Sound of S55 VS. Sound of N55

BMW GENIUS · 07-08-2015, 03:00 PM

A buddy of mine and I have been going back and forth on what engine sounds more appealing between the F80/82's S55 and the N55. Personally I like the deep growl that the N55 offers as opposed to the S55's rasp. Not that the rasp is bad, but the sound just doesn't seem to fit the profile of the M4's/M3's looks. What are everyone's thoughts?

Ramos · 07-08-2015, 03:09 PM

As an M235 owner with stock exhaust, I much prefer the stock S55 sound.
It's sportier and more aggressive to my ears

BMW335iOn18s · 07-08-2015, 03:14 PM

S55. Everyone who complains about it is misinformed. Real M motors have ALWAYS been raspy. We're talking about the S38/S50B30/32/S54, which the clearly the S55 is the direct successor to. Even the S52 is somewhat raspy...

Cyberdemon · 07-08-2015, 03:33 PM

S55, because it makes more of a racket. But neither sounds "great" in stock form. Where's an S65 when you need it.

BMW GENIUS · 07-08-2015, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramos

As an M235 owner with stock exhaust, I much prefer the stock S55 sound.
It's sportier and more aggressive to my ears

You need to open her up!!! I am running a straight through exhaust (say what you want) and the sounds that it makes are unreal

mike@x-ph.com · 07-08-2015, 04:21 PM

Not a big of either one stock, but if i had to pick i would go with the S55.

AWheeler · 07-09-2015, 10:18 PM

I prefer the sound of the N55 engine, but I am a more conservative driver and like the understated sound/appearance of my own car. That being said, the S55 sounds as it should...raspy, a slight click-clatt-click, and appropriately loud under heavy throttle. I think the sound of each engine fits its respective car well.

BMW GENIUS · 07-12-2015, 01:34 PM

Traditionally I realize the straight six rasp is iconic to its roots, however, after hearing the S65 on the great looking E90/92/93, the M4 looks so aggressive would assume it would sound like that nasty snarling V8 (I realize it isn't a V8). I think it sounds great, I just don't see it fitting the aggressive profile of the car. To each their own I suppose though!

07-08-2015, 03:00 PM	#1
BMW GENIUS First Lieutenant 153 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 2015 AW M235i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Manly, NSW, Australia iTrader: (0)	Sound of S55 VS. Sound of N55 A buddy of mine and I have been going back and forth on what engine sounds more appealing between the F80/82's S55 and the N55. Personally I like the deep growl that the N55 offers as opposed to the S55's rasp. Not that the rasp is bad, but the sound just doesn't seem to fit the profile of the M4's/M3's looks. What are everyone's thoughts?
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07-08-2015, 03:09 PM	#2
Ramos Colonel 863 Rep 2,897 Posts Drives: G20 2020 M340 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: So-Cal iTrader: (6)	As an M235 owner with stock exhaust, I much prefer the stock S55 sound. It's sportier and more aggressive to my ears
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07-08-2015, 03:14 PM	#3
BMW335iOn18s Resident BMW Fanboy 259 Rep 866 Posts Drives: F82 CS SMB Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA iTrader: (0)	S55. Everyone who complains about it is misinformed. Real M motors have ALWAYS been raspy. We're talking about the S38/S50B30/32/S54, which the clearly the S55 is the direct successor to. Even the S52 is somewhat raspy... __________________ Current: '20 F82 M4cs SMB / '13 640i M-Sport Carbon Black Past: F30 330xi Luxury Line / F22 M235i 6MT / E92 335i / E46 330ci / E36 328i 5MT
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07-08-2015, 03:33 PM	#4
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1538 Rep 3,331 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	S55, because it makes more of a racket. But neither sounds "great" in stock form. Where's an S65 when you need it. __________________ Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
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07-08-2015, 04:21 PM	#6
mike@x-ph.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 24199 Rep 190,807 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	Not a big of either one stock, but if i had to pick i would go with the S55. __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
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07-09-2015, 10:18 PM	#7
AWheeler Private 13 Rep 65 Posts Drives: M235i xdrive Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	I prefer the sound of the N55 engine, but I am a more conservative driver and like the understated sound/appearance of my own car. That being said, the S55 sounds as it should...raspy, a slight click-clatt-click, and appropriately loud under heavy throttle. I think the sound of each engine fits its respective car well.
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07-12-2015, 01:34 PM	#8
BMW GENIUS First Lieutenant 153 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 2015 AW M235i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Manly, NSW, Australia iTrader: (0)	Traditionally I realize the straight six rasp is iconic to its roots, however, after hearing the S65 on the great looking E90/92/93, the M4 looks so aggressive would assume it would sound like that nasty snarling V8 (I realize it isn't a V8). I think it sounds great, I just don't see it fitting the aggressive profile of the car. To each their own I suppose though!
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