Which year 328i for best tunability?

sickguy · 11-08-2015, 05:29 PM

Hey guys, I've been a long time owner of a N54 335i. I decided to get an used 328i, but confused with different engines and technical specs even after researching for an hour.

In terms of reliability and tenability, should I get a specific year over the others (2012-2014)? I will get a BMS JB4 (that's what I used in my N54) for tuning. Hopefully someone can shed some light.

Thanks guys!

tturedraider · 11-08-2015, 05:34 PM

There are only two motors - N20 & N26 SULEV. I imagine the N20 would be easier to tune than the SULEV motor.

sickguy · 11-08-2015, 05:54 PM

Thanks. Would N20 make more power than a N26? I know it's pretty hard to find a N20 now (with Pre-March 2012 built date). I plan to run the JB4 with E85, and hope to find out which engine will make the most of the it.

tturedraider · 11-08-2015, 06:26 PM

In Cali it'll be pretty hard to find an N20. In most of the rest of the country the N20 is very common. For 2016 I think all 328i's except manuals are N26. The N20 may make a couple more horses and torques. There's very little difference.

chums · 11-08-2015, 09:17 PM

So I have a 2013 328i F30, which engine do I have?

tturedraider · 11-08-2015, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chums

So I have a 2013 328i F30, which engine do I have?

In Cali odds are 99.97% you have an N26 SULEV. That's the motor that meets CARB requirements.

SoDiezl350 · 11-09-2015, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chums

So I have a 2013 328i F30, which engine do I have?

Depends on the build date. My CA sold 2013 is not a SULEV, but it was assembled in early 2012. Just check the sticker under your hood. It either says SULEV or just ULEV.

Bols · 11-09-2015, 10:58 AM

Yep the N20 does make more power than the N26 especially in high RPMs. Believe one tuner even said something of up to 20hp difference in the top end. Normal and spirited driving was pretty much the same though. Not that I've seen a lot of complaints about the N26 other than that..

TomDenmark · 11-09-2015, 08:26 PM

Don't forget about Eletronic waste gate or not

mike@x-ph.com · 11-10-2015, 01:30 PM

N20 should make a bit more power but it is very hard to find. Get the 2014+ EWG N26

sickguy · 11-12-2015, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

N20 should make a bit more power but it is very hard to find. Get the 2014+ EWG N26

Actually I'm going to pick up a 2013 328i with sportline and auto transmission this weekend. Is it a reason why I should get a 2014 with ewg? And I noticed there is no paddle shifter on the steering wheel even on the sportline, why???

tturedraider · 11-12-2015, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickguy

Actually I'm going to pick up a 2013 328i with sportline and auto transmission this weekend. Is it a reason why I should get a 2014 with ewg? And I noticed there is no paddle shifter on the steering wheel even on the sportline, why???

Paddle shifters are on cars with the Sport automatic.

casualDIYer · 11-12-2015, 10:43 PM

I'd say 2013. While the engine was the same the 2012s had some older tech in the car like the CIC idrive computer compared to the NBT computer.

11-08-2015, 05:29 PM	#1
sickguy Private 9 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan AT Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Bay Area CA iTrader: (4)	Which year 328i for best tunability? Hey guys, I've been a long time owner of a N54 335i. I decided to get an used 328i, but confused with different engines and technical specs even after researching for an hour. In terms of reliability and tenability, should I get a specific year over the others (2012-2014)? I will get a BMS JB4 (that's what I used in my N54) for tuning. Hopefully someone can shed some light. Thanks guys!
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11-08-2015, 05:34 PM	#2
tturedraider Major General 4975 Rep 6,241 Posts Drives: 2018 340i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago, Edgewater (via Texas & Tennessee) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [9.38] 2020 BMW M340i xDrive [10.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.00] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [4.50] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.25] 2000 BMW 328i [6.00]	There are only two motors - N20 & N26 SULEV. I imagine the N20 would be easier to tune than the SULEV motor. __________________ www.bmwcca.org member #388003 - Use me as a referral & you could win a one day ///M Driving School!! ___________________________________________
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11-08-2015, 05:54 PM	#3
sickguy Private 9 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan AT Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Bay Area CA iTrader: (4)	Thanks. Would N20 make more power than a N26? I know it's pretty hard to find a N20 now (with Pre-March 2012 built date). I plan to run the JB4 with E85, and hope to find out which engine will make the most of the it.
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11-08-2015, 06:26 PM	#4
tturedraider Major General 4975 Rep 6,241 Posts Drives: 2018 340i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago, Edgewater (via Texas & Tennessee) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [9.38] 2020 BMW M340i xDrive [10.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.00] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [4.50] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.25] 2000 BMW 328i [6.00]	In Cali it'll be pretty hard to find an N20. In most of the rest of the country the N20 is very common. For 2016 I think all 328i's except manuals are N26. The N20 may make a couple more horses and torques. There's very little difference. __________________ www.bmwcca.org member #388003 - Use me as a referral & you could win a one day ///M Driving School!! ___________________________________________
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11-08-2015, 09:17 PM	#5
chums Private 17 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 328 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	So I have a 2013 328i F30, which engine do I have?
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11-09-2015, 10:58 AM	#8
Bols Captain 231 Rep 982 Posts Drives: F36 AW 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Yep the N20 does make more power than the N26 especially in high RPMs. Believe one tuner even said something of up to 20hp difference in the top end. Normal and spirited driving was pretty much the same though. Not that I've seen a lot of complaints about the N26 other than that..
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11-09-2015, 08:26 PM	#9
TomDenmark Second Lieutenant 61 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 14' 320i ActiveFlex Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Brazil, SP - Valinhos iTrader: (0)	Don't forget about Eletronic waste gate or not __________________ 320i Activeflex - JB4 - Afe Airfilter - VRSF IC - ER DP - ER CP - @Ethanol
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11-10-2015, 01:30 PM	#10
mike@x-ph.com BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 24198 Rep 190,807 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	N20 should make a bit more power but it is very hard to find. Get the 2014+ EWG N26 __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
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11-12-2015, 10:43 PM	#13
casualDIYer Major 446 Rep 1,369 Posts Drives: 340i xDrive M Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I'd say 2013. While the engine was the same the 2012s had some older tech in the car like the CIC idrive computer compared to the NBT computer.
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