N54 vs N55

ucla1995 · 11-22-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jopa489

BMW isn't going to put the N55 in the 2011 E9x (a 6 year old platform) when F30 is due out in 2012.

N55 will be in the 2011 3-series this Spring. Ask your dealer to email his/her regional rep if you don't believe me.

ucla1995 · 11-22-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgb1637

+1

-1

marcel b · 11-23-2009, 03:41 AM

the first test of the N55 in a 535 GT where not that promising... It stated it has not less turbolag then the N54 (like BMW promissed), and they complained about engine vibrations and relative high fuel consumption.

cotmfk · 11-23-2009, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Yeah better performance with the N55, yeah right, why would the M3 get the N54 engine then???

I wonder the same thing. And if it does get the N54... will they have HPFP issues fixed? You would think they would have to have a better solution than extending the warranty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPM90

The N55 is in the new 535i GT, the beastly looking Suvagensedan. It's a cross of SUV, wagon, and sedan, and pretty FUGLY, to me anyway.

The bright spot is the new N55 engine.
3.0 inline 6 with valvetronic and a twin scroll turbo, one of them.
Improved power band, better MPG.
Cheaper to make?
I doubt it. Valvetronic is ultra high tech, and a twin scroll is an advanced turbo design that uses a more sophisticated manifold design.

RUMOR has it that this design, if not the whole engine, will make it's way into the next 1 and 3 and 5. It meets new tightened emissions standards.
More RUMOR has it that the 1 and possibly 3 will see weight reductions as well to help meet EPA standards as well.
Can't be too bad when you get better power to weight, lighter weight for better handling, and a broader/high rpm power band.
Sounds quite positive.
But, like all things rumor, there may be some truth, but where, is the question.

Thank you!

kgb1637 · 11-23-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucla1995

N55 will be in the 2011 3-series this Spring. Ask your dealer to email his/her regional rep if you don't believe me.

Again....where is your proof?

F32Fleet · 11-23-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotmfk

I wonder the same thing. And if it does get the N54... will they have HPFP issues fixed? You would think they would have to have a better solution than extending the warranty.

Thank you!

The HPFP for the N55 is of a different design which supposedly plays nice with US Gasoline.

noro · 11-23-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucla1995

N55 will be in the 2011 3-series this Spring. Ask your dealer to email his/her regional rep if you don't believe me.

I don't know if you are right or wrong but I find that move extremely unusual. Changing out an engine this late in the model year makes no sense. Unless BMW feels that the HPFP issues are going to get out of hand so they are phasing in the engine destined for the new 5 series to reduce the warranty claims.

It could also, I supposed, be manufacturing driven. Instead of the stamping out 2 different engines and keep 2 separate production lines they can make 1 instead.

Edit: Also why is 2011 3-er coming out in spring? Falls is usually when they changeover the model year unless a new generation is introduced.

BK · 11-23-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Yeah better performance with the N55, yeah right, why would the M3 get the N54 engine then???

Did I miss this announcement / rumor? The next M3 is getting the N54?

noro · 11-23-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

Did I miss this announcement / rumor? The next M3 is getting the N54?

yeah, not sure where he pulled that one out of...

jopa489 · 11-23-2009, 10:22 AM

I think there's a lot of bad information in this thread.

demosthenes · 11-23-2009, 10:26 AM

BMW wouldn't normally change engines in the middle of the model run, but if the N55 fixes problems that are hard to solve with the N54, they might do it. The question is, "What problems will be discovered with the N55?"

A more interesting question is, "Why did BMW design the N55 so soon after the N54?" The N54 is an amazing engine - 300 hp out of 3 liters and good gas mileage.

F32Fleet · 11-23-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demosthenes

"Why did BMW design the N55 so soon after the N54?" The N54 is an amazing engine - 300 hp out of 3 liters and good gas mileage.

The MX6 and MX5 both use the same turbo technology as the N55. BMW knww that with current environmental regs and competition forced induction while keep weight down contues to be the way to.

BMW is also having to grasp falling profits. Utilizing a technology which can be used across broader array of products and is cheaper to build is a good idea from a cost perspective.

demosthenes · 11-23-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

The MX6 and MX5 both use the same turbo technology as the N55. BMW knew that with current environmental regs and competition forced induction while keep weight down contues to be the way to.

BMW is also having to grasp falling profits. Utilizing a technology which can be used across broader array of products and is cheaper to build is a good idea from a cost perspective.

Thanks. Makes sense. Plus they probably addressed some of the things they learned on the N54.

cgpublic · 11-23-2009, 01:03 PM

There is another thread on the subject of what will happen for MY 2011. It is certain that the Coupe LCI is on the way. As I posted there, to me it makes perfect sense to me to stop production of 2010 3 Series models across the board by year end for Feburary/March release, assign the N55 single turbo or the new N55 twin turbo to the MY 2011 335 (360 HP), and upgrade the present 328 to a more powerful N52 (260 - 280 HP), also for MY 2011, at the same time. All models would then be synced for the new 3 sedan in the Spring of 2012 for MY 2013.

As far as I'm concerned, there are no technical issues to prevent this from becoming reality. From a marketing perspective, this is the way to go to stay competitive in the US. The N54 HPFP is a time bomb. The 328 is underpowered in comparison to the competition. The time to move forward is Spring of 2010.

cotmfk · 11-23-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

The HPFP for the N55 is of a different design which supposedly plays nice with US Gasoline.

If that is true, then I wonder if you would be able to use that fuel pump with the N54. I know at least one aftermarket fuel pump was in the works, but I don't think anything is concrete yet. It would be nice to finally have a solution.

amdmaxx · 11-23-2009, 01:15 PM

Looks like N55 in F10 5 series as well..
E92 LCI will be the final answer..

F32Fleet · 11-23-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotmfk

If that is true, then I wonder if you would be able to use that fuel pump with the N54. I know at least one aftermarket fuel pump was in the works, but I don't think anything is concrete yet. It would be nice to finally have a solution.

Answer is NO. They're designed different and IIRC the HPFP for the N55 operates at higher pressures than the one for the N54.

bimmerfrei · 11-23-2009, 03:22 PM

I don't know about the US market, but in Europe (at least Sweden) you can actually order a 335i with the new N55 already today. I was at my dealer today and he told me the N55 will be in the 335's that are produced from the beginning of March 2010.

/Christian

ucla1995 · 11-23-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmerfrei

I don't know about the US market, but in Europe (at least Sweden) you can actually order a 335i with the new N55 already today. I was at my dealer today and he told me the N55 will be in the 335's that are produced from the beginning of March 2010.

/Christian

As I have said like 4 times in this thread - the N55 is going to be in the USA for the MY2011 3-series.

Ramos · 11-23-2009, 05:29 PM

Anyone who really believes BMW will swap engines in the LAST year of production of the E9x needs to think again... Do you think swapping engines is a cheap proposition? I mean just the factory retooling which can take weeks and involves shutting down !!
+ They already changed engines in the E9x series from 325 to 328 and from 330 to 335
They have never and WILL never go through 2 cycles of engine changes for the same generation car...

Ti335 · 11-23-2009, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramos

Anyone who really believes BMW will swap engines in the LAST year of production of the E9x needs to think again... Do you think swapping engines is a cheap proposition? I mean just the factory retooling which can take weeks and involves shutting down !!

What you say makes sense, but BMW is known for doing strange things sometimes. For instance, the 2006 330i had a brand new engine that only lasted for one year (in North America anyway). Also, 2011 will not be the last year of production for the current generation 3-series. 2012 will be the last last model year for the E90 and 2013 for E92/E93.

The HACK · 11-23-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demosthenes

BMW wouldn't normally change engines in the middle of the model run, but if the N55 fixes problems that are hard to solve with the N54, they might do it. The question is, "What problems will be discovered with the N55?"

A more interesting question is, "Why did BMW design the N55 so soon after the N54?" The N54 is an amazing engine - 300 hp out of 3 liters and good gas mileage.

BMW has changed engines in the middle of EVERY model run. Even the E9X platform.

E90s were first introduced with the N52 in the 330i and 325i guise. N54 was only introduce in 2007.

Let me give a little history lesson here. The E30 was the only 3 series so far to not see a significant engine change, although the "eta" variant and the 1.8 liter went through several minor changes. The E36 had TWO engine changes, from the M50 2.5 to M52 in '94, and M52 to M52Tu in '98 (single VANOS to double VANOS), ONE YEAR before the model was replaced by the E46. The E46 saw one single engine change, in 2001 from M52Tu to M54. This excludes ///M engines, there's typically "evolutionary" engine changes but they don't see architectural changes (such as the S14 went through 2 "evolution" phases).

Since the engines typically trickle down very quickly, EXPECT the N55 to replace the N54 next year at the LATEST. It is also likely that the N55 will be introduced with the coupe facelift. Bank on it.

By the way, typical modern BMW chassis production cycle lasts about 7 years, and the engine production cycle last about 3 (except for S designate engines). So you will see overlaps up to 2 engine changes per cycle occasionally.

11-23-2009, 03:41 AM	#25
marcel b Lieutenant Colonel 132 Rep 1,898 Posts Drives: F31 340i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	the first test of the N55 in a 535 GT where not that promising... It stated it has not less turbolag then the N54 (like BMW promissed), and they complained about engine vibrations and relative high fuel consumption.
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11-23-2009, 10:22 AM	#32
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	I think there's a lot of bad information in this thread. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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11-23-2009, 10:26 AM	#33
demosthenes Major 48 Rep 1,162 Posts Drives: E90 328i 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 328i sedan [0.00]	BMW wouldn't normally change engines in the middle of the model run, but if the N55 fixes problems that are hard to solve with the N54, they might do it. The question is, "What problems will be discovered with the N55?" A more interesting question is, "Why did BMW design the N55 so soon after the N54?" The N54 is an amazing engine - 300 hp out of 3 liters and good gas mileage. Last edited by demosthenes; 11-23-2009 at 10:41 AM..
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11-23-2009, 01:03 PM	#36
cgpublic Lieutenant 22 Rep 508 Posts Drives: 2015 A3 2.0T Quattro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brooklyn to Bronxville iTrader: (0)	Perfect Sense. Redux. There is another thread on the subject of what will happen for MY 2011. It is certain that the Coupe LCI is on the way. As I posted there, to me it makes perfect sense to me to stop production of 2010 3 Series models across the board by year end for Feburary/March release, assign the N55 single turbo or the new N55 twin turbo to the MY 2011 335 (360 HP), and upgrade the present 328 to a more powerful N52 (260 - 280 HP), also for MY 2011, at the same time. All models would then be synced for the new 3 sedan in the Spring of 2012 for MY 2013. As far as I'm concerned, there are no technical issues to prevent this from becoming reality. From a marketing perspective, this is the way to go to stay competitive in the US. The N54 HPFP is a time bomb. The 328 is underpowered in comparison to the competition. The time to move forward is Spring of 2010. __________________ Present: 2015 Audi A3 2.0T Quattro \| Scuba Blue \| Sport Past: 2011 E90 335 xDrive (March Build) \| Deep Sea Blue \| Saddle Brown \| Brushed Aluminum Packages & Options: Premium \| Sport \| Cold Weather \| BMW Apps, iDrive & iPod Past: 2008 E90 328xi \| Montego Blue \| Dakota Black \| Brushed Aluminum Packages & Options: Premium \| Sport \| Xenon \| CA \| Heated Seats \| iPod
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11-23-2009, 01:15 PM	#38
amdmaxx My gift Registry: M2 119 Rep 1,432 Posts Drives: Future Mowner of Monster Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Looks like N55 in F10 5 series as well.. E92 LCI will be the final answer..
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11-23-2009, 03:22 PM	#40
bimmerfrei Enlisted Member 0 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2011 528i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	I don't know about the US market, but in Europe (at least Sweden) you can actually order a 335i with the new N55 already today. I was at my dealer today and he told me the N55 will be in the 335's that are produced from the beginning of March 2010. /Christian
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11-23-2009, 05:29 PM	#42
Ramos Colonel 863 Rep 2,897 Posts Drives: G20 2020 M340 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: So-Cal iTrader: (6)	Anyone who really believes BMW will swap engines in the LAST year of production of the E9x needs to think again... Do you think swapping engines is a cheap proposition? I mean just the factory retooling which can take weeks and involves shutting down !! + They already changed engines in the E9x series from 325 to 328 and from 330 to 335 They have never and WILL never go through 2 cycles of engine changes for the same generation car...
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