anit999

Why is the 525i engine capacity 3.0 liters in US and Canada and 2.5 liters elsewhere?

Yet the power and performance figures are the same?



http://www.e60.net/information/options/engines/N52B25/

colejl

Apparently because the US market wouldn't take a 2.5l car of that class seriously...

Ricracing

Big differances in culture and gas prices.

The 540i was never introduced to the new continent nor the fine diesels 530d and 535d.

Also the new E92 comes to US as a 328i, overhere we'll get the 330i with 275 hp.


Political culture; in the EU the polliution and natural energy situation is taken very seriously...

UUronL

Pollution from cars is taken seriously here as well. We received two engines based upon the new design, the N52 - which also happens to be more fuel efficient and cleaner than previous engines, so perhaps we don't deserve to be chastised. Diesel is another story altogether. Acceptance of that technology (or lack thereof) is quite cultural. We don't like it. Bad bad memories from the likes of GM and VW. The "tiny block" V8 in the 540i was never going to fly over here. Not a big enough performance difference and possibly the least efficient engine that could be brought here out of the ones we don't have already.

The US market has a history of muddying the numbers. Back in the late 90s, the 323i was really a 2.5L, and the 328i was the 2.8L. When the 3.0L came out, the 323i became a 325i overnight, and nothing had really changed. I guess they figured having a 325i and a 328i would make the models seem too close in capabilities. Funny thing was, they actually were.

As you point out, we get a 328i Coupe. That's a detuned N52, again being a 3.0L. So, why not call it a 325i Coupe? Good question. To make it seem like it's better more more capable than the 325i? The 3 coupe is very much a flashy car in the US. One set of people will drive it for performance and style, the others will just want it for looks. BMW is smart to offer a "low end" engine that will still drive like a BMW, but can be produced and sold for less. This will permit them to sell the kinds of numbers they likely have planned for our market. BMW NA's attitude about the US is to not confuse us with too many engine options.

Ricracing

Thanks UUronL once again for good feedback!

In EU we'll have the 325i 218 hp, the 330i 275 hp
and the new fine 335i 306 hp with 400 Nm from
1300 rpms up.

I still say the 535i is coming with the facelift in Sept '07.





In US the pollution problem is not taken seriously!
You guys never went (signed) for the Kioto-agreement.

I'm sure the EU did make a big mistake signing it,
but it is a sign for the world...

But what to do with big future world powers like Chaina, Russian and India?
Not to mention pains in the ass like North-Korea, Iran, Libanon, Syria and Irak.

drjochen

Too general. There are many people in the US (me included) that would immediately buy Diesel engines.
Just look at the recent success of the Jetta Diesel and the E class Merc. Diesel.
I think its more an image thing for BMW - Merc. at least is not scared to bring modern Diesel technology to the US - goota give them credit for this.

http://www.mbusa.com/campaigns/alter...fuels/index.do

That said, I still wouldn't buy a Mercedes E-class.
"I don't buy Mercedes or play golf - I still have sex." (M. Schumacher, modified...).