[Edward]

pre LCI will come up with 20 reasons why N54 is better and LCI folks will come up with 20 reasons why N55 is better. Funny thing is that none of us probably can tell a difference unless we're modding at this current point in time. All I care is that I don't have a HPFP problem.

[mkoesel]

I find it interesting that Dushane mentions the CTS. Sure it is priced similarly to the 3 series, A4 and G (not to mention the IS and the C class), but it is actually closer in size to cars in the next class up (5 series, A6, etc). I agree with him that it would be nice to have attractive American-made cars to consider, but even if the CTS was the better car it is still too big. The upcoming ATS, on the other hand, is more inline size-wise, and I truly do hope that Cadillac builds something that rivals BMW's F30 3 series. I would definitely consider an ATS (probably the theoretical ATS-V, specifically) if they succeed.

[bimmer_335]

Are they saying N54 is faster then N55... whoa... i find it hard to believe !!! I do have my original e92 brochure and it does say 0-60 in 4.9 sec. If BMW is now saying 5.5ish... isnt it step in the wrong direction?

It gives me one more reason to stick with my babe...

[RambleJ]

Originally Posted by Edward

pre LCI will come up with 20 reasons why N54 is better and LCI folks will come up with 20 reasons why N55 is better. Funny thing is that none of us probably can tell a difference unless we're modding at this current point in time. All I care is that I don't have a HPFP problem.

That is true, but as said earlier. If the N55 is supposed to be as awesome if not better than the N54, why use the good ol N54 in the 335is models.

[Edward]

Originally Posted by RambleJ

That is true, but as said earlier. If the N55 is supposed to be as awesome if not better than the N54, why use the good ol N54 in the 335is models.

Because the 335is was very likely to have been developed starting back a while before the N55 was.

[scott@bmwhn]

fwiw it appears both N54 and N55 share the same HPFP

[Argent60]

Originally Posted by scott@bmwhn

fwiw it appears both N54 and N55 share the same HPFP

Is this true? Can I ask where you heard this?

[Verbiage]

Originally Posted by andy92782

A 335i with the N54 engine and automatic transmission has an EPA rating of 17/26 mpg.

A 335i with the N55 engine and automatic transmission has an EPA rating of 17/28 mpg.

Around 20/29 in my '07. Don't know where the hell these kinds of numbers come from

Originally Posted by bimmer_335

Are they saying N54 is faster then N55... whoa... i find it hard to believe !!! I do have my original e92 brochure and it does say 0-60 in 4.9 sec. If BMW is now saying 5.5ish... isnt it step in the wrong direction?

It gives me one more reason to stick with my babe...

BMW has been known to be notoriously conservative with their figures

[Oulixes]

It is a reasonable and fair review.

[Jack28]

Great Article by Car & Driver...


Gotta Love this...

We drive, test, and compare every vehicle on the market. If we spend our own money on a car (and we do, with no special deals), doesn't that tell you that it really is the best one in the class? I just bought a 2008 335xi coupe (my fourth 3-series). Don't you think the decade of experience I have evaluating vehicles professionally would lead me to the best car for the money? The CTS, A4, and G37 are all great cars, but the 3-series kills all of them on the ride/handling balance, it's got better seats than the CTS, better steering than the A4, and more refinement than the G37. I challenge anyone with significant seat and track time in all of these vehicles to contest that. When the CTS coupe arrives, we'll compare it with the 3-series coupe, and if it's better, we'll say so. I'd love to buy American—just give me a superior product. If we're biased, it's toward buying great vehicles.

Mike Dushane

VP Consumer Brand Product Development

Car and Driver

[John 070]

Originally Posted by bimmer_335

Are they saying N54 is faster then N55... whoa... i find it hard to believe !!! I do have my original e92 brochure and it does say 0-60 in 4.9 sec. If BMW is now saying 5.5ish... isnt it step in the wrong direction?

It gives me one more reason to stick with my babe...

I don't think the 2007 brochure said 4.9. I'd be willing to bet $10,000 it was 5.3 for the manual, slower for the auto. But I don't feel like getting my brochure out.

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by Edward

Because the 335is was very likely to have been developed starting back a while before the N55 was.

If this makes you sleep better at night, then ok, thats the reason.

[Edward]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

If this makes you sleep better at night, then ok, thats the reason.

nah that's not really what I was getting at because I think both engines are amazing. but glad to know your 20 extra hp keep you warm at night.

[paulbazo]

N54 is the original
N55 is a copy
Originals are better than copies
Therefore, N54 is better than N55

[TheRox]

i'm sure both are fine

[simianspeedster]

Originally Posted by RambleJ

That is true, but as said earlier. If the N55 is supposed to be as awesome if not better than the N54, why use the good ol N54 in the 335is models.

Another reason may be their desire to transition the production line switch from N54 to N55 in volume. Considering how many cars the N54 went into before the N55 came along, it would be a tall task for BMW to cutover all N54 cars to N55 immediately without creating the possibility of a production shortage or other issue. Operationally, it's a sound practice to gradually roll one production item out in volume while gradually retiring another.

Also, I believe I've read that the N55 costs less to produce than the N54, so it makes sense to use the N54 in higher cost/profit margin cars like the 335is and the Z4 sDrive35is.

[cstavaru]

Originally Posted by simianspeedster

Also, I believe I've read that the N55 costs less to produce than the N54, so it makes sense to use the N54 in higher cost/profit margin cars like the 335is and the Z4 sDrive35is.

So does this mean that BMW would not want to have an even higher profit margin by sticking the N55 in 335is and Z4 35is ?

[Verbiage]

Originally Posted by Jack28

Great Article by Car & Driver...


Gotta Love this...

We drive, test, and compare every vehicle on the market. If we spend our own money on a car (and we do, with no special deals), doesn't that tell you that it really is the best one in the class? I just bought a 2008 335xi coupe (my fourth 3-series). Don't you think the decade of experience I have evaluating vehicles professionally would lead me to the best car for the money? The CTS, A4, and G37 are all great cars, but the 3-series kills all of them on the ride/handling balance, it's got better seats than the CTS, better steering than the A4, and more refinement than the G37. I challenge anyone with significant seat and track time in all of these vehicles to contest that. When the CTS coupe arrives, we'll compare it with the 3-series coupe, and if it's better, we'll say so. I'd love to buy American—just give me a superior product. If we're biased, it's toward buying great vehicles.

Mike Dushane

VP Consumer Brand Product Development

Car and Driver

Gotta love those editors, sometimes. They're not all arrogant douchebags. *cough* Jeremy Clarkson *cough*.

I love that guy

Originally Posted by John 070

I don't think the 2007 brochure said 4.9. I'd be willing to bet $10,000 it was 5.3 for the manual, slower for the auto. But I don't feel like getting my brochure out.

It is. I looked at mine the other day. It was 5.4 for manual, 5.6 for auto. Talk about conservative

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by maxnix

Saw the sticker on the 135i with DCT lists 25 mpg highway, which I would think would be low by 2 or 3 mpg.

The coefficient of drag on the 1-series coupes was higher than the 3-series, and I think they've done more aerodynamic work to make the 3ers' coefficient of drag even better. (I think the 2011 1ers still have the same styling.)

Also - don't forget that the article is looking at the EPA numbers for the RWD coupe. Someone here was comparing his AWD 3er...the AWD will always get worse MPG than the RWD.

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by Edward

nah that's not really what I was getting at because I think both engines are amazing. but glad to know your 20 extra hp keep you warm at night.

Yeah you're right on the money. I only bought the "is" for the 20 extra ponies. Nothing more.

Good night sweet prince.

[bimmer_335]

Originally Posted by Jack28

Great Article by Car & Driver...


Gotta Love this...

We drive, test, and compare every vehicle on the market. If we spend our own money on a car (and we do, with no special deals), doesn't that tell you that it really is the best one in the class? I just bought a 2008 335xi coupe (my fourth 3-series). Don't you think the decade of experience I have evaluating vehicles professionally would lead me to the best car for the money? The CTS, A4, and G37 are all great cars, but the 3-series kills all of them on the ride/handling balance, it's got better seats than the CTS, better steering than the A4, and more refinement than the G37. I challenge anyone with significant seat and track time in all of these vehicles to contest that. When the CTS coupe arrives, we'll compare it with the 3-series coupe, and if it's better, we'll say so. I'd love to buy American—just give me a superior product. If we're biased, it's toward buying great vehicles.

Mike Dushane

VP Consumer Brand Product Development

Car and Driver

He makes a valid point... he was replying to your email or somthing? Just curious !!!

[markinva]

^It was in the comments section of the article I linked in the OP. I also highlighted this quote in the OP.

Does nobody read the OP? lol