BMW 320is Limited Edition

Originally Posted by Alex Baumann

The car will debut at the next Geneva Motor Show in March, 3-13th 2006.

The projected price in Germany will be 32.150 EUR (incl. 16% VAT).

German dealers will start taking orders in December 2006.

That's less than 5K euro more than the base 320i. Does the car come equipped with the M Sport kit? Any other additional options other than the engine?

Originally Posted by misterlance

Anyone want to guess at what size of socket you'll need to get the oil filter?

Palm sized should fit just fine.

Originally Posted by jboo

That's less than 5K euro more than the base 320i. Does the car come equipped with the M Sport kit? Any other additional options other than the engine?

Yes, full M Sport kit with M body kit, sport seats, sport suspension, M steering wheel, M dead pedal, Aluminum interior trim, staggered setup (225/40 8x18 - 255/35 8.5/18), Shadow-Line mirrors, chrome exhaust tip are included in the package.

Cool. Ok, now I want an e90! (Although, we'd never, in a million years, get something this cool in the US)

Originally Posted by Alex Baumann

They slightly modified the engine. Here are some facts from the german press release.

173 DIN hp @ 7000 rpm
147 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm

Same displacement, however they increased the hub by 1mm and reduced the stroke by 2mm. The cylinders are covered with special aluminum instead of cast-iron in the stock version. Increased compression, special pistons, special con-rod and stronger bedplate construction are the other changes.

Unlike the regular version, this one is coming without Valvetronic. It's a pure DOHC. The head cover is CF and saves 10kg ~ 22 lb.

It comes with a 6 speed manual.

Oh, forgot to add, it will have bigger brakes. 16".

Originally Posted by robg

Cool. Ok, now I want an e90! (Although, we'd never, in a million years, get something this cool in the US)

Originally Posted by robg

Cool. Ok, now I want an e90! (Although, we'd never, in a million years, get something this cool in the US)

um you know it's still going to be slower than a 325 right????????????

Originally Posted by whiskey.org

um you know it's still going to be slower than a 325 right????????????

With a 4.10, and 200lbs. less? I bet it'd be a lot faster than you think.

Give it an LSD and I'd take it over a 325 any day.

Originally Posted by Nick325xiT 5spd

With a 4.10, and 200lbs. less? I bet it'd be a lot faster than you think.

doesn't the 325 and 330 in the states have different rear ends also, with the smaller power car being lighter and having the lower final drive ratio????

with the 320si running 50 hp down on a 325 and only having 147 ft lbs (all the way up over 4 grand!!!!) I really can't see it giving even a 325 a run for it's money


it's a sort of neat car, but it's not a performance model and I wouldn't buy one unless it was at least 3-4 grand cheaper than a similarly equipped 325

Originally Posted by whiskey.org

doesn't the 325 and 330 in the states have different rear ends also, with the smaller power car being lighter and having the lower final drive ratio????

with the 320si running 50 hp down on a 325 and only having 147 ft lbs (all the way up over 4 grand!!!!) I really can't see it giving even a 325 a run for it's money


it's a sort of neat car, but it's not a performance model and I wouldn't buy one unless it was at least 3-4 grand cheaper than a similarly equipped 325

-200lbs ~ +20hp

i also remember reading that the I4 e36 had better handling than the 328's because the front ends were lighter.

Originally Posted by HW

-200lbs ~ +20hp

i also remember reading that the I4 e36 had better handling than the 328's because the front ends were lighter.

I think that's still the case w/ the e90 and e46. Reviews in British car magazines occasionally mention this point.

Originally Posted by HW

-200lbs ~ +20hp

.

not sure how your math works, but where i'm from 217-173=44 hp difference

I'm betting the performance gap between the 320is and 325 is about the same as 325 to 330

Meh, we wont get it here anyway. I think its an awesome enigne, but in the wrong car. I want that engine in a 1series coupe (2 series whatever) STAT!

Originally Posted by misterlance

I think its an awesome enigne, but in the wrong car. I want that engine in a 1series coupe (2 series whatever) STAT!

Exactly what I was thinking.

I'd prefer a six in my 1 series coupe

I like how they went away from valvetronic though

just not enough power (can ya tell i'm american???)

Originally Posted by whiskey.org

not sure how your math works, but where i'm from 217-173=44 hp difference

I'm betting the performance gap between the 320is and 325 is about the same as 325 to 330

for every 10lbs of body weight you lose, (and that can be significant, if you're american ) it's equivalent to the effect of adding 1hp in the 1/4mile test. therefore -200lbs is equivalent to +20hp in a 1/4mile test.

similarly, -1lb of wheel weight is equiv to +1hp in a 1/4mile test.

Valvetronic is removed to comply with the FIA regulations for the upcoming WTCC car.

http://www.fia.com/resources/documen...04_Art_263.pdf

Excerpt from Article 7.7.4 - Timing

Variable camshaft systems (variation in the timing of the
camshafts) are prohibited.
If the vehicle is homologated with such a system, it must be
rendered inoperative through dismantling or blocking.

Originally Posted by HW

for every 10lbs of body weight you lose, (and that can be significant, if you're american ) it's equivalent to the effect of adding 1hp in the 1/4mile test. therefore -200lbs is equivalent to +20hp in a 1/4mile test.

similarly, -1lb of wheel weight is equiv to +1hp in a 1/4mile test.

That formula can only possibly work within a range around a particular benchmark weight. Otherwise a 235-hp car (or truck) would have 0 hp with a 2350 pound load.