2011 35i will drop the twin turbo

[Roadstergal]

According to my salesman, who is pretty up with BMW news, he said that the 2011 models will drop the twin turbo in favor of one larger turbo. I had mentioned the HPFP failures and at first he stated that it could be how they are addressing this issue. Later when we talked about it again, he said that it is cheaper to have the one turbo vs the twin turbo and that may be BMW's reasoning behind it.

[Rufio]

Probably he was talking about this engine:
http://paultan.org/2009/05/27/new-bm...tronic-engine/

[Z4 Beemer]

Its just great how things get better and better.

[teagueAMX]

I recall BMW making the claim that from the throttle response and lag points of view, a twin turbo design was superior to a single turbo design.

Twin turbos could split up the exhaust gasses and manage them better across the entire RPM band than a single T design, plus each of the twin turbos have a smaller rotating mass. That smaller mass could spool up much faster, poor throttle response and lag were thing of the past. Same said about X6 M's new dual twin-scroll-turbo engine.

Porsche is saying the same thing and is the reason for their adoption of the variable geometry turbos. Roughly quoting Porsche, a large turbo sized to effectively manage exhaust gases at high RPM is not very responsive at low speeds, and vise versa.

Apparently a single twin-scroll design trumps the old twin turbo nonsense?

[Vintage]

not better - just cheaper; even BMW is sensitive to cost and profit. i am glad we have the twin turbo design

[Roadstergal]

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

not better - just cheaper; even BMW is sensitive to cost and profit. i am glad we have the twin turbo design

I'm with you! I am glad we have the twin turbo design as well. I believe it can only be for cost savings, because everyone is using the twin turbo from a Ford Taurus to the new Porsche Panamera!

[Jay Zone]

Maybe the N54 Z4 will become a Classic in 2011.

More reason to keep the miles down. If you can.


JZ

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

not better - just cheaper; even BMW is sensitive to cost and profit. i am glad we have the twin turbo design

The only other thing I can think of is BMW has been a getting a lot of bad press about the N54 high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) issue and the wastegate rattle/software related issue. Over on the e90post forum I've actually read the court recorded docs for the suite against BMW on this issue. In spite of the fact there are rumors they have redesigned the HPFP, just about every week you read on zpost someone reports a failed pump, some folks two or three in less than 10k miles.

Just a guess, but BMW may be pulling a GM bate and switch. Rather than confuse people about a redesigned TT engine HPFP, they'll change engines and say it a "single turbo engine, completely different."

Before too long the marketing folks will kick into gear and we'll be hearing how superior the single turbo design is compared to the twin turbo. It's "Far more efficient, less lag, better throttle response, etc., etc., . . ." ad nauseum - all that stuff we bought into with the N54. Reading that article, you can tell it's already started on the 535i GT:

". . .but BMW has achieved it using only one turbocharger instead of two. The new N55B30 engine also churns out peak boost and torque faster than the N54, with 400Nm hit at the 1,200 rpm point instead of the N54B30’s 1,300 rpm mark."

Yes, progress!

[Alext]

Z4 will never be a classic due to high production numbers.

If a totally new engine comes out it will just serve to devalue cars with the original setup more as the average customer will view it superior to the TT engine and BMW will market it as such.

[Jay Zone]

I would consider a mint 67 Camaro or an 83 Chevy Corvette Stingray to be a classic. As would many.


Cheers JZ

[Chuck76]

I thought the re-design was mostly related to emissions and not related to twin turbo being less efficient. I heard its becoming more restrictive each year.

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by Alext

Z4 will never be a classic due to high production numbers.

If a totally new engine comes out it will just serve to devalue cars with the original setup more as the average customer will view it superior to the TT engine and BMW will market it as such.

It's not going to devalue the car any more than the normal depreciation schedule the car will follow. Technology is constantly improving and everyone already knows that.

[AndyE1976]

The TT engine will hold it's value as well as any other car and better if the single turbo proves to be laggy (we'll have to wait for independent reviews).

The change in iDrive from 2008 to 2009 models of the M3 seems to have had a big effect on their values, but that is because the 2009 is a big improvement, I don't see the same thing happening because of a change in engines unless the new engine is vastly superior.

[Alext]

Im not going to get into a huge discussion about it, but it has a lot to do with your average buyer's perception. Such a buyer - I believe - will regard an updated engine as a significant positive change whether or not it *performs* much better... I am sure BMW will market it as being superior and that is where the average buyer will be convinced of its superiority and willingness to pay a premium.

I wonder if BMW will offer any other improvements to the car to go along with the new engine? This could also be a likely scenario.

I think there are some independent reviews of the 535 GT which uses this new N55 engine floating around. Havent read any mention of lag yet. Max torque comes on earlier, great midrange etc etc. I believe the N55 is more fuel efficient than the N54 so this will be a plus to some.

[teagueAMX]

From Automotive.com online magazine:

http://automobile.automotive.com/119...mpression.html

We drove two examples of the 535i: one with optional active steering, and one with the standard hydraulic setup, both with optional nineteen-inch Goodyear Excellence run-flat tires (eighteens and twenties are also available). As is often the case with BMWs, we preferred the vehicle without active steering, as it felt more natural and was easier to place in a corner. The new in-line six, with an even 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, had plenty of power to hustle the 535i through the coastal mountain roads above Lisbon, and it mates seamlessly with the eight-speed auto. You can move the gearshift lever into M for manual mode and shift for yourself, but you’ll seldom bother when you have a gearbox this good. The new turbo six sounds just a bit coarse when you’re really hammering it, but otherwise it’s a gem.

That statement is remarkable considering the car is slightly less then 2 tones, but the new 8 speed automatic trans helps no doubt.

In another article I read (it may have been a BMW press release) they said the single twin-scroll turbo actually acted like two turbos, which is no doubt why they still need two turbos on the 4.4 l 550 hp X6 M engine. But the other thing they mentioned has merit is the new n55 head design has BMWs Valvetronic system which apparently is able to manage the induction more efficiently (i.e., turbo lag?).

[Alext]

Thats interesting. 8 speed?? wow. I think the Valvetronic helps fuel efficiency....

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by Alext

Im not going to get into a huge discussion about it, but it has a lot to do with your average buyer's perception. Such a buyer - I believe - will regard an updated engine as a significant positive change whether or not it *performs* much better... I am sure BMW will market it as being superior and that is where the average buyer will be convinced of its superiority and willingness to pay a premium.

I wonder if BMW will offer any other improvements to the car to go along with the new engine? This could also be a likely scenario.

I think there are some independent reviews of the 535 GT which uses this new N55 engine floating around. Havent read any mention of lag yet. Max torque comes on earlier, great midrange etc etc. I believe the N55 is more fuel efficient than the N54 so this will be a plus to some.

Even if all of that comes true, in my opinion it won't have any effect at all on the depreciation schedule or resale value of a 2009/2010 Z4. The fact their will be technological advances year after year is a given.
If there were no advances to a car every year or so, then that would be a surprise.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

I too love my twin turbo, I don't think BMW will go backwards in time.

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by solgain@mac.com

I too love my twin turbo, I don't think BMW will go backwards in time.

Wow, you dug pretty deep (back to November 2009) to resurrect this thread.

In regards to the original post - I'm surprised that a car salesman was actually able to recite something that was accurate. Then he blew it by guessing that one of the reasons for the new engine was to address the fuel pump issue.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Blue, just doing some reading ... see I got my car with 5500 KM on it having all options except for the Navi. Just have her 3 weeks so I am still checking things out.

[Roadstergal]

Originally Posted by BlueZ4AZ

Wow, you dug pretty deep (back to November 2009) to resurrect this thread.

I'm surprised a car salesman actually knew something that was accurate. Then he blew it by guessing that one of the reasons for the new engine was to address the fuel pump issue.

Well, he actually said that possibly it could be to address the fuel pump issue. I had mentioned my concerns about getting the 35i over the 30i due to what I had been reading about the fuel pump problems.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

so does the 2011 still have the twin turbo or not?

Here is what the review is saying ....


The latest Z4 model is characterized by instantaneous response to the accelerator pedal, fantastic sounds, and a free-revving spirit. The engine features increased air intake flow and increased boost pressure to release more power with the same standard of efficiency. The combination of twin low-mass turbochargers and High Precision direct injection offers an output a naturally-aspirated engine would only be able to provide through more cylinders and larger displacement.

The turbocharger system developed for the engine of the new BMW Z4 sDrive35is maintains a high output throughout the entire engine speed range. Nominal peak torque is increased to 332 lb-ft from 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm. Maximum output of 335 hp is delivered at 5,900 rpm.