are NA engines fun?
Discussion
cerb4.5lee said:
Harrison-91xcg said:
I bought a 330I over a 335I because I much prefer NA. In silky smooth N52 format it doesn't get much better. I always enjoyed the progressive nature and response of NA engines.
The N52 is a lovely smooth engine but I would prefer the 335i because it's much quicker out of the box yet has lots of tuning potential too, plus it returns similar mpg to the 330i. I find the N52 pretty outdated when it comes to performance/economy, it is nice and free revving though, bmw still make the 335i engine and have ditched the N52, so that tells you all you need to know really about how unsuccessful it was as an engine for them.
PH XKR said:
Who cares about quicker out the box? I have more engaging fun in my 1200cc mini with a max speed of 70 as its rewarding getting and keeping it there. Turbos are good but as good as they are, they reward you like a diesel.
I do get your point but the N52 engine is pretty poor in terms of performance/economy for a 3 litre engine, whereas the 3 litre twin turbo engine offers genuine pace for the same economy so to me that engine offers far more.Granted I prefer Turbo's though whereas most prefer N/A.
PH XKR said:
I've driven many, great for the motorway but as thrilling to rev out as listening to a party political broadcast for Greenpeace
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cerb4.5lee said:
I do get your point but the N52 engine is pretty poor in terms of performance/economy for a 3 litre engine, whereas the 3 litre twin turbo engine offers genuine pace for the same economy so to me that engine offers far more.
Granted I prefer Turbo's though whereas most prefer N/A.
If you compare engines of same vintage then the equivalent 3.0 NA was always noticeably more fuel efficient.Granted I prefer Turbo's though whereas most prefer N/A.
2006 330i N52 - 31MPG
2006 335i N54 - 26MPG
2008 330I N53 - 40MPG
2010 335i N55 - 30MPG
Agree on tunability factor though.
Edited by Harrison-91xcg on Sunday 16th April 23:20
I'm sure there was no such thing as a n55 in 2008?
Honest John has the average as 28 mpg for the 330i and 29.2 mpg for the 335i.
Both should be mid 20s day to day rising to mid 30s on a good motorway run.
A great naturally aspirated engine is a wonderful thing, but very rare now. Turbocharged engines have their place, but I am developing a hankering for a slower, but sweet sounding and revving n/a motor.
Honest John has the average as 28 mpg for the 330i and 29.2 mpg for the 335i.
Both should be mid 20s day to day rising to mid 30s on a good motorway run.
A great naturally aspirated engine is a wonderful thing, but very rare now. Turbocharged engines have their place, but I am developing a hankering for a slower, but sweet sounding and revving n/a motor.
Edited by Mike335i on Sunday 16th April 23:15
Edited by Mike335i on Sunday 16th April 23:17
Sorry got my n's mixed up!
I'm a regular over at e90 post and that's the mpg consensus I've picked up on. I think there is a large difference between n54 and n55.
Anyway yeah I had a tuned early Ibiza Cupra with 230hp weighing just over a tonne. It was the fastest car I've owned however I missed the revving nature of the 182 I had before it. Incidentally I missed the sound and smoothness of the kv6 of the zs180 I had before the 182. So after a spell in a diesel I decided to pick my next car based on my favorite engine from previous ownership. ET voila 330i
I'm a regular over at e90 post and that's the mpg consensus I've picked up on. I think there is a large difference between n54 and n55.
Anyway yeah I had a tuned early Ibiza Cupra with 230hp weighing just over a tonne. It was the fastest car I've owned however I missed the revving nature of the 182 I had before it. Incidentally I missed the sound and smoothness of the kv6 of the zs180 I had before the 182. So after a spell in a diesel I decided to pick my next car based on my favorite engine from previous ownership. ET voila 330i
I despair of the modern turbo drivers who can't understand why throttle response is a great asset to a drivers car, but equally a great turbo can be a wonderful tool too.
My old EVO v. Throttle response had to be learnt and programmed in to your driving, from the lag to the surge/kick comming off boost. Made that car an absolute hoot.
My 3.2 carrera. Razor sharp throttle in comparison. Great for getting the most out of that rear engined chassis (though would like to try a 930) balance can be adjusted by the throttle which helps to control understeer.
So yes n/a can be great fun. You just have to pick the right car and learn what it gives you.
My old EVO v. Throttle response had to be learnt and programmed in to your driving, from the lag to the surge/kick comming off boost. Made that car an absolute hoot.
My 3.2 carrera. Razor sharp throttle in comparison. Great for getting the most out of that rear engined chassis (though would like to try a 930) balance can be adjusted by the throttle which helps to control understeer.
So yes n/a can be great fun. You just have to pick the right car and learn what it gives you.
I currently have two NA engined cars alongside a turbodiesel BMW
The first is a Fiat 500 all 69bhp of it ... loves to rev and great fun to wiz around town in ... you can also enjoy driving it at low speed ...
But I also have a Z4 3.0si manual which is just an absolute delight to drive .. the engine just sings and pulls like a train. To put the roof down and hoon it through the dales is a joy, the exhaust rasp and roar of the engine ... six cylinders and manual gearbox .. everyone should own one at least once in their life !
The diesel .. fabulous car .. but its not an enthusiasts car in any way .. its like a sledge hammer .. very effective but no finesse
The first is a Fiat 500 all 69bhp of it ... loves to rev and great fun to wiz around town in ... you can also enjoy driving it at low speed ...
But I also have a Z4 3.0si manual which is just an absolute delight to drive .. the engine just sings and pulls like a train. To put the roof down and hoon it through the dales is a joy, the exhaust rasp and roar of the engine ... six cylinders and manual gearbox .. everyone should own one at least once in their life !
The diesel .. fabulous car .. but its not an enthusiasts car in any way .. its like a sledge hammer .. very effective but no finesse
The other half has a Polo GTi 1.8 T with 192 BHP. We also have a GT86 2.0 N/A with about 5 bhp more.
The Polo is the quickest in a straight line and up there with other cars in its class. For an early morning blast round my favourite B road the it's the N/A GT86 every time. But I always have the choice.
There's no definitive answer to the OP. It's personal choice at the end of the day.
The Polo is the quickest in a straight line and up there with other cars in its class. For an early morning blast round my favourite B road the it's the N/A GT86 every time. But I always have the choice.
There's no definitive answer to the OP. It's personal choice at the end of the day.
no driving experience can equal the buzz when you flex your big toe and take off without the tedium of gearchanging, manual or auto. i talk, of course, of the glorious 5.4 V8 from mercedes benz in the beautiful form of the W210 E55. the car is relatively light by todays standards and with resononator delete and X-pipe install, sounds pretty apocalyptic when you give it the beans.
sammyboy77 said:
no driving experience can equal the buzz when you flex your big toe and take off without the tedium of gearchanging, manual or auto. i talk, of course, of the glorious 5.4 V8 from mercedes benz in the beautiful form of the W210 E55. the car is relatively light by todays standards and with resononator delete and X-pipe install, sounds pretty apocalyptic when you give it the beans.
Whsjako1 said:
Get in a big diesel and let me know if you run out of puff near the redline.....
They all run out of puff near the red line, though BMWs diesels are better than most in that respect. Have a look at the dyno plot from a 330d, peak torque is around 2500-3000RPM and it's quite literally downhill from there all the way to about 4500RPM where it falls off a cliff.sammyboy77 said:
no driving experience can equal the buzz when you flex your big toe and take off without the tedium of gearchanging, manual or auto. i talk, of course, of the glorious 5.4 V8 from mercedes benz in the beautiful form of the W210 E55. the car is relatively light by todays standards and with resononator delete and X-pipe install, sounds pretty apocalyptic when you give it the beans.
Nice, but I would take a flat six n/a howl personally.
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