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M2 Technical Topics > S55 Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust / Bolt-ons / Tuning > Differences between S55 (M2C) and N55 (M2)

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      02-13-2020, 09:22 AM   #23
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The S55 has technological advantages over the N55. The engine that replaces the S55 will have technological advantages over the S55. No reason to get rid of your N55 or be jealous. The next big thing is always around the corner. Same with phones, TV's, computers etc. You can either go broke having to have the latest and greatest whatever or be happy with what you have.
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      02-13-2020, 02:12 PM   #24
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Originally Posted by cecaa850 View Post
The S55 has technological advantages over the N55. The engine that replaces the S55 will have technological advantages over the S55. No reason to get rid of your N55 or be jealous. The next big thing is always around the corner. Same with phones, TV's, computers etc. You can either go broke having to have the latest and greatest whatever or be happy with what you have.
I vocally disagree

I think BMW was extremely unfair to OG N55 M2 owners by gifting the M2C the S55

OG M2 should have had the B58 from start. Complete non-sense to put the B58 in the "light" M model (M240i). N55 is maxed out on the OG M2, B58 is close to S55 performance with just a tune.
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      02-13-2020, 02:33 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dav3 View Post
I vocally disagree

I think BMW was extremely unfair to OG N55 M2 owners by gifting the M2C the S55

OG M2 should have had the B58 from start. Complete non-sense to put the B58 in the "light" M model (M240i). N55 is maxed out on the OG M2, B58 is close to S55 performance with just a tune.
It wasn't a gift. New European emissions made the N55 unusable. Rather than discontinue the M2, they simply put in another motor they already had, that would pass the new emissions laws. The B58 isn't an end-all-be-all motor, no one cared about it until it was put into the Supra... You would rather the OG M2, as special and unique as it is, have the SAME motor as the regular 2 series...? In that case, why doesn't a base 3 or 4 series get a detuned S55, or the M3 and M4 get a tuned version of whatever the hell the 3/4 come with? It's an M car, it's supposed to be different than the regular models, engine, suspension, body, etc. Would make 0 sense to have the B58 in the OG, the N55 is still a plenty good motor. Definitely not "maxed" out.

I 100% agree with that he was saying. I'm very content with the S55. Would I like the extra power of the S58, sure. But it's not currently available in any CAR, and it wont be available in the F series, so therefore it is irrelevant.
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      02-14-2020, 01:39 AM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dav3 View Post
I vocally disagree

I think BMW was extremely unfair to OG N55 M2 owners by gifting the M2C the S55

OG M2 should have had the B58 from start. Complete non-sense to put the B58 in the "light" M model (M240i). N55 is maxed out on the OG M2, B58 is close to S55 performance with just a tune.
N55 is quite far from maxed out in OG, AND the S55 is only starting to show its muscle at oem standard

B58 is a superb engine, sure it can get to the power of the S55, but its not a M engine

I love every sound and crackle the M2C makes, it is arguably the best M ever made
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      02-14-2020, 05:00 AM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dav3 View Post
I vocally disagree

I think BMW was extremely unfair to OG N55 M2 owners by gifting the M2C the S55

OG M2 should have had the B58 from start. Complete non-sense to put the B58 in the "light" M model (M240i). N55 is maxed out on the OG M2, B58 is close to S55 performance with just a tune.
I think the M2 Competition is like the M2 should always have been (engine, mirrors, seats).
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      02-14-2020, 09:36 AM   #28
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Originally Posted by _RS4_ View Post
I think the M2 Competition is like the M2 should always have been (engine, mirrors, seats).
100% Agreed.

But with the OG M2 they had the opportunity to spec it with the B58 because the engine and the car came out around the same time and share the same platform.

From a logical perspective in terms of engine hierarchy it would have made a lot more sense to stick the slightly modified N55 in the M240i and potentially a slightly upgraded B58 in the M2.

As an ex-og n55 m2, I just feel cheated by BMW on this matter. If you're leasing, whatever, but if you bought outright, you really got fucked over with the depreciation.
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      02-14-2020, 01:08 PM   #29
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Originally Posted by Dav3 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlpsRider View Post
I think the video was about technical facts. The exhaust sound is something that is up for debate. After 15,000 miles of exhaust break-in and running the flaps open in all modes but efficient, I don't hate the growl.
The debate is so dumb though

S55 sounds perfectly fine in real life

Besides, ASD is the real issue. Exhaust sound is mostly inaudible on the interior.

The only time you actually do hear the exhaust on the interior is when you've opted for catless downpipes (illegal) or a very expensive system (titanium or catted dp's). And with these setups, it don't matter if you have the S55 or the N55, it will just all sound like muffled loud noise anyways.

The bottom line is, exhaust noise on modern BMW's shouldn't matter all that much to the driver. It's just not part of the driving experience. Buy a pre-2010 BMW if you can't live without it. It is what it is.
I definitely hear the exhaust from the driver's seat on my stock m2 with n55 (asd off). Huge contrast to my e90 m3 which is all engine noise from the cabin and very little exhaust (2 pipe OEM mod). That's a 2011 car.
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      02-14-2020, 01:14 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Conissah View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dav3 View Post
I vocally disagree

I think BMW was extremely unfair to OG N55 M2 owners by gifting the M2C the S55

OG M2 should have had the B58 from start. Complete non-sense to put the B58 in the "light" M model (M240i). N55 is maxed out on the OG M2, B58 is close to S55 performance with just a tune.
It wasn't a gift. New European emissions made the N55 unusable. Rather than discontinue the M2, they simply put in another motor they already had, that would pass the new emissions laws. The B58 isn't an end-all-be-all motor, no one cared about it until it was put into the Supra... You would rather the OG M2, as special and unique as it is, have the SAME motor as the regular 2 series...? In that case, why doesn't a base 3 or 4 series get a detuned S55, or the M3 and M4 get a tuned version of whatever the hell the 3/4 come with? It's an M car, it's supposed to be different than the regular models, engine, suspension, body, etc. Would make 0 sense to have the B58 in the OG, the N55 is still a plenty good motor. Definitely not "maxed" out.

I 100% agree with that he was saying. I'm very content with the S55. Would I like the extra power of the S58, sure. But it's not currently available in any CAR, and it wont be available in the F series, so therefore it is irrelevant.
It was a gift in the sense it was way more engine than they ever intended to give to base model m2 cars and they intended to charge 85k for it or whatever the CS is priced at. It's a gift in that it will probably never happen again. you're getting a car BMW wanted to charge CS prices for for just 5k more.
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      02-14-2020, 02:05 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by M2-BM35i View Post
B58 is a superb engine, sure it can get to the power of the S55, but its not a M engine

I love every sound and crackle the M2C makes, it is arguably the best M ever made
What does this mean though? What makes the S55 more special than the B58 besides the fact that it was made by the M division? I'm genuinely asking, because the way I see it, the B58 is from the next generation and it's not surprising that it's an improvement over the N55/S55 generation.
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      02-14-2020, 06:31 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by newcar55 View Post
What does this mean though? What makes the S55 more special than the B58 besides the fact that it was made by the M division? I'm genuinely asking, because the way I see it, the B58 is from the next generation and it's not surprising that it's an improvement over the N55/S55 generation.
The S55 is a performance engine with all that goes with it like tons more cooling and beefed up engine components. You can bump up the S55 to stage 1 without doing anything else but a flash tune and get near 500 horsepower and near 500 lb ft of torque because the engine and cooling is made for it. That is the difference.
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      02-14-2020, 10:41 PM   #33
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Originally Posted by Conissah View Post
I like the unique-ness of the S55. It may not be the best sounding engine ever made, but at least you can tell it apart from the other inline 6's
I could live with the S55 exhaust sound, especially since the trade-off is a more robust motor..

However, I hate the exhaust's pops and burbles with a passion; it attracts too much attention and make the vehicle sound like it's built for a juvenile.

I'm probably the only guy in history that would flash tune, not because I need more power but to be able to toggle-control the obnoxious cold start and pop/burbles..
Same here! I've been driving in comfort mode because those burbles annoy the bejesus out of me.
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      02-14-2020, 11:40 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dav3 View Post
100% Agreed.

But with the OG M2 they had the opportunity to spec it with the B58 because the engine and the car came out around the same time and share the same platform.

From a logical perspective in terms of engine hierarchy it would have made a lot more sense to stick the slightly modified N55 in the M240i and potentially a slightly upgraded B58 in the M2.

As an ex-og n55 m2, I just feel cheated by BMW on this matter. If you're leasing, whatever, but if you bought outright, you really got fucked over with the depreciation.
I hear you, I bought M235 and the M240 came out not too long afterwards

I didn't buy the OG M2 as I knew the next BM I bought must have the S55

In the end if you buy cars expect to lose money, it's just the nature of it
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      02-14-2020, 11:43 PM   #35
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Snap, Crackle, Pop!

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      02-15-2020, 01:58 AM   #36
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I'm surprised that these differences are news to some of you.

I'm more so surprised by the comments regarding the N55 in the OG M2...you guys knew what you were buying lol.

Whats hilarious is the loss some guys took to trade-in..for the same car....because of an engine....really?
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      02-15-2020, 08:51 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GerardzM View Post
I'm surprised that these differences are news to some of you.

I'm more so surprised by the comments regarding the N55 in the OG M2...you guys knew what you were buying lol.

Whats hilarious is the loss some guys took to trade-in..for the same car....because of an engine....really?
You're missing the point

BMW by sticking the S55 in the M2C, which ultimately became the new M2 standard, overnight made the OG M2 N55 a significant amount less desirable and consequently worth less

And beyond this, it makes a lot of sense to trade in the N55 M2 for a S55 M2C if you where itching for that little more bit of power but with a headache free full warranty experience

The M2C is in every way possible a superior car to the M2. Does this mean the latter is a piece of shit and everyone should avoid it? Hell no, but if we quantify "bang for buck", whomever bought the OG M2 definitely should be a little pissed at the way BMW handled it.

It's not the first time BMW swapped engines halfway through a car's lifespan. But do some digging and crunch the numbers and you'll see how a similar scenario has a negative effect on first owners.

We're not talking about a few cosmetic brush ups and a tiny bump in performance. It's the difference between a pretty maxed out engine (without touching expensive FBO treatment) and an engine that is detuned and in stock form is safely able to handle 40-50hp more with just a tune.
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      02-15-2020, 09:26 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dav3 View Post
You're missing the point

BMW by sticking the S55 in the M2C, which ultimately became the new M2 standard, overnight made the OG M2 N55 a significant amount less desirable and consequently worth less

And beyond this, it makes a lot of sense to trade in the N55 M2 for a S55 M2C if you where itching for that little more bit of power but with a headache free full warranty experience

The M2C is in every way possible a superior car to the M2. Does this mean the latter is a piece of shit and everyone should avoid it? Hell no, but if we quantify "bang for buck", whomever bought the OG M2 definitely should be a little pissed at the way BMW handled it.

It's not the first time BMW swapped engines halfway through a car's lifespan. But do some digging and crunch the numbers and you'll see how a similar scenario has a negative effect on first owners.

We're not talking about a few cosmetic brush ups and a tiny bump in performance. It's the difference between a pretty maxed out engine (without touching expensive FBO treatment) and an engine that is detuned and in stock form is safely able to handle 40-50hp more with just a tune.
Perfectly said. The OG M2 was fun but it just doesn't compare to the s55 no matter how much you like the OG M2 exhaust note lol
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      02-15-2020, 11:09 AM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmer28312 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dav3 View Post
You're missing the point

BMW by sticking the S55 in the M2C, which ultimately became the new M2 standard, overnight made the OG M2 N55 a significant amount less desirable and consequently worth less

And beyond this, it makes a lot of sense to trade in the N55 M2 for a S55 M2C if you where itching for that little more bit of power but with a headache free full warranty experience

The M2C is in every way possible a superior car to the M2. Does this mean the latter is a piece of shit and everyone should avoid it? Hell no, but if we quantify "bang for buck", whomever bought the OG M2 definitely should be a little pissed at the way BMW handled it.

It's not the first time BMW swapped engines halfway through a car's lifespan. But do some digging and crunch the numbers and you'll see how a similar scenario has a negative effect on first owners.

We're not talking about a few cosmetic brush ups and a tiny bump in performance. It's the difference between a pretty maxed out engine (without touching expensive FBO treatment) and an engine that is detuned and in stock form is safely able to handle 40-50hp more with just a tune.
Perfectly said. The OG M2 was fun but it just doesn't compare to the s55 no matter how much you like the OG M2 exhaust note lol
Problem is no tuning unless you remove the DME on the later code to bench flash. The N55 DME even on latest update can be flash tuned still. Not sure this will ever be done again given it's been this long and still not cracked. Just not enough interest as this is a niche crack.
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      02-15-2020, 09:50 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M2driverWV View Post
Problem is no tuning unless you remove the DME on the later code to bench flash. The N55 DME even on latest update can be flash tuned still. Not sure this will ever be done again given it's been this long and still not cracked. Just not enough interest as this is a niche crack.
Coming from the big dinan turbo and full bolt-on setup on my OG M2 I'd still take a stock m2c. Yes obd tunning isn't available yet but bench flashing can still be done and tuning is night and day compared to the N55. Not to mention fueling sucked bad on the N55
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      02-15-2020, 10:21 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newcar55 View Post
What does this mean though? What makes the S55 more special than the B58 besides the fact that it was made by the M division? I'm genuinely asking, because the way I see it, the B58 is from the next generation and it's not surprising that it's an improvement over the N55/S55 generation.
The B58 is newer and is a more technologically advanced engine. It's also designed to go into a ton of cars and has been tuned for driveability, fuel economy and reliability. Obviously those are all things everyone would love to have. But if BMW is choosing between a few more MPGs and a bit more power, they're going to lean towards MPGs. Likewise, they're tuning the engine for mid-range torque (which is what the vast majority of drivers want) rather than top end power (which is what enthusiasts tend to enjoy)

The S55 of course has these same compromises, but the math is slightly different for that engine since it will just be going to enthusiasts, not everyday joes. Which is ultimately why my car has a 7600 RPM redline and gets atrocious gas mileage.
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      02-16-2020, 12:36 AM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dav3 View Post
You're missing the point

BMW by sticking the S55 in the M2C, which ultimately became the new M2 standard, overnight made the OG M2 N55 a significant amount less desirable and consequently worth less

And beyond this, it makes a lot of sense to trade in the N55 M2 for a S55 M2C if you where itching for that little more bit of power but with a headache free full warranty experience

The M2C is in every way possible a superior car to the M2. Does this mean the latter is a piece of shit and everyone should avoid it? Hell no, but if we quantify "bang for buck", whomever bought the OG M2 definitely should be a little pissed at the way BMW handled it.

It's not the first time BMW swapped engines halfway through a car's lifespan. But do some digging and crunch the numbers and you'll see how a similar scenario has a negative effect on first owners.

We're not talking about a few cosmetic brush ups and a tiny bump in performance. It's the difference between a pretty maxed out engine (without touching expensive FBO treatment) and an engine that is detuned and in stock form is safely able to handle 40-50hp more with just a tune.

No...not missing the point.

Thats all trivial to me....I bought the M2 that was hyped for years. Absolutely happy with it.

Really couldn't ask for more. The only people that feel ripped off are the people that for some reason or another...need the engine? Idk..guess I'll never understand.

I wrench on my own crap lol....the mods are endless and I'm excited for it all.
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      02-16-2020, 12:49 AM   #43
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Originally Posted by GerardzM View Post
No...not missing the point.

Thats all trivial to me....I bought the M2 that was hyped for years. Absolutely happy with it.

Really couldn't ask for more. The only people that feel ripped off are the people that for some reason or another...need the engine? Idk..guess I'll never understand.

I wrench on my own crap lol....the mods are endless and I'm excited for it all.
Umm.. it's great that you're enjoying the og m2 but to gas light the m2c engine is kind of laughable and has nothing to do with "feeling ripped off"
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      02-16-2020, 01:11 AM   #44
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Originally Posted by Bimmer28312 View Post
Umm.. it's great that you're enjoying the og m2 but to gas light the m2c engine is kind of laughable and has nothing to do with "feeling ripped off"
Apologies but I'm not really understanding what you are saying?
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