Dyno Test of 2011 535i
08-29-2010, 04:23 AM
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Edmunds.com recently conducted a dyno test of the 2011 535i. My link
This review states in part:
"BMW rates the 2011 535i's engine at 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque at 1,200 rpm. Given the overachieving performance of recent turbocharged BMW engines on the dyno (like that of our long-term 750i), we were somewhat surprised to see only 277 hp and 283 lb-ft of torque from the new mill.
What's more, the torque curve seems more ponderous than previous twin-turbo N54 engines, wandering uncharacteristically up and down through the rev range before making the inevitable drop after 4,300 rpm. Perhaps you remember our bone-stock BMW 135i long-termer cranking out 285 hp and a platform of torque which peaked at 291 lb-ft.
Still, taking into account drivetrain loss, these numbers certainly verify the 300/300 claim."
This appears to confirm the output of the stock N55 engine used in the F10 falls slightly short of the previous N54 engine in the E60. Of course, there were multiple reports that BMW had rated the N54 engine very conservatively, so I do not question Edmunds conclusion that the N55 engine should fully meet its horsepower and torque specs. In addition, the N55 engine has been reported to be more difficult to upgrade performance through software updates. My link
This review states in part:
"BMW rates the 2011 535i's engine at 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque at 1,200 rpm. Given the overachieving performance of recent turbocharged BMW engines on the dyno (like that of our long-term 750i), we were somewhat surprised to see only 277 hp and 283 lb-ft of torque from the new mill.
What's more, the torque curve seems more ponderous than previous twin-turbo N54 engines, wandering uncharacteristically up and down through the rev range before making the inevitable drop after 4,300 rpm. Perhaps you remember our bone-stock BMW 135i long-termer cranking out 285 hp and a platform of torque which peaked at 291 lb-ft.
Still, taking into account drivetrain loss, these numbers certainly verify the 300/300 claim."
This appears to confirm the output of the stock N55 engine used in the F10 falls slightly short of the previous N54 engine in the E60. Of course, there were multiple reports that BMW had rated the N54 engine very conservatively, so I do not question Edmunds conclusion that the N55 engine should fully meet its horsepower and torque specs. In addition, the N55 engine has been reported to be more difficult to upgrade performance through software updates. My link
08-29-2010, 07:28 AM
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08-29-2010, 09:56 AM
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08-30-2010, 10:17 AM
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So the N55 hp/tq numbers are "acceptable" because, in part, the N54 was really more powerful than BMW officially stated??
So bottom line is the F10 is a heavier car with a weaker motor?????
The somewhat erratic torque curve from the twin scroll isn't surprising.
So bottom line is the F10 is a heavier car with a weaker motor?????
The somewhat erratic torque curve from the twin scroll isn't surprising.
08-30-2010, 11:48 AM
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it is known that the N55 is a weaker engine than the N54.....
09-02-2010, 12:38 PM
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BMW is more concerned with MPG than HP right now. Plus with the Twin Scroll vs Twin turbos, the tuners will not be able to extract as much power out of the N55 engine like the N54. Since most tuners have piggy back CPU's the possibility of BMW being on the hook for damaged engines is greater since you can just unplug the CPU and there is no trace. Tuners can push the engine a bit to far to meet the bean counters/engineers expectation of a engine which only needs to last 100k
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