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06-27-2009, 07:46 PM | #1 |
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Naturally Aspirated or Turbo
Any advice on going with either the turbo or the naturally aspirated would be appreciated. Dunno which is a better choice it seems most people have opted to go with the N series. Why is that?
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06-27-2009, 09:36 PM | #2 |
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07-05-2009, 01:51 AM | #5 |
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Depending on target, but N52 can be very nicely tuned to around 300HP, although with N54 is simplier and shorter way to get let say 370-400 HP.
With deeper tuning N52 can reach 400 HP without turbo what would be my personal preference over 400 HP with N54. Anything over that requires lot of knowledge and work, so might be not the best choice. So far I'm working on N52 with 300-310 HP target without touching engine itself, result will be reported shortly. |
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07-05-2009, 02:00 AM | #6 | |
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07-05-2009, 05:04 AM | #8 |
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I have a brain.. and got a 128.
It's awesome. But to answer the OP question, IMHO there is no wrong choice. 128 or 135 both very nice, very fast cars. 1 is a bit faster, and a bit more expensive |
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07-05-2009, 05:05 AM | #9 |
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135i given... they're both essentially the same car but the 135i is for people who want the extra power. however there are plenty of 128i drivers who are content with the power output of the N52.
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07-05-2009, 06:47 AM | #10 |
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unless you are gonna take it to track, autox or events like that, get 128.. It is powerful enough
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07-05-2009, 01:03 PM | #11 |
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IMHO, the 128 is underrated on this forum.
But it is a GREAT car. |
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07-05-2009, 05:10 PM | #12 |
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I don't have either cars, but IMO, if you want a boosted car get the 135i so you don't have to hassle with factory warranty and spend who knows how much for the turbo installation. Or if your really dying to have you turbo fix, maybe trade-in the 128 for the 135? I've heard this before with guys who want to buy a mkiv supra. N/A or TT? Then again you can get a decent N/A, with high miles for about 13k, add in a turbo kit and others for about 7k, and you got yourself a nice boosted supra for about 20k, maybe more
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07-05-2009, 05:57 PM | #13 | |
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um please show me a n52 with 400 rwhp
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08-05-2009, 04:49 PM | #14 |
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That is what I was thinking, where is this 400whp N52? 400whp is hard to get out of any NA 3.0 liter without super-high revs/powerband or nitrous. Sure would sound sweet though!
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08-05-2009, 07:32 PM | #15 |
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OP, all would depend on your budget. If money is no matter, then you should go and test drive both and make a decision. Both cars are great cars, you can't go wrong either way!
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08-05-2009, 10:20 PM | #17 |
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Luv my Ti 128 w/ 6MT, Sport Pkg. and not much else. I enjoy knowing it doesn't have 40 lbs. of electric seat hardware clinging along for the ride. I think it has a radio but the tailpipe music is all I listen to, and I have no idea why I might need i-drive when everything works perfectly fine the way it is. During 95% of driving time - suburban and city streets, country 2-lanes, normal highway commuting - the 135's extra power would be of no use, but the extra 200 lbs. would always be there. My switch to Breyton GTS-R's and non-run-flats will soon save me 10+ lbs. per corner...anyone with me here?
Now, what about that other 5% of the time? Yeah...the boost would be nice - but I'll stick with "light and basic" for all the sense it makes the rest of the time. 5.7 sec 0-60 and 14.3 1/4 mile is nothing to sneeze at, let's face it - about the same as a Ferrari 328 GTS and just a tick behind the 348. If the 135 were a Hemi 'Cuda or 427 Chevelle, then the 128 would be the 383/396 version of same. Comparisons to Italian exotics and monster muscle aside, I feel BMW could have given us the extra 30-35 ponies still hiding in the ECU! Where's my plug-and-play upgrade? Okay well, this is coming from a guy who is still very much in love with his lightweight, torquey, air-cooled '93 Ducati 900SS - and has not felt the need to "upgrade" to the 4-valve, watercooled superbike (I guess 0-100 in 8.5 seconds is enough for me!) So I'll say that before you decide you absolutely must have the twin turbos, surprise yourself by taking one of these (very eager) little buzz-saws up over 5,000 rpm and on to the 7K redline a few times (and DON'T do it with an automatic!!!), then relish that sweet torquey push when you toe the go-pedal at around 3,000. In the end...just as a standard 911 plays second fiddle to its turbo stablemate, and as the standard 'Vette hands the limelight to the Z06, I understand the 128 will always reside in the shadow of its muscle-bound brother the 135, but when it comes to all-around goodness...N/A is A-OK! |
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08-06-2009, 08:55 AM | #18 |
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Nicely said, I also enjoyed my 300zx very much for 2 years before it was Twin-Turbo, no lag and no parts breaking, not to mention better gas mileage.
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08-06-2009, 12:00 PM | #19 |
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If you ask me, the 128 is actually closer to the classic E30 325s than any other car in the BMW line up. I love my 128 with sport pack because it seems to be perfectly balanced on twisty highways. The power and torque are more than enough for slinging through 30 - 40mph curves without having to shift out of 2nd or 3rd. Surprisingly, if you visit the autocross track threads, you'll see the 128 is actually highly favored.
I guess it all comes down to what you want to do with your car. |
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08-10-2009, 06:13 AM | #20 |
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I've driven both 128i/135i/328i. I will say 128i fits right in the middle. 135i is a very fast car and 128i is a fast car. If you plan to drive your 1er in a daily basis then I would recommend a 128i. Believe me a NA N52 engine is more mechanically sounded than the twin turbo N54. Check out the mechanical problems 135i had on in the maintenance section of the forum and compare to the 128i, the 135i problems just dominated the whole section. I also remember reading a write up on a magazine comparing a 128i and a VW R32. The 128i is actually faster than the R32 according to their test. I've also destroyed my friend's 2003 G35 with my 128i. So speed is not a concern on this lil car at all. It's up to you man~ how much desire of HP do you have~! I might be biased because I don't go to tracking at all so there's no need for the extra money on gas/power.
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08-10-2009, 11:32 PM | #21 | |
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128i CAI
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08-11-2009, 03:28 AM | #22 |
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First I just want to disclose that I'm in no way trying to say the 135i is a better car. Everyone has their reasons for choosig one or the other. However, I don't know why people say the n54 is of no use drivin daily on the streets. With all that low end torque, all the fun is available instantly without making a scene. I love hitting stop lights in the 135i. Getting up to speed is so much fun and you don't have to sound like you are tryin to race the car next to you. If anything, the 135i makes the better daily driver. The temptation to abuse the power is another story.
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