I'm so happy

"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
11/13/2016 at 07:45 • Filed to: None

One of the things that has been bugging me since I started selling Bimmers is the N20/N26 4-cylinder. I have no problems with a 4-cylinder BMW, I’m not one of those people that thinks anything with a rounded should come with a straight-6. In fact, I remember that everybody’s favorite M3 had a four-banger (something most people conveniently forget). But the 28i engine, frankly, sucks. Its sounds overly mechanical and not at all like a BMW should, and the response leaves a bit to be desired. I’m here to say, BMW it fixing things though, with this:

That is the B48. Starting in 2017, any Bimmers you see rolling around with the 30i designation has one of these bad boys. They don’t sound the same as the old straight six, but now has a distinctive growl befitting the ultimate driving machine, and while BMW claims it only has 8 more horsepower, the car feels more linear and now pulls all the way through the rev band. I’m proud to say, 4-cylinder Bimmers are now competitive again!

DISCUSSION (13)

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/13/2016 at 08:07

Make Four Cylinder Bimmers Great Again!

DipodomysDeserti > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/13/2016 at 09:30

By more “mechanical” do you mean sounds like a diesel at startup? It’s because they used short skirt pistons in order to get better fuel economy and so you get piston slap when the engines are cold. The throttle response is from the electronic throttle, not the engine.

The B48 is apart of their new modular engine program, meaning they can use all the same critical parts between the four and sixes. They aren’t using this engine to make theor fours more competative (their fours are a lot better than the competition already). They’re using it because they’ll be cheaper to make.

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/13/2016 at 10:10

I once made the argument that the M2 should have come with an S-designated 4-cylinder. Proper throwback to the E30 M3's S14.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
11/13/2016 at 10:19

That would have been awesome. But it would have had to been upsized outside of the bounds of the 2.0L that they’re using now. But yes, a twin turbo 2.4 putting out 360hp while keeping curb weight under 3400lbs woulda been amazing.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > DipodomysDeserti
11/13/2016 at 10:22

I can tell you 100% that the Audi TSI from the B8.5 And B9 generations crushed the N20/26. However, the B48 finally puts BMW over the top.

And you do know that an engine can be described in terms of responsiveness outside of just throttle response, right?

DipodomysDeserti > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/13/2016 at 11:23

The 2.0T TFSi makes twenty less horsepower and less torque than the N20. The N20 also makes its higher peak torque numbers 300 rpms sooner than the Audi.

The N20 makes 260+ lb-ft of torque at 1,250 rpm and makes it through the 5600 rpm range. It is plenty responsive for a FI car. The new engine does about the same. The stock electronic throttle mapping sucks though, making the cars feel laggy sometimes with the auto trans.

Engine response deals directly with throttle input since that’s the only way you can really tell and engine what to do. I realize that the throttle itself is not always to blame (I’ve tuned my own cars and built up my own engines), but in the case of the N20 it is.

DipodomysDeserti > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/14/2016 at 01:00

You can get the N20 to 300 hp with just a tune. No need to bore it out. A bigger turbo and a more agressive tune will get you to those numbers.

I have a friend who builds 700+ hp turbo engines from 1.8L Honda blocks in his driveway. I’m sure BMW could figure something out.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > DipodomysDeserti
11/14/2016 at 15:58

Won’t putting a bigger turbo on it so create significant turbo lag? I remember when the Mk6 Golf R came out, and was slower off the line than a Mk6 GTI because it had a K04 as opposed to the GTI’s K03.

DipodomysDeserti > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/14/2016 at 17:44

Traditionally yes, but not with twin scroll turbos like these cars have. It will take a bit longer to spool but not nearly as bad as with a single scroll turbo. That’s why these cars have virtually no turbo lag. The electronic throttle lags more than the turbo.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/15/2016 at 16:40

I’ve never been more disappointed with a BMW than when I got a 328i with auto start/stop as a loaner. The terrible sound of that engine on startup, repeated over and over again over the course of my short drive, made me wonder why anyone would buy one.

(I did find the button to shut it off quickly.)

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/15/2016 at 18:27

People buy it for the badge. You know what’s funny? I find more enthusiasts getting 320s than 328s. Its a weird phenomenon.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
11/16/2016 at 00:02

Enthusiasts know they can buy a 320 and a tune will get them as much or more power than a 328.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/16/2016 at 09:33

Pretty much.