread is.
Are you considering buying one or the other based on which engine people think sounds better?

They do sound different, but most of that is dictated by the exhaust setup (secondary cats or no). Once you put the same exhaust on them, you'd be hard pressed to tell much difference - not like the N55 vs S55.

View Poll Results: Which engine sounds better?
n54	4	23.53%
n55	13	76.47%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

12-09-2018, 08:48 AM	#1
chester22 Private 24 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 530i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: south florida iTrader: (0)	n54 / n55 engine sound? Can someone who has heard both describe the difference in engine sound? And which do you like better?
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12-09-2018, 09:18 AM	#2
low135 Banned 2211 Rep 1,285 Posts Drives: E88 135i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Clearwater iTrader: (0)	Pretty subjective. You're going to have many people just voting for what they have lol
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12-09-2018, 09:45 AM	#3
YearOneOne Captain 361 Rep 727 Posts Drives: 13 135i mineral grey Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	I think most people in this forum would give there honest opinion
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12-09-2018, 10:06 AM	#4
Gangplank Brigadier General 1540 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: 2011 e82 135i n55 Sport w/ DCT Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Vero Beach, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 135i [0.00]	Is there much of a difference? Exhaust sure but engine sounds, dunno? __________________ 2011 135i w/ DCT \| ZSP Sport Pkg \| PPK \| Ohlins R
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12-09-2018, 10:41 AM	#5
chester22 Private 24 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 530i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: south florida iTrader: (0)	One reason they could sound different is the n55 is single turbo and n54 has two turbos. Hopefully someone who has experienced both can chime in.
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12-09-2018, 11:38 AM	#6
low135 Banned 2211 Rep 1,285 Posts Drives: E88 135i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Clearwater iTrader: (0)	Lots of clips on youtube
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12-09-2018, 03:41 PM	#7
________ ________ 4159 Rep 2,301 Posts Drives: ________ Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: ________ iTrader: (0)	Is this a serious question? LOL There's no comparison. N55 FTW
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12-09-2018, 06:00 PM	#8
tock172 Beachtown Bill Collector 582 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW 135i [0.00] 1999 Lexus LS400 [0.00] 1985 BMW 325e [0.00]	There's no comparison, the N55 sounds better. The N54 135i exhaust system has two catalytic converters, while system of N55 135i's uses just one. Prior to the B58 replacing it, the N55 was one of the loudest and best sounding modern BMW engines, specifically in a 135i because the car has a short wheelbase and overall length, and the exhaust system itself is nice and open, even with the factory M Sport muffler. Almost every other N55 application had an individual dual exhaust with an individual tailpipe on each side of the rear bumper. The 135i is compact and uses a single pipe for a few portions, making it one of the loudest BMWs in factory form. Add the BMW Performance exhaust with the Y-pipe to take it to its full potential. __________________ 2012 BMW 135i Space Grey Metallic M-Sport DCT Dinan S2
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12-10-2018, 08:51 AM	#9
DarthFader Private First Class 134 Rep 177 Posts Drives: M2, 135i, F23 M240i Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	I've owned both. The N55 definitely sounds better for sure. It's louder and has a more V8ish tone than the N54 - at least inside the cabin. However, the N54 doesn't sound bad at all. I still miss the N54 though. It had a fun power delivery that brought out your inner hooligan. Don't miss the maintenance though lol.
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12-10-2018, 10:42 AM	#10
Matticus91 Brigadier General 3475 Rep 3,722 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (6)	Stock for stock N55 all day. Modified the N54 has some easy bonuses like the ability to put a real BOV on it. However my favorite combo with either, since at the end of the day they'll sound identical, would be a full sing top-mount turbo swap with full exhaust. __________________ "Tobias" 2013 135i ///M-Sport 6MT • Pure Stage 1 • XDI 35 HPFP • 404whp/440wtq IG: msteelio91
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12-12-2018, 11:09 AM	#11
mfindigital Lieutenant 349 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	both cars sound wicked with catless dp(s) and upgraded pipes back from there. I'd assume stock it's n55 easily since n54 guys use our mids. My vrsf catless dp with stock mids and a berk street axleback sounds crazy at wot, reminiscent of a 1JZ. __________________ 2011 Space Grey 135i DCT: Pure Stage 2, Fuel-it Stage 2 LPFP, ST XTA Coilovers, Berk Street Axle Back, MHD Stage 2+, VRSF Catless DP, VRSF 5" FMIC, VRSF LCP, BMS UCP, M3 FSB, e92 M3 Drivers Seat.
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12-13-2018, 07:56 AM	#12
chris_flies Sideways and Smiling 3027 Rep 2,860 Posts Drives: In Exuberance Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Rosamond, CA USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW E91 328i [0.00]	Since this isn't in the N54/N55-specific forum, I'll say stock, the turbo cars sound better, but modified (correctly) the N52 sounds best. More pure, raw, zingy sound than the turbo cars, but lacks the utter brutality. __________________ 2012 BMW 328i 6-Speed Wagon \| Deep Sea Blue with Grey Dakota Leather \| Manual Swap, 330i Intake + Tune, 3.15 Helical LSD, Öhlins R&T (SOLD) 2009 BMW 128i 6-Speed Coupé \| Monaco Blue with Black Sensatec \| chris_flies' 128i thread
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12-13-2018, 09:00 AM	#14
Cavpilot2k Chief Warrant Officer 1023 Rep 1,638 Posts Drives: like a damn lunatic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Not sure what the point of this thread is. Are you considering buying one or the other based on which engine people think sounds better? They do sound different, but most of that is dictated by the exhaust setup (secondary cats or no). Once you put the same exhaust on them, you'd be hard pressed to tell much difference - not like the N55 vs S55. __________________ "Prius" is Latin for Eunuch. "Hrothgar": 2012 135i: 6MT M-Sport, BSM/Blk; Nav, Premium, Convenience, HK Dinan Stage 2 +PPK /// BMW PE /// VRSF CP /// K&N /// Koni Sports /// RSFB Inserts /// MPS4S 225/255 /// Other Stuff
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