My understanding is that as of 9/06 the new 3 models will be 328 (replaces 325), and 335 (replaced 330). This is one reason I cancelled my order for a 330i and bought a 550i instead. I suspect these engines will also go in the 5 series, so it would be 528, 535, and 550. My service advisor said that this is no longer a rumor; the engines are changing in the 3 series, starting in June with the introduction of the couple. And at a recent sales meeting the BMW representative said not to badmouth turbos to clients. Supposedly, the 335, which won't be produced until the end of the e46 M3 production, will be a biturbo with approximately 310 HP.

 

Except for the part about the 330i/530i going away, that sounds about right. The naturally aspirated N52 isn't going anywhere. Not after 1 year. The renaming of the 325 and 525 to 328 and 528 sound plausible, and there has been a precedent in the US for such a naming switch. Also, since it's a 3 liter, they can call it whatever they want - it could technically be a 330i/530i if they chose to call it that.

 

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
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M630

This should be the product offering with the 525i dumped!!!

CVT Benhogan

 

Therefore as I stated, a 535i is not a logical introduction to the European market given the 540i is already here. I would take the V8 everytime.

Also does anyone know why BMW decided not to release the 540i in the US market ? Creates a huge gap.
[/quote]

They discounted the 545i and offered the 550i in the US market? Only a DA would buy an e60 540i in the US. I was suckered into getting the 545i. Offering a 540i in the US along with a 550i would only receive :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:

 

So, what is the consensus? Do you feel BMW will be dropping the current 525i and going with a 530, 535, and 550? Or, do you think they will leave the 525, go 535, and 550? Or, do you think they will go 528, 535, 550? Or are things going to stay 525i, 530, 550?

Also, what do you think will happen to the present 525i and 530 models? Do you think the 2006 525i will be the big loser in resale? Or, do you think the 530i will be the big loser in resale? Or, do you think it is all a wash, after all, all BMW's hold value?

 

I know it doesn't.

But as a 545 owner a 540 sounds more attractive then the 550.


DR.Z
[/quote]

I definitely agree. It makes more sense for BMW to produce a 540i than a turbocharged 535i. Drop the 525i may be? So have the following lineup: 530i->540i->550i->M5.

 

The N52 engine in the 330i and 530i is BMW's bread and butter offering. It will account for more than 50% of the cars it produces - so say BMW. There would be a really low ROI on the considerable investment for the R&D, retooling, production, marketing, etc... to introduce the two new engines for 1 year only. To suggest the possibility of decomissioning two brand new engines after 1 year of sale is utter lunacy.

I predict the following for the US:


525i, 530i, 535i (perhaps with M Sport), 550i, M5

or

528i (unchanged from '06 525i), 530i, 535i (perhaps with M Sport), 550i, M5

 

They discounted the 545i and offered the 550i in the US market? Only a DA would buy an e60 540i in the US. I was suckered into getting the 545i. Offering a 540i in the US along with a 550i would only receive :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:
[/quote]
It seems like the UK market doesn't like the 540i either! (It's a shame because I could be interested)

The 540i is listed as the lowest residiual (39%) whereas the 530/535d are the highest (55%) and even the 550i (in the petrol expensive UK!) is 51%! (All 3yr residuals)

 

550 all the way baby!

 

You're biased!