[DaveinSF]

Just read this in the latest 8-car comparison in Bimmer Magazine.

They compared 8 of the latest BMW models to determine which was the most fun to drive. They did confirm the body roll and terrible oversteering characteristics of the 1-series, which placed in the bottom spots.

But they also said that the new N55 engine is "strangled" by having on the single turbo and cat compared to the dual turbo/cat of the previous N54. For performance driving (not mileage or efficiency), the new N55 felt boring to them in comparison to the N54.

Seems to confirm my suspicions about the engine. Strangely, Bimmer magazine also cryptically stated that a fix was in the works. I hope that BMW has enough sense to offer it to current owners of the new N55 engined cars at little or no additional cost.

I had an IS350 glued onto my tail this morning, and I was flooring it. He wasn't going anywhere, whereas I'm sure I would've pulled away if I had been in my E90 N54.

I like the car, but I am disappointed by the performance of the new engine.

[zamboni]

This is not a good thing for N55 fan.

[shockin330i]

Originally Posted by DaveinSF

Just read this in the latest 8-car comparison in Bimmer Magazine.

They compared 8 of the latest BMW models to determine which was the most fun to drive. They did confirm the body roll and terrible oversteering characteristics of the 1-series, which placed in the bottom spots.

But they also said that the new N55 engine is "strangled" by having on the single turbo and cat compared to the dual turbo/cat of the previous N54. For performance driving (not mileage or efficiency), the new N55 felt boring to them in comparison to the N54.

Seems to confirm my suspicions about the engine. Strangely, Bimmer magazine also cryptically stated that a fix was in the works. I hope that BMW has enough sense to offer it to current owners of the new N55 engined cars at little or no additional cost.

I had an IS350 glued onto my tail this morning, and I was flooring it. He wasn't going anywhere, whereas I'm sure I would've pulled away if I had been in my E90 N54.

I like the car, but I am disappointed by the performance of the new engine.

I ran a 13.69@101 with my n55 in 90 degree texas heat. Stock n54 and n55 pretty much run the same...

[EHDEN]

335iS is the way to go...N54 is under the hood

[Barbera335]

Originally Posted by DaveinSF

Just read this in the latest 8-car comparison in Bimmer Magazine.

They did confirm the body roll and terrible oversteering characteristics of the 1-series, which placed in the bottom spots.

BMWs are tuned for understeer and the 1 series is no different. They always plow at the limit and without LSD power oversteer is minimal. Also in my opinion the N55 feels the same as a standard N54. The higher output N54 in the 335is, Z4is etc is a whole other animal.

[rKi]

been driving the N55 for couple of weeks now, feels just a little under power but i'm loving the turbo spool sound tho hehehe

[Saigon]

After receiving a 335 2011' M-Sport LCI sedan loaner today, coming from an 07' 335 coupe, I can definitely feel the turbo spooling faster and kicking in sooner and feels like more torque from lower RPM's. Though, the N55 engine is very loud for some odd reason when you do floor it, it sounds like it's struggling to get up there. The N54 feels a lot smoother, but the N55 gets better gas mileage when comparing the two. I guess it is a trade off but IMO I honestly like the N54 a lot better. I would say my short review is pretty unbiased coming from a N54.

[Php]

IS350 was glued to your tail? That car probably can't even keep up with a 328....

[DASHOCKER]

The fact that the F30 M3 will have a twin turbo 6 makes me happy that I have an N54 powered car.

[IcebergM4]

That's sad to hear. I will agree that my N55 e92 is louder than my N54 e92was, but at no time does it feel sluggish. I also noticed that my N54 seemed to have more instant throttle than the N55 (probably due to Valve tronic), but the N55 is a blast to drive. The 6MT really helps with the fun factor. I would've kept my N54 e92 had it not been for the injectors, plugs, coils and HPFP being replaced 5 times inside 3000 miles!

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Iceberg3

That's sad to hear. I will agree that my N55 e92 is louder than my N54 e92was, but at no time does it feel sluggish. I also noticed that my N54 seemed to have more instant throttle than the N55 (probably due to Valve tronic), but the N55 is a blast to drive. The 6MT really helps with the fun factor. I would've kept my N54 e92 had it not been for the injectors, plugs, coils and HPFP being replaced 5 times inside 3000 miles!

Doesn't n55 has the same parts as n54 ? The only changes are valvetronic and single turbo.....no ?

[IcebergM4]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Doesn't n55 has the same parts as n54 ? The only changes are valvetronic and single turbo.....no ?

I think you may be correct sir. I drove my co-worker's (stock) 6MT N54 and my N55 back to back just a little while ago and they pull the same way. Maybe it's all in my head? I'm just really hoping someone can come out with a bigger single turbo upgrade, like a GT35R or maybe even a slightly bigger twin scroll. Overall, I'm happy with the N55 so far, I'll be happier when Shiv or Terry can bring some good news

[bimmerlex]

Originally Posted by Php

IS350 was glued to your tail? That car probably can't even keep up with a 328....

Really? I can tell you never drove one. IS350 vs. 335i (even N54), stock for stock was always a drivers' race... So, no surprise it "was glued" to N55's tail as well.

[PhiDeltBeers]

Originally Posted by Php

IS350 was glued to your tail? That car probably can't even keep up with a 328....

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by DaveinSF

Just read this in the latest 8-car comparison in Bimmer Magazine.

They compared 8 of the latest BMW models to determine which was the most fun to drive. They did confirm the body roll and terrible oversteering characteristics of the 1-series, which placed in the bottom spots.

But they also said that the new N55 engine is "strangled" by having on the single turbo and cat compared to the dual turbo/cat of the previous N54. For performance driving (not mileage or efficiency), the new N55 felt boring to them in comparison to the N54.

Seems to confirm my suspicions about the engine. Strangely, Bimmer magazine also cryptically stated that a fix was in the works. I hope that BMW has enough sense to offer it to current owners of the new N55 engined cars at little or no additional cost.

I had an IS350 glued onto my tail this morning, and I was flooring it. He wasn't going anywhere, whereas I'm sure I would've pulled away if I had been in my E90 N54.

I like the car, but I am disappointed by the performance of the new engine.

You hope they offer any upgrade at little or no cost to current owners?? Why would they do that? Every year every car changes somehow and up grades are not offered. I bet you think all Dealerships are rip off artists too.

Originally Posted by Php

IS350 was glued to your tail? That car probably can't even keep up with a 328....

That sounds like what a BMW fanboy would say. I have driven the IS350 and it definitely felt faster than the 328i.

[markinva]

which 8 cars were compared? can someone scan and post ?

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by Saigon

After receiving a 335 2011' M-Sport LCI sedan loaner today, coming from an 07' 335 coupe, I can definitely feel the turbo spooling faster and kicking in sooner and feels like more torque from lower RPM's. Though, the N55 engine is very loud for some odd reason when you do floor it, it sounds like it's struggling to get up there. The N54 feels a lot smoother, but the N55 gets better gas mileage when comparing the two. I guess it is a trade off but IMO I honestly like the N54 a lot better. I would say my short review is pretty unbiased coming from a N54.

I don't know about yours but mine didn't have the lining underneath the hood. My 07 328 came with that standard, but not a 2011... weird


I would attribute that to a little bit more engine noise.

[tmaung]

Originally Posted by Php

IS350 was glued to your tail? That car probably can't even keep up with a 328....

Umm I have an IS350 along with 335i and I will say that the IS350 is not as fast but it is definitely much faster than a 328 stock for stock. 0-60 on that thing is about 5.1 secs vs 328 0-60 is 6.1. Those are just numbers I found through google.

[bobbers114]

first version, gonna need to be revised to compete

[DaveinSF]

Originally Posted by Leaker

You hope they offer any upgrade at little or no cost to current owners?? Why would they do that? Every year every car changes somehow and up grades are not offered. I bet you think all Dealerships are rip off artists too.

You don't understand the car market very well, do you?

The N55 is a significant downgrade in performance coming from an N54 like I have. The previous engine made BMW near the top of the pack in acceleration and performance figures. Now it is midpack at best.

I'm sure that it wasn't their intention, but EVERY other performance car manufacturer has made their cars more powerful and faster, consistently, year after year. This would be a first for BMW to offer a 'new and improved' 3 series that is noticeably more sluggish than the previous one..

Or are you going to disagree with me here, too??

I didn't pay $45K for a new 2011 BMW to downgrade my performance from my '07 E90 N54. Think I'm the only one who isn't pleased?? LIKE I SAID, Bimmer magazine suggested that a fix was in the works. Are they gonna make recent buyers of the first '11s pay $$ to upgrade to performance they had almost four years ago??

Oh, and I've had four BMWs and two Audis in the past 13 years. I understand how car dealerships work better than you ever will.

[cstavaru]

It's physics. N55 will always be more laggy than the N54 due to a single bigger turbo. Twin-scroll only partially solves the problem. Valvetronic does not help at high engine speeds, but it does have a role in lower fuel consumption.

A nice fix from BMW would be a free 20hp increase together with the latest advances in engine management software