N55 Turbo Engine Sound

[bimmer4life24]

I was just wondering for you N55 owners or testers if you have heard a turbo sound difference between the N54 and N55. Does the turbo sound louder, quieter, or just about the same while driving the vehicle? I feel as if the two turbos in the N54 should sound louder, but the N55 turbo puts in more psi.

[kioko12]

Originally Posted by bimmer4life24

I was just wondering for you N55 owners or testers if you have heard a turbo sound difference between the N54 and N55. Does the turbo sound louder, quieter, or just about the same while driving the vehicle? I feel as if the two turbos in the N54 should sound louder, but the N55 turbo puts in more psi.

I test drove a 335i XDrive with the N55 and you can definitely hear the turbo, especially if you immediately let off the throttle after flooring it. It's like a baby "pshhhh" sound. I'm test driving an '11 135i tomorrow and I'll upload a video to my YouTube channel.

[stevend218]

just picked up my N55 on Wednesday, i haven’t had it above 4k RPMs yet seeing as ive got less than 200 miles on her... ill let u know once i feel she’s ready.

[kioko12]

My video from yesterday's test drive:

You can definitely hear the turbo.

[BSM Bimmer]

Originally Posted by bimmer4life24

I was just wondering for you N55 owners or testers if you have heard a turbo sound difference between the N54 and N55. Does the turbo sound louder, quieter, or just about the same while driving the vehicle? I feel as if the two turbos in the N54 should sound louder, but the N55 turbo puts in more psi.

Terry has posted his initial opinion that the n54 will remain better at tuning and the n55 will not be able to make as much power on the stock single as the n54 does on stock twins.

Either way, both cars turbos are very quiet when stock...

[TreDirtyFive]

Originally Posted by kioko12

I test drove a 335i XDrive with the N55 and you can definitely hear the turbo, especially if you immediately let off the throttle after flooring it. It's like a baby "pshhhh" sound. I'm test driving an '11 135i tomorrow and I'll upload a video to my YouTube channel.

You can definitely hear the turbo wastegate chirping on let off. Not nearly as loud as an open element intake or BOV but it's there and obvious compared to its predecessor (which kept the more "no-need to shout" NA no-lag muscle car feel) I believe BMW is definitely trying to re-instill the "sporty" philosophy and "this is a turbo" fun ride back into the 1er. Something to go ooh and ahh about before the M1 takes center stage!

[BSM Bimmer]

Originally Posted by TreDirtyFive

You can definitely hear the turbo wastegate chirping on let off. Not nearly as loud as an open element intake or BOV but it's there and obvious compared to its predecessor (which kept the more "no-need to shout" NA no-lag muscle car feel) I believe BMW is definitely trying to re-instill the "sporty" philosophy and "this is a turbo" fun ride back into the 1er. Something to go ooh and ahh about before the M1 takes center stage!

I assume you mean diverter valves, as if your wastegates are chattering it means they are failing.

While the n55 feels more like a turbo vehicle, that is the result of more lag which is a major negative, not something to brag about. There is a reason why BMW is probably going to go back to a twin setup from the single for the 1m...

[kc_skyrider]

Originally Posted by TreDirtyFive

Exactly like this...
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyz...lamborghi_auto
Wastegates chirps...

Nice video proves you are wrong and Jeremy Clarkson is wrong. That is a Blow off Valve that's "chirping" in the 135i it's the diverter valve. Pretty easy to determine if you know what a wastegate does. and since ours goes directly into the exhaust through 4 cats 2 resonators and a muffler your not going to hear our wastegate. (except for the pos rattle) If you still don't believe me, or understand try this... If the pedal is to the floor you might hear a wastegate. The second you lift your foot any other sound is going to be BOV or diverter valves.

[schmeah]

Originally Posted by BSM Bimmer

While the n55 feels more like a turbo vehicle, that is the result of more lag which is a major negative, not something to brag about.

I just went from a 335i 6MT coupe to a 2011 135i N55 DCT. I can tell you there is NO appreciable turbo lag and the 135i pulls harder and is quicker off the line than my 335i.

[BSM Bimmer]

Originally Posted by schmeah

I just went from a 335i 6MT coupe to a 2011 135i N55 DCT. I can tell you there is NO appreciable turbo lag and the 135i pulls harder and is quicker off the line than my 335i.

When I took my car in for service I test drove a new 6mt 135i and it seemed to have a bit more lag than my 135i, even after all the software fixes they did to not fix my wastegates...

[fly135]

Originally Posted by BSM Bimmer

When I took my car in for service I test drove a new 6mt 135i and it seemed to have a bit more lag than my 135i, even after all the software fixes they did to not fix my wastegates...

I seriously doubt that BMW would release a brand new engine which is inferior in any way to the engine which it replaces. I understand that there are cost savings involved with only having to manufacture one turbo per car but regardless. I think that in time the N55 will prove itself to be just as good as the N54, it not better.

[BSM Bimmer]

Originally Posted by fly135

I seriously doubt that BMW would release a brand new engine which is inferior in any way to the engine which it replaces. I understand that there are cost savings involved with only having to manufacture one turbo per car but regardless. I think that in time the N55 will prove itself to be just as good as the N54, it not better.

BMW is only out to make the biggest profit margin they can, hence why they refuse to fix anything under warranty like HPFP's and wastegates.

[schmeah]

Originally Posted by BSM Bimmer

When I took my car in for service I test drove a new 6mt 135i and it seemed to have a bit more lag than my 135i, even after all the software fixes they did to not fix my wastegates...

But I'm comparing 6MT to DCT. True ... apples to oranges, but so is your comparison above based on your signature.

[tonmonde]

Originally Posted by schmeah

I just went from a 335i 6MT coupe to a 2011 135i N55 DCT. I can tell you there is NO appreciable turbo lag and the 135i pulls harder and is quicker off the line than my 335i.

Ditto came from 335 e92 to 135 n55 6MT. 135 n55 feels stronger than 335 sans JB+

[Stealth135i]

Does anyone know if the N55 will have a CDV??

[Stealth135i]

Picked up my N55 and u can definitely hear the turbo its very loud compared to the N54 i think and the chirp as u let off is very audible sounds very very hot! 2 people of different occasions asked if i had an intake on it already as they could hear it chirp up the road.

[Sylon]

Originally Posted by Stealth135i

Picked up my N55 and u can definitely hear the turbo its very loud compared to the N54 i think and the chirp as u let off is very audible sounds very very hot! 2 people of different occasions asked if i had an intake on it already as they could hear it chirp up the road.

Haha, I love hearing those sounds. The spool of the turbo and that slight pssh when you let off at high revs. Its the main reason why my gas mileage sucks, lol.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by BSM Bimmer

Terry has posted his initial opinion that the n54 will remain better at tuning and the n55 will not be able to make as much power on the stock single as the n54 does on stock twins.

Either way, both cars turbos are very quiet when stock...

Interesting view you have.
I too read Terry's info and I didn't get from it that the N55 will "not" be able to make as much power.
From my reading of the comments, the N55 doesn't yet have the power levels that the N54 can achieve, and that tuners will continue to improve and work on the N55, just like they did with the N54.

The N55 is the new BMW engine, which means the N54 is now "old".
The tuner market will start paying more attention to the N55 now, as there is plenty of stuff for the N54. The growing market will be the N55.
Once the tuners switch most of their efforts to the N55, we'll start seeing what the N55 can and can not do. For now, it's too early to tell.

When the N54 came out, there was a lot of talk that a lot of power couldn't be had from the engine, especially with the small turbo's.
The tuning has come a long way since then.

[DHA]

My 4 day old N55 has a louder turbo than in previous turbod cars I have owned. I like the sound, but want a louder exhaust!

[black e]

well coming from a evo8 with a giant precision 6262 turbo and 6XXwhp, oviosly my opinion is alitle shaded but i can't hear the turbo at all in my new 2011 135

[OhDasCrazy]

Originally Posted by fly135

I seriously doubt that BMW would release a brand new engine which is inferior in any way to the engine which it replaces. I understand that there are cost savings involved with only having to manufacture one turbo per car but regardless. I think that in time the N55 will prove itself to be just as good as the N54, it not better.

+1

I love hearing the n54 vs n55 argument! The N54 is an awsome engine.I have yet to drive the n55. But I dont see the performance being very noticable. Im sure BMW's R&D department took their time making sure that TwinScroll and TwinTurbo produced the ssme or atleast very close! And another not...I'm thinking the M1 will have the n55. Don't really see the older engine being put in a newer car that may not even be out for another year or 2? Maybe the n56?!

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by kioko12

My video from yesterday's test drive:

You can definitely hear the turbo.

The new 2011 exhaust sounds more muscular than earlier ones.