Several contemporary BMW models, notably the F87 M2, F80 M3, and the F82/F83 M4, are equipped with the S55. With the Competition packages of the models above, more powerful versions of this engine with higher specifications were offered.
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The S55 Engine’s Past
The BMW N55 engine serves as the foundation for the S55. The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo introduced the first N55 engine in 2009. The N55 and S55 have the same bore (84.0 mm), stroke (89.6 mm), and displacement (2979 cc). Both engines have a 10.2: 1 compression ratio as well.
Aiming to blend the benefits of a high-performance, naturally aspirated engine with those of contemporary turbo technology, BMW M GmbH worked with both the old and the new systems when developing the newly created in-line 6-cylinder engine.
The implications on the M3 and M4 models’ reaction characteristics are clear: The 3.0-liter engine’s potential is demonstrated by its 431 horsepower and maximum rev limit of 7,600. with a 550Nm maximum torque starting at 1,850 rpm. Fast sprints can now be completed in less time than ever before, and the 7-speed M dual-clutch transmission can now accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds. The engine had already shown itself to be more effective than its forerunners.
Performance, dependability, and tuning in the BMW S55 and S58
With the introduction of the S55 in 2013, BMW permanently abandoned the market for natively aspirated performance motors in M-series vehicles. The 3.0L twin-turbocharged inline-6 S55 motor replaced the NA V8 S65 engine. The S55 includes a closed deck block, dual turbos, forged pistons, a lightweight crankshaft, and dual high pressure fuel pumps, to name a few differences, while being the performance variant of the N55.
Although the S58 won’t be officially released until Q4 2020, it is well known that it will be the following motor to power the M3 and M4 cars. However, the X3M and X4M cars for the 2020 model year already have the S58 on the road. The 3.0L twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine of the S58, which is based on the B58TU engine, is extremely similar in displacement to the inline-6 engine in the S55.
While the G80 M3’s speculated appearance is god terrible (we hope BMW reads this), the S58 engine has a lot more to offer. So how will the S58 compare to the S55 in terms of efficiency, dependability, and scope for customization?
BMW N55
2009 saw the start of manufacturing for the BMW N55, a straight-six petrol engine with turbocharging. The BMW N54 engine was superseded by the N55, which debuted in the F07 5 Series Gran Turismo.
First straight-six engine from BMW to use a twin-scroll turbocharger was the N55. Additionally, from 2011 to 2013, it earned three in a row from Ward’s 10 Best Engines.
The N55 engine started to be phased out in 2015 after the debut of the BMW B58 engine.
The N55 engine, which powers the F80 M3, F82 M4, and F87 M2 Competition/CS, is upgraded into the BMW S55 by BMW M GmbH.
Location of the S55
The S55 engine is very powerful. It settled in the engine bays of several production models and sports cars.
The F87 M2 CS Racing uses a variant that has been somewhat detuned. It produces between 275 and 360 HP here.
Other M2 applications include the 405-horsepower F87 M2 Competition and the 444-horsepower F87 M2 CS racing models.
The S55 can be found powering the F80 M3 Competition, which produces 444 horsepower, and the F80 M3 CS Racing, which produces 453.
The F82 and F83 M4 Competition with 444 HP, the F83 M4 CS Racing with 453 HP, the F82 M4 GTS, and the F83 M4 GTM Champion Edition are some of its M4 performance applications. Both of the later two have 493 horsepower because of a water injection system.
Is the BMW S55 a reliable motor?
Six years of on-road data suggest that the S55 is a very dependable motor. The crank hub was cited as a high-failure area on pre-2016 engine models, leading to a “spinning” crank hub. A firm called TPG tuning, which was attempting to sell more of their aftermarket crank hubs, used a fear technique to exaggerate the crank hub problem. While the S55 crank hub can and has failed on factory S55 vehicles, it is a very isolated issue that was fixed by BMW in 2016. The S55 crank hub is the same design as the N54 and N55.
Aside from this exaggerated problem, the S55 seems to be a durable engine. There are a few minor problems that affect all BMWs, such as HPFP failure and carbon build-up, but nothing that should cause any prospective buyers to hesitate.
The S55’s astonishing and unparalleled power-reliability ratio is unmatched by any other BMW engine.
When did BMW install the N55 engine?
It’s crucial to take into account the variations between the N54 and N55 powered BMWs before making a decision on a turbocharged 135i, 335i, or 535i. The BMW 335i was the first vehicle to use the N54, which originally went into production in 2006; the N54 was then debuted in 2008 alongside the 135i and 535i. BMW’s N55 engine started being produced in 2009, and it began to phase out the N54 in 2010. However, the dual turbo N54 was still used in the majority of applications created in 2010. In 2011, the N55 formally superseded the N54. Although there are numerous similarities between the engines, this piece will focus on their main distinctions.
BMW S55: Is it twin-turbo?
It might be said that the S55 is essentially an improved N55. The S55 has two conventional turbochargers, in contrast to the N55 from BMW, which only has one turbocharger with “TwinPower” technology (a turbocharger that is operated twice by two different exhaust manifolds). The M engine’s engine block structure is also more intricate. As a result, it can produce a class-leading 141 horsepower per liter of displacement, low CO2 emissions, and excellent throttle response.
The engine has a lot of new features and differs from the original model in various technical ways. However, when it comes to the crankcase or the extremely unique form of liner coating, the genes from BMW are indisputable.
The closed-deck design of the crankcase is one of the primary differences. The higher cover plate rigidity, which benefits both the cylinders and the acoustics, is the advantage of this unique design over the open-deck design. Furthermore, greater cylinder pressures and improved power production can be obtained.
It is important to note, however, that the S55 is not the only engine with a closed-deck crankcase; several BMW series engines and engines from other manufacturers also have this feature.
Even at low engine speeds, the throttle response is considerably increased thanks to the double Vanos, gasoline direct injection HPI, and variable valve management (Valvetronic). The 370 lb-ft of torque produced by the turbocharged engine is 30% greater than what the engine’s predecessor could muster. The fuel usage is also lowered by 25% at the same time.
When did the M2 receive the S55 engine?
At the 2018 Beijing Auto Show, the BMW M2 Competition made its debut as the more potent version of the normal M2 Coupe. Production first started in July 2018 and was completed in early 2019.
The BMW M GmbH S55 engine, a high-performance variation of the N55 engine that was detuned from its use in the F80 M3 and F82 M4, is used in the M2 Competition. Europe chose the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure as the official method to assess vehicle pollutants, which meant that the regular M2’s N55 engine no longer complied with European emission rules, leading to the decision to use the S55 engine.
The S55 engine has a closed-deck engine block, a lightweight crankshaft, different crankshaft bearings, strengthened pistons and rods, different springs and valve material, twin turbos, twin fuel pumps, active exhaust, a revised cooling system, and intercoolers. These features set it apart from the N55 engine found in the standard M2.
The engine also has a revised oil delivery system, updated cooling system, and components from the BMW M4 Competition Package for the electronic locking differential. In some nations of the European Union, it also has a gasoline particle filter to cut pollution. The S55 generates 30 kW (40 hp) and 85 Nm (63 lbft) more than the normal M2, giving it a greater and more consistent power output of 302 kW (405 hp) between 5,250 and 7,000 rpm and 550 Nm (406 lbft) at 2,350-5,200 rpm. Vehicles with a six-speed manual transmission accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, while models with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission accelerate in 4.2 seconds. The M Driver’s package can increase the top speed from the electronically limited 250 km/h (155 mph) to 280 km/h (174 mph), which is 10 km/h (6 mph) faster than the M2’s top speed.
The M2 Competition has larger kidney grilles, optional larger brake discs that measure 400 mm (15.7 in) in the front axle with 6 piston calipers and 380 mm (15.0 in) in the rear axle with 4 piston calipers, as well as the standard carbon-fibre reinforced plastic strut bar found in all models equipped with the S55 engine. The M2 Competition weighs 75 kg (165 lb) more than the original M2, which had 1,550 kg (3,417 lb) for manual transmission models and 1,575 kg (3,472 lb) for dual-clutch gearbox models due to the engine and cooling system that were taken from the F82 M4.
Which motor powers a BMW 140i?
The 3.0 liter turbocharged engine in the BMW M140i generates 340 horsepower. Whether it has an automatic or manual gearbox, this six-cylinder engine will propel this small hot-hatch from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds. Just 0.2 seconds separate that from the Audi S3 with all-wheel drive.
You receive a six-speed manual transmission as standard, but you can upgrade to an eight-speed automatic if you’d rather not shift gears manually. The automatic is snappy, changes gear easily, and ultimately makes a lot more gratifying decision than the manual, which isn’t especially smooth. If you frequently get delayed in traffic, it’s undoubtedly simpler to deal with.
Models with manual transmissions are said to get 36.2 mpg on average, while automatic variants come out slightly ahead with 38.2 mpg. However, in regular driving circumstances, you can anticipate that both will achieve a number in the high twenties.
How can I tell whether my BMW is a N54 or N55?
I own a 2011 135i with a pre-09/10 build date. Is it as straightforward as anything 2011+ is n55, or is there a quick way to determine whether I have n54 or n55?
In reality, BMW began producing the N55 in September 2009. They produced some alongside the N54 but not many. Thus, choosing an engine only based on build date is not guaranteed.
For these production months, BMW began producing “some” N55s in addition to the regular N54 output:
The best approach to determine whether an automobile is a N55 is probably to see if it has a DCT. It is a N54 if it has a car. If it’s a 6MT, you’ll need to examine the engine. See the images shown above to identify the different engines.
In addition, to respond to the OP’s initial query regarding his Sept. 2010 construction date, I can confirm that your engine is a N55.
Is the N54 the S55’s base?
The fact that the S55 was derived from the N55, which was in turn evolved from the N54, is something that I believe few people, with the possible exception of the op, are ready to recognize.
The technology and methods employed in the N54 provide the foundation for the S55.
How durable is the S55 engine?
- Spindle Hub
- Leaks in the valve cover and valve cover gasket
- Leaking Oil Pan Gaskets
- Leaks in the Oil Filter Housing Gasket
Below are some more comments and analysis on these S55 issues. We should point out that this post might be a little premature and that some of these typical S55 issues are just conjecture. For instance, the oil filter housing and gasket for the S55 are identical to those for the N54 and N55. It is well known that they are typical problems with certain engines. However, the problems usually don’t surface until 80,000 miles or more. Since there aren’t many S55 engines with this kind of mileage, it’s unlikely that this problem is widespread just now. However, it’s probably safe to infer that if the same design has issues on older engines, they will probably start to affect the S55 as it matures.