New 4 Cylinder 5 Series Next Month! - Surprising Little Discussion

I Googled and found a Canadian review [of the X1]: http://www.driving.ca/Road+test+2012...818/story.html

The one downside to the new powertrain, however, is aural feedback. Nothing sounds as refined as a sweet-running in-line six and even if BMW’s four-cylinder is comparatively sonorous, it still sounds a little rough and ready by comparison, especially when the throttle is matted and the revs head toward the 7,000 redline. Stephen McDonnell, BMW Canada’s national sales director, claims that won’t be much of an issue since he sees most of the X1’s customers coming from Honda CR-Vs, Ford Escapes and Toyota RAV4s, all of which are powered by four-bangers.

The last time I checked, you could get both the Escape and the RAV4 with V-6 engines. I would know, I have a RAV4 V6 also. It's not nearly as smooth or refined as a BMW Inline-6, and sorry there's no way I'd want to pay a premium to step "backwards" in the engine NVH department. Engine sound and NVH is one of the things that I seem to be pretty particular about, and BMW's I-6 engines were one of many things that drew me to the brand. The N20 is barely even out yet, and BMW sales execs are already having to make excuses for it by creating lies.

Sorry bmw, but i think they missed the majority of their target market with a 4cyl, esp in a 5 series, Ive had quite a few bmw's over the past few yrs, 3 8cyls' and 3 6cyl's, mostly I've had an avg of 3 at a time. For the enthusiast that will not be an option, but i guess when your new target is ex acura and Lexus owners that would be a good engine. Its just not for me or the many many other bmw enthusiasts that will be forced to buy older models, or switch brands.

Originally Posted by 1bad540

Sorry bmw, but i think they missed the majority of their target market with a 4cyl, esp in a 5 series, Ive had quite a few bmw's over the past few yrs, 3 8cyls' and 3 6cyl's, mostly I've had an avg of 3 at a time. For the enthusiast that will not be an option, but i guess when your new target is ex acura and Lexus owners that would be a good engine. Its just not for me or the many many other bmw enthusiasts that will be forced to buy older models, or switch brands.

Lexus does not make 4 cylinder cars and never has. BMW abandoned 4 pots in the late 1990s.

But now that BMW sees itself competing with the likes of Audi we are seeing 4 cylinder BMWs and front wheel drive BMWs. I think it's a disgrace. They should ditch the ultimate driving machine tagline if they make a lot of these cars.

The car isn't even out yet and we're passing judgment? Perhaps we should test drive it before consigning it to oblivion.

Mightbe my misunderstanding but some posters are stipulating the loss of the BMW 6 cilinder engine. I am not aware of this.
Four cilinders have been in BMW cars for a long time.
I last read somewhere that there will be a BMW released with only three (3) cilinders.
Now, that will be quite some fuel for all kind of troll nonsense.

Originally Posted by Robert A

There's a reason that they and the other European automakers are doing this. Not sure if it's for cost reasons, CAFE, or emissions. BMW has never in the history of the 5 series brought in a 4 cylinder engine.

not 100% true - there were 4 cylinder engines in e39, e34 (although in Europe not in the US)

the most surprising thing for me is that F10 530i 6 cylinder engine will be still available in Europe (apart from new 4 cylinder engine 528i)

All this is very disappointing. For those who are averse to the thought of driving a 4-cylinder 5-series, I guess the options are to put down the extra $5K and get the 535i or to move to the X5.

Just heard about it, but haven't see the official BMW NA press announcement. Hopefully the increase will include added standard equipment. We know about the implementation of stop-start, etc. but perhaps other items that were formerly optional will become standard. Also, perhaps BMW NA is making room for a new entry level 5, such as a 523i with a lower output version of the N20 engine. I believe that will be available in Europe. Greater MPG, lower price. Audi will be offering the A6 2.0T in the US, and don't be surprised if MB will offer an E250. All to achive greater average fuel economy for the brand.

another reason to keep my e39. BMW keeps making wrong products

Wow $2500 more!!!

Part of the increase, undoubtedly, is the $1.42 conversion rate.

Originally Posted by Me530

Wow $2500 more!!!

Originally Posted by Me530

Wow $2500 more!!!

Comparing latest March 2011 prices with 2012, it is not that much.

2011 528i $45,050
2012 528i $46,700 (+$1,650) and this now includes Xenons ($900)

And, based on options no longer listed for 2012, seems to include:
- 430 Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors
- 4UR Ambiance lighting
- and also the iPod USB adater ($400), though not 100% sure on this one

So, assuming you were going to get Xenons (I assume take rate would be pretty high), delta is only $750 and you do get some more standard features.

Originally Posted by Robert A

I personally don't think people in the market for a 5 series are willing to accept a 4 cylinder engine. I think it'll work well on the 3, the Z4 and other smaller cars, but not a 5.

If greater fuel efficiency was the goal, I think they might have been wiser to bring in the 530d or something along those lines.

Interestingly, Audi is also bringing in the 4 cylinder motor for the 2012 A6. Could Merc be far behind with a 1.8 liter E class?

I agree, people who are spending money on a 5 really don't care about slightly better mpg.... why not just make 528d diesel for people who want a better mileage

I managed to find a review of the 2012 Z4 28si or whatever it is with the N20 from Autoweek.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...IEWS/110819904

Here's some clips...

The engine is really good, with a wide torque band from about 1,250 rpm up to 5,000 rpm. On a drive up a twisting mountain road north of Ojai, Calif., we spent most of the time in third gear, using the wide power band to our advantage and amusement. The engine is responsive, especially down low in the rev range. The wide torque band reduces the need for lots of shifting, if you don't want to do it.

Wide torque band, don't need to shift much if you don't want to, pretty obvious.

But then....

While the Z4 sDrive 28i (yes, that is a mouthful) is a fun car to drive, it's not an all-out sports car. The exhaust note from the N-20 is, well, quiet. With the top down and traveling at any speed, you can't hear any exhaust note. With the top up, the air-conditioning fan is louder than the exhaust. At slow speeds, you catch just a whisper of intake noise. For most buyers of the Z4, a quiet overall ride might be just what they are looking for. But it is not the kind of noise enthusiasts want from their performance car.

Dead quiet. No intake or exhaust noise, even with the top down. Maybe because it sounds awful like a lot of Inline-4 engines do? I love the growl of the exhaust in my 335i vert. It'd be a whole lot more boring of a vehicle if it wasn't for that sweet exhaust sound. Maybe BMW is thinking that keeping an engine dead quiet is better than having it louder but sounding bad...

Found a tidbit on the F10...

And if the Z4 isn't your type of car, BMW will use the new N-20 engine next in the 2012 528i, due in dealerships this September. In that application, BMW expects the EPA highway mileage to come in at 32 mpg. With a government mandate to increase fuel economy across the board, expect automakers to continue to use smaller-displacement turbocharged engines to meet the federal mandate, and to meet customer's needs for performance.

That's the same exact highway mileage the current N52 gets!

Not sure if that's accurate info or not, but I wouldn't be surprised. Plodding along on the highway at very light loads, the lower static compression ratio of turbocharged engines has always been a liability and not an asset.

"2011 528i $45,050
2012 528i $46,700 (+$1,650) and this now includes Xenons ($900)

And, based on options no longer listed for 2012, seems to include:
- 430 Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors
- 4UR Ambiance lighting
- and also the iPod USB adater ($400), though not 100% sure on this one

So, assuming you were going to get Xenons (I assume take rate would be pretty high), delta is only $750 and you do get some more standard features."

Can somebody please confirm these..
I was thinking that the almost $2000 difference between 2011 528i and 2012 528i was all because of the more expensive turbo parts and that stupid start stop system.
Are we getting any other feature as standard as part of this price increase??
Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by Ralph1201

[I]"2011 528i $45,050
2012 528i $46,700 (+$1,650) and this now includes Xenons ($900)


Can somebody please confirm these..
Thanks in advance!

I am delighted to confirm all this. On the other hand, I'm just another user of the board, and I might be completely wrong. I could look it up. But, then, so could you . . . .

Originally Posted by SteVTEC

Let me sum up:

F10/N55/8AT: No intake sound, no exhaust sound, no nothing. .

You should drive mine...sounds great, particularly as it pushes through the gears from a start.

Gents

The 4 Cylinder pots have been on Sale in Europe since Sept last year, although the model designate is slightly different to the US markets and diesel engines are very popular in the corporate market (particularly in the UK) because of the fuel efficency, cost of fuel and company car tax.

The twin turbo 4 cylinder engine is superb. Having test drove a couple i'm upgrading my old model to the new vehicle and taking the new engine which I'm collecting tomorrow

I also think alot of people are missing the point here about engine size and cylinder count. Whilst BMW try to build top quality luxury cars, BMW also feels it has a corporate responsibility that those cars are as environmentaly friendly as they can be.

SO my new car (Diesel model) will have increased bhp at 218 compared to 204 but with average mpg increasing from 46.3 to 56.5.

You also have to consider the large corporate markets that exist worldwide and poor fuel efficiency can be the difference between a model being on the buyers list or not.

Originally Posted by JYG Y2k5285spCT

another reason to keep my e39. BMW keeps making wrong products

You are making a wrong conclusion.
The E39 is a very nice car, do not ever sell it.
The F10 is a far better product than your 12 year old car.
It is called progress and BMW is on top of the world by developping new and consistently better products.