• The N52 six cylinder directly compared to the new N20 turbo 4 replacing it - 2012 328i vs. 2010 BMW 328i

                    
      		   
      Published on 02-25-2012 08:15 AM
      17 Comments Comments
      This is not a new comparison as it was done previously with the F10 528. Now time to see how far the N20 has raised the entry level (in the USA) 3 series game. Just by how much does it do that? Well, Insideline compared the 2010 3.0 liter N52 naturally aspirated six cylinder powered 328i to the new 2.0 liter N20 turbo four cylinder and the results are not all that surprising. The N20 328i ran the 1/4 mile in 14.1@98.9. The N52 328i ran the 1/4 mile in 14.7@94.8, fairly large difference for two motors rated at almost the same horsepower (240 for the N20 vs. 230 for the N52).

      Clearly, the difference is greater than just 10 crank horses and considering we have seen stock N52 dyno's in the 189 wheel horsepower range and N20 dyno's in the 230+ range that tells you where those 4 MPH through the traps are coming from. It is not only peak horsepower at work, as the N20 has a fatter torque curve as well. BMW underrated the N20 quite a bit, not that we are complaining. Full results below.







      Stock 328i on 91 octane dyno:

      This article was originally published in forum thread: The N52 six cylinder directly compared to the new N20 turbo 4 replacing it - 2012 328i vs. 2010 BMW 328i started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 17 Comments
      1. bigdaddycane's Avatar
        bigdaddycane - 02-25-2012, 09:14 AM
        Interesting.....I guess BMW is fully bought into turbo charging even at the lowest level (4cyl)
      1. Q4P's Avatar
        Q4P - 02-25-2012, 10:06 AM
        I can say that the only true upgrade going from the E90 to the F30 is the engine. Having driven an F30; there is little more to be excited about. The steering response, solid feel and transmission all felt better in the E90 IMHO. Now, while this new engine is an upgrade in terms of performance and fuel efficiency, it is certainly a downgrade in smoothness and sound, go test drive one yourself.
      1. SlicktopTTZ's Avatar
        SlicktopTTZ - 02-25-2012, 12:27 PM
        If I was to go with a 4 cylinder it'd have to be a 4g63 or a F20C.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 02-25-2012, 04:39 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by SlicktopTTZ Click here to enlarge
        If I was to go with a 4 cylinder it'd have to be a 4g63 or a F20C.
        Not a in a BMW though.
      1. SlicktopTTZ's Avatar
        SlicktopTTZ - 02-25-2012, 04:46 PM
        The N20 would be a good choice then, if you wanna stay BMW. E30 M3 with a turbo would be awesome!
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 02-25-2012, 04:57 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by SlicktopTTZ Click here to enlarge
        E30 M3 with a turbo would be awesome!
        S14 with a turbo? That's SOOOOOO hot.
      1. leo985i's Avatar
        leo985i - 02-25-2012, 05:33 PM
        Will be hard for a little I4 to match the smoothness of the I6 n52 - a very slow engine indeed, but smooth as hell............
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 02-25-2012, 06:51 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by leo985i Click here to enlarge
        Will be hard for a little I4 to match the smoothness of the I6 n52 - a very slow engine indeed, but smooth as hell............
        None of these turbo motors will be as smooth, have the response, or have the beautiful curves of their NA counterparts.
      1. leo985i's Avatar
        leo985i - 02-25-2012, 07:56 PM
        The part that sucks about turbos. Oh well, I'd rather have performance to a little extra smoothness...................
      1. Q4P's Avatar
        Q4P - 02-25-2012, 08:49 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        None of these turbo motors will be as smooth, have the response, or have the beautiful curves of their NA counterparts.
        I know one 335i that has pretty damn beautiful curves Click here to enlarge
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 02-25-2012, 08:57 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Q4P Click here to enlarge
        I know one 335i that has pretty damn beautiful curves Click here to enlarge
        If you like cliff diving, sure.
      1. SlicktopTTZ's Avatar
        SlicktopTTZ - 02-25-2012, 09:41 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        If you like cliff diving, sure.
        Lol. I love cliff diving. Click here to enlarge
      1. DarkPhantom's Avatar
        DarkPhantom - 02-26-2012, 01:36 AM
        Drove the F30 today at the test drive event...they were all fully loaded models so of course they were superb, but I wonder how the base model will feel like.
      1. M3_WC's Avatar
        M3_WC - 02-26-2012, 02:07 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Q4P Click here to enlarge
        I can say that the only true upgrade going from the E90 to the F30 is the engine. Having driven an F30; there is little more to be excited about. The steering response, solid feel and transmission all felt better in the E90 IMHO. Now, while this new engine is an upgrade in terms of performance and fuel efficiency, it is certainly a downgrade in smoothness and sound, go test drive one yourself.
        I guess the F30 has the same 8-speed auto as in the X3? I was not a fan of that gearbox at all, when I drove the X3.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 02-26-2012, 07:38 PM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by M3_WC Click here to enlarge
        I guess the F30 has the same 8-speed auto as in the X3? I was not a fan of that gearbox at all, when I drove the X3.
        Why not?
      1. maxnix's Avatar
        maxnix - 03-15-2012, 05:46 PM
        As good as the N52 is, the N20 in the F30 with 8AT completely outshines the E90 with the N52 with 6AT. No comparison, really.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 03-17-2012, 12:27 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by maxnix Click here to enlarge
        As good as the N52 is, the N20 in the F30 with 8AT completely outshines the E90 with the N52 with 6AT. No comparison, really.
        Exactly, they raised the bar so far it isn't even a comparison.