2013 328i (F30) - One month of ownership

Originally Posted by brkf

* N20 engine's got a nice bit of power but the narrow powerband's getting on my nerves. Owned many turbo cars and while this is better than my N54, it's still not an exhilarating engine.

Other than increased fuel economy, in what way is the N20 better than the N54? This statement does not compute.

Originally Posted by AK

Other than increased fuel economy, in what way is the N20 better than the N54? This statement does not compute.

I had 2 n54s and i loved that engine. But after driving the N20, it has a ton of power. Probably has 85% of the power the N54 had imo. and i get 27mpg instead of 18

Originally Posted by justinnum1

I had 2 n54s and i loved that engine. But after driving the N20, it has a ton of power. Probably has 85% of the power the N54 had imo. and i get 27mpg instead of 18

Let me repeat my question: Other than fuel economy, in what way is the N20 better than the N54?

Originally Posted by AK

Let me repeat my question: Other than fuel economy, in what way is the N20 better than the N54?

It depedns what your needs are. If your main priority is power and tuning capability than then N54 is better for sure. But if you are more interested in thins like handling and fuel efficiency than i think the N20 is better.

I just cant say the N54 is better than the N20 because it has more power, there are other factors that can not be ignored.

Originally Posted by justinnum1

It depedns what your needs are. If your main priority is power and tuning capability than then N54 is better for sure. But if you are more interested in thins like handling and fuel efficiency than i think the N20 is better.

I just cant say the N54 is better than the N20 because it has more power, there are other factors that can not be ignored.

Honestly I believe the F30 328i guys are getting quite silly trying to compare the N54 or N55 with the N20. No comparison people. NONE. I would even say that the N54 is more powerful than the N55, we are talking true power here at the wheels, while the N55 is a bit better in torque delivery lower on the rpm scale. But the N20? its not as smooth, its not as linear in its torque delivery, its not as nice sounding, its not as powerful (I know that is obvious) so what are we trying to compare here?

And I still stress as nice as the N20 is, its a highly stressed engine with over 18 lbs of boost. Would that matter to guys like me (and to 90% of the people that buy new)? no I am not planning to keep my cars for more than 36k to 40k miles since I am leasing.. But to someone that is going to keep their car and put 120,000 miles on it what engine to you think he/she would want to have? the one thats boosted at 18.5 psi or the one that is 9 psi?

So yes BMW did a remarkable job with the N20 I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a classic, but it can't compare with the N54/55 6s.

Originally Posted by windsor027

Honestly I believe the F30 328i guys are getting quite silly trying to compare the N54 or N55 with the N20. No comparison people. NONE. I would even say that the N54 is more powerful than the N55, we are talking true power here at the wheels, while the N55 is a bit better in torque delivery lower on the rpm scale. But the N20? its not as smooth, its not as linear in its torque delivery, its not as nice sounding, its not as powerful (I know that is obvious) so what are we trying to compare here?

And I still stress as nice as the N20 is, its a highly stressed engine with over 18 lbs of boost. Would that matter to guys like me (and to 90% of the people that buy new)? no I am not planning to keep my cars for more than 36k to 40k miles since I am leasing.. But to someone that is going to keep their car and put 120,000 miles on it what engine to you think he/she would want to have? the one thats boosted at 18.5 psi or the one that is 9 psi?

So yes BMW did a remarkable job with the N20 I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a classic, but it can't compare with the N54/55 6s.

For someone who is just interested in pure handling dynamics and fuel efficiency N20>n54 or 55.

And the N54>N55 imo. Really wish the 335 had the N54. Noticeably more power imo.

I hope i enjoy the N55 as much as my N54's

Originally Posted by justinnum1

For someone who is just interested in pure handling dynamics and fuel efficiency N20>n54 or 55.

And the N54>N55 imo. Really wish the 335 had the N54. Noticeably more power imo.

I hope i enjoy the N55 as much as my N54's

After I have the car for about a month or two I will post pros and cons as I see them. Do the same, many people here would be very interested in what you have to say because you are one of the very few that has "lived" with both the F30 328i and soon with the 335i. My perspective will not count for much because lets face it the N52 is no where near the engine the N20 is.

Originally Posted by AK

Let me repeat my question: Other than fuel economy, in what way is the N20 better than the N54?

I haven't had a single engine malfunction yet. It's lighter. It feels at least a little bit peaky - unlike my N54 which felt flat across the rev range. But mostly it's lighter - which I can feel on every drive.

Originally Posted by windsor027

After I have the car for about a month or two I will post pros and cons as I see them. Do the same, many people here would be very interested in what you have to say because you are one of the very few that has "lived" with both the F30 328i and soon with the 335i. My perspective will not count for much because lets face it the N52 is no where near the engine the N20 is.

Def will do. I must say the N20 is really a fine little engine. Certainly underrated by BMW. I would say this engine is sufficient for 95%+ of drivers. The fuel efficiceny is really something that is amazing. my 23 mile ride to work is about 20% city and 80% highway, i drive it in eco pro and avg 38mpg.

My only experience in the N55 is a loaner 335 convertible, which really is not the best way to test it imo. But from what people say about it it has less lag than the N54(which hardly had any) and better efficiceny, so im looking forward to experience it. Even if the N20 is stressed(18psi) it doesnt feel it and pulls real nice up to about 5500 where it starts to lose steam.

And i agree about the N52, N20 is def an improvement on the N52 imo.

Originally Posted by brkf

I haven't had a single engine malfunction yet. It's lighter. It feels at least a little bit peaky - unlike my N54 which felt flat across the rev range. But mostly it's lighter - which I can feel on every drive.

My N54 didn't malfunction in the first month I owned it either. And I don't know about you but I prefer a more flat and less peaky power delivery...

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Can you guys help me understand why you bought your cars after a thorough test drive? Genuinely curious what it was that fooled you, so I can look out for that...

You're smart to wait for the 3rd, preferably 4th year of production.

Those who do not know history, doom, you know.

There are no data that N20 will not last as long as N54, or it'll have issues over 120k miles. BMW most likely tested it over 200k miles on its life time transmission oil...

I'm 4 months in with my F30, w 3k miles. Still not feeling:

* N20 (miss the inline 6)
* stop/start (still feels rough)
* Car's large size.

As you can see, 3k miles after 4 months = no real desire to drive the car outside of errands/work.

Had a couple of issues so far. Trim piece broke in the interior and dealer fixed it. Silly auto-dimming mirrored is now "disabled" with piece of tape over sensor. Finally, front suspension is making a thumping sound at all times and on all road surfaces; from smooth as glass to rough, the front end has for a couple months made a loud thump-thump-thump at all times. Got an appointment to fix it.

Originally Posted by AK

Let me repeat my question: Other than fuel economy, in what way is the N20 better than the N54?

The lighter engine provides a better handling car. Removing the wieght of the two extra cylinders lightened the front end giving that more balanced feel of the car. Although I have the xDrive with standard suspension, the front still feels lighter and doesn't dive as much in the turns. Read the different reviews from profesionals and they like the feel of the 328i better over the 335i. With the turbo 4 in the RWD configuration you have a perfect 50/50 balance not avalible with the heavyer 6. So the answer is lighter weight.

Originally Posted by windsor027

Honestly I believe the F30 328i guys are getting quite silly trying to compare the N54 or N55 with the N20. No comparison people. NONE....

....So yes BMW did a remarkable job with the N20 I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a classic, but it can't compare with the N54/55 6s.

Just the mere fact that this being discussed is a tribute to the N20 motor! The N54/N55 motors are spectacular performance engines. But the 328i F30 does not feel underpowered like the previous E90. Two years ago when I was starting to test drive the E90, the 328xi was too weak and I was going to get the 335xi. However, I waited for the new model and then I test drove both, I was so completely impressed with the N20, the performance difference between the two models is not as great as it used to be. For me, the question then became, is the 335i worth the $3,700 premium?

Originally Posted by kpgray

The lighter engine provides a better handling car. Removing the wieght of the two extra cylinders lightened the front end giving that more balanced feel of the car. Although I have the xDrive with standard suspension, the front still feels lighter and doesn't dive as much in the turns. Read the different reviews from profesionals and they like the feel of the 328i better over the 335i. With the turbo 4 in the RWD configuration you have a perfect 50/50 balance not avalible with the heavyer 6. So the answer is lighter weight.

I agree. Not only is the N20 lighter in weight but it is also more compact and, tucked as it is way back in the engine bay, provides the almost 50/50 weight distribution.

Closing in on 7 months this week and about 4700 miles. I don't find myself want to take this car out for drives like I used to do with my ZHP or Cooper. The F30 is functional but about as inspiring as a plain risotto (sure nice enough but not something that makes you say wow).

Good:
Smooth ride around town/freeway
Wife likes it
Son likes it

Odd:
Received multiple compliments from strangers about the car in parking lots. My 2003 ZHP was a sexy car; this seems anonymous to me even in Melbourne Red. Guess it's in the eye of the beholder.

Not loving:
N20 - sounds even more diesel-clattery at slow speeds and the sound is getting decidedly worse
Size - while the wife and kids like it, I still feel like the M2 Gran Coupe will be a welcome change

Repairs:
Latest software update has broken my back-up camera. I must now select it each time I put the car in reverse.
A brake clip popped off the right front tire (not one with a bubble). Paid to have that fixed.
Back-up camera goes blank sometimes if I close the trunk from the side instead of the middle.
Two bubbles on RFTs (for the months of manufacture Goodyear has a warranty for road hazards...so given how flimsy the tires are, this is a nice treat).

Nice summary and nice that it all feels so good. Mannual tranny makes you stay aware.

Originally Posted by brkf

N20 - sounds even more diesel-clattery at slow speeds and the sound is getting decidedly worse

This is a complaint I haven't fully understood yet. Perhaps it's because it's my first BMW and I don't have history with any of the I6s for comparison. My wife has a diesel in her VW - which is quite loud in the cabin - so using *that* as a basis for comparison, my N20 experience sounds nothing like that. It doesn't sound like an I6 for sure, but it also doesn't sound clattery?

Have shifts gotten any smoother with time? I think mine is loosening and getting smoother up after 2 months, but it still has quite a bit of resistance and goes into gear with a "snap". Hope it will loosen up further.

Originally Posted by justinnum1

My only experience in the N55 is a loaner 335 convertible, which really is not the best way to test it imo.

Problem with loaners is, nobody ever puts premium gas in them, so it's hard to judge performance.

Very interesting and informative thread. While my Z4 is being serviced, I have had a 328ixdrive loaner for 3 days including over a weekend. Car is pretty well loaded, Prem Pkg,. CWP, NAV, heated seats, etc. I found it be OK, but I would not buy one. The ASS is very irritating. I know you can disable it but I still do not like it. The overall design is OK, but not striking. Room is adequate but like others have said, it seems rather ponderous for a 3 series. BMW clearly has gone toward luxury and less for performance. I'll keep my Audi A4 Quattro for now. Having been able to drive them back to back has given me an opportunity to compare both over the exact same conditions. Other than room, the Audi wins on most accounts in my book. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a Bimmerhead after over 30 years of ownership but I am concerned that BMW will lose some customers as it continues to go upscale.

Originally Posted by brkf

Finally, front suspension is making a thumping sound at all times and on all road surfaces; from smooth as glass to rough, the front end has for a couple months made a loud thump-thump-thump at all times. Got an appointment to fix it.

I have the same thumping sound. My previous e90 had the sound through out the 3 years i had it on lease. I thought it was suppose to sound like that? Is that something i should get fixed?

Originally Posted by PK2348

I have the same thumping sound. My previous e90 had the sound through out the 3 years i had it on lease. I thought it was suppose to sound like that? Is that something i should get fixed?

I didn't have this sound with my e90s or e46. The mechanic said it probably seems different to me because of the vague EPS. I'm learning to live with it. BMW seems to have work to do on the electronic steering.

Someone else asked about the manual.... Yeah it still feels notchy, especially in low gears. My 335i had a short shifter which improved that feeling some.

Originally Posted by brkf

I didn't have this sound with my e90s or e46. The mechanic said it probably seems different to me because of the vague EPS. I'm learning to live with it. BMW seems to have work to do on the selectronic steering.

Someone else asked about the manual.... Yeah it still feels notchy, especially in low gears. My 335i had a short shifter which improved that feeling some.

Do you have DHP? Just wondering, because I think the steering is very good. I have DHP though... It's definitely different than the E90, but to me, that doesn't mean it's bad. I don't think it's vague at all. I really like it.

Also, I don't have any issues with ASS either. I think it's because I read so many horrible things about it, that my expectations were very very low, but now that I have actually it, I feel like the negative reviews just don't live up to the billing. I don't mind it all. I never shut it off, and see no reason to re-program it.

Originally Posted by krash

Also, I don't have any issues with ASS either. I think it's because I read so many horrible things about it, that my expectations were very very low, but now that I have actually it, I feel like the negative reviews just don't live up to the billing. I don't mind it all. I never shut it off, and see no reason to re-program it.

Although I haven't experienced it - still waiting on my order - I probably will re-program it, simply to be given the choice. I might like it just fine, but I'd still want it to remember my last setting, which as I understand it is all that the re-programming does. My thinking is, it should be my choice, not theirs.