[bimmerfrk]

Over all in the long run I’m on the no turbo and bigger displacement side. If you are a 2 year owner then sell why should you give a f**k

Turbo or multiple of them vs. straight up displacement and overall reliability is what this post is all about.

Discuss and enlighten me…..

[wwc310]

Originally Posted by bimmerfrk

Over all in the long run I’m on the no turbo and bigger displacement side. If you are a 2 year owner then sell why should you give a f**k

Turbo or multiple of them vs. straight up displacement and overall reliability is what this post is all about.

Discuss and enlighten me…..

this

[Carl64]

For me its the fun factor. I don't know what it is but a FI vehicle is just more fun to drive. I actually prefer a supercharger over a laggy turbo. Plus you can build more power on the cheap if the internals are already there - upping boost and a tune can often net 60+ HP.

That said, most people that drive a vehicle because its fun and easy to make more power aren't overly concerned about reliability. I don't expect my 335i to last 200,000 miles without some major repairs but I didn't buy it because its cheap/reliable/economical either.

[01tj]

Right now I have an E46 but am trying to decide between a 335i or a 328i/330i. I like having a turbo on the interstate, it just seems like you get more usable highway passing power

[bimmerfrk]

dont forget the second aspect of this post. I know turbos are faster no one is saying theyare not......LONGEVITY!

[Neothin87]

Turbos. Far easier to get power out of them than an NA car

[bimmerfrk]

Originally Posted by Neothin87

Turbos. Far easier to get power out of them than an NA car

This is not the point of this thread re-read.....

[ragingclue]

Not going back to turbos unless I go diesel or until CAFE forces everything to be turbocharged. Haven't had the best luck with reliability on my turbo cars, and I definitely feel more connected via the throttle in NA versus turbo, even though the 335 did a pretty good job of managing lag.

Also heat soak is a bitch.

[redlinedbimmer]

if you're not going to allow power between NA and turbo motors into the discussion then there is no discussion, NA wins over turbo motors in reliability hands down.

[bimmerfrk]

Originally Posted by redlinedbimmer

if you're not going to allow power between NA and turbo motors into the discussion then there is no discussion, NA wins over turbo motors in reliability hands down.

ok fair!

[Eric335]

The turbo itself doesnt make the car any more or less reliable, assuming the turbo is a quality piece. Look at turbo-diesel trucks for example. The engines are running high boost for 250k+ miles, no problem. The reason they last so well has to do with the diesel side of things, and the quality of the engine internals/turbo. they last forever.

What im trying to get at is that assuming you have high quality turbos (which IMO the N54 does not, factory), then i would much rather have FI over NA. Much easier to eek out more power, fun to have the boost feel, and much more daily drivable.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by Eric335

The turbo itself doesnt make the car any more or less reliable.

I know I'm probably splitting hairs here, but the turbos do because you're adding a (as opposed to replacing an existing) complex piece of hardware in the system. There's also the fact that they contribute massive amounts of heat, which is the enemy of everything under your hood.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Turbo=power power and better gas mileage... some turbo 300-400 HP cars can get like 30 mpg... a NA engine with the same output probably wouldnt get nearly that much.

Turbo's are hard on oil though, you need to stay on top of oil changes even more so than regular engines.

NA engines will always be nice and smooth, no lag, and fun to drive... BUT

Turbo cars are the "Way of the future" ... solely for gas mileage purposes.

....remember like 5-10 years ago and all the "fast and furious" stuff came out? and everyone (including me - i was 16 years old and had a mitsubishi eclipse) wanted some Japan FWD, turbo 4-banger? ...well who knew they were going to almost start a real trend.

car manufacturer's saw how much power you could crank out of a little engine, and boom... BMW is now a turbo 4-banger instead of the classic/famous inline 6.

Its just the way things will go. You want a NA beast, you better go out and get a V8 M3 because in the coming years you will not be able to get something like that from BMW, or any car manufacturer.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by ragingclue

I know I'm probably splitting hairs here, but the turbos do because you're adding a (as opposed to replacing an existing) complex piece of hardware in the system. There's also the fact that they contribute massive amounts of heat, which is the enemy of everything under your hood.

kind of like saying AWD can have more issues; because they have more parts.

very fair point, turbo cars can be just as reliable but you must maintain them very good. Turbo's do run HOT, so oil and coolant/cooling system are huge.

[Eric335]

Originally Posted by ragingclue

I know I'm probably splitting hairs here, but the turbos do because you're adding a (as opposed to replacing an existing) complex piece of hardware in the system. There's also the fact that they contribute massive amounts of heat, which is the enemy of everything under your hood.

True, especially on sports cars where things are tightly packed and expensive. I was more of trying to state that a turbo can be reliable if it is packaged/tuned correctly.

[CUTigers]

Cam in a LS motor can add as much power as basic tunes for turbo motors. A cammed Z06 can get 25mpg highway in 6th and put down 500+whp... Not all NA are like this, but it can be done in a performance car.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

kind of like saying AWD can have more issues; because they have more parts.

Yes. And that statement is also absolutely true.

Originally Posted by Eric335

True, especially on sports cars where things are tightly packed and expensive. I was more of trying to state that a turbo can be reliable if it is packaged/tuned correctly.

Oh yeah absolutely. I love turbos and what they do in combination with oil burners, but I still prefer my gas engines to be of the NA variety. Some day I'm sure I'll be looked at as the crotchety guy down the street who just won't get with the times and buy a turbo car, but that's just the way it is.

I can definitely see why people would prefer turbos though. I just don't.

[Bingobimmer]

I think both engines have their pros and cons. Turbos ARE the future and because of this they are getting more reliable. They bring better gas mileage, easier tuning, and the sound of the spool. NA engines are usually rock solid reliable engines, but still have their problems. Often, they have a better exhaust note than turbo engines. The power is immediate and ready to go as soon as you turn it on. Sad to say it, but a NA m3 will soon be legend in the bmw world.