UUronL

We've already socialized the idea of the 535i/335i. It makes loads of sense. There's a gap in the power lineup (admittedly, the 5 series could cure it with the 540i just as easily) - but the 3 series won't get a V8 before the M3. I mean, there's 105hp difference between the 530 and the 550. There's room at the midway point.

For the 3 series, there will also be at least a 100hp gap when the M3 comes out. Room there as well, and its competitors are all near or above 300hp in their most potent forms.

Ricracing

I would not get too fired up about this.

As I said many times before the real MY changes in August,
see this thread.

If, and or when, there will be some changes in the engines, it doesn't change the
car.
The new 550i has a new 4.8 litre engine N62TU, but the TU means that it is only a upgrade.

The six in line engines (N52) are brand new engines and will be produced at least for three years,
after this we can see a N52TU engine.

Note that BMW develops their car all the time, and I mean all the time!

The E60 facelift will happen in fall 2007, four years after launch, as normal.

It has also been known that BME will intruduce a 3.0 litre bi-turbo engine for a while.
They will we called 535i and 335i, I suppose.

Lomag

Hmmm this 535 bi-turbo rumour has been going on for atleast 3 years now and it still continues now the 3 series guys are spreading it.... it's not gunna happen. As other members have said each model has essentially a new engine so we're probably not going to see any engine type changes until the next new 5 series.

ImolaRedM

I don't know. There really is no need for two 3.0L engines. This pure speculation but if a I6 535i is introduced (and I don't think it'll be a turbo) it would mean the end of the older 3.0L found in the 525i. I don't think a bump of any kind to the 550i would be logical just yet.

Ricracing

I don't know. There really is no need for two 3.0L engines. This pure speculation but if a I6 535i is introduced (and I don't think it'll be a turbo) it would mean the end of the older 3.0L found in the 525i. I don't think a bump of any kind to the 550i would be logical just yet.
[/quote]


As it is now there are two 3.0 litre engines on the US market;
The brand new N52 engine as 525i and 530i.
In EU the 525i has a 2.5 litre N52 enigine, but there is also a
other 2.5 litre engine; the 523i with also belongs to the N52 family.

Furthermore there are also two 3.0 litre diesel engines:
530d with one turbo and the 535d with a twin-turbo.

I quite sure the 3 litre twin turbo gasoline engine will come,
there has been so much news about it in the German magazines lately.

evh5150

what exactly is a 540i? And how does it compare to the new 550i??

E60Speed

Actually my dealer says BMW South Africa has confirmed a turbo 335i to them, and already told them what their allocation will be .

It seems though that the usa may not get the turbo

m630

its an E60 with the new 4.0 v8 that produces ~306bhp, but its not available in North America..its a great fit between the 530i and 550i

Ricracing

Actually my dealer says BMW South Africa has confirmed a turbo 335i to them, and already told them what their allocation will be .

It seems though that the use may not get the turbo
[/quote]

Hi E60Speed,

I really do not get your message...

As we know a 3.0 litre R6 engine is about as optimi as the mech/tech can be.
0.5 litre per cylinder and a close to a vibration free engine block!

That is the reason why BMW does insist on doing 3.0 litre engines,
both gas and diesels.

The problem with a sixinline engine is still the lenght of the engine,
it is 33 % longer (in inches) than a a mech/tech/stupid compact V6.

A R6 light alu/mag construction is not the cheapest one.

E60Speed

Sorry had a mistype there, was saying usa not use

Dealer here has had it confirmed to them by BMW South Africa that the 335i will be a 3.0L turbo

Word on the 3 Series forums is that USA dealers have been told the USA version of the 335i will NOT be turbo but a 3.5L