[WAY]

Originally Posted by sparoz

I think most people are missing the point. Firstly, in terms of N54 technical advance, it is not as good as the N52. One of why I and many people who love the NA engines are because of Valtronic which is not present in the N54.

BMW now can use Valtronic on the N55 engine, at the same time, it changes from a twinturbo setup to a twinscroll setup, which basically does the same thing - the twinscroll basically have two fans on the same housing where the smaller fan spool up first and than the larger (lots of information on the net). The fact that the N54 has two turbos doesn't mean it is better.

As someone mentioned before, the N55 would probably mated with the new 8 speed gearbox, which will possibly even make it faster. So, I do believe it would be an upgrade.

As far as the IS is concerned, it only make sense they have now tested the drive train with the updated 245kw N54, with DCT that they would stick with those setup for the IS versions, where they are either, a) not have enough testing done on the capabilities of the N55, or b) reserved the N55 twin turbo for the M1, where it will have valtronic, a twin scroll for everyday driving, and a larger turbo for higher end torque.

I know I am a bit speculative, but really, I think the N55 would be more than worthy as the successor to the N54.

The only disappointment would be from dumbo's ears for the 2011, and definitely not the engine.

Help me out here on this Sparoz. So if this twin scroll set up is like twin turbos on one housing, then the X5M/X6M engine with twin turbo twin scroll means it is effectively 4 turbos??? Here is a good article on the X5M engine (scroll down). http://www.ausmotive.com/2009/04/05/...t-of-gold.html

[jaglacs]

It's going to be better; a single turbo that produces the same HP is impressive. Lets see how it goes

[BMWCadet]

Originally Posted by jaglacs

It's going to be better; a single turbo that produces the same HP is impressive. Lets see how it goes

Why is that impressive? It's a bigger turbo, so of course it'll make equal if not more power. The real question with this engine will be the tuning potential.

[BMWCadet]

Originally Posted by E46M54325Ci

wow just realized that I must have been totally not paying attention,

haha, I meant bigger gas tank!!!

Ah ok. Is the gas tank smaller than the 3 series?

[Fugly M3]

Originally Posted by BMWCadet

Ah ok. Is the gas tank smaller than the 3 series?

yea, a paltry 14 gallons

[samchoi604]

Originally Posted by jaglacs

It's going to be better; a single turbo that produces the same HP is impressive. Lets see how it goes

umm.. everything else being equal, the 2nd turbo of a twin turbo system is just there to reduce lag. It doesn't push more power compared to the single system.

[JakeN5]

Originally Posted by BMWCadet

Why is that impressive? It's a bigger turbo, so of course it'll make equal if not more power. The real question with this engine will be the tuning potential.

BMW, or any car manufacturer, doesn't care about your need for tuning. If they can, they would make it impossible for tuners to tinker with the engine. If that's the overly critical aspect of an engine on this forum - its tuning potential, then yes, the N55 may be a tough nut to crack for the tuners. Still, as they say, if there's a will there's a way.

[tirana]

For it's supposed lack of advanced engineering, the N54 sure racked up enough engine awards.

Perhaps it's worth thinking of the N55 as bringing the best of the N54 (low end torque, minimal lag) and N52 engines (valvetronic) into one and then throttling it back to improve fuel economy and emissions. This would also allow it some tuning headroom for an M3 but I can't really see the same engine as in a regular 3-series being adapted for the new M3.

[GnokGnik]

Originally Posted by tirana

For it's supposed lack of advanced engineering, the N54 sure racked up enough engine awards.

Perhaps it's worth thinking of the N55 as bringing the best of the N54 (low end torque, minimal lag) and N52 engines (valvetronic) into one and then throttling it back to improve fuel economy and emissions. This would also allow it some tuning headroom for an M3 but I can't really see the same engine as in a regular 3-series being adapted for the new M3.

+1

I haven't seen ANY hpfp problems (knock on wood) and this car (335i w/ n54) is just perfect.

I imagine the n55 being just like the N54 but minutely improved (peak torque @ 1.2k instead of 1.4k, 1-3 better mpg, etc)...but the biggest problem I see is the switcheroo BMW did w/ the turbo's and therefore TUNING.

One of the BEST things about the N54 is its tuning potential (Unreal gains for peanuts). The N55 seems to be a tougher cookie from you guys' speculation.

The next M3 is supposed to run a twin turbo set-up...


I am making a lot more hp and torque and have been for a while for about a year (w/o any reliability problems) than a 335is. The N55 is gonna be nice, don't get me wrong....anything replacing the N54 will have to be!


At the end of the day, given the choice between a N54 and a N55, I would put my money on the N54. It's just a dream engine...no wonder it has won international engine of the year 2 times in a row.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interna...ne_of_the_Year

http://www.ukipme.com/engineoftheyear/

[galahad05]

I'm still stuck deciding what to do in October....

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by WAY

Help me out here on this Sparoz. So if this twin scroll set up is like twin turbos on one housing, then the X5M/X6M engine with twin turbo twin scroll means it is effectively 4 turbos??? Here is a good article on the X5M engine (scroll down). http://www.ausmotive.com/2009/04/05/...t-of-gold.html

If you want an more thorough explanation:

http://www.bimmerfile.com/2009/05/01...otor-in-depth/

[citrixscu]

Originally Posted by JakeN5

It's just hilarious reading the skeptics For the past 3 years now, there have been hundreds of posts bitching about the hpfp issue, and when BMW is about to introduce a new turbo engine, what do the fanboys have to say about it? That they're glad they got the N54.

Just because something is less doesn't mean it's inferior. Less weight, less fuel consumption, less mechanical complexity but same power and torque rating. What's wrong with this spec vs the N54, anyone cares to ponder? Nobody here is a BMW engineer or has even test driven the N55, yet that still doesn't stop the skeptics from mouthing off baseless speculations.

+1. More people seem to be irked that they cannot say "I have a TWIN turbo" than reading into the reasons behind the N55. Same power, lighter, better fuel efficiency and max torque at 100 less RPM than N54.

[Eugene-TAIWAN]

this set up might be easier to do a turbo upgrade in the future

[mapezzul]

First current N54 car to be officially announced with the N55 will be the 135i. It will be the only N55 offered with a DCT- no auto and yes a manual.

[5soko]

so the E90's are getting the N55? in the U.S.?

[oasis3582]

Originally Posted by JakeN5

It's just hilarious reading the skeptics For the past 3 years now, there have been hundreds of posts bitching about the hpfp issue, and when BMW is about to introduce a new turbo engine, what do the fanboys have to say about it? That they're glad they got the N54.

Just because something is less doesn't mean it's inferior. Less weight, less fuel consumption, less mechanical complexity but same power and torque rating. What's wrong with this spec vs the N54, anyone cares to ponder? Nobody here is a BMW engineer or has even test driven the N55, yet that still doesn't stop the skeptics from mouthing off baseless speculations.

Well said.

[samchoi604]

They are saving the twin turbo 6 cyl for the next M3. The little brother 3 series only get the single turbo.

[akhter]

Originally Posted by BMWCadet

The real question with this engine will be the tuning potential.

That is a question only for a small, but very vocal part of the community. 90%+ of 335i owners around the world don't do any tuning. Also, most of these enthusiasts would probably get the 335IS anyways so there goes that argument.

I can see any reason why 335i shouldn't move to the N55 with smoother power delivery thanks to valvetronic.

[Aeroav8r]

Why are people saying the N55 with Valvetronic will have less mechanical complexity? Have you seen the valvetrain diagram of the N55 cylinder head? An extra intermediate shaft, extra intermediate rocker arms, extra springs and an electric stepper motor to control the indexing of the intermediate shaft. Should be 'added' mechanical complexity.

[5soko]

Originally Posted by akhter

That is a question only for a small, but very vocal part of the community. 90%+ of 335i owners around the world don't do any tuning. Also, most of these enthusiasts would probably get the 335IS anyways so there goes that argument.

I can see any reason why 335i shouldn't move to the N55 with smoother power delivery thanks to valvetronic.

I think most of the tuners and others have said, the N55 will be extra work to tune and hard to do it, and will not make as much power as the N54. Also many think it will not be underrated like the N54 is, but more to actually specs. But we will have to see.

[galahad05]

Here's an interesting thought: now that the 3's are gonna come with a single turbo...that's a heck of a lot more comparable to the new Audi S4, with it's (single) supercharger.

[chappy]

Just to put a spanner in the works this is from australian car news site with the 2011 coupe

quite different to the existing shape.

Powering the new models are a range of 3.0-litre six-cylinder units, typical to those found in the current line-up. The 335i makes a comeback, although it loses a turbo and drops to around 208kW to make way for a new model, the 340i. The 340i will feature twin-turbochargers to muster a total of 268kW. The other petrol engines will be four-cylinder turbocharged units displacing either 1.6- or 2.0-litres.



High-output diesel engines will also feature, under the Efficient Dynamics banner, with a 323d (152kW) and 335d (228kW) model expected.

BMW expects most models to be fitted with the optional eight-speed automatic transmission complete with stop-start technology.



At this stage it is rumoured that the M3 will lose its 4.0-litre V8, the engine to be replaced with a straight six, twin-turbocharged unit with direct injection developing 308kW. The engine swap not only cuts emissions, but saves weight too. Sharper acceleration is promised thanks to an upgraded dual-clutch gearbox (available only to M3 customers).

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Tags: BMW 3 Series, Car News, spy photos
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our 335 gets 208kw and the new 340 gets 268kw aprox 370bhp
work that one out.
cheers

link
http://www.caradvice.com.au/52769/20...es-spy-photos/