520i 6cyl and 520i 4cyl compared
03-02-2008, 12:17 PM
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FYI: Autoweek (a Dutch magazine related to the German AutoBild) has a test this week where they compare the 520 models from 1977 until 2008.
The article goes mainly about comparing the 2004 520i (6cyl) and the 2008 520i (4cyl).
The new 520i is just as fast, lighter, and is supposed to consume almost 4l/100km less (!) compared to the 2004 model.
Obviously the engine sound of the 2004 model is rated much higher, according to these guys the new 520i even sounds a little bit like a diesel when idle.
In the end the difference in fuel consumption in real life is only ~10% overall (8.3l/100km for the new 520i)
In heavy city traffic the difference is much bigger: ~35% (9.4l/100km for the new 520i)
The article goes mainly about comparing the 2004 520i (6cyl) and the 2008 520i (4cyl).
The new 520i is just as fast, lighter, and is supposed to consume almost 4l/100km less (!) compared to the 2004 model.
Obviously the engine sound of the 2004 model is rated much higher, according to these guys the new 520i even sounds a little bit like a diesel when idle.
In the end the difference in fuel consumption in real life is only ~10% overall (8.3l/100km for the new 520i)
In heavy city traffic the difference is much bigger: ~35% (9.4l/100km for the new 520i)
03-02-2008, 01:23 PM
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I've heard the engine sound of the 2008 320i 4cyl. with closed hood and with opened hood. With open hood, It's so awful that you won't believe that isn't a diesel. Also, the engine is trembling so badly that makes you think something is going wrong with it... I'm happy with my more expensive and "velvet like" smooth 6inline engine 
...as now about the fuel consumption, I'm not using the car in the city. I use it for family and business trips only and never seen less than 9.5 l/100 km consumption on the trip computer 
Ok, I never drove with 120km/h constant speed 
...as now about the fuel consumption, I'm not using the car in the city. I use it for family and business trips only and never seen less than 9.5 l/100 km consumption on the trip computer Ok, I never drove with 120km/h constant speed
03-02-2008, 01:50 PM
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My Ride: BMW E60 520d SE Saloon M47 2.0dTitanium Grey II, Grey−Dakota Leather, Visibility Package, Media Package, Through Load System, Lumbar support − fr seats, Automatic Air Conditioning−Advanced, High beam assistant, Hi−Fi Loudspeak
Model Year: 2006
I happened to ask someone who has a nice looking 320 coupe if his was a Diesel, only to have him very embarassed and tell me it was a petrol. I went away thinking how quiet my diesel was in comparision.
03-03-2008, 04:11 AM
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My Ride: F11 -14
It is true that the new direct injection engine has a more mechanical rattle, and especially when cold it sounds like a muted diesel. 
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