[STR8-6IX]

Hi all, looking to gather more information about the N20 engine and make some sort of comparison/debate between the two. anyone who has sampled an n20, or both the n52 and n20 is more then welcome to input what they found/thought about either engine. so ill start off..

I have a 2011 528i. this year and model only came with an N52 engine, and RWD only. (n20 was still in development)
while I am immensely enjoying my n52, and the solid reliability it has to offer, I am only imagining what I am missing out on (talking about mainly 535i, which i didnt buy due to reliability concerns)
what do you guys think? with the extra power aside, would you guys call the N20 a BETTER engine then the N52. for example, im sure the n20 has some turbo lag and power tapers off considerably near redline. I've compared some dyno charts, and the torque delivery of the N52 is much more linear. its held better throughout the entire rev range and also peaks earlier then the N20 (turbo lag) at around 2500RPM. horsepower delivery is actually quite impressive on the N20, but nothing compared to the utter smoothness of the N52 and how it holds power to almost 7000RPM whereas the N20 is pretty much done at 6.

wish they put the N52 into the F30...

[YasF80_SLO]

Honestly, they are both great engines, but something you didnt mention was fuel economy, N52 22/32 vs the n20 23/34 for the 2016 528i, which also weighs a tad more then a 2011 528i. Something to consider if thats what concerns you.

Which one would I Pick, the N20 hands down for the torque the extra 30 LB feet, on top of being available much sooner is a huge bonus. Easier passing on the highway, no need to shift down a few gears, and the ability to "jump" off the line a little easier.

I know plenty of people with 150K+ mile n20's and sure the n52 could do 200-250K, (roommate has a 2011 528 with 230K) I do not doubt the ability of the n20 to get there as well as time goes on.

[Eddien123]

The n20 is nothing compared to the N52. The N20 is your basic "2.0T" on the back of every economy car and crossover. But I would say the reliability of the N55 is better than the N20. So if you're considering a newer F10 don't get the 528i. Get the 535. The N52 has been out longer (so any issues it has are already dealt with). A BMW is know for their straight 6's so to own one with a 4 cylinder is lame IMO. The N52 has more character and sounds better and is more fun to bring to redline.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by Eddien123

The n20 is nothing compared to the N52. The N20 is your basic "2.0T" on the back of every economy car and crossover. But I would say the reliability of the N55 is better than the N20. So if you're considering a newer F10 don't get the 528i. Get the 535. The N52 has been out longer (so any issues it has are already dealt with). A BMW is know for their straight 6's so to own one with a 4 cylinder is lame IMO. The N52 has more character and sounds better and is more fun to bring to redline.

100% agreed with everything you said. I dont plan to upgrade my car because I will be hit with depreciation. also, my f10 is in great shape and has been well taken care of - does burn oil, etc. I would be very dissapointed to get rid of it an sit myself into something that does burn oil. I would also never buy the n20 unless you're talking f30, but the f30 interior is disappointing after sitting in an f10. I think my next car may be the new gen 340i, eventually.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by 2013_E92

Honestly, they are both great engines, but something you didnt mention was fuel economy, N52 22/32 vs the n20 23/34 for the 2016 528i, which also weighs a tad more then a 2011 528i. Something to consider if thats what concerns you.

Which one would I Pick, the N20 hands down for the torque the extra 30 LB feet, on top of being available much sooner is a huge bonus. Easier passing on the highway, no need to shift down a few gears, and the ability to "jump" off the line a little easier.

I know plenty of people with 150K+ mile n20's and sure the n52 could do 200-250K, (roommate has a 2011 528 with 230K) I do not doubt the ability of the n20 to get there as well as time goes on.

The difference in fuel economy is marginal. during real world driving, expect to see identical fuel economy figures. if you drive the n20 aggressively (on-boost) you WILL get worse fuel economy then the N52. I know that the n20 has better low end torque, but im talking like absolute low end, 1500-2000RPM, how does it stack up to the n52? is there turbo lag at this RPM, because i feel like the N52 is very linear and pulls nicely from 2000RPM+.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

100% agreed with everything you said. I dont plan to upgrade my car because I will be hit with depreciation. also, my f10 is in great shape and has been well taken care of - does burn oil, etc. I would be very dissapointed to get rid of it an sit myself into something that does burn oil. I would also never buy the n20 unless you're talking f30, but the f30 interior is disappointing after sitting in an f10. I think my next car may be the new gen 340i, eventually.

I agree with you on the f30 interior. I'd say even the e90 is worlds ahead in the quality, look and feel of the materials. The e90 may not have a new 'design', but in every other category it beats out the f30. The f30 rear seats look like a Chrysler rental car. Gross

F10 is a classy, good looking car with great execution throughout.

[Torgus]

I would have to vote the NA engine unless you want to mod the FI engine. I would pick neither but I'm not interested in either engine. But of the choices NA. Mpg will be about the same. My boss doesn't really like his n20 but he had a stock n54 so that make sense.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by tlow98

I agree with you on the f30 interior. I'd say even the e90 is worlds ahead in the quality, look and feel of the materials. The e90 may not have a new 'design', but in every other category it beats out the f30. The f30 rear seats look like a Chrysler rental car. Gross

F10 is a classy, good looking car with great execution throughout.

Excellent, you guys are all bringing up great points. I agree that the e90 does have a better interior overall. the materials just feel so much better and this, along with the naturally aspirated n52 is a reason why ive always wanted to own an e90 328i RWD with a 6 speed manual. that, or an e9x m3 MT is simply my dream choices. E90 > F30 for me any day. i also agree that the f10 is a very well executed, tasteful vehicle. its a little bit heavy around tighter corners, but it takes high speed sweepers with excellent chassis feedback and control. the steering has absolutely no tire contact feel, but it still firms up nicely when im cornering or drifting and never had any issues countersteering with the new electric setups.

bottom line, the materials dont feel like a "downgrade" to me in the e90 like they do with the f30, except perhaps the seats.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I would have to vote the NA engine unless you want to mod the FI engine. I would pick neither but I'm not interested in either engine. But of the choices NA. Mpg will be about the same. My boss doesn't really like his n20 but he had a stock n54 so that make sense.

its not that i dont like turbo engines, i would just never buy a turbo 4 BMW, although the f30 328i is a pretty solid choice. my favourite engines are the N52 and the new B58 is an awesome engine. I also like the N55/54 alot.

this N52 is expensive to modify when compared to the gains you get. But im very, very much looking forward to start working on my N52. its already such a sweetheart of an engine stock I just cant wait to see how it reacts with a tune, a new high-flow muffler, etc.

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

100% agreed with everything you said. I dont plan to upgrade my car because I will be hit with depreciation. also, my f10 is in great shape and has been well taken care of - does burn oil, etc. I would be very dissapointed to get rid of it an sit myself into something that does burn oil. I would also never buy the n20 unless you're talking f30, but the f30 interior is disappointing after sitting in an f10. I think my next car may be the new gen 340i, eventually.

340 is a good call. I'm more of an NA guy myself but if I must go turbo, it definitely won't be a 4 cylinder. The new B58 in the 340 is apparently great

[F30lolz]

While the n20 has S52 power, I had my doubts about it. My old f30 sounded like a diesel and n20's are subject to stretched timing chains which BMW is replacing on a case by case basis IIRC. Over on the F30 section, some members engines failed at around 70k miles due to failed oil pumps, timing chains, etc... I never felt the F30 328i to be underpowered, however, the feather steering took the fun out of driving it.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

While the n20 has S52 power, I had my doubts about it. My old f30 sounded like a diesel and n20's are subject to stretched timing chains which BMW is replacing on a case by case basis IIRC. Over on the F30 section, some members engines failed at around 70k miles due to failed oil pumps, timing chains, etc... I never felt the F30 328i to be underpowered, however, the feather steering took the fun out of driving it.

I've questioned n20 reliability so this is no surprise for me. Im just trying to figure out how the n20 stacks up to the n52 in the absolute low end, below 2500rpm where the n52 absolutely shines with the ZF.

[Kevinl]

I would never own a N20

[ny325]

Nothing like a NA engine. Yes, I know the n20 gets better fuel mileage, slightly faster, however, the engine to me doesn't sound good. I just can't spend over $40,000 for a 4 cylinder vehicle. I wish in the future, BMW will bring back a NA engine.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by ny325

Nothing like a NA engine. Yes, I know the n20 gets better fuel mileage, slightly faster, however, the engine to me doesn't sound good. I just can't spend over $40,000 for a 4 cylinder vehicle. I wish in the future, BMW will bring back a NA engine.

I'm sure lots of people hope for this, but i highly doubt it will ever happen. BMW hated turbo engines for a long time and basically waited as long as possible to get rid of their delicious NA engines. Mazda, Honda, and BMW (basically the only 3 enthusiast brands) are the only ones i know of that still offer manual transmissions. Honda and Mazda literally just started producing turbo engines for the first time in hell knows how long. its a shame to see great companies headed this direction, especially BMW.

Expect to see identical fuel economy figures in the real world when comparing N52 - N20.
the extra torque and more power in the N20 will be offset by inferior reliability to the NA counterparts its replaced. N/A or nothing! (expect maybe the n54 and n55)

[E46driver]

Ive gotten many n20 powered f30s/f32s and the n20 definitely drinks less gas than my n51.

Imo

The n20 powered f30s/f32s are better than the n51/n52 powered e9x in MPG, Transmission(if auto), and iDrive. Also, I love the hydraulic lift that was in my e46 and was glad to find out they retained this trunk feature in the e9x but disappointed that it was not implemented in the f30s design.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by E46driver

Ive gotten many n20 powered f30s/f32s and the n20 definitely drinks less gas than my n51.

Imo

The n20 powered f30s/f32s are better than the n51/n52 powered e9x in MPG, Transmission(if auto), and iDrive. Also, I love the hydraulic lift that was in my e46 and was glad to find out they retained this trunk feature in the e9x but disappointed that it was not implemented in the f30s design.

looks like ive got the best of both worlds with my f10 (except for the ridiculous curb weight)
Ive got the new idrive, the 8 speed zf paired to the N52, and even the hydraulic thing for my trunk!

[YasF80_SLO]

Originally Posted by Eddien123

340 is a good call. I'm more of an NA guy myself but if I must go turbo, it definitely won't be a 4 cylinder. The new B58 in the 340 is apparently great

340i is a great choice B58 is a solid engine, and n54/n55 are as well. hopefully we see better reliability with b58

[ny325]

OP, I would hold on to your 528i N52. Hopefully the next generation 5 will be the rebirth of the " Ultimate Driving Machine." Good luck.

[trjn]

2.0 Turbo in any form is a no go for me. Yes, they are easy to modify. But living with the diesel noise for marginal gain in MPG, I would never do it again. Been there done that.
You have to consider, turbo engines come with added maintenance of turbo. The money you save on MPG, you will put towards maintenance (extra for turbo cars). I dont know if the N20 comes with timing chain or belt. But if it comes with a timing belt, add that to maintenance cost. And when the turbo blows(which, it will), you are spending more. I went through a whole ordeal with my audi 2.0 T recently.
BMW didnt leave us with any choice to go for either 2 liter turbo or 3 liter turbo. My choice would be a 3 liter turbo.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by trjn

2.0 Turbo in any form is a no go for me. Yes, they are easy to modify. But living with the diesel noise for marginal gain in MPG, I would never do it again. Been there done that.
You have to consider, turbo engines come with added maintenance of turbo. The money you save on MPG, you will put towards maintenance (extra for turbo cars). I dont know if the N20 comes with timing chain or belt. But if it comes with a timing belt, add that to maintenance cost. And when the turbo blows(which, it will), you are spending more. I went through a whole ordeal with my audi 2.0 T recently.
BMW didnt leave us with any choice to go for either 2 liter turbo or 3 liter turbo. My choice would be a 3 liter turbo.

the N55 is unarguably a better choice compared to the n20 i agree on that. I would never buy a turbo 4 cylinder. the power demands from the turbo are simply too much for a 4cyl engine. the N52 is far more refined in overall NVH, sound included. Honestly, the N52 is no easy engine to tune especially considering the price to performance ratio, but what is a 4 cylinder making stupid boost vs the sound and performance of a beefed up inline 6?

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by E46driver

Ive gotten many n20 powered f30s/f32s and the n20 definitely drinks less gas than my n51.

Imo

The n20 powered f30s/f32s are better than the n51/n52 powered e9x in MPG, Transmission(if auto), and iDrive. Also, I love the hydraulic lift that was in my e46 and was glad to find out they retained this trunk feature in the e9x but disappointed that it was not implemented in the f30s design.

keep in mind that the performance and fuel economy differences between the f10, f30's 8 speed ZF vs whatevers in the e90 328i (GM box i believe) are quite different. f10 528i n52, vs the 2012+ f10 n20 (only chassis where you can sample the n52 with an 8 speed) will see almost the same fuel economy. the n20 will be worse at high revs. even if you do save gas, you're spendng it on a new turbo eventually anyways.